Scotland’s one-club men, No 2: John Cumming (Hearts)

Published on 20/02/2013 00:00

KNOWN as the “Iron Man”, former miner Cumming was the most decorated player in the history of the Tynecastle club.

Born in Carluke on 17 March 1930, Cumming joined Hearts in 1948 and became practically an ever-present in the glorious team of the 1950s, driving the club to league championship successes in 1958 and 1960, as well as League Cup final triumphs in 1955, 1959, 1960 and 1963. He was also part of the Scottish Cup winning team in 1956.

Renowned for his fearless tackling and never-say-die attitude, Cumming began his career as a left winger and later occupied the left-back and half-back positions. He made 612 appearances for Hearts – and won nine caps for Scotland – before joining the Tynecastle coaching staff in 1967, serving the club until 1976. He was inducted into Hearts’ Hall of Fame in 2006 and died in December 2008 at the age of 78.