Accra Hearts of Oak has had a lot of great players in its 109-year existence. But not many come close to this man who went by the name Robert Hammond.
Hammond would have been 70-years-old on 5th May, however the Hearts legend joined his ancestors three years ago on this day, 30th May 2017, in the United States.
I did not see or watch Hammond play for Hearts; I was not even born when he led the Phobians to the final of the 1979 Africa Club Champions Cup. All I have heard has come from those he played with and those who watched him play. And yet, he keeps popping up in whatever old newspaper, magazine or book I have come across; and it’s not that his name is an appurtenance being trudged but he’s the cynosure — be it good or not too good.
It’s only once did I see his name in the bad book (if I can call a red card a bad book). Hammond, together with Seth Ampadu, was sent off for protesting against the home side’s equalizer, in a league match against Kotoko in 1978, leaving Hearts with 9-men, who against all the odds went on to miraculously win the game 2-1 in Kumasi, thanks to a late belter from Douglas Tagoe.
What do you do when your name and reputation has been dragged in Ghana’s biggest game? Hammond would serve the Hearts faithfuls with the answer in 1979 putting up a stellar performance and capping it with the only goal of the game as the Phobians beat Asante Kotoko in the league at the Accra Sports Stadium. Zero-to-Hero
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In 1981, Hearts were on the verge of winning the FA CUP finals but a late mistake from Hammond ensured that Abedi Pele’s Real Tamale United had a lifeline, which they gleefully took advantage of and forced a replay at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Guess who stepped up again for Hearts? Robert Hammond. He was the villain a few days prior but he became the hero and cynosure as his lone goal over RTU helped Hearts to her fourth FA CUP win.
This was what made Robert Hammond, Robert Hammond. A man who could fall to the bottomless pit in one minute and rise to the very highest apogee the next second.
Hammond’s Hearts career was not only a matter of rise and fall. There were so many highs for the mercurial star and one time the most expensive player in Ghana football. In the mid-70s, Hearts had to break the bank and snatch him back from their city rivals Accra Great Olympics. He came at the cost of ONE-THOUSAND-GHANA-CEDIS. This might look small today but it’s huge back in the day.
Hammond did not disappoint. He won the league four times with Hearts. The FA CUP three times. And twice he played in the finals of the Africa Club Champions Cup in 1977 and 1979. He scored four goals in the Africa Club series in 1977 including the away goal in far away Zambia and what had been the ephemeral equalizer in the finals against Hafia Conakry.
He’s captain and leader when Hearts lost 5-4 on penalties to Union Doula in 1979.
Robert Hammond played across all the midfield (and attacking) positions for Hearts. He’s a star of the “Fearsome Fivesome” squad of Hearts. He’s Mr. Versatile (ambidextrous footballer). He’s also Mr. Expensive. But more importantly, Robert Hammond is one of the greatest players to have ever played for Accra Hearts of Oak.
Continue to Rest In Peace, Capito.
heartseleven 