Norwich legend Hugh Curran dies aged 82
Norwich City great Hugh Curran has died at the age of 82, according to The Pink'un. The Scottish forward joined the Canaries in January 1966 from Millwall for a modest £12,000, becoming one of Ron Ashman’s final signings as manager.
Curran scored 53 goals in 124 league games for Norwich in the old Division Two and was named player of the season in 1968. His memorable moments include a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in a 4-2 League Cup win at Portman Road during the 1968-69 campaign.
Curran’s Norwich memories and Wolves move
Reflecting on his time at Carrow Road, Curran said, "It was one of the happiest times I had in my football career. At the time I was just scoring goals and I didn't even know it."
He revealed his departure to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1969 was not his choice. "In the season I left for Wolves, I scored 22 times before the end of January. I didn't want to go but the board of directors had a good offer."
Curran also recalled a conversation with then-manager Lol Morgan: "I remember having a meeting with the manager, Lol Morgan, and telling him it was my ambition to play in the First Division. He said he understood that but he didn't want me to go. He said 'If I can double your wages, will you stay?' I said yes, because I loved it at Norwich. Unfortunately, it didn't materialise. Next thing I knew, there was a knock on my door one day and he said 'come on, we're off'. It was Wolverhampton Wanderers."
Wolves paid £60,000 for Curran, who later played for Oxford United and Bolton Wanderers before retiring due to injury in 1979.
Life after football for Hugh Curran
After hanging up his boots, Curran went into business and ran a hotel with his brother Ronald in Lanarkshire. He also owned several pubs in Oxfordshire and London.
In 2005, after six months of retirement, Curran admitted he was "bored to tears" and took a job as a supervisor at Oxford’s Thornhill park-and-ride service.
Curran won five caps for Scotland during his playing career, leaving a lasting legacy at Norwich City and beyond.