regular in goal for West Brom for several seasons, Hoult lost his place at the start of the 2005–06 season due to a groin injury. Second choice to Chris Kirkland, who manager Bryan Robson had signed on a 12-month loan from Liverpool, Hoult was loaned to Nottingham Forest in September 2005. However, he was recalled during his second month with the club after Kirkland sustained a rib injury. Following the club's relegation and Kirkland's return to Liverpool goalkeeping duties for the 2006–07 season were shared between Hoult and Pascal Zuberbühler until reports about his personal life surfaced in national newspapers. On 31 January 2007, Hoult was transferred to Stoke City on a free transfer after being sacked by West Brom. He made his Stoke City debut on 14 August 2007 in a League Cup match away at Rochdale that finished 2–2 after extra time. He was unable to prevent Rochdale from progressing 4–2 on penalties, despite saving one of the spot-kicks. Hoult received a red card on his league debut for Stoke, in a match against Plymouth Argyle in December 2007. In February 2008 Hoult joined Notts County on loan until the end of the season, following an injury to regular keeper Kevin Pilkington. He kept a clean sheet in the 0–0 draw away at Peterborough United in March, making the League Two Team of the Week. He made 14 appearances for the club, keeping seven clean sheets and helping the club to avoid relegation. He was released at the end of the 2007–08 season, following Stoke's promotion to the Premiership. On 1 July 2008, Hoult returned to Notts County on a permanent basis, signing a two-year contract with the club. He played the first three games of the 2009–10 season for Notts County, before being replaced by new signing Kasper Schmeichel for the home game against Dagenham & Redbridge. On 16 September 2009, Darlington manager Colin Todd signed Hoult on loan for a month as Todd felt that permanent Quakers keeper David Knight needed a break after a tough start to the season. Todd was sacked during Hoult's loan and he was recalled by Notts County at the end of his month spell. He had played five games for Darlington. On 10 May 2010, it was announced that he had been released by Notts County along with seven other players. Coaching career Hoult signed on as goalkeeping coach at