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Fullname: Hugh Birnie Clifford
aka: Hughie Clifford, Hugh Clifford
Born:January,1866 (8thApril 1873- Alphabet of the Celts)
Died: 3rd October 1929
Birthplace: Carfin, Lanarkshire
Signed: May 1892 (from Stoke)
Left: Sep 1893 (to Stoke)
Position: Centre Half, Half-back
Debut: Celtic 2-0 Leith Athletic, League, 14 May 1892
Internationals: none

Biog

Hugh Clifford was an accomplished centre-half who joined Celtic from Stoke in May 1892 (apparently joining 'illegally') after previously spurning the advances of the Bhoys first time round when a Carfin Shamrock player.

Clifford made his debut in a 2-0 league win over Leith Athletic on May 14th. After making five first team appearances Clifford saw his place in the team given to Tom Dunbar and he left to rejoin Stoke in September 1893.

Hugh had a "successful" travelling career with appearances for Hibernian, Derby County, Cafin Shamrock, Stoke, Manchester City, Motherwell and Carfin Rovers and was signed with Liverpool with no first team appearances.

Retained by Stoke from Celtic for 1893-4 and played in the first game but then no more because in September 1893 he was suspended by the FA and asked for an explanation of playing in the close season (with P.Dowds), summoned to a committee meeting at the FA in Oct 16th 1893.

He was suspended for signing "illegally" for Celtic FC.

He is credited with having advised Celtic to think about young McMahon at Hibernian as a colt ungainly to eye but a dream to play with. A great move!

Hugh Clifford was brought in to fill the gap left by the departure of peerless Peter Dowds to Aston Villa in May 1892. He was in the Celtic side that played Stoke on November 7th 1892 billed as "The Greatest Team on Earth" (yet lost 5-0!).

He hung up his boots in 1896 but then returned for a short stint with Carfin Rovers.

Hugh's Grandson, John Clifford, an outside left with Our Lady's High and Carfin Harp joined Celtic in November 1949 but never played a first team game.

Died 3rd October 1929, and was buried at Holytown Cemetery (Lanarkshire) on 4th October 1929 (Sect. B lair 753).

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

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Pictures

• Player Pics

Links

• Grave & Memorial
  
• Celtic Graves Society Forum (External)
  

Hugh Clifford in the Celtic team of 1892-93: