Hugh Baird

Who was Hugh Baird?

Hugh Baird was a Scottish footballer who played for Airdrieonians, Leeds United and Aberdeen. He also represented the Scotland national football team once.

Baird started his professional playing career aged 21 with Scottish Football League side Airdrieonians, whom he joined from Dalry Thistle. A striker, he quickly gained a reputation as a prolific goal scorer. In 1957 Leeds United signed him for £12,000 but he only stayed one season in England. In 1958 Aberdeen paid a then club record transfer fee of £11,500 to ensure his return north. He stayed with Aberdeen until 1962 making 86 appearances for the Dons.

Baird continued playing for another 4 years following his departure from Pittodrie, enjoying a very brief spell with Brechin City before moving into the Highland Football League for longer spells with Deveronvale FC, the Banff Club, then a three year spell at Rothes FC on Speyside, before retiring from football, aged 36, to become a bricklayer.

Baird made one appearance for the Scottish national side in May 1956 at Hampden Park against Austria. He only received an international cap in 2006, after a successful campaign was started by Gary Imlach calling for his father and other affected players to receive caps. Until the early 1970s, the SFA did not award caps to players for matches other than those in the British Home Championship.