Memorial to one of Newcastle’s greatest players
ONE of Newcastle United’s greatest ever players, Hughie Gallacher, has been honoured with the unveiling of a brick memorial – not at St James’ Park, but outside the home of Derby County who he played for late in his career.
Centre-forward Gallacher earned legendary status on Tyneside between 1925 and 1930 as a prolific goalscorer and captain of the formidable team that landed the club’s last ever league title.
The memorial at Pride Park was arranged and funded by Derby County fan Kal Singh Dhindsa, an author and historian, who said: “I’m delighted to have been involved in arranging this simple memorial for Hughie – but I strongly believe he deserves to be fully honoured at St James’ Park – or in Gateshead where he lived.”
Kal, who has also worked on memorials for footballing greats such as Brian Clough, Dave McKay and Bob Paisley, added: “Hughie is one of the greatest players in the history of Newcastle United – and is still remembered and highly regarded nearly 100 years after he played for the club.”
Making the emotional trip from Tyneside to Derby for the unveiling were Hughie Gallacher’s son – Hugh Jnr, 85, and grandsons Andrew and Lee.
Hugh Jnr said: “I was born in Derby in 1936 when my dad played there, but I’ve never been back since and can’t remember anything about the place. The family moved soon afterwards when he signed for Notts County.”
Scottish international Gallacher scored a typically prolific 40 goals in 55 games for Derby County in the latter stages of his career, but it was at Newcastle United where the legend was born. Born in Bellshill, near Glasgow, on February 1903, United signed the 22-year-old striker from Airdrie for £6,500 in 1925. His 36 goals in 38 league games would fire the Magpies to what would be their last to date title win.
During his glory years on Tyneside, Gallacher smashed in a remarkable 143 goals in 174 games.
A regular for Scotland for over 10 years, Hughie netted 23 goals for his country in 20 games and was a star in
the famous 1928 ‘Wembley Wizards’ match. Writing of the Scotsman’s time on Tyneside, Newcastle United’s official club historian Paul Joannou said: “Hughie Gallacher is considered by many to be the greatest centre-forward of all time. Although a mere 5ft 5in, 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 control on the field. A record of netting a formidable total of 463 goals in 624 senior matches speaks for itself.”
Years later, Stan Seymour, the Newcastle United director and a former teammate of Hughie in the 1920s, told the Journal: “I say without hesitation that he is the greatest centre-forward I have ever seen. Many a time I’ve seen him turn on a sixpence and have a great crowd laughing their heads off as he made a couple of opponents, twice his size, blunder like novices.”
Sometimes a handful off the pitch, in 1930 United decided to cut their losses, selling their star player to Chelsea for a record £10,000. The club’s fans were outraged.
But there would be tragedy. Later, after retirement, Gallacher took his own life at the age of 54, stepping in front of an express train at Gateshead in June 1957. On the idea of a permanent tribute to the great Hughie Gallacher at St James’ Park, his son Hugh Jnr today simply says: “If anybody wants to take the idea forward, that’s fine by me.”
And club historian Paul Joannou adds: “From my own personal point of view, it would be great for Wee Hughie to be remembered at St James’ Park.
“He was an icon and one of the greatest centre-forwards in all of football. We perhaps have enough statues, but a plaque next to Joe Harvey’s would be good. And another for Stan Seymour too, as he deserves a special place as well.”