ALEC HARDIE

Full Name: Alexander Shaw Hardie

Born: 08 July 1898

Came from: Charlton Athletic   Went to: Exeter City

First game: 20 March 1926   Last game: 06 May 1933

Appearances: 241 (241/0)   Goals: 4

Born in Kilsyth, Hardie began his career at Kilsyth Rangers, who at the time had a burgeoning reputation for producing quality young players. A move to Third Lanark in his native Scotland followed, before he switched to Charlton Athletic in 1925, where he played a total of 28 games. It was perhaps something of a surprise when he moved to Home Park in March 1926 for a 'substantial fee', but following a quiet debut away at Swindon Town, Hardie wasted little time in displaying the type of football that had brought him to Argyle's attention. Despite his arrival, during a flurry of transfer activity that saw six players sign in a six-week period, Argyle once again narrowly missed out on promotion. Hardie also demonstrated versatility and in April 1926 found himself given the opportunity to play a more attacking role during Patsy Corcoran's benefit game against Everton, a position that he revelled in.

During the following campaign, Hardie established himself as a consistent performer with a reputation as a crisp tackler and a smooth passer of the ball. In January 1927, while still in search of his first goal in Argyle colours, he missed a penalty during the FA Cup loss at South Shields with the scores level at 1-1. That first goal duly arrived the following month in a 7-1 win over Crystal Palace. The Pilgrims finished the season in the runners-up spot for the sixth successive time. 1927-28 saw Hardie complete the season as one of only two ever-present members of the squad. He would again feature prominently in the 1928-29 campaign until an injury ruled him out of the last 10 games, with Argyle finishing fourth in his absence. Hardie played a vital role in Argyle's title-winning side of 1929-30, none more so than during the 1-1 draw at Southend when he produced a superb goal-line clearance to secure a valuable point. He suffered torn ligaments at Bournemouth & Boscombe that left him unable to kick the ball and his bravery in staying on the pitch led to a short period out of the side until he returned to fitness. Hardie would often find himself on the end of rough treatment. During the 4-1 win against Norwich in the same season, which put Argyle within touching distance of the title, Hardie finished the game blood-spattered and limping with two separate injuries that would see him miss the run-in when promotion was finally secured.

Argyle's first season following their promotion was something of a mixed bag, but ultimately survival was ensured. They suffered a 9-1 thumping at Everton following a 10-hour overnight train journey, but also scored five on four occasions, Hardie netting a rare goal on the final day of the season in a 5-3 win at home to Bristol City. He was awarded a benefit during the 1931-32 season when Argyle played host to Partick Thistle in front of a crowd of 10,000 in a game that the visitors won 3-1. In July 1932, Hardie married, but shortly after their wedding his wife became seriously ill, which, along with injury would hamper his invovlement during the early stages of the following season. He made 17 appearances in his final full season at Home Park but was offered a contract heading into the 1933-34 season. Although Hardie didn't make a first team appearance after his final game against West Ham in May 1933, he was involved in an extraordinary match for the reserves, a 5-1 win at Bath where the home goalkeeper, Prout, saved three penalties, including one from Hardie.

Hardie left Argyle for Exeter City in October 1933, where he finished his Football League career after 18 games, and later played for Truro City.