Striker Noel Hunt has admitted that he came close to hitting an abusive Norwich supporter during the pitch invasion which followed the final whistle after the Blues’ play-off defeat at Carrow Road on Saturday. The 32-year-old says he was dragged away at the vital moment by his brother Stephen.

Writing in his column for BeanBagSports, Hunt, who came off the bench late on in the game, said a fan who had been throwing abuse at him while he was warming up approached him on the pitch after the match: “As I walked across to applaud our fans I could hear him on the pitch shouting behind me. I thought, just give me one chance. I then thought, no, leave it.

“I walked over to our fans who have been superb throughout the season. We owed it to the fans to applaud them and I threw my shirt into them.

“As I turned around, that guy was there. He was wanting to square up to me and I thought right, just hit him, just hit him as hard as you can.

“As I go to flinch, a hand grabs me. It’s Stephen. He says just leave it. I don’t even know where he came from. That would have been the worst thing I could have ever done. Stephen stopping me was the right thing to do.”

Reflecting on the Blues’ play-off defeat, Hunt, who along with his brother is yet to be offered new terms by Town, added: “I’ve just felt empty since the final whistle and still do.

"This club for me ticks all the boxes as did Reading, it’s something that doesn't come around that often so when it does you need to take full advantage of.

“I will have a break for a few weeks and see what options are around. Hopefully I'll see the boys again, if not it will be onto the next chapter!”

Photo: Action Images

kallyweed added 08:19 - May 21 Our problem in the past has been strength in depth the Hunt bros offer that. Im from Wolves and remember Stephen there and he was fantastic. He always makesmy squad on Fifa!
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Jesney_Havoc added 08:56 - May 21 Punching him would have achieved nothing. You need to set fire to him !
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Geoff added 10:38 - May 21 If the scum get what they deserve at Wembley and come home crying lets all have a party at Norwich.
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rinkydinkpanther added 10:38 - May 21 Nearly not having the professional self-control to punch an opposition fan in a situation in which provocation is to be expected is a clear reason to sign up a thirty-plus year old Leeds reject. Yep, I'm sold. As most people would say on here, "Wotta Legdend!" Give him a five year contract. Hell, put him in the hall of fame. Make a statue of him and plonk it in the middle of the town centre. We love our dubious, fringe cult heroes at Town.

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docsavage52 added 12:44 - May 21 Just had 4 days of non stop bird cr*p about going to london on Monday, bet there is not many that will return via the A12 / A14. hopefully "Leadboots" will score a hatrick.
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Marcus added 14:00 - May 21 @rinkydinkpanther - We love our dubious, fringe cult heroes at Town. Roger Osborne?
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Lightningboy added 14:39 - May 21 Better still Noel - if you're here next season and Narwich are still in this league - go and knock in the winner.
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blueherts added 15:05 - May 21 Horrible day that I had erased from my memory . I saw that incident from our seats when he was pulled away Also saw Dids strutting about after throwing his shirt - Sears walked towards him and he just walked through him ? Dids looked pretty pumped up I just hope he stays on Stephen Hunt was great at home to Norwich Lets see who may be available Roger Osborne - Love it

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Sindre94 added 15:09 - May 21 I hope he gets a new contract. Been a class act since he walked in through the doors. Top bloke and a decent player.
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blueboy1981 added 17:49 - May 21 jason0999 ........ you're probably right - But can you really see us bringing all these better players in. In our wishes, and in our dreams - yes. But reality says otherwise, knowing what we do.
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blueboy1981 added 17:57 - May 21 ...... I'm not one for knocking the Police, but in every sense of the word the video clip posted proves the control (or complete lack of) was DIABOLICAL - and non existent.
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Carberry added 20:31 - May 21 Can you imagine the mayhem it would have caused? Scum fans wading into them both with every Town player going to their aid as well as Mick and Terry. It would have been carnage. Norwich constabulary, think on that.
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runningout added 20:42 - May 21 Come on all.. Shame but no club lacks a moron or seven. Lets put our own house in order first
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MathieandMarshall added 21:37 - May 21 Such an embarrassing pitch invasion! Remember the semi final win over Bolton with thousands on the Portman road pitch celebrating with the players. Good times
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essex57 added 21:19 - May 22 Good comment running out i am affraid a minority of away supporters need a few lessons in how to enjoy themselves without causing other supporters to feel intimidated eg throwing pints of beer at innocent fans standing by and rushing and pushing fans two or three rows ahead . I was knocked over after we scored and left shortly afterwards as i felt unsafe.
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coolcat added 22:28 - May 24 I was at the match. Have to say it has wound me up seeing the full extent of the pitch invasion which was bad enough at the time from what little I saw. I didn't hang around after the players finished trying to applaud us fans. Loved the way Mick stood defiant, smiling at those idiots. The look on Noel Hunt's face - well intercepted by his brother. I pretty much echo what Noel Hunt was feeling. The players, club and fans did not deserve that. It was a disgrace. The players should have been protected and the police did nothing. I said as much on the Norfolk Police twitter site. Did actually speak to a Norwich fan afterwards at the station, who said Norwich could get fined for allowing the pitch invasion. Frankly I think Norwich were primarily relieved for beating us as much as they were looking forward to their trip to Wembley. I think Town were a harder match for them than they expected. They got lucky with 10 men.

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BecclesBlue500 added 22:42 - May 26 Is it just me that thinks we're a little hypocritical here? Like it wouldn't have happened if the situation was reversed??? Come off if chaps..... Anybody remember the game against Norwich about 10 years or so ago where Counago scored a penalty rebound against Robert Green and a fan got on the pitch and squared up to him? Not sure we took such a dim view of that back then... For me the worst part of being a Town fan is most people's obsession with 'the Scum'; they don't care about us and we just need to move on; I work in Ipswich and all the talk is about hating the scum; and then the same people who drone on and on then openly admit that they went shopping/socialising in Norwich at the weekend and really enjoyed it!!! Let's just enjoy our football - for me a real tricky close season for MM and TC in terms of players coming and going but we'll be there or thereabouts...

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