Ian Hillier

Ian Hillier (born 26 December 1979) is a Welsh footballer who plays for Briton Ferry Llansawel

Ian Hillier
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-12-26) 26 December 1979
Place of birth Neath, Wales
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2001 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
2001 → Luton Town (loan) 13 (1)
2001–2005 Luton Town 42 (0)
2004–2005 → Chester City (loan) 8 (0)
2005–2008 Newport County 110 (6)
2009 Newport County 0 (0)
2009–2012 Neath 38 (1)
2012–2013 Carmarthen Town 27 (0)
2013–2014 Afan Lido 19 (1)
2014–2015 Goytre United
2015– Briton Ferry Llansawel
National team
2001 Wales U21 5 (0)
2007 Wales Semi-Pro 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:00, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

Career

A Welsh under-21 international, Hillier began his professional career at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Luton Town on loan in August 2001. He made his professional debut in a 2–1 win over Cheltenham Town on 18 August and went on to make a total of 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal in a 2–1 win over York City.[1] Towards the end of 2001, he made his move to Luton permanent with a two-year deal for a fee of £30,000.[2] A regular in his first two seasons, Hillier gradually fell out of favour with new manager Mike Newell and, after making 42 league appearances and having a spell on loan at Chester City,[3][4] left to join Newport County in the summer of 2005 following trial spells at Oxford United, Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town.[5][6] Hillier made his debut for the Wales semi-professional international team in May 2007.

At the end of his first season at Newport, Hillier was voted both players and supporters player of the year and was later awarded the captaincy at the start of the 2008–09 season. In September 2008 Hillier broke his leg in three places in an accident while working in his day job as a tree surgeon when a falling branch struck his leg, breaking his tibia, fibula and ankle.[7] He was subsequently sacked by Newport County as he was unable to fulfil his contract and would be out of the game for a large part of the 2008–09 season.[8] Hillier appealed the against the cancellation of his contract and won an initial case against the club. Newport themselves decided to appeal against the case but prior to the hearing a surprising turnaround saw the club offer Hillier a new contract, which he accepted.[9] However, he never played for Newport again and signed for Neath in April 2009.[10]

He joined Carmarthen Town in June 2012 after the liquidation of Neath.[11]

References
  1. "York 1–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 15 September 2001. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  2. "Kinnear to strengthen". BBC Sport. 28 October 2001. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  3. "Chester snap up Luton duo on loan". BBC Sport. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  4. "Ian Hillier". lutonfc.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  5. "Luton trio impress Pirates's boss". BBC Sport. 19 April 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  6. "Midfielder given Mariners trial". BBC Sport. 27 July 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  7. "Football player's leg crushed in accident". WalesOnline. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  8. "Hillier sacked". South Wales Argus. 25 September 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  9. "Hillier to come home". South Wales Argus. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  10. "Hillier to spearhead Neaths new era". welsh-premier.com. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  11. "Three more Eagles find a new nest". Welsh Premier League. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
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