Hugh O'Donnell

Who was Hugh O'Donnell?

Hugh O'Donnell was a Scottish professional footballer. He was the younger brother of fellow footballer Frank O'Donnell. The siblings stayed together for the first sixteen years of their careers, both playing concurrently for Celtic, Preston North End and Blackpool.

O'Donnell made over one hundred league appearances for Preston between 1935 and 1938, scoring 29 goals, before signing for the club's arch-rivals, Blackpool. He made his debut for Blackpool in a goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on March 18, 1939. He went on to play in the remaining nine games of the season, in the number-11 shirt, and scored their goal in a 2–1 defeat at Arsenal on April 10, 1939.

The following season, 1939–40, was the first season of regional competitions, brought about by the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.

O'Donnell's final game in a Blackpool shirt took place on November 23, 1946, in a 4–2 defeat at Leeds United, his only appearance of the season. He scored the first of Blackpool's goals.

Rochdale became his fourth club, in 1946, and he went on to make forty league appearances for them, scoring fourteen goals.

O'Donnell brought his career to a close with Halifax Town in 1948.