Jock Govan

John Govan (16 January 1923 – 17 February 1999) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Hibernian and Ayr United.[2] Govan, who was a key part of the successful post-war Hibs side, was capped six times by Scotland.[3]

Jock Govan
Personal information
Full name John Govan
Date of birth (1923-01-16)16 January 1923
Place of birth Larkhall, Scotland
Date of death 17 February 1999(1999-02-17) (aged 76)
Place of death Leith, Scotland
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
–1941 Larkhall Thistle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1941–1954 Hibernian 163 (0)
1954–1955 Ayr United 7 (0)
International career
1947–1948 Scotland 6 (0)
1948–1952 Scottish League XI 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Govan grew up in Larkhall, a Lanarkshire town noted for its support of Rangers.[3] He played for the local junior club Larkhall Thistle until he was signed by Hibernian in 1941.[3] This move upset the people in Larkhall, who burned his Hibs training kit.[3] Govan was a full-back, but had an attacking style that was ahead of its time.[3]

Govan broke into the Hibs first team in 1943, eventually forming a partnership with Davie Shaw.[3] This partnership formed the basis of Hibs success after the Second World War, as they won the league championship in 1948.[3] Although Shaw was eventually replaced due to age and injury, Govan continued to enjoy success with Hibs, winning the league again in 1951 and 1952.[3] He was transferred to Ayr United in 1954, where he finished his playing career.[3]

After retiring as a football player, Govan worked as a mining engineer and played lawn bowls in Midlothian.[3] He died in Leith on 17 February 1999, at the age of 76, and was survived by his wife and two children.[3][4][5]

References
  1. (Jeffrey 2005, pp. 61–62)
  2. (Smith 2013, p. 107)
  3. Donald, Brian (2 March 1999). "Jock Govan". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  4. "John Govan death record". Scotland's People. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  5. "Jock Govan". The Herald. 2 March 1999. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  • Jeffrey, Jim (2005). The Men Who Made Hibernian F.C. since 1946. Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3091-2.
  • Smith, Paul (2013). Scotland Who's Who. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 9781909178847.
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