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English Football Legends Series

Standing at just under 5-feet 6-inches, Hughie Gallacher was an unlikely centre-foward - especially in the rough, physical brand of football played in the 1920s and 30s.

Hughie Gallacher

Clubs: Newcastle United, Chelsea, Derby County, Notts County, Grimsby Town

Position: Forward

Appearances*: 554

Goals*: 406

Honours: League Championship, 1

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* League appearances and goals only

But the North Lanarkshire native was the complete package - a tough, intelligent player with excellent control, a powerful shot with either foot, and great dribbling skills.

He was also incredibly brave and, despite his lack of inches, a real threat in the air.

Gallacher started his professional career at Queen of the South, but 19 goals in just 9 games attracted bigger clubs and he moved to Airdrieonians.

He would spend 4 seasons at Airdrie scoring 91 goals in 111 starts and helping the club to win its first trophy, the Scottish Cup.

Newcastle United

Word of Gallacher's goal-scoring exploits had meanwhile reached England and, on 8 December 1925, Newcastle paid the huge sum of 6, 500 pounds for his services.

So incensed were the Airdrie fans they threatened to burn the wooden stand at the club's ground.

At Newcastle, Gallacher made an immediate impact, scoring twice on debut, and 15 times in his first nine games. He ended the season with 23, the club's top scorer despite signing midway through the campaign.

Such heroics made him an instant hit with the Newcastle faithful, while his leadership qualities persuaded the club to appoint him captain, at the age of just 23.

Gallacher didn't disappoint, the following season he led the Magpies to their first title since 1909. He scored 36 league goals in that campaign, still the most league goals scored by a Newcastle player in a single season.

In total, he scored 143 goals in 174 Newcastle appearances, and his strike rate of 82% remains a club record.

Chelsea

In 1930, Hughie Gallacher moved to Chelsea, where he was top scorer for each of his 4 years with the club, scoring 81 times in 144 appearances.

But he remained hugely popular on Tyneside. When Chelsea visited St James' Park, the attendance was a record 68,386 with thousands more locked out.

Gallacher's time in West London was, however, marred by controversies both on and off the pitch. He received a a two month ban for swearing at a referee and ended up in the bankruptcy court due to an acrimonious divorce.

Derby County, Notts County

In November 1934 he moved to Derby County where his 38 goals in 51 league games helped them finish second in the league in 1935/36.

He remained with the Rams until 1941 then moved to Notts County. Once again Gallacher's goals proved instrumental, as County finished second in Division Three.

He later had spells in the lower leagues with Grimsby Town and with Gateshead before retiring from football.

Scotland International Career

Gallacher was one of Scotland's 'Wembley Wizards', who beat England 5-1 at Wembley Stadium in 1928.

In all he made 20 international appearances, netting 23 times. Only Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish with 30 each, have scored more.

Tragic Death

After retirement Gallacher, with no savings from his footballing days, took a number of menial jobs to support his family. His wife died sudden in December 1950 leaving him depressed and lonely.

In May 1957, following a family altercation he was arrested on a charge of assault against his son.

Hounded and criticized by the press over the incident he committed suicide by stepping in front of a train at Low Fell, Gateshead.

Hughie Gallacher is remembered as one of Newcastle's great players - to many the greatest.

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