HUGHIE MAXWELL 1938-2010

Former Bairns favourite Hughie Maxwell died in Kidlington, Oxfordshire on January 25th.at the age of 71. He had been ill for some time. He holds the Falkirk F.C. record for the most number of goals scored in a single competitive match.

In the programme notes for the Falkirk v. Clyde game on December 8th. 1962, the editor of the day was waxing lyrical about the debut of two new players who had just arrived at the club. Hughie Maxwell and Alex. Bain had made a big impact and the writer stated “If this is a sample of what M(Maxwell) and B (Bain) can do for us, our fans will have few complaints.” Both players had scored in a 4-1 Brockville win over Dundee United on the previous Saturday. Hughie had made quite a start to his Brockville career.

Falkirk fans will always remember big Hughie for one game in particular-Falkirk versus Clyde on Saturday December 8th.1962. He scored all seven goals in an impressive 7-3 win. Hughie was born in Rigghead and started out with his local Junior side Shotts Bon Accord, before moving to Stirling Albion and then on to Bradford Park Avenue. Alex. McCrae signed him and he made his Falkirk début against Dundee United. He immediately struck up an effective partnership with Alex Bain and the two looked to have developed a good understanding.

Few however, could have predicted the events of that December day when Hughie wrote himself into Brockville folklore. He had scored five goals before half-time, including a hat-trick in just over three minutes. The seventh goal was a tremendous solo effort and he was cheered off the park. The game will never be forgotten by all those at the match. The Big Man was totally unstoppable and every time he seemed to shoot he scored.Hughie finished the season as top scorer with 12 goals to his credit. He was no one season wonder at Falkirk and Hughie was joint top scorer with Irish Internationalist Sammy Wilson in 1963/64 with 17 goals. They were a deadly combination. Hughie only played in 10 League games in 1964/65, but still finished top of the scoring charts with his 7 goals. His scoring achievements soon attracted the attention of bigger clubs and he moved to Celtic. He never found that same kind of form again, and only played in 8 League games for Celtic. His later career was spent at St.Johnstone and Dunfermline. Hughie later emigrated to South Africa where he played for Hellenic.

Hughie hadn’t kept any of his memorabilia from his football career and a few years ago, we sent him down some pictures and cuttings to help bring back the memories. Hughie was featured in bubblegum cards in the mid 60’s.

Hughie had been ill for some time and he passed away on January 25th.He didn’t look like a professional footballer, with his long thin legs and stooped gait, but he certainly knew the way to score goals. Ian Hunter, who played that day when Hughie scored his seven goals, paid tribute to him as one of the great characters in the team. Hughie is survived by his wife Ann, his three daughters and a son.


By Michael White