Pat Heard

Who is Pat Heard?

Pat Heard is a retired English football midfielder and left-back.

In the mid-70s, Heard attended Malet Lambert High School and played for Hull City Schoolboys and Humberside Boys. He was spotted by Jeff Barmby who tipped off Everton reserve team manager Ray Henderson. As a product of the youth system at Everton, left-footer Heard made eleven appearances for the club.

In October 1979, the young midfielder was signed by Aston Villa at a valuation of £100,000 in a deal which saw John Gidman move the other way. Heard made nine appearances in his first season at Villa Park but was not one of just 14 players used by Ron Saunders to become League champions in the following season. His single goal came during a 4-3 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury in March 1982. Pat Heard won a European Cup medal after being named as a substitute for the 1982 European Cup Final, although he was not used during the match.

Heard left Villa in January 1983 for Sheffield Wednesday priced at £60,000; his new club's hopes of promotion from the Second Division had been dented by a recent slump in form. He was forced to take a taxi to Highbury, London for the 1983 FA Cup semi-final having been accidentally left behind by manager, Jack Charlton. However, when Jack Charlton moved to Newcastle United, Heard was the new manager's first signing. In October 1984 he scored in a 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town; his second goal came the following month in a 2-2 draw away to Luton.