Lawrie Reilly
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Lawrance Reilly[1] | ||
Date of birth | 28 October 1928 | ||
Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
Date of death | 22 July 2013 | (aged 84)||
Place of death | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1946–1958 | Hibernian | 253 | (185) |
International career | |||
1948–1957 | Scotland | 38 | (22) |
1948–1956 | Scottish Football League XI | 14 | (14) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Lawrance Reilly (28 October 1928 – 22 July 2013) was a Scottish
Life and career
Reilly joined Hibs in 1946, despite interest from their city rivals Hearts.[4] He quickly established himself in the Hibernian team, scoring his first goal against Queen of the South. He netted the first of 18 hat-tricks for Hibs in 1947, also against Queen of the South. He made his league debut as a 17-year-old in the 1946–47 season.[4] Reilly was a fringe player in the 1947–48 season as Hibs won the league championship, playing in insufficient games to earn a winners' medal.[4] It was reported that Reilly and Johnny Aitkenhead might be loaned to Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts, who were battling against relegation that season.[5]
Reilly became a first team regular during the following season, after
By the early 1950s, Hibernian were the most feared force in Scottish football as they won back-to-back league championships in 1951 and 1952. Reilly was instrumental in both triumphs, finishing top scorer in the 1951–52 triumph. Hibs finished second to Rangers in 1953 and the club's fortunes started to go into decline, although Reilly continued to perform well.[4] He missed out on selection for the 1954 FIFA World Cup due to suffering from a bout of pleurisy.[4]
Reilly almost quit football after a row with Hibernian after manager Hugh Shaw refused him a testimonial match.[4] Reilly submitted a transfer request that was accepted by the board of directors,[4] but the matter was eventually resolved.[4] During the dispute, which lasted four months, Reilly took a job outwith football to support his family.[4] The SFA brokered a compromise that allowed Reilly to resume playing, while retaining his other income.[5]
Reilly continued to score goals frequently after he returned to the Hibs side, and he featured in the side that participated in the first season of the European Cup.[4] Injuries were beginning to make his appearances more intermittent, with a knee injury forcing his retirement from the game in 1958.[4] He made his final Scotland appearance against England in 1957, but failed to score at Wembley for the first time. His last appearance for Hibs came in April 1958, when he scored in a 2–1 win against Rangers.[4] Later that year he was finally given a testimonial match,[4] but was prevented from playing in it due to SFA regulations.[5]
Reilly won a total 38 caps for Scotland, scoring 22 goals.
Reilly died in July 2013, aged 84.[8] In August 2019, his two Scottish league championship medals were sold at auction for £12,000.[8]
Honours
Career statistics
International appearances
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Scotland | 1948 | 1 | 0 |
1949 | 4 | 2 | |
1950 | 3 | 2 | |
1951 | 7 | 3 | |
1952 | 6 | 6 | |
1953 | 3 | 3 | |
1954 | 1 | 0 | |
1955 | 7 | 5 | |
1956 | 5 | 1 | |
1957 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 38 | 22 |
International goals
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
See also
References
- ^ A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18. 7. John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine. 2018.
- ^ "Lawrence Reilly". London Hearts. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Smith, Aidan (18 September 2010). "Interview: Lawrie Reilly – 'That rampant lion on your breast was the greatest feeling'". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Bonthrone, Mark (11 September 2006). "A Lawrie load of goals to thrill a nation". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
- ^ a b c Hardie, David (14 October 2010). "Lawrie Reilly says Hibs tried to make him a Jambo". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
- ^ Wright, Angus (8 September 2010). "Great escapes: Last-minute Reilly, Gough in injury time and other late, late shows". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Scotland FL Players by Appearances". Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
- ^ a b c "Hibernian fans successful in buying Lawrie Reilly's championship medals". BBC Sport. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Lawrie Reilly at the Scottish Football Association
- ^ a b c d Brown, Alan; Tossani, Gabriele (11 April 2019). "Scotland – International Matches 1946-1950". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Brown, Alan; Tossani, Gabriele (11 April 2019). "Scotland – International Matches 1951-1955". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ Brown, Alan; Tossani, Gabriele (23 May 2019). "Scotland – International Matches 1956-1960". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
External links
- Lawrie Reilly at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- Lawrie Reilly at the Scottish Football Association
- BBC Archive Collections:Football Legends – Lawrie Reilly