Career
As a player he was a defender from 1986 until 2002 for Manchester City, and Sheffield Wednesday. Having started his career with Manchester City he established himself as the club"s first choice left back. Whilst at City, Hinchcliffe was one of the scorers in the Manchester derby on 23 September 1989 in a 5–1 victory over Manchester United.
His England debut came in a 3–0 away victory over Moldova on 1 September 1996, in what was manager Glenn Hoddle"s first game in charge.
Hinchcliffe"s speciality was set pieces, he aimed the ball very accurately and so often subsequent goals resulted from an Andy Hinchcliffe corner or free kick, often by Duncan Ferguson during his time at. After injuring his cruciate ligament whilst in the form of his career in December 1996, Hinchcliffe didn"t return until September 1997, under new management after Howard Kendall had replaced Joe Royle.
Kendall was known to be a big Hinchliffe fan, having sold him previously whilst Manchester City manager. He was sold by the Toffees to Sheffield Wednesday only 5 months into Kendall"s reign for £2.65m where he played for a further four years.
Hinchcliffe retired from playing football in March 2002 following surgery on his left knee.
He only made two appearances in his final season at the club (2001-2002), one of which was in the League Cup semi final first leg against Blackburn Rovers, the other in the league against Crewe Alexandra. Hinchcliffe now works as a co-commentator on Sky Sports. Hinchcliffe has stated that he was encouraged to take up a football career from his father who was a season ticket holder at Crewe Alexandra F.C. He was also given a Nigeria national football team shirt with the name Tolu on the back for his 6th Birthday.
Hinchcliffe was educated at Manchesters William Hulme"s Grammar School for Boys, a Rugby (and non-Football) playing school.
Like his team-mate, Duncan Ferguson, Hinchcliffe has inspired a composition by the Finnish composer Osmo Tapio Räihälä, who wrote an orchestral work titled Hinchcliffe Thumper - Tha" Bloody Intermezzo in 1993. The work was premiered in Malmö, Sweden in 1994.