Andy Aitken (footballer born 1934)
Encyclopedia
Andy Aitken was a Scottish
footballer, who played for Cliftonville
, Hibernian
, West Bromwich Albion
, Falkirk
, Raith Rovers
and Gala Fairydean
.
Aitken began his senior football career by playing for Cliftonville while undergoing his National Service
in Northern Ireland
. After completing his National Service, he signed for Hibernian in 1955. He made his debut for Hibs in a match against Falkirk, playing in a pair of boots borrowed from Gordon Smith. Aitken became a key player in the Hibs team over the next few years, including their run
to the 1958 Scottish Cup
Final. Aitken's injury early in that match badly affected Hibs' chances, as substitutes were not yet allowed.
Aitken moved to West Bromwich Albion in 1959, but was hindered by injury during his time with the Midlands club. He returned to Scotland with Falkirk, and helped them gain promotion to Division One
. He then moved on to Raith Rovers, helping them reach a Scottish Cup semi-final. Aitken also played for Gala Fairydean before retiring from the game.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer, who played for Cliftonville
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
, Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
, Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
and Gala Fairydean
Gala Fairydean F.C.
Gala Fairydean F.C. is a football club currently playing in Division 1 of the East of Scotland Football League.- History :Founded in 1907 as the result of a split in the Gala Fairydean Rovers club into Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers, they play their home matches at the Netherdale ground in Galashiels...
.
Aitken began his senior football career by playing for Cliftonville while undergoing his National Service
Conscription in the United Kingdom
Conscription in the United Kingdom has existed for two periods in modern times. The first was from 1916 to 1919, the second was from 1939 to 1960, with the last conscripted soldiers leaving the service in 1963...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. After completing his National Service, he signed for Hibernian in 1955. He made his debut for Hibs in a match against Falkirk, playing in a pair of boots borrowed from Gordon Smith. Aitken became a key player in the Hibs team over the next few years, including their run
Scottish Cup 1957-58
The 1957-58 Scottish Cup was the 73rd staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Clyde who defeated Hibernian in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
to the 1958 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Final. Aitken's injury early in that match badly affected Hibs' chances, as substitutes were not yet allowed.
Aitken moved to West Bromwich Albion in 1959, but was hindered by injury during his time with the Midlands club. He returned to Scotland with Falkirk, and helped them gain promotion to Division One
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. He then moved on to Raith Rovers, helping them reach a Scottish Cup semi-final. Aitken also played for Gala Fairydean before retiring from the game.