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Personal
Fullname: Stephen Hancock
aka: Steve Hancock
Born: 10 September 1953
Birthplace: Sheffield
Signed: 25 September 1970
Left: 1974 (free); Sheffield Wednesday (1975)
Position: Forward
Debut: Sliema Wanderers 2-1 away 3 November 1971 European cup (only game)
Internationals: None
Biog
A highly-rated prospect, Steve Hancock was a 1968 Celtic ‘S’ form signing who made a huge impression in junior football when farmed out to Newtongrange Star in 1970.
He signed senior terms with the Bhoys in September that year while continuing to impress at Newtongrange. He was Scotland’s Junior Player of the Year in the summer of 1971. He had apparently the making of another “Stein Stunner” (Topical Times football book 1971).
Maybe it went to his head, as despite the obvious talent and stand-out performances at junior level Steve Hancock failed to make the considerable step up to top flight football.
He was to make just one competitive appearance for the Hoops when he came on as a sub in a 2-1 European Cup victory at Sliema Wanderers in October 1971. For the more immature, this match is recalled by some as the opener was scored by an opposition player called ‘Cocks’.
His stubborn reluctance to move from Edinburgh to Glasgow didn’t help endear him to Jock Stein and Steve Hancock’s Celtic career ended when he was released by the club in 1974 – by which time he was even out of the reserve team picture.
He had a trial with Hibernian after his release in 1974 before heading south to play for Sheffield Wednesday. He returned to Scotland playing for Hearts and scored in the Jambos’ 2-0 win against Celtic in the League Cup on 13th August 1975. However, he actually won few appearances with Hearts, and effectively his opportunities in top tier were over.
He later moved on to Meadowbank Thistle to a regular player before joining Stenhousemuir in 1979, scoring 50 goals in 2 seasons. He signed for Forfar for £12,000 in 1981, helping take them to the Scottish Cup semi-finals in 1982 before abruptly resigning in November 1982 to retire as a professional and move into insurance.
In a newspaper interview in 1982 he was asked what had happened to his career, responding forthrightly:
“I thought I knew better than Jock Stein. He wanted me to move to digs in Glasgow from my home in Edinburgh. I didn’t think this was necessary. Now I know I was wrong.” (3rd November 82)
In this sense, his career is a warning to other youngsters of the need to make the necessary sacrifices to succeed in football. We can only now guess how it may have been different if Steve Hancock had done as Jock Stein had requested.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1970-74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Goals: | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
none
Pictures
Articles
Article, Evening Times, 4th November, 1971 Article,
Evening Times, 16th August, 1975
