Alfie Conn, Jr.

Alfie Conn
Personal information
Full nameAlfred James Conn
Date of birth5 April 1952
Place of birthKirkcaldy, Scotland
Playing positionMidfielder
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1968–1974Rangers93(23)
1974–1977Tottenham Hotspur38(6)
1977–1979Celtic32(7)
1979Derby County0(0)
1979Hércules CF?(?)
1979–1980Pittsburgh Spirit21(15)
1980San Jose Earthquakes2(0)
1980Hartford Hellions?(?)
1980Hearts17(3)
1981Blackpool3(0)
1981–1984Motherwell27(3)
National team
1975Scotland2(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Alfred James "Alfie" Conn (born 5 April 1952) is a Scottish former professional footballer who was the first post-World War II player to play for both Rangers and Celtic.

Conn is the son of the famous footballer Alfie Conn senior, who was one of the 'Terrible Trio' of Heart of Midlothian in the 1950s.

Life and career

Conn made his senior debut for Rangers against Dundalk in the Fairs Cup tournament in November 1968.[1] He was part of the Rangers team which lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and also helped the Ibrox team win the Scottish Cup in 1973, scoring their second goal in a 3–2 final victory over Celtic at Hampden Park. He later, in 1977, won another Scottish Cup medal with Celtic when they defeated Rangers 1–0 in the final.[2][3]

In between his stints with Celtic and Rangers he played for Tottenham Hotspur football club from 1974–1977. He was the last player to be signed by their manager Bill Nicholson. Despite playing only 35 games and scoring 6 goals, he was a huge fan favourite, dubbed the "King of White Hart Lane" after scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a 5–2 win at Newcastle. In the final game of the 1974-75 season at White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur had to beat Leeds United to prevent relegation from the First Division. Conn scored a goal, set up two others and even sat on the ball in a famous 4-2 victory.[4]

Conn is the son of the famous footballer Alfie Conn senior, who was one of the 'Terrible Trio' of Heart of Midlothian in the 1950s. Conn Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by signing for the Tynecastle club in 1980, following a short spell playing indoor football in the United States with Pittsburgh Spirit.[5]

Conn wound down his career, which included two appearances for the Scottish national side, with short spells at Blackpool and Motherwell before retiring in 1983.[3]

On 5 February 2007 Conn was included in the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Games Involving Conn, Alfie in season 1968/1969". FitbaStats. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Bhoy in the Picture - Alfie Conn". The Celtic Underground. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "History - Alfie Conn". Rangers FC. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Alife Conn - Tottenham Hotspur". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  5. ↑ Smith, Aidan (30 January 2015). "Interview: Alfie Conn on crossing Old Firm divide". The Scotsman. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "Hall of Fame". Rangers FC. Retrieved 31 January 2015.

External links