Quick Facts
Biography
Andrew George "Andy" Hinchcliffe (born 5 February 1969 in Manchester, Lancashire) is an English former professional footballer and Sports Television pundit.
As a player, he was a defender from 1986 until 2002 for Manchester City, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday.
Playing career
Having started his career with Manchester City he established himself as the club's first choice left back. Whilst at City, Hinchcliffe was one of the scorers in the Manchester derby on 23 September 1989 in a 5–1 victory over Manchester United. Hinchcliffe won the 1995 FA Cup while with Everton and enjoyed the best form of his career at the club, winning seven full England caps. His England debut came in a 3–0 away victory over Moldova on 1 September 1996, in what was manager Glenn Hoddle's first game in charge.
Hinchcliffe's speciality was set pieces, he aimed the ball very accurately and so often subsequent goals resulted from an Andy Hinchcliffe corner or free kick, often by Duncan Ferguson during his time at Everton.
After injuring his cruciate ligament whilst in the form of his career in December 1996, Hinchcliffe didn't return until September 1997, under new management after Howard Kendall had replaced Joe Royle. Kendall was known to be a big Hinchliffe fan, having sold him previously whilst Manchester City manager. He was sold by the Toffees to Sheffield Wednesday only 5 months into Kendall's reign for £2.65m where he played for a further four years. Hinchcliffe retired from playing football in March 2002 following surgery on his left knee. He only made two appearances in his final season at the club (2001–02), one of which was in the League Cup semi final first leg against Blackburn Rovers, the other in the league against Crewe Alexandra.
Media career
Hinchcliffe now works as a co-commentator on Sky Sports. He mainly does co-commentary for the Skybet Championship games with some Premier League games as well. He also sometimes appears on Sky Sports News HQ in a morning with other football guests to talk about transfers and games that have gone on recently.
Personal life
Hinchcliffe has stated that he was encouraged to take up a football career by his father who was a season ticket holder at Crewe Alexandra F.C. Hinchcliffe was educated at Manchester's William Hulme's Grammar School for Boys, a Rugby (and non-Football) playing school. Like his Everton team-mate, Duncan Ferguson, Hinchcliffe has inspired a composition by the Finnish composer Osmo Tapio Räihälä, who wrote an orchestral work titled Hinchcliffe Thumper - Tha' Bloody Intermezzo in 1993. The work was premiered in Malmö, Sweden in 1994.
Andy is very close to his next door neighbour, well known Architect Dave Jones.
Honours
Everton
- FA Charity Shield 1995
- FA Cup 1995