In the midst of a promotion battle, the best thing any club can do is add an experienced head to their squad. If that experienced head has played in the top flight and cost two million quid just 7 years earlier and is still a spritely 28, you have got to think you are on to a winner! Martin Allen's industrious Barnet side had been in the top five for virtually the entire season and by mid-March were sitting comfortably in 4th spot. But trouble was brewing.
Just two days before hosting table topping Chester in what promised to be an exciting promotion six pointer, Allen quit to take over at League 1 strugglers, Brentford. Worse was to follow. After holding the league leaders to a goalless draw under the watchful eye of Allen's assistant, Adrian Whitbread and club captain Ian Hendon, Whitbread quit. As did physio Damian Doyle, both of whom reunited with Allen at Brentford.
Having entered March with an 8 point lead over the chasing pack, Barnet went in to April outside the top 5 for the first time since September. The dream of making a return to the Football League was turning into a nightmare! Paul Fairclough was appointed temporary manager in an attempt to steady the ship but more drastic action was needed on the playing field if Barnet were to stand any chance at clinching a Play Off spot.
Bradford born Derrick 'Des' Hamilton made his name at his local club, scoring on his debut as a 17 year old, ironically, against Barnet. After t wo seasons of first team football, Des inspired Bradford to promotion to the 2nd tier, scoring at Wembley as City won the Play Off final. Following promotion, he was quickly snapped up by Premier League giants Newcastle for £2 million, still a record transfer fee received by Bradford. An England U21 call up was to follow for the classy midfielder along with 12 appearances for Newcastle.
It didn't quite work out for Des in the North East and after a spate of loan spells and injuries, he was released in 2001. Spells at Cardiff and Grimsby followed as Des attempted to reignite his career.Following his release by Grimsby, Des was a free agent. In what can only be described as a master stroke, Barnet quickly snapped up the former England U21 star in a bid to turn around their flailing play off push.
This fantastic coup was hailed as a miracle and Des was instantly dubbed a hero as he was just what was needed to reignite Barnet's season.
Des was the talk of the town and the headlines read, "DES TO SPUR ON BEES!", "PLAY OFF RACE EXCLUSIVE: DES HAMILTON 10 PAGE PULL OUT!", "HAMILTON: MY JOURNEY", "FAIRCLOUGH HAILS DES", "HAMILTON ON VERGE OF ENGLAND CALL UP"
Barnet fans were buzzing with anticipation but Des wasn't even included in the squad for the home draw with Scarborough. Des was unable to prevent a 2-0 loss at Hereford as his unexplained ommission even from the bench left the Bees 2 points adrift of 5th spot. The situation was now bleak and a win was imperative. Cometh the hour, cometh the saviour! Des's absence from the squad inspired Barnet to a 2-1 win over Burton, thus ending a winless run just in the nick of time!
The impact he had already made in such a short space of time had been astonishing! Hundreds of fans would attend training on the lookout for a glimpse of the man who had single handedly rejuvenated a season which had threatened to implode. But no one saw or heard anything of him. The club had no explanation for the lack of Des and the Police were alerted. Despite a missing person appeal being launched, Des was nowhere to be seen. Numerous sightings were reported but each one turned out to be just another Des Hamilton lookalike.
As Barnet travelled to Northwich, there was no sign of Hamilton on the pitch, on the bench, on the coach or anywhere for that matter and still nothing from the club.
Des was at his invisible best as the Bees ground out a solid 1-1 draw taking the drama to the final day and leaving Barnet's fate in their own hands. A win over already relegated Leigh RMI would guarantee Barnet and Des a spot in the end of season Play Offs. The Des-less Bees earned the required win in a tense game and went into the Play Offs but there was a more pressing issue haunting Bees fans.
Just where was Des Hamilton? A number of questions remained unanswered;
Would we ever get to see the man responsible for giving us a shot at promotion?
What does Des put his good form down to?
What went through his mind as he didn't make his Barnet debut?
How did it feel when Des didn't score that fabulous goal?
Will Des be paraded on an open top bus tour of Barnet in recognition of his fantastic displays?
Can I have Des' autograph?
How does Des cope with the transfer speculation linking him with a dream move to Real Madrid following his excellent form for Barnet?
Did Des shoot JR?
No answers were forthcoming as Barnet fans and the world continued to scratch their heads in disbelief at this incredible, yet sorry episode.
Sadly, this story doesn't have a happy ending. Despite thousands of rumoured sightings, over 5 years have now passed and no explanation has ever been given to the mystery of Des Hamilton's Barnet career. It can only be concluded that Des Hamilton simply vanished in to thin air. The enigma whose sheer presence hauled a team, a town and a nation out of a slump of catestrophic proportions was never to be seen or heard of again. Des' glittering Barnet career never officially ended and since joining the Bees, he has clocked up 0 appearances with another 0 coming from the bench. An impressive 0 goals have been fired by the dynamic midfield man.
If you think you've seen Des Hamilton, please call our 24 hour emergency hotline number 08788 9469 991.
That's 08788 FIND DES
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