The double hat-trick 30 years on: how Sheffield United put six past Chester City in 1988

A double hat-trick doesn't come along very often in football, but when it does it is rightly celebrated.
Brian Deane and Tony AganaBrian Deane and Tony Agana
Brian Deane and Tony Agana

Thirty years ago this week Sheffield United fans were treated to the football rarity as Tony Agana and Brian Deane bagged three each in a 6-1 Blades victory over Chester City.

It'll be one that current Blades manager Chris Wilder remembers well as he was in the team for the match in a season that saw United earn promotion from the old Third Division under Dave Bassett.

Brian Deane and Tony AganaBrian Deane and Tony Agana
Brian Deane and Tony Agana
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Deane's goals came courtesy of two headers and a chipped finish, including one assist by Wilder, one from Agana and one from Martin Pike.

Then Agana took over, netting two from the edge of the six yard box and another after being slipped through by John Francis.

While it's tradition for the player that nets three goals to take home the match ball, games with more than one hat-trick scorer raise a bit of a dilemma. 

Although there's no FA rule, it's customary for the first hat-trick scorer to get the ball as Deane did in 1988.

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If there was any debate between Deane and Agana over who got the ball it would have been nothing compared to the predicament Manchester City found themselves in one year earlier.

In 1987, City hammered Huddersfield 10-1 in the Second Division as Tony Adcock, Paul Stewart and David White all got three each '“ one to remember for pub quiz trivia.