Hugh Dowd

Who is Hugh Dowd?

Hugh Dowd was a Northern Irish former professional footballer.

Born on 19 May 1951 in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, he was an accomplished centre half, initially making his name as with hometown club Glenavon, graduating to become the final captain of Northern Ireland's Amateur side. At the end of the 1973–74 season, with his name linked with a transfer to Luton Town or Glasgow Celtic, he was called up by the Northern Ireland FA for the first time, making his professional international debut in a Home Nations Championship game with Wales.

Dowd was 23 when he was signed by English Division Two side Sheffield Wednesday, and he made his debut in a League Cup tie on 20 August 1974. That season he made just one more appearance at Hillsborough, in the FA Cup, as Wednesday were relegated to Division Three. He did however win two further international caps that season, against Norway and Sweden, which were to be his final international caps.

Over subsequent seasons, Dowd began to establish himself in the first team at Hillsborough, but Wednesday remained in Division Three. He made his final appearance for the Sheffield team on 30 September 1978.

In August 1979, Dowd joined Doncaster Rovers for £15,000. He captained Rovers to promotion from Division Four in 1981 before retiring from League football during the 1982–83 season as a result of a knee ligament injury.