John Hewitt (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Hewitt, is a Scottish former footballer and manager, who spent the majority of his playing career with Aberdeen F.C.
, but also had spells with Celtic
and St. Mirren
among others. He also spent a short time in management in Ireland with Dundalk
before retiring from the game.
He is best known as the scorer of a number of significant goals for Aberdeen, including the winning goal in the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup final
. He was inducted into the Aberdeen FC "Hall of Fame" as one of the founding members in 2003.
season had become a regular in the side. in January 1982, Hewitt scored the only goal of the game in a fourth round Scottish Cup
tie against Motherwell
. This goal, timed at 9.6 seconds, was not only the fastest goal recorded in Scottish Cup history, but proved to be the opening goal in Aberdeen's route to the following season's European success; Aberdeen qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup by going on to win the Scottish Cup that season.
The following season, Hewitt again featured prominently for Aberdeen, but it is for two substitute appearances in Europe that he is best known. On 16 March 1983, Hewitt came off the bench to score the winning goal in the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich
, and then repeated the feat by scoring the winner in extra time in the final against Real Madrid
. Hewitt also scored twice in the 1985–86 Scottish Cup
final against Hearts
– a game in which he was named Man of the match
.
In all, Hewitt won three championship medals, four Scottish Cup winners medals, a Scottish League Cup
winner's medal as well as the Cup Winners' Cup and the following season's UEFA Super Cup – all while at Aberdeen.
In 1989, Hewitt moved to Celtic, but failed to break into the first team on a regular basis, and subsequently spent four more successful seasons with St. Mirren. A short, unsuccessful spell as player-manager of Dundalk was notable only for the fact that Hewitt scored the only goal of a pre-season friendly game against Aberdeen. Hewitt retired from the game after a season as assistant manager to his former Aberdeen team-mate Doug Rougvie
at Cove Rangers
.
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, but also had spells with Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
among others. He also spent a short time in management in Ireland with Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
before retiring from the game.
He is best known as the scorer of a number of significant goals for Aberdeen, including the winning goal in the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup final
1983 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
The 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between Aberdeen of Scotland and Real Madrid of Spain. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1982–83 tournament and the 23rd European Cup Winners' Cup final. The final was held at Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg,...
. He was inducted into the Aberdeen FC "Hall of Fame" as one of the founding members in 2003.
Playing career
Hewitt was a product of Middlefield Boys' Club in Aberdeen, and was a schoolboy international before signing for Aberdeen, the club he had supported as a boy, in the face of competition from a number of other clubs. He made his full debut for Aberdeen in 1979 at the age of 17, and by the 1981–821981-82 in Scottish football
The 1981–82 season was the 85th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Motherwell, Kilmarnock...
season had become a regular in the side. in January 1982, Hewitt scored the only goal of the game in a fourth round 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...
tie against Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
. This goal, timed at 9.6 seconds, was not only the fastest goal recorded in Scottish Cup history, but proved to be the opening goal in Aberdeen's route to the following season's European success; Aberdeen qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup by going on to win the Scottish Cup that season.
The following season, Hewitt again featured prominently for Aberdeen, but it is for two substitute appearances in Europe that he is best known. On 16 March 1983, Hewitt came off the bench to score the winning goal in the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, and then repeated the feat by scoring the winner in extra time in the final against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
. Hewitt also scored twice in the 1985–86 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup 1985-86
The 1985–86 Scottish Cup was the 101st staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Aberdeen who defeated Hearts in the final.-First round:-Replay:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
final against Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
– a game in which he was named Man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
.
In all, Hewitt won three championship medals, four Scottish Cup winners medals, a Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
winner's medal as well as the Cup Winners' Cup and the following season's UEFA Super Cup – all while at Aberdeen.
In 1989, Hewitt moved to Celtic, but failed to break into the first team on a regular basis, and subsequently spent four more successful seasons with St. Mirren. A short, unsuccessful spell as player-manager of Dundalk was notable only for the fact that Hewitt scored the only goal of a pre-season friendly game against Aberdeen. Hewitt retired from the game after a season as assistant manager to his former Aberdeen team-mate Doug Rougvie
Doug Rougvie
Douglas 'Doug' Rougvie is a retired Scottish international footballer who played mainly for Aberdeen and Chelsea.-Aberdeen:...
at Cove Rangers
Cove Rangers F.C.
Cove Rangers are a senior Scottish football club currently playing in the Press & Journal Highland Football League. They are based in Cove Bay, a suburb of Aberdeen and play their football at Allan Park.The current managers are Kevin Tindal and Colin Milne....
.