Hiley, Scott

Birth Date

27th September 1968

Birthplace

Plymouth, Devon

Occupation

Defender

Biographical Text

Devon-born Scott Hiley, a member of the 1990 championship-winning team, made over 400 appearances for the Grecians in two separate spells with the club. In between times at St James’ Park Scott played for Birmingham City, Manchester City, Southampton and Portsmouth.     

Scott came through the youth system at Exeter City and, having joined as an apprentice/trainee in 1985, signed his first professional contract in August 1986 before making his league debut at Burnley in October 1987. Making fifteen league appearances in his debut season, and scoring his first goal against Hereford United in March 1988, Scott played 37 league games in 1988/89 ahead of starting 45 league games - and appearing as substitute in the other fixture - when Exeter won the Fourth Division championship in 1989/90. 

Not yet twenty-two Scott had already played just short of a hundred league games for the Grecians and proceeded to increase his tally to 210 when, in March 1993, he followed manager Terry Cooper to Birmingham City for a fee of £150,000. Appearing in nearly sixty league and cup ties for the St Andrew’s club Scott moved to Manchester City in February 1996, initially on loan but then for £250,000, where injury restricted him to just nine league outings. Scott then had spells on the South Coast with Southampton (between August 1998 and December 1999) and Portsmouth (December 1999 to November 2002) moving between the rivals for the sum of £200,000.

Having not appeared for Pompey since the start of April 2002, Scott returned to Exeter City on loan in September 2002 in an arrangement that was made permanent two months later. Featuring in 43 competitive fixtures that season, Scott could not prevent City’s relegation from the Football League and - on 3 May 2003 alongside Kevin Miller from the 1990 side - was in the team that faced Southend United in the final fixture before relegation. 

Remaining with City after relegation, and assuming a coaching role, Scott added another 110 league and cup appearances to his City total including both FA Cup matches against Manchester United for which he is fondly remembered for nutmegging Cristiano Ronaldo in the replay.

Scott made his final Exeter City appearance against Stevenage in the FA Cup on 22 October 2005 and, after leaving the club in March 2006, played for Crawley in the Conference during 2006/07. He later appeared  for Tiverton Town and Cullompton and, for a while, ran a guest house in Clyst St Mary.  

Appearances

Exeter City

League 345; Cups 67 (412)

Goals

League 13

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