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Thomas John Hunter

Birthdate: 1881 Birthplace: Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland Date of death: 13 March 1928 Other clubs: Beith (1898-99), Preston North End (1902-08), Ayr Parkhouse, Ayr United Bought from: Beith Signed for LFC: 27.09.1899

Liverpool debut: 25.11.1899 Last appearance: 22.03.1902 Contract expiry: 16.05.1902 Win ratio: 50% W:2 D:1 L:1 Total games/goals opposite LFC: 5 / 1 LFC league games/goals: 4 / 0 Total LFC games/goals: 4 / 0

Player profile

"Hunter is only 19 years of age but is said to give promise of proving an even finer centre half than Alex Raisbeck," reported the Manchester Evening News on his capture. "He is spoken of as one of the likeliest men who has left Scotland for some time. His nominal terms are £3 per week winter and summer; but this transfer has cost the Liverpudlians a good deal." Hunter never came close to being the incredible servant Raisbeck ever was for the club and made just four appearances for Liverpool's first team, spread over three different seasons.

The 5ft. 8in. Hunter became a stalwart of Preston North End's centre of defence in the First Division for a few years and became the club's captain. "A more dogged, hardy, relentless, copper-nobbed player of his inches never forced his way to the front in League football, and although some of his methods did not make him popular with opponents he was a fine servant to North End," claimed the Lancashire Evening Post in 1918.