No Thanks: The Hulme / West swap deal
One of the most baffling decisions I’ve ever endured at Lincoln City was made by Steve Wicks during his short reign as manager. Dean West was one of the best players to emerge from our academy, a classy right back who could get forward too. Between 1992 and 1995 he made over 100 appearances for us and was sure to play at a higher level.
He did, but not thanks to a move from us. Steve Wicks swapped him for Kevin Hulme, saying of the move; “A lot of people have come up to me and expressed surprise I let Dean West leave the club. Dean was a smashing lad and Lincoln through and through, but I felt that we needed a tough backbone to the side and Kevin Hulme fits the bill.”
Hulme didn’t fit the bill. After six starts and two more outings from the bench, he disappeared from view. West went on to play for Burnley and thoroughly impressed. Hulme is probably working as a brickie or something.
True, Morgan was as cultured a centre back as I have seen here in 60 years. Though Ray Harford ran him close (joke!)