Asa HARTFORD | 1976-1977 | PES Stats Database (Golden Era Backup)

HARTFORD PES STATS | 1976-1977

electric_trigger Asa HARTFORD | 1976-1977 Club: Manchester City Number: 10 Position: CM*, AM Nationality: Scottish Era: 1976-1977, aged 27 Foot: R Side: B Length: 170 Weight: 67 Attack: 80 Defence: 62 Balance: 78 Stamina: 86 Top Speed: 82 Acceleration: 84 Response: 77 Agility: 83 Dribble Accuracy: 86 Dribble Speed: 87 Short Pass Accuracy: 85 Short Pass Speed: 88 Long Pass Acc: 85 Long Pass Speed: 87 Shot Accuracy: 76 Shot Power: 80 Shot Technique: 78 Free Kick Accuracy: 84 Curling: 86 Header: 66 Jump: 72 Technique: 85 Aggression: 84 Mentality: 82 GK Skills: 50 Team Work: 83 Injury Tolerance: B Condition/Fitness: 6 Weak Foot Accuracy: 6 Weak Foot Frequency: 6 *Tactical Dribbling *Passing *Playmaking *Centre Richard 'Asa' Hartford (born 24 October 1950 in in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire) is a retired Scottish international midfielder and footballer who became famous for failing a medical examination due to the discovery of a heart condition which put paid to a high profile transfer to Leeds United in November 1971. Hartford was a creative hardworking talent, known for his stamina and urgent play in midfield. Early career He first played for Drumchapel Amateurs in Glasgow, but began his professional career at West Bromwich Albion in 1967. During his time with West Brom, the team won the FA Cup Final in 1968 (although he did not play in the final), were beaten Semi-Finalists in 1969 and reached the League Cup final in 1970. Hole-in-the-heart discovery Given his role in the team it was no surprise that he would attract interest from the top clubs but in November 1971 a high profile transfer to Don Revie's Leeds United was cancelled when a suspected hole in-the-heart condition was found during a pre-transfer medical examination. He was eventually transfer listed by then West Brom coach Don Howe alongside favourites Len Cantello and Jeff Astle in April 1974 and his subsequent career made nonsense of the fears occasioned by Leeds' doubting staff. Manchester City Hartford moved on to Manchester City for £210,000 (making his debut in a resounding 4-0 victory over West Ham United), coming to prominence as a strong, talented midfielder (helping City win the 1976 League Cup final (a game famous for Dennis Tueart's overhead winner)) as well as a regular Scottish international. Hartford made 317 first team appearance for City and was the fulcrum of the midfield when City were runners up to Liverpool in the 1976-1977 season by 1 point. International recognition He played in Scotland’s oddly ill-fated 1978 World Cup campaign in Argentina where Ally McLeod's selection vagaries exposed a talented Scottish squad to a needless first round exit. Brian Glanville commenting, in his frequently updated 'The Story of the World Cup', wrote The Scots had an abundance of fine midfield players at a time when most other countries looked for them desperately; Bruce Rioch, Don Masson, Asa Hartford,'' Archie Gemmill, Lou Macari, Graeme Souness''. (p. 214, 2005). Hartford’s international career (which began in 1972 against Peru) came to an end in Seville during the Spanish World Cup of 1982 when he recorded his fiftieth cap in the game versus Brazil, thereby securing a position in the Scottish Football Association's Hall of Fame. Latter career At the beginning of the 1979-80 season he was transferred to Brian Clough’s European Champions at Nottingham Forest (in order to replace Archie Gemmill) for £500,000 only to be smartly packed off to Everton for £400,000 after 3 games. In October 1981 John Bond brought him back to Maine Road for £375,000. What followed were stints in the United States (Fort Lauderdale Sun), Norwich City (for whom he scored the winning goal in the 1985 League Cup final), Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic, before he took up coaching/managerial roles with Stockport County, Shrewsbury Town and Boston United where he made 15 appearances as a player at the age of 40. Asa HARTFORD | 1976-1977 | PES Stats Database (Golden Era Backup)