HUGHIE REED

Full Name: Hugh Dennett Reed

Born: 23 August 1950

Came from: West Bromwich Albion   Went to: Crewe Alexandra

First game: 06 November 1971   Last game: 06 April 1974

Appearances: 58 (46/12)   Goals: 11

Born in Dumbarton, Scotland, he came through the apprentice ranks at West Bromwich Albion after being spotted playing for Scottish junior side Drumchapel Amateurs in Glasgow, alongside his team-mate and friend Asa Hartford.

A winger, he turned professional in August 1967 and made his top-flight first-team debut for the Baggies at the age of 18 against Stoke City in November 1968. Despite being a regular for the reserves, he failed to do enough to establish himself as a first-team regular at The Hawthorns, making just 10 appearances over four years while Hartford flourished.

He left for Argyle in November 1971 for a £12,000 fee as an Ellis Stuttard signing. He was to spend three years at Home Park and became renowned for his wing wizardry, as well as for a stunning diving-header goal from the edge of the area in a 'Boxing Day' win over Torquay United in 1971. The fixture was actually played on Monday 27 December to avoid the Sunday, with 20,096 watching at Home Park.

He initially scored eight goals in his first 10 games, but those goals would prove to be his only strikes in 27 appearances during the 1971-72 season. A barren spell in front of goal early in the 1972-73 season saw him lose his place in the team, and he failed to make an appearance between December 1972 and April 1973. This included a goalless four-game loan spell with Brentford. He showed better form during 1973-74, scoring three goals in seven games mid-season, but was released at the end of the campaign. In total, he made 58 appearances and scored 11 goals for the club.

He left to join Crewe Alexandra, where he would spend two seasons after signing for the Fourth Division club in July 1974. His first season at Gresty Road was the best of his career, scoring nine goals in 41 league appearances. He made only six league appearances in the 1975-76 season before his release in October 1976. In total, he made 47 league appearances and scored nine goals for the Railwaymen.

After a trial period at Huddersfield Town, he then had a short stint with Fourth Division club Hartlepool United in October and November 1976, scoring one goal in six appearances.

He then dropped into the non-league scene with Stafford Rangers and then Shotton United, whose full name was Connah's Quay & Shotton United, before returning to Stafford to finish his career, hanging up his boots in 1982.

After retiring from football, Reed settled with his family in Shavington, Cheshire, to the south of Crewe, and worked at the local Rolls-Royce factory.

Sadly, like some former footballers of the time, Reed struggled with debt and increasing alcohol consumption after his professional playing career ended. He remained living in the Crewe area until he was found unwell at home and taken to the town's Leighton Hospital, where he died in November 1992, aged just 42.