GALLACHER, Hugh KilpatrickRole: Centre-forward 1925-1930
5' 5"
b. Bellshill, Lanarkshire, 2nd February 1903
d. Gateshead, 11th June 1957
CAREER:
Tannockside Athletic 1919/ Hattonrigg Thistle 1919/Bellshill Athletic Mar 1920/Queen of the South Dec 1920/ Airdrieonians May 1921/UNITED Dec 1925 �6,500/Chelsea May 1930 �10,000/ Derby County Nov 1934 �2,750/Notts County Sept 1936 �2,000/Grimsby Town Jan 1938 �1,000/ Gateshead June 1938 �500/Retired Sept 1939. Debut v Everton (h) 12/12/25 (scored twice)
Hughie Gallacher is considered by many to be the greatest centre-forward of all time. Although a mere 5' 5", he was a handful for any defence possessing awesome strike power. Hughie could shoot with either foot, dribble with the ball, head, tackle, forage and also frequently lose his cool on the field. A record of netting a formidable total of 463 goals in 624 senior matches speaks for itself, while Gallacher is United's most potent attacker of all time with a strike-rate of over 82% in his 174 outings. Newcastle tracked the Scottish leader for many months before landing his signature for a new club record fee, and very nearly the biggest in the country at the time. Immediately Hughie took Tyneside by storm, hitting goals by the dozen and at the same time developing into one of the biggest cult figures Tyneside has witnessed. On, and off the field - where he became something of a playboy - Gallacher was worshipped by Magpie supporters, and when he skippered the club to the league title in 1927, bagging a season's record 39 goals in only 41 games, the Scot could do no wrong. Yet Hughie was a temperamental character, often in trouble with referees, directors and, at times, the police, which just added to the amazing life story of this wizard of the leather. Although the Scot was the Magpies' top goalgetter in each of his five seasons with the club, his relationship with United's directors was never too healthy, and in the summer of 1930 Hughie was sold to Chelsea for a vast fee to the outcry of Tyneside. Protests were many, and on his return to St James Park with the Londoners for the first home fixture of the new season, Newcastle fans packed into Gallowgate to see their past idol. A record crowd of 68,386 was recorded with another 10,000 locked out and for the next decade, and more, Gallacher continued to be held in esteem. He made an impression on all his other clubs too, notably Airdrie - when the Diamonds were next best to Rangers in Scotland - Chelsea and Derby County. A regular for Scotland for over ten years, he netted 23 goals for his country in only 20 games, while he was a star in the famous Wembley Wizards match in 1928. He also scored five goals for the Scottish League in one contest, one of four occasions when he bagged five in a game. Brother-in-law to United's George Mathison, after a long playing career Gallacher settled in Gateshead employed in a number of roles from sports journalist - once being banned from St James Park for his outspoken remarks - to factory worker. Following a series of personal problems, Gallacher committed suicide by throwing himself in front of the York to Edinburgh express train. The Newcastle Journal's headline noted, "Hughie of the Magic Feet is Dead". Football will never see another quite like 'Wee Hughie'. His sons, Hughie junior and Matty, both had spells with the black'n'whites without making the grade.
Appearances:
FL: 160 apps. 133 gls.
FAC: 14 apps. 10 gls.
Total: 174 apps. 143 gls.
Honours:
20 Scot caps 1924-35/
6 Scot unoff app 1935/
1 Scot jnr app. 1921/
2 SL app. 1925-26/
1 Scot trial app. 1925/