*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Hughie Cochrane
Appearances: 123+2 Goals: 18
Date / Year of birth: 9th February 1943
Position: Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1969/70
Season of last appearance: 1970/71
Also played for: Dennistoun Waverley (Scotland), Dundee United (Scotland) (0), Barnsley (5,0), Wimbledon, Ashford Town, Romford, Ramsgate Athletic and Wombwell Sporting Association
5' 9" tall, skilful Glasgow-born midfielder who began his career with Scottish junior club Dennistoun before joining Dundee United as an apprentice in 1961.
After being freed by United in April 1963 Hughie moved to Barnsley in August 1963. He made a handful of Football League appearances for them during the 1963/64 season and then joined Wimbledon where he played one first team game during the 1965/66 campaign.
Hughie's next move took him to Ashford and he went on to spend three seasons there, making over 120 appearances. He scored the winning goal as Ashford beat Margate 1-0 in the 1966/67 FA Cup competition.
In the summer of 1969 Hughie joined Margate in a straight swap for Gordon Burden and he made his debut on 9.8.69 in a 3-3 draw at Hereford, it was the opening day of the 1969/70 season. Hughie went on to make a total of 67 appearances (two as sub) in midfield during the 1969/70 campaign and often impressed with his neat footwork, intricate dribbling and incisive passing. He also had a capacity for hard work. He scored seven goals, the first of them an excellent low shot from the edge of the penalty area in a 7-0 win over Yeovil on 16.8.69. Hughie also scored a brilliant solo goal during a 3-1 win at Dover on 27.12.69. He beat three defenders in a burst down the right wing before firing home. He scored another solo goal during a 4-0 win at Ashford on 23.2.70, again beating several players before slotting in from an acute angle. Hughie's final goal of the season was a clever lob in the Kent Floodlight Cup Replay at Gravesend & Northfleet on 15.5.70. In a 6-2 win over Ashford on 16.3.70 the local press said that he "dazzled" but noted that Hughie often came in for 'stick' from a section of Margate fans.
During the 1970/71 season he made a further 58 appearances and Hughie's 11 goals were enough to make him Margate's joint top scorer, along with Gerry Baker and John Baber. He was variously described as being "wily", "tireless" and "a veritable hub of industry" by the local press. On 21.11.70 Hughie played as Margate lost 2-0 at Dagenham in the FA Cup 1st Round.
On 21.12.70 he was sent off in a Kent Floodlight Cup tie against Hastings at Hartsdown Park and had to serve a month's suspension as a result. On 17.4.71 Hughie scored with a delicate lob in a 1-1 home draw with Nuneaton but it proved to be his last goal for the club. In May 1971 he asked to leave and player-manager Gerry Baker said "I will be very sorry to see him go."
In June 1971 Hughie joined Romford and the Isle of Thanet Gazette said that he would be "sadly missed".
After just a few months with Romford Hughie returned to Thanet and joined Ramsgate in October 1971. However in March 1972 the Rams cancelled his contract by mutual consent and after that Hughie gave up Southern League football and returned home to Barnsley.
He then played for and managed Wombwell in the Yorkshire League until retiring altogether at the age of 40.
Hughie was still playing 5-a-side football twice a week during 2003.
He worked as an electrician during his time with Margate and Hughie's son Jamie played in the Isthmian League for various clubs including Hendon, Flackwell Heath and Martin Baker during the 1990's / early 2000's. In 2002 he was with Chalfont St.Peter.
In 2011 Hughie was retired and still living in Yorkshire, working at improving his golf handicap.
On 12.4.14 he was one of the many former Margate players who attended the club's 'Legends Day' at Hartsdown Park.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC | |
|
1969/70 (MFC) |
65 (72) |
2 |
7 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (13TH OF 22) |
1R |
3QR |
3R |
RU |
RU |
| Played in Kent
Senior Cup Final 1st Leg (04.05.70 - lost 1-0 at home to
Dartford). Played in Kent Senior Cup Final 2nd Leg (09.05.70 - lost 4-1 at Dartford). Played in Kent Floodlight Cup Final 1st Leg (30.04.70 - drew 1-1 with Gravesend & Northfleet at home). Played in Kent Floodlight Cup Final 2nd Leg (05.05.70 - drew 2-2 at Gravesend & Northfleet). Played and scored in Kent Floodlight Cup Final Replay (15.05.70 - lost 2-1 at Gravesend & Northfleet). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC | |
|
1970/71 (MFC) |
58 (72) |
0 |
11 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (13TH OF 22) |
1R |
1R |
SF |
QF |
GR |
| Played in FA Cup 1st Round (21.11.70 - lost 2-0 at Dagenham). | |||||||||