Born on April 5, 1952, in Edinburgh, Conn inherited his passion for the beautiful game from his father, Alfie Conn Sr., who was part of Hearts’ legendary ‘Terrible Trio’ in the 1950s. However, while his lineage hinted at a Tynecastle destiny, fate had other ideas.
PART ONE
From an early age, Conn’s talent was evident. At Prestonpans Primary School, football was a central part of his life, but upon moving to Preston Lodge Secondary School, he faced an unexpected hurdle—football was not part of the school’s sporting curriculum, and rugby took precedence. Nevertheless, Conn was undeterred. He would play rugby in the morning before dashing off in the afternoon to take part in his true passion—football. It was this dedication that caught the eye of Rangers’ scouts while he was playing for Musselburgh Windsor, leading to an invitation to train at Ibrox at just 15 years old.
Conn made his senior debut for Rangers in November 1968 against Dundalk in the Fairs Cup. His early years at Ibrox saw him grow into an exciting attacking midfielder, and he was part of the team that claimed European glory in 1972, lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup after a historic 3-2 victory over Dynamo Moscow. Moreover, he further endeared himself to the Rangers faithful by playing a crucial role in the club’s 1973 Scottish Cup triumph, scoring in the final as Rangers overcame Celtic 3-2 at Hampden Park.
Despite his success at Rangers, Conn’s time at the club came to an end in 1974 when he made the move south to join Tottenham Hotspur. His arrival at White Hart Lane was significant, as he was the final signing of legendary manager Bill Nicholson. Spurs fans were quickly won over by Conn’s style, particularly after he announced himself with a hat-trick on his debut in a 5-2 win over Newcastle United. His flair and confidence, including an audacious moment where he sat on the ball during a crucial 4-2 victory over Leeds United to secure Spurs’ First Division survival in 1975, earned him cult hero status and the nickname “King of White Hart Lane.”
His form at Tottenham also caught the attention of the Scotland national team, and he earned two caps in 1975. However, despite his talent, his spell at Spurs was brief, with just 35 appearances and six goals to his name. By 1977, he was on the move again, and this time, the decision sent shockwaves through Scottish football.
PART TWO
Conn did the unthinkable—he joined Celtic. For a player who had already established himself as a Rangers hero, the switch to Parkhead was almost sacrilegious. The move, masterminded by Jock Stein, saw Conn take a significant wage cut to sign for the Hoops, highlighting his desire to return to Scotland and prove himself once again.
Any doubts over his commitment were swiftly erased when he rifled in a stunning goal against Partick Thistle, cementing his place in Celtic folklore. His first season with the Bhoys was a resounding success, culminating in a Scottish Cup and league double. However, his second campaign was disrupted by injury, and the arrival of Billy McNeill as manager in 1978 led to a fresh challenge for Conn.
Despite moments of brilliance, including a dazzling solo effort against St Mirren and a double against Motherwell, injuries took their toll, and by 1979, he had lost his place in the squad. As a result, his time at Celtic came to an end, and Conn sought a fresh start elsewhere.
A brief spell in the United States with Pittsburgh Spirit followed before he returned to Scotland in 1980, this time following in his father’s footsteps by signing for Hearts. However, his time at Tynecastle was short-lived, and after additional stints at Blackpool and Motherwell, Conn retired from professional football in 1983.
His legacy, though, endured. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact at Ibrox, despite his later move to Celtic. Moreover, his name remains etched in history as the man who dared to cross the divide and proved, through moments of brilliance, that football is ultimately about talent and passion rather than allegiances.