Player Database: Des Hamilton

By: Mike Gray
Date: 10/07/2005

"Disco Des" signed for Town at the start of the 2003/2004 season as a well known former Premiership player. The central midfielder cost Sir Bobby Robson and Newcastle United £1 Million to sign him from Bradford City in 1997.

Hamilton also spent time on loan at Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City and Tranmere Rovers while he was at St James Park before moving to Cardiff City on a free transfer in July 2001. Hamilton managed only around 30 appearances for Cardiff in 2 years at Ninian Park, due to consistent injury problems.

Hamilton was expected to join Grimsby on loan on transfer deadline day in the 2002/2003 season, but with Preston North End's Michael Keane signed on only a few hours before "Disco Des" it meant his loan had to be cancelled with all available loans in one season used up.

In pre-season Paul Groves got his man, and risked an awful lot in making injury-prone Hamilton an instant regular at Blundell Park. However it was going to be something that Groves would regret. With a leaky defence, it was not helped a great deal by dead wood Des in the centre of midfield.

His passes were too short, he had a bad temper and was often booked, he could not tackle, he could not score and he could not create goals. In short, he was only a mere shell of the player who impressed former England boss Sir Bobby Robson to sign him for a million back in 97.

Midway through the season his contract was terminated by mutual consent and Hamilton spoke to the official web site straight after leaving saying that he really didn't enjoy playing for Grimsby.......oh well his loss not ours.

Hamilton signed for Conference club Barnet for the remainder of the season, and the following season, unofficial reports came through saying that Des had decided to hang his boots up.

Next Player: David Soames

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