Bob Hazell

Robert Joseph Hazell (born 14 June 1959) is a former professional footballer who made 266 league appearances in a 12-year career in the English Football League between 1977 and 1989. Born in Jamaica, he represented England at under-21 level. His nephew is the former Oldham Athletic defender Reuben Hazell, and his son Rohan was a non-League player.

A big physical defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, featuring in the FA Youth Cup final in 1976. He moved on to Queens Park Rangers in 1979. He helped QPR to the Second Division title in 1982–83 and also played in the 1982 FA Cup final. He moved on to Leicester City in 1983 and had a brief spell back on loan at Wolves in 1985 before he signed with Reading. He joined Port Vale in December 1986 and was a regular for the "Valiants" until a back injury forced his retirement in June 1989.

Club career Wolverhampton Wanderers Hazell was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and featured in the 1976 FA Youth Cup final, which ended in a 5–0 aggregate defeat to West Bromwich Albion. He turned professional at Molineux under Sammy Chung and played 20 First Division games for Wolves in the 1977–78 season; despite only making his debut in December and being sent off in a 2–1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup, he made such an impact in a central defensive partnership with John McAlle that he picked up the club's second ever Player of the Year award.

Queens Park Rangers In September 1979, Hazell was transferred to Queens Park Rangers for a £240,000 fee, who had just been relegated into the Second Division. However, a Glenn Hoddle penalty was enough to hand "Spurs" a 1–0 victory in the replay. Perhaps his most impressive performance came in the semi-final against West Bromwich Albion, where he marked Cyrille Regis out of the game. Promotion was finally achieved in 1982–83, as Rangers won the Second Division title by a ten-point margin. He helped Gordon Milne's "Foxes" to post a 15th-place finish in 1984–85, but became plagued by injury problems. Reading wanted him on a short-term contract to cover for Paul Futcher, who was out with a fractured jaw.

Port Vale Hazell joined Port Vale in December 1986. He was reluctant to join due to the club's dire league placement but was talked round by former Leicester teammate Mark Grew. He went on to serve as club captain, setting an example with his performances whilst commanding respect with his mentality and presence. He was the first black player to captain the club. He played 52 league and cup games in 1987–88, and gained some measure of revenge over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup as he helped Vale to snatch a memorable 2–1 win; it was reported that he successfully intimidated Clive Allen by knocking him to the ground and telling him that "You're going to get that for the next eighty-five minutes".

Hazell was a regular feature in the first XI until he received a back injury in January 1989.

International career During his time at Wolves he represented the England Youth, playing two games in March 1977.

Post-retirement After leaving the game, Hazell attempted a job selling life insurance but fell into a deep depression.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1977–78 First Division

1978–79 First Division

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1979–80 Second Division

1980–81 Second Division

1981–82 Second Division

1982–83 Second Division

1983–84 First Division

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1983–84 First Division

1984–85 First Division

41!!2!!1!!0!!4!!0!!46!!2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 1985–86 Third Division

Reading 1986–87 Second Division

1986–87 Third Division

1987–88 Third Division

1988–89 Third Division

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Honours Wolverhampton Wanderers FA Youth Cup runner-up: 1976

Queens Park Rangers Football League Second Division: 1982–83