Nicky Hunt

Club career Bolton Wanderers Hunt made his professional debut as a substitute for Colin Hendry in the First Division match against Sheffield United on the final day of the 2000–01 regular season, shortly before Bolton Wanderers won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He had to wait some time for further first-team opportunities, only playing in two FA Cup ties (against Sunderland in January 2003) before making his breakthrough at the start of the 2003–04 season when he became a key part of the defence and a first-team regular for Bolton. His Premier League debut came in the 4–0 defeat at Manchester United on 16 August 2003. He made over a century of appearances for the club, scoring once, against Liverpool in February 2004. His form earned him a four-year contract at Bolton, taking him until the end of the 2010–11 season, which he signed on 30 August 2007.

Birmingham City loan The departure of Sam Allardyce to Newcastle United and his eventual replacement by Gary Megson saw Hunt fall out of favour at the Reebok Stadium and he joined Championship club Birmingham City on an emergency one-month loan deal as cover for the injured Stuart Parnaby and Stephen Kelly on 3 November 2008. He made his debut the same day, in a 1–0 defeat to Coventry City at St Andrew's. The loan was extended for a further month, but on 30 December, a 24-hour recall clause in the loan agreement was invoked and the player returned to Bolton.

Derby County loan Despite being recalled Hunt played no further role for Bolton in the ensuing year and was again loaned out to a Championship club, this time Derby County, on 7 January 2010 as competition for the club's sole available rightback, Paul Connolly. Initially a month's loan, it was extended until the end of the season.

Bristol City On 30 July 2010, Hunt signed a two-year deal with Championship club Bristol City. He made his debut in a 3–0 loss to Millwall. Hunt made seven appearances in the first two months of the season, and an eighth in a 3–1 loss against Leeds United on 13 November, but that was his last for the club. On 31 January 2012, Hunt's contract was terminated.

Preston North End A few days later, Hunt signed a short-term deal with Preston North End. He played regularly over the next few months,

Rotherham United Hunt signed for Rotherham United on 22 May 2012. A hamstring tear during a pre-season friendly delayed his competitive debut, he played just a few matches before falling out of favour, and he joined Accrington Stanley on loan in January 2013.

Accrington Stanley On his third appearance, Hunt collided with Plymouth Argyle's Ronan Murray, lost consciousness, and was taken to hospital after ten minutes of treatment on the pitch. Once his recovery was well on the way, the loan was extended to the end of the season.

He signed for Stanley on a two-year deal in June 2013 after Rotherham released him from his contract.

Hunt chose to leave Stanley at the end of his contract.

Mansfield Town In June 2015 he signed for Mansfield Town. He scored his first goal for Orient in a 3–0 win at Colchester United on 12 November 2016.

Notts County On 1 August 2017, Hunt signed for Notts County. He was released at the end of the season.

Crewe Alexandra On 31 July 2018, Hunt joined Crewe Alexandra on a one-year deal after a successful trial. He made his first-team debut on 4 August as a 29th-minute substitute for George Ray in a 6–0 win over Morecambe. He signed a new one-year deal in May 2019. On 12 October 2019, he scored his first and ultimately only Crewe goal in a 4–2 win at Carlisle United. He was released at the end of the season.

Darlington Hunt joined Darlington in July 2020. On 10 November, in a match against Boston United, Hunt lost consciousness following a collision with another player and received treatment on the pitch for more than an hour before being taken to hospital; the match was abandoned. After scans on his head and neck, Hunt was released from the hospital the following morning. He was able to return to action at the end of the month, finishing the truncated season with 16 appearances in all competitions,

International career Hunt won ten England U21 caps, the first in February 2004 against the Netherlands.

Coaching career In June 2021, Hunt joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ashton United as first-team coach working under manager Michael Clegg, and would register as a player "on a bit-part basis if needed".

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Hunt once again linked up with Clegg, joining Atherton Collieries as assistant manager.

On 3 September 2025, Hunt was appointed manager of North West Counties League Division One North club Daisy Hill.

Career statistics

Honours Bolton Wanderers Football League Cup runner-up: 2003–04