Hearts hero Dougan dies at age of 83

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 22:11

ANOTHER Hearts hero of the 1940s and 1950s has passed away, with the death of Bobby Dougan at the age of 83.

Dougan joined Hearts from Shawfield Juniors in 1946, and was adapted from a wing-half to a centre-half, making his debut in August 1947. He became a mainstay of the first team for three seasons, but honours evaded the Tynecastle club during his stay. Third place in the league in season 1949/50 and reaching the Scottish Cup semi-final in season 1952/53 were the closest he came to silverware, but his form was rewarded with international recognition when he was picked for Scotland against Switzerland in April 1950.

He also played three times for the Scottish League, but a serious injury sustained in the second game put him out of the game for the best part of a year. Although he made a comeback, a new injury required a cartilage operation, and in December 1954 he was allowed to join Kilmarnock for a reported fee of 4,300 after playing 125 league games for Hearts.

After five seasons at Kilmarnock he hung up his boots at the end of the 1959/60 campaign.

Dougan died on Sunday, a week after the passing of another 1950s Tynecastle great, Bobby Kirk. The funeral will take place at Clydebank Crematorium, at 10am on Friday 12 February.