About Hugh O'Donnell
Lived 1913 – 1965 (aged 52). Hugh O'Donnell was a British association football player.
Hugh O'Donnell (15 February 1913 – 9 May 1965) was a Scottish professional footballer. He was the younger brother of fellow footballer Frank O'Donnell. The siblings stayed together for the first sixteen years of their careers, both playing concurrently for Celtic, Preston North End and Blackpool.
O'Donnell made over one hundred league appearances for Preston between 1935 and 1938, scoring 29 goals, before signing for the club's arch-rivals, Blackpool. He made his debut for Blackpool in a goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on 18 March 1939. He went on to play in the remaining nine games of the season, in the number-11 shirt, and scored their goal in a 2–1 defeat at Arsenal on 10 April 1939.
The following season, 1939–40, was the first season of regional competitions, brought about by the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.
O'Donnell's final game in a Blackpool shirt took place on 23 November 1946, in a 4–2 defeat at Leeds United, his only appearance of the season. He scored the first of Blackpool's goals.
Rochdale became his fourth club, in 1946, and he went on to make forty league appearances for them, scoring fourteen goals.
O'Donnell brought his career to a close with Halifax Town in 1948.
He died on 9 May 1965, aged 52.
Honours Preston North End FA Cup: 1937–38; runner-up: 1936–37
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Important facts
People in Hugh O'Donnell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Hugh O'Donnell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hugh O'Donnell?
Scottish footballer (1913-1965)
When was Hugh O'Donnell born?
Hugh O'Donnell was born on 15 February 1913 in Buckhaven.
When did Hugh O'Donnell die?
Hugh O'Donnell died on 9 May 1965 in Preston.
What was Hugh O'Donnell's occupation?
Hugh O'Donnell was an association football player.
What nationality was Hugh O'Donnell?
Hugh O'Donnell was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Hugh O'Donnell (footballer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hugh O'Donnell. https://biography.guide/hugh-o-donnell-association-football-player/
MLA: "Hugh O'Donnell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hugh-o-donnell-association-football-player/.
Chicago: "Hugh O'Donnell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hugh-o-donnell-association-football-player/.
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