Hepburn, Anthony

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Fullname: Anthony Hepburn
aka: Tony Hepburn
Born: 22 May 1932
Birthplace: […]
Signed: Jan 1952 (amateur); 20 Mar 1953 (professional)
Left: 1 May 1954 (free); 11 Aug 1954 (to Ayr Utd)
Position: Outside-right
Debut: Queen’s Park 2-2 Celtic, Glasgow Cup, 3 Sep 1952
Debut (league): Celtic 3-0 Motherwell, League, 4 Oct 1952
Internationals: none

Biog

Signed from Clydebank Juniors, Tony Hepburn was studying for an MA at Glasgow University when he signed for Celtic as an amateur in June 1952.

“Celtic have found a new ace” it was said.

A tricky winger, Tony Hepburn made his debut in a 2-2 Glasgow Cup draw v Queen’s Park on 3rd September 1952. He turned professional in March 1953 and made a total of six league appearances for the Bhoys in season 1952-53.

In his league debut match v Motherwell (3-0 victory to Celtic), he was praised for his play in one report, which boded well:

“Even Tony Hepburn, making his senior debt, played a series of touches that evoked nostalgic recollection of Delaney or Connelly on their best days”.

In his run of league games, Celtic had a poor run, admittedly starting off well with two wins (over Motherwell & then Clyde) but then three draws and one loss (to Clyde) dragged things into the red. In fairness, his record was actually better compared to Celtic’s form overall that season who finished eighth in the league title race, with only 11 wins but 7 draws and 12 defeats, whilst conceding more goals than scored.

Sadly, he was not to win a place in any of the sides in the wonderful league title winning season of 1953-54, the club’s first for around a generation. He was on loan to second tier Dumbarton, where he had a fair scoring record of 6 goals in 15 league games for the club, but it was a dark season for Dumbarton who finished bottom of the Scottish League Division B (i.e. second tier) and were relegated to Division C for the next season. So a hard one for Tony Hepburn who had to watch his parent club at the top whilst he was stuck in the rough at Dumbarton.

Notably, the season before (1952/53), Dumbarton had finished tenth in the second tier a place above Dunfermline Athletic who in time were to be rejuvenated once under the management of Jock Stein in the same way that Celtic had been rejuvenated under Jock Stein’s captaincy this season (1953/54).

Tony Hepburn was released in May 1954, soon after Celtic’s golden season had finished, with the club winning the league & cup double.

He went on to play for Ayr United, Distillery (winning an Irish Cup medal), Morton and Boston United.

A bright man, he was studying for an LLB degree and was drafted into the RAF around the time he signed for Boston Utd. No surprise with the studying as his father was the chief librarian at the Mitchell Library.

It wasn’t the end of his Celtic playing days. He later played for the “Celtic Old Crocks” side on 7th June 1963.

As far as Tony’s dad was concerned, football came second to studies. While playing and at Glasgow University studying law, he was scouted by Man Utd. Shortly thereafter, Matt Busby arrived at Tony’s parent’s door to try and talk them into signing their son.

Matt promised him a place at Manchester University to continue his studies and a house. However Mr Busby was given short shrift; Tony’s dad told Matt that he was nothing but a football tout and that his son was going to be a professional, not a lowly paid footballer!

It is perhaps fortuitous for Tony’s family that he did not sign for Man Utd if all else had reamined unchanged given the disaster that occurred a few years later [although with all due respect we’ll never know how the future may have panned out any differently, RIP].

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

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