Retirement and death Hughie Gallacher

gallacher continued live in gateshead, trying number of careers, 1 of them being sports journalist, role led him being banned st james’ park outspoken remarks newcastle united. however, continued popular character on tyneside. gallacher turned out in charity matches @ age of 52.

with no savings footballing days, gallacher took numerous unremarkable jobs, menial, earn living support family. after sudden death of wife in december 1950 heart complaint, gallacher became depressed , lonely.

one evening in may 1957, hughie went home after few drinks. youngest son mathew (aged 14) @ home reading newspaper. when mattie, known, ignored him, picked heavy ornament or ashtray , threw @ newspaper. bounced off top of mattie s head, drawing blood. matthew left house , went neighbour s, attempting find big brother hughie junior. later when hughie junior arrived, saw blood , hurried home confront father. altercation took place , result police summoned. police reported assault on young mattie authorities. mattie taken aunt dolly s care , prevented returning home until assault charge resolved.

for weeks after alleged assault, gallacher began wandering streets. many people spoke him including newcastle players , staff offering support , assuring him no 1 believe press , scandalous statements. many offered speak on behalf.

denied access son , court appearance looming, gallacher began increasingly irrational. local reporter friend said looked ‘a traumatised man walking in glassy-eyed dream’. gallacher said friend, ‘it s no fighting thing now. have got me on one. life finished. s no use fighting when know can’t win.’ summoned gateshead magistrates court wednesday 12 june 1957.

on 11 june, posted short message gateshead coroner expressing regrets @ had caused, adding ‘if had lived 100 never able forgive himself having hurt mattie’. wandered aimlessly through streets ignoring greetings of several people.

on day of death, 2 young trainspotters watched him half hour pacing backwards , forwards on footbridge on london-edinburgh railway line @ low fell, gateshead. openly weeping, talking himself , pounding bridge rail fists. stepped down bridge , killed himself walking in front of oncoming express train.

when effects of tragedy of father s suicide had subsided mattie returned home stay elder brother hughie, before moving south africa in 1965.