Hilley, Hugh

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Fullname: Hugh Hilley
Born: 19 Mar 1899
Died: 14 Sep 1987
Birthplace: Garngad
Signed: 16 May 1921
Left: 1930 (free & retired)
Position: Left-back
Debut: Third Lanark 0-0 Celtic, League, 4 Mar 1922
Internationals: none

Biog

Hugh Hilley is one of the wonderful players in Celtic’s history who gave his all.

Before coming to Celtic, earlier in life Hugh Hilley had been returned home from Army Camp about 1917 for being too young, but likely he was to go on to see and face as much blood out of military service as if he had been allowed to stay in the forces.

As a reflection of the times in Scotland, Hugh Hilley’s family had changed their surname from Healey to avoid any religious discrimination. However, Hugh was to build a respect for his family, no matter what name they were to adopt.

Garngad-born Hugh Hilley was an all action defender who joined Celtic on May 16th 1921 from the famous St Anthony’s stable.

The energetic left-back made his debut for the Hoops in a 0-0 league draw at Third Lanark on 4th March 1922 and he would be a regular for the Bhoys for much of the remaining decade. Hugh was an uncompromising defender who was always prepared to go in where it hurt (literally so).

He may not have been the most composed of performers but his energy and robust defending was vital to Celtic A good tackler to boot and could create as well. Few have been so bloodied, battered and bruised in the name of the Celtic cause than Hugh Hilley.

As Alec McNair was taking a step back and Willie McStay moving to right-back, Hilley took the chance and won the left-back role.

In 1925, his nose was so frequently broken his face was almost permanently in plasters.

Against St Mirren in a Scottish Cup game at Ibrox in 1925 with Celtic leading 1-0 and a minute to go: “I had lost so much blood I was seeing half-a-dozen balls. I missed my kick and Jean McFarlane brought down Gillies. Peter Craigmyle gave a free just outside the box but St Mirren would settle for nothing less than a penalty. They refused the free-kick and the hullabaloo ended with Craigmyle blowing for full-time.” Jean McFarlane later admitted it was a penalty. Hugh Hilley had broken his nose and was losing blood by the minute but carried on, a brave man.

He recovered and helped Celtic beat Rangers in a wonderful 5-0 victory in the semi-final, and then played with Celtic to defeat Dundee 2-1 in the Scottish Cup final.

The following season (1925-26) was a high point as Hugh Hilley played in practically every league & cup game (bar one) which pushed Celtic all the way to a league title victory, and almost captured a coveted league & cup double, losing in the final. It was to be Celtic’s last league title for ten years, an era in which Celtic went into decline and Rangers were dominant. The defence was strong that year conceding just 15 goals in the league at home, and 25 away.

He helped Celtic to further silverware with the Cup win in 1927, which was to be Celtic’s last major silverware for the decade.

Hugh Hilley was never capped to play for Scotland, however after a defeat by England, Willie McStay (Scotland captain) said that:

“If Hilley had partnered me… Scotland would not have lost!“.

However, his full effort was to come at a great personal cost. In a match v Hamilton on 20th August 1927, he left the field in a state of exhaustion that sadly led onto a nervous breakdown. He was to never play for the first team again, it was all over in a sad way.

Until that match he had been a constant player in the side for the past four years, so it was a major loss. Peter McGonagle took up his slot and made the role his own, so for Hugh Hilley at least he knew that the position was now passed down to someone highly worthy.

Hugh Hilley had played 195 games in the league & Scottish Cup for Celtic before being finally released and retiring in 1930, although he had long stopped being in the first team by this point. He never scored any goals for the first team in any senior matches, a staunch defender.

Post-Celtic
Hugh Hilly remarked later that:

“Finally I decided my health came first. I gave up playing, set up in the ice-cream and catering business and I never looked back“.

The ice-cream and catering business may be an interesting change to some, but he had happily married an Scottish-Italian lady and it all followed from there. He is said to have done well out of the business.

The adventures still carried on after leaving Celtic. In 1941, he was mentioned in newspapers for clearing an incendiary bomb off the roof of the Casino Picture House, next door to his shop. Always getting into dangerous situations was Hugh Hilley. Maybe he just had a love of blood, bruises and risk-taking.

Celtic never left Hugh Hilley, as his grand-daughter Mary Contini was to recall:

“Celtic taught Hugh about health in a very modern way. They looked at diet and fitness and their methods stayed with him. Whenever I stayed at Grandpa’s house he would have a routine where he would get up at 6am and have a cold shower. Then he would drink warm water and jog around the block. He would have cereal and toast, olive oil and fresh orange. Hugh was fanatical about his health as a result of playing with Celtic.”
(from Kevin McCarra’s ‘Celtic: A Biography in Nine Lives’)

She carried on the family connection with Celtic by developing a ‘Celtic Soup‘ inspired by her father’s tales.

Hugh Hilley gave his all, and for that the Celtic support will truly love him forever more.

He passed away in 1987. A fine Celt.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1925-26

Scottish Cup

• 1925, 1927

Glasgow Cup

• 1

Glasgow Charity Cup

• 1

Pictures

• Player Pics

Articles

Hugh Hilley’s Store (bottom RHS)