Hugh Strachan - The Thistle Archive

Hugh Strachan

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Hugh Strachan

● Hugh Strachan, 1973 (ABC)

Hugh Mair Strachan was born on Tuesday, 21st February, 1939, in Crookedholm, East Ayrshire.

The 5' 10 (11st 4lbs) defender signed for Davie McParland's Thistle on Tuesday, 21st July, 1970, having most recently been with Kilmarnock.

Aged 31, he made his debut appearance on Saturday, 1st August, 1970, in a 1-0 friendly defeat away to Tranmere Rovers.

Hugh scored his only goal for Thistle on Saturday, 8th August, 1970, in a 3-2 win away to Stirling Albion in the League Cup.

He played his last game for the club on Sunday, 3rd February, 1974, in a 4-1 defeat away to Dundee in the SFL First Division, having clocked up 173 appearances as a Jag.

Hugh's club-list included Troon, Cumnock Juniors, Motherwell, Morton, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle.

Hugh died on Monday, 22nd May, 2023, in Ayrshire, aged 84.

Born on the 21st of February, 1939, Hugh Mair Strachan was a proud Ayrshire boy and would represent Cumnock and Troon during his playing career but it was at Motherwell where he enjoyed his professional breakthrough. He would spend five years at Fir Park, seven at Cappielow with Morton and one full season at Kilmarnock before Partick Thistle finally came calling.

And so it would be that, at the age of 31, the legendary Davie McParland brought the experienced defender to Firhill for what would prove to be an unforgettable four-year spell. Proving the perfect foil for the imperious Jackie Campbell in the Jags backline, Strachan’s consistency established him as a favourite with Thistle fans as the club raced to the 1970/71 Scottish Second Division title, climbing back to the top flight with the loss of just three matches in a 36-game league season.

Much, much better was to come, of course, the following autumn when Thistle would embark on a 12 game Scottish League Cup run culminating in the greatest day in the club’s history on the 23rd of October, 1971. So much has been written about that great day when Alex Rae lifted the Scottish League Cup after Thistle defeated Celtic 4-1, Strachan and his defensive team-mates helping reduce the all-conquering opposition to just one Kenny Dalglish consolation in the second half. What a sensation, indeed.

All in all, Strachan would appear for Thistle an impressive 174 times between 1970 and 1974, his only goal – fittingly – coming in the League Cup in August 1970, during a win away at Stirling Albion.

Post career, Hugh remained in close contact with his fellow 1971 legends, many of whom visited him in Ayrshire in the autumn of 2021 around the 50th anniversary, when only ill health prevented Hugh from joining the various celebrations in Glasgow.

(PTFC)


31y, 5m, 18d		08.08.1970 Stirling Albion [a] W3-2 (League Cup Section 5 - game 1)

Hugh featured at #11 in our Top 11 countdown here on The Thistle Archive →

Saturday 8th August 1970 League Cup Section 5 – game 1 Stirling Albion [a] W3-2

This well-respected central forward turned central defender arrived at Firhill from Rugby Park at the age of 31. Davie McParland identified him as the wise head who could guide his new young team from the back, and this proved to be one of the shrewdest bits of business that Davie ever done. Over the course of the next four seasons, Hugh expertly marshalled the young lions, both as a player and a coach.

Todays’ game typified the general feeling around Firhill as the decade turned – there was a keen sense of “out with the old, in with the new”. Gone from last season (as well as the hoops) were the likes of Billy Ritchie in goals, and attacking players such as Dan McLindon, Arthur Duncan and John Flanagan. Getting their first competitive starts in this game were Denis McQuade, Hugh Strachan and Alex Rae. After almost 18 months as assistant, Davie McParland had taken the reins from Scot Symon back in April. As manager, Davie would have a beautiful love-affair with the League Cup - although the first date didn’t get off to the best of starts…

After just 7 minutes in game one of Section 5, Thistle found themselves two-nil down at Annfield Park. It could perhaps be ascertained that the young Jags weren’t too phased with this predicament. Witness firstly Denis McQuade – on 35 minutes he glides the ball home on a lovely through pass from Alex Rae. Only two-one down at half-time. Hope springs eternal.

Witness secondly HUGH STRACHAN for our Number 11 entry. We’re 8 minutes into the second half. Denis McQuade shoots – but it’s saved by the sprawling George Young in the Stirling goal. But wait - Jimmy Bone is onto the rebound – BANG, saved again, NO! Ball breaks to the on rushing Hugh Strachan. THIS TIME! Hugh drives it home emphatically. TWO EACH! One can only speculate at the bond which is created at that very special moment. All the new boys were sinking together – suddenly they’re all rejuvenated, alive and very much kicking.

Jimmy Bone completes the marvellous comeback with a winner with 18 minutes to go. The holy trinity is singing hallelujah – players, manager and supporters as one.

This proved to be Hugh’s one and only goal for the Jags and he leads the way in that criminally under-reported statistical category “most competitive appearances without another goal after scoring on your debut” with more than 140!

Nice one Shuggie, nice one son ♪ ♫

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