David Hillier
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 19 December 1969 | ||
Place of birth | Blackheath, London, England | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
1984–1988 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1988–1996 | Arsenal | 143 | (2) |
1996–1999 | Portsmouth | 67 | (4) |
1999–2002 | Bristol Rovers | 83 | (1) |
2002–2003 | Barnet | 6 | (0) |
Total | 260 | (7) | |
International career | |||
1991 | England U21 | 1 | (0) |
Managerial career | |||
2008–2010 | Oldland Abbotonians | ||
2010–2013 | Almondsbury UWE | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
David Hillier (born 19 December 1969) is an English former professional
Playing career
Arsenal
Hillier was born in
The following two seasons Hillier became more of a regular fixture; and made a name for himself as a combative, strong tackling midfielder who would make up for any shortcomings in skill with his workrate. He played in the FA-cup defeat at Wrexham, who were bottom of the Fourth Division in January 1992 when they faced First Division Arsenal in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup at The Racecourse Ground.
Hillier scored his first League goal against Liverpool 20 April 1992 and established him further, especially with Paul Davis out of favour, and he was a regular at the heart of the midfield in 1992–93. He was instrumental in Arsenal’s double-prolonged assault on Wembley after helping beat Tottenham in the FA Cup Semi-final. However a leg injury at Middlesbrough two days later meant he missed both the League Cup and FA Cup finals that season; Arsenal won both, the first time an English club had completed the Cup Double.[3][4]
Hillier returned the next season
Despite this, Hillier's form had clearly declined since his early days at the club, and he was a marginal player under Bruce Rioch. Following several off the field incidents by the time Arsène Wenger succeeded Rioch in autumn 1996, Hillier did not feature in Wenger's future plans for the side. Having played 142 matches for Arsenal (scoring two goals), Hilliers last appearance with Arsenal, came as a substitute in the last minutes, against Leicester City 24 August 1996.[6][7] He was told Portsmouth were interested, and he wanted First Team football which Hillier did not see happening at Arsenal.[8]
Later career
Hillier left Arsenal in October 1996 for
Managerial career
He was appointed manager of
Controversies
In March 1995, during a
Personal life
After his football career, Hillier worked as a fireman in the Bristol area.[20][21]
References
- ^ Arsenal Official Handbook 1991-92.
- ^ "lfc history". 1 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014.
- ^ "Football: Anxious wait for Hillier". Independent. 8 April 1993. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Arsenal Official Handbook 1992-93
- ^ "1993/94 Cup Winners' Cup". Arsenal. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Arsenal Official Handbook 1996-97.
- ^ "premierleague". 1 August 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020.
- ^ "interview-with-arsenal-icon-david-hillier". 1 February 2022.
- ^ "Hillier's red beginning". Independent. 10 November 1996. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Wycombe 0–1 Bristol R". BBC. 21 August 2001. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Norton, Charlie (25 August 2001). "Third Division: Bristol off to flying start". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ History Oldland Abbotonians
- ^ "Former Arsenal, Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers player David Hillier is new Almondsbury UWE boss". Thornbury Gazette. Newsquest Media Group. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Former Arsenal star drafted in to boost pre-season training". Bristol: Frome Valley Voice. 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Yinka in youth football link-up with UWE". Bristol: Frome Valley Voice. 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ Almondsbury UWE FC part company with David Hillier Archived 3 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Almondsbury UWE
- ^ Donnelley, Paul (2011). Arsenal On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing.
- Independent.co.uk. 23 October 2011. Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2011.
- ^ "klick". 1 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Where are they now? David Hillier". Guardian. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ Cosgrove, David (28 August 2015). "Life after the final whistle has gone". Express & Star. Wolverhampton.