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Hunt: Busy Summer Left Me Tired
Friday, 31st Oct 2014 13:00

Town midfielder Stephen Hunt has attributed his lack of fitness at the start of the season to the pressures of launching a business venture back home in Ireland during the summer.

The former Reading, Hull, Wolves and Republic of Ireland winger is the proud proprietor of Tides Gastro Pub in Rosslare, which opened its doors for business in June and is growing in popularity with both locals and tourists to the area.

Hunt, who was sidelined until earlier this month when he started the home clash with Blackburn having suffered a calf problem in pre-season, said: “I think I was tired if the truth be known and probably had a busy summer with my business, trying to sort it out. Even though I wasn’t physically doing too much I was tired mentally.

“You’ve got to look after yourself and I’m not saying I didn’t because I did my programme and stuff like that. But I also did a lot of other stuff with it so next summer I’ll be relaxing and coming back fresher.”

Hunt did not feature in the away fixture at Cardiff, which came just three days after the Blackburn game and is the club’s only defeat in 10 league games, and he explained: “The manager and I had a discussion and from what he said I totally understood that he left me out because I did cover a lot of ground in the Blackburn game, which was surprising when you consider it was my first game back.

“I had been training hard for three or four weeks, so it was nice to get the confidence from knowing I was able to cover that distance and also get better as the game went on. Hopefully, when I do get my chance again, I’ll be ready to go.

“If I can get back in quickly I’ll be better for it but if I have to wait three or four weeks…it always takes a couple of games to get going so hopefully I can get back in now and stay in. But I don’t know what the gaffer has planned for the weekend at Blackpool.”

Hunt is adamant that his pub and restaurant venture has done nothing to diminish his appetite for football. He said: “It’s easy for people to say ‘He’s starting a business’ and stuff like that but if they saw me train every day, running around and enjoying it the way I do, they would know I’m up for it.

“The gaffer said after the game against Blackburn that he could see me playing for another three or four years, so hopefully I can crack on and he’ll be right. I will play for as long as I can, for sure. You get an appreciation of the game as you get older and I certainly have that so I won’t be going anywhere if I can help it.

“With the business it’s just a case of making plans for what I am going to do after football. It’s going well but a business takes a couple of years to get up and running. I make a phone call every day just to keep up with it. What’s the football cliché? You can always do better!”


Photo: Action Images



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rinkydinkpanther added 14:29 - Oct 31
Well, I'm sure I speak for all Town fans when I say that I hope playing for the club doesn't get in the way of making Tides a successful business. Trying to get promotion to the Premiership is all well and good, but priorities are priorities. A footballer's career is short, after all, and earning thousands upon thousands of pounds a week for approximately 15-20 years sometimes just isn't enough, so he's right to pursue conflicting interests whilst being a full-time professional footballer for Town. I'm sure we all support him in his efforts to ensure his nest continues to get feathered well after football. Everyone paying thirty odd quid a week to go to Portman Road will understand Hunt's absence from the team or squad in light of this.

In fact, the next time he's not involved due to physical, or indeed mental, fatigue owing to his efforts with his other business, the club would be wise to put out buckets so fans can throw in a few extra quid to help him out. My sympathy lies with him.

I'm glad the club are supporting budding entrepreneurs in this way. It can only be a good thing for the Irish economy.
-1

battyblue added 14:46 - Oct 31
Just because one can run up and down the park all afternoon if would be a little more beneficial for the team if there was a little less running around and put the effort into doing something worthwhile with the ball.

Good luck with the new business venture Hunty.
0

bohslegend added 15:41 - Oct 31
nonsensical reaction rinkydinkpanther.
Do you think he's the only football player in his 30's who has interests outside of football?
And what about people who are professionals in other walks of life? Should they have no other interests outside work?
IMO Hunt has a great attitude as a pro and this is well appreciated by younger players who look up to him.
3

olimar added 15:50 - Oct 31
Hmm. If you were incapable of doing your job for a few weeks because of your summer holiday, I suspect your employer would be asking questions.
5

DeVOS added 16:09 - Oct 31
rinkydinkpanther "My sympathy lies with him".

My sympathy lies with ITFC. Players come and go. Good luck to him but ITFC come first and this should be the priority
2

jeera added 16:16 - Oct 31
Crikey, where to start...
DeVos, that's what Rinkyperson said. Are you unable to read between the most obvious of lines?
Bohslegend, what are you on about? Hunt is a young man and has his entire life to chase dreams- good luck to him, sure. But not at the expense of his current job.
It's not complicated.
Rinkyperson and Olimar have spelt it out already for any hard of thinking types...
2

LWNR2013 added 17:04 - Oct 31
Honest||||
-2

are_these_the_days added 18:11 - Oct 31
Presumably he'll be refunded his wages for the period he was below par
1

alexsmith111 added 23:29 - Oct 31
How bohslegend got positive marks bewilders me! Rinkydinkpanther couldn't have said it much better, wtf, if you have a job you commit, I would be sacked if I did similar! Biggest surprise is that mick has tolerated it!! Sling your hook and sign a 19 year old conference lad, experience, maybe not, hunger, I've just ate a Chinese and I still think I'm hungrier than hunty
1

SMS added 02:46 - Nov 1
Joke? We signed him (no idea how much but I think he probably gets paid about £5k/week about £250k a year) and Hes tired because he opened a business. I really hope hes on pay as you play or he gives the cash to charity
1

bluemikey100 added 06:24 - Nov 1
a footballers life is so hard he probably spends all night countin his wages so lack of sleep as well lol
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 08:12 - Nov 1
Honesty (which I think Hunt is actually showing in this admission) is not always the wisest policy when you are a public figure like a footballer. I think this was meant to be an expression of regret but provides fodder for the armchair judge jury and executioners. My instinct is he will be released at the end of this season anyway if the likes of Henshall, Stewart and Bru stake a claim.
2

jas0999 added 09:25 - Nov 1
Hunt will be on a very decent wage so his priority should be 100% Ipswich Town. If it's not, then he would be better served retiring and pursue his business interests. I said when we resigned him, it was taking up valuable wages for another player, perhaps defensive cover or a better striking option. He should be doing his all for us, not even thinking about other ventures.
1


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