Played for Villa: 1878-1890
Position: Forward
Appearances: 74
One of the true legends from Villa history, Hunter played much of his career in the pre-Football League years, consequently notching up more FA Cup appearances than league games. In his 74 senior outings, he banged in 43 goals, including at least one in every round of the 1887 FA Cup win, plus the opener in the final against West Brom, where he captained the side - he was the first Villa captain to lift the trophy. Thought of as one of the superstars of the day, as well as the best forward in football, he was never capped by Scotland, due to their policy of not selecting players from English clubs. His importance to Aston Villa was such that the club once chartered a train just to ferry him to a game he might otherwise have missed! Hunter collapsed on the pitch in 1890, representing Villa against Everton, and was forced to retire. He died aged just 35. Born too early to be commemorated on football cards in his day, he was remembered by Cope in 1910 and included in their Aston Villa set, the only player from days-gone-by to get such treatment. A measure of the respect in which he was held, perhaps.
Footnote: Archie had a brother, Andy, who also played for Villa and scored their first-ever FA Cup goal, in December 1879.
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Position: Forward
Appearances: 74
One of the true legends from Villa history, Hunter played much of his career in the pre-Football League years, consequently notching up more FA Cup appearances than league games. In his 74 senior outings, he banged in 43 goals, including at least one in every round of the 1887 FA Cup win, plus the opener in the final against West Brom, where he captained the side - he was the first Villa captain to lift the trophy. Thought of as one of the superstars of the day, as well as the best forward in football, he was never capped by Scotland, due to their policy of not selecting players from English clubs. His importance to Aston Villa was such that the club once chartered a train just to ferry him to a game he might otherwise have missed! Hunter collapsed on the pitch in 1890, representing Villa against Everton, and was forced to retire. He died aged just 35. Born too early to be commemorated on football cards in his day, he was remembered by Cope in 1910 and included in their Aston Villa set, the only player from days-gone-by to get such treatment. A measure of the respect in which he was held, perhaps.
Footnote: Archie had a brother, Andy, who also played for Villa and scored their first-ever FA Cup goal, in December 1879.
WIKIPEDIA ENTRY