Hugh Vallance

Hugh Vallance (June 14, 1905 - 1973) was a much-travelled English professional football centre-forward.

Vallance was born in Wolverhampton and after serving in the army as a guardsman began his football career with Kidderminster Harriers. He moved to Aston Villa in 1927, but left to join Queens Park Rangers without breaking into the first team. He made just one appearance for Rangers before moving to Brighton and Hove Albion in the spring of 1929. He was given his chance by Brighton manager Charlie Webb and soon established himself in the Brighton attack, alongside Dan Kirkwood. In the 1929-30 season, Vallance scored 4 hat-tricks before the end of the year. By the end of the season, Vallance had scored 30 league goals in 37 games, while his strike parter Kirkwood had netted 38 in 40. The following season, Vallance scored twice in the first 7 games before his Brighton contract was terminated for a 'serious misdemeanour' at the same time as that of Irish international Jack Curran.

He joined Worcester City and within 6 months went to Evesham Town and Tunbridge Wells Rangers before returning to the league with Gillingham. Despite 7 goals in 13 league games he was released and rejoined Kidderminster. His next move was to Nîmes Olympique from where he moved to FC Basel. From Switzerland he moved to the less exotic Brierley Hill Alliance before returning to Gillingham. After 3 goals in 5 league games, Vallance moved to Racing Club de Paris and subsequently played for Cork City before ending his career with Evesham Town. After leaving professional football he served in the Royal Air Force.

He died in Birmingham in 1973.