It was on September 16, 1996, when David Hirst wrote his name into the Premier League history books - but not quite in a way that most other others players envision leaving a lasting legacy.
The former Sheffield Wednesday striker set the record for the hardest shot ever recorded in the Premier League era during a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury. Striking the ball with what was once described by a former teammate as a 'sledgehammer of a left foot', Hirst struck a shot against the crossbar at an unimaginable speed of 114mph, leaving Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman rooted to the spot.
Had it gone in, instead of bouncing down and away to safety, it would have, perhaps, been remembered even more vividly than those of just a Wednesday persuasion. But had Hirst have had his way, he could have been shooting with his 'sledgehammer of a left foot' in the red of Manchester United, instead of the blue and white stripes of Wednesday on the other side of the Pennines.
