As the English keeper announces his retirement from the game, the Gentleman Ultra’s Michele Tossini considers the mixed legacy of UK imports to Torino.
Celtic goalkeeper Joe announced that he will retire from the game at the end of the season.
The soon to be 37-year-old keeper is mainly known for his twelve-year career at Manchester City and for being in the mix when England were looking for an heir to Peter Shilton (or perhaps that should be David Seaman).
In the summer of 2016, with the arrival of Pep Guardiola, Hart found himself out of favour at Manchester City as the new gaffer was searching for a No.1 with expertise of playing with his feet. The Englishman was deemed surplus to requirements and was loaned out to Torino.
Although it raised a few eyebrows at the time, the Granata had some history of welcoming British exiles. Indeed, Scotland legend Denis Law, as well as English strikers Gerry Hitchens and Joe Baker, had spells at Torino in the 1960s.
More recent (painful) memories included the experience of Graeme Souness. The Former Liverpool legend went to Torino as head coach in 1997, with the objective of leading the then Serie B side back to top division. Along with him, came the talented Australian-born fullback Tony Dorigo.
Souness’ experience was ultimately a failure. The Scot lasted just 98-day as manager. Dorigo, however, had a decent spell, even though he’s principally remembered for missing a crucial penalty kick in a promotion playoff game versus Perugia.
So, the town where author Giovanni Arpino (author of Scent of a Woman) was born, was preparing to welcome Hart, with a mix of curiosity and excitement. He was a big name for a club that had often lacked the star appeal of their great city rivals Juventus.
The marriage between English keeper and his new club was far from perfect. On 11 September 2016, the new keeper made his Serie A debut against Atalanta. With his team 2-1 up, Hart made a mistake that helped the Bergamaschi to equalise. That said, in the first four games, Hart registered as many as four clean sheets. Not bad for a keeper working in a new team, in a new environment and behind a backline that was depleted that summer with the departures of Kamil Glik (the team’s top defender) and Nikola Maksimovic.
That season the team coached by Siniša Mihajlović finished ninth in Serie A. Hart conceded 62 goals in 36 appearances, but also demonstrated his quality as shot stopper.
The Englishman played in an aggressive and entertaining side, a dynamic and vertical one that was often caught on the counterattack. Not an easy team to play in for a keeper.
Hart demonstrated many positive attributes, and has the right to remain in the Granata fans’ memory as one of the most famous players to proudly wear the club’s famous jersey.
Unfortunately for Hart, that season didn’t mark a rebirth of his career. After Torino, the keeper had spells at West Ham United, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur, with varying degrees of success, and his international career with England was cut short in 2017.
As he marks his retirement from the game, Hart will be remembered in Torino with affection and respect. He was a massive name in the game and brought his huge personality and professionalism to a club that is so often overshadowed by its brash city rival.