State League One Feature: A Tale about the Hubbards
Strutting his stuff in the defensive line for Schofields was the blonde, long haired Peter Hubbard, whilst the similarly blonde, long haired midfielder for Blacktown, was none other than younger brother, Matt Hubbard.
It is an usual situation, no doubt, to face your brother in an intense, competitive environment like a top of the table football clash in Division One.
So I took some time out to find out what the tension was like in the Hubbard household leading up to the two matches, but before that, asked both players to tell us a little about themselves and their football careers thus far?..
Okay gents, let?s start with the formalities ? full name, date and place of birth ?
Peter ? PETER DAVID HUBBARD, born on February 2, 1986 in Port Macquarie.
Matt ? MATTHEW HUBBARD, born February 9, 1988 in Port Macquarie.
Current and previous clubs ?
Peter ? now with Schofield Scorpions, previously with Blacktown Demons, Sydney United and Blacktown Spartans.
Matt ? now with Blacktown Spartans, previously with Blacktown Demons, Sydney United, Hajduk Wanderers and CSI.
Favourite Position ?
Peter ? Defender
Matt ? Centre Midfield
Favourite Player ?
Peter ? locally is Michael Zullo, overseas Tim Cahill
Matt ? Terry McFlynn locally, whilst overseas it?s Wayne Rooney
Favourite Team ?
Peter ? Everton
Matt ? Manchester United
What has been your career highlight so far?
Peter ? making national youth league at Sydney United (the old NSL reserve grade)
Matt ? playing 1st grade at the age of 16 in Winter Super League for Hajduk Wanderers
What?s been the best goal you have ever scored?
Peter ? struggle in this area!
Matt ? I?ve scored many times (!) but one that I can think of would be last year against Mounties, 20m out, I kicked a rocket into the top corner of the net. This year I also scored a goal against Hills Brumbies from 25m out, a volley into the top corner.
Who?s had the biggest influence on your career?
Peter ? I have had plenty of good influences so far, to single one out would be tough.
Matt ? it?s hard to say, as over my soccer career I have had a lot of coaches with a lot of good stuff, but mainly mum and dad, who brought me up at a young age around soccer and still they never miss a game.
Okay, come clean here guys, what?s been your most embarrassing moment?
Peter ? have been more off the field than on the field?.usually after a good win and a few too many?.
Matt ? nothing really comes to mind?maybe the odd trip over the ball, but I would have to say there would be more off the field!
So tell us what it was like in your household in the week leading up to the game against your brother?
Peter ? we don?t see each other that much during the week, but when I did, I just gave him some stick!
Matt ? well I didn?t see Peter much (I kept a low profile), but when I did, he would be cheering and was so pumped up looking forward to the game. There was a lot of excitement overall as to who would win?.but I did tell him that if Blacktown won I would be outside his door with drums and whistles!
What was the most difficult thing about facing your brother?
Peter ? I was just hoping that Matt didn?t score the winner, as for us brothers it was all about bragging rights?.
Matt ? to be honest, nothing really? but it was the first time in years that I would be on the opposite team.
It would?ve been a tough game to watch for your parents?so who did they cheer for?
Peter ? dad is a one-eyed Blacktown fan, whilst mum was hoping for a draw..
Matt ? dad coaches the Under 20s so he was pumped for a Blacktown win, whilst mum was just hoping for a safe game and that we both played well. She would have loved it if we could have both won but that wasn?t going to happen!
If you were chasing your brother as he ran away on goal, what would you have done?
Peter ? depending on the score, if we were up by 1 with only minutes left, I would take the early shower for the boys?
Matt ? depending on the score, I would treat him like any other player and bring him down. But I would have to tell him, when running past him, to stop being a girl and get up?.
What?s the best thing you like about your brother, both personally, and as a footballer?
Peter ? as a footballer- Matt?s a good player, works hard, good vision, HATES TRAINING, could play higher if he had the drive to train, ha ha!
Whilst personally, Matt has been through a lot off the field with major health problems, and numerous major surgery?s, such as his heart. He defies the odds and plays the game he loves, against doctor?s wishes.
Matt ? off the field, Peter is a great guy, he loves to hang around his mates any time he gets a chance, and he loves to have a joke and try make people laugh?but when it comes to training or game day, he is 100% serious, and all the talk is about soccer.
As a footballer, I believe Peter is one the best defenders in Division One, and is wasting his time and should be playing in a higher league. His ability to read the game, his passing game, his defensive work on and off the ball, and his high work rate makes him a perfect player, and that?s why he should be playing higher?and last but not least, because of his incredible passion for the game.
Well it is little brother, Matt, who has the bragging rights for season 2009 so far, with Blacktown Spartans knocking over Schofield Scorpions by 3-2 in Round 3 at Francis Park, and by 3-0 at CSI Sport Ground in Round 14.
But both clubs are sitting in the top five with a few rounds remaining in 2009, so look out for a little ?brotherly love? if the Hubbard?s face each other once more in this season?s semi finals series!!
-By Frank Speranza
