Hearts was saddened to learn of the death of Alan Gordon, yesterday.

As a lean six-foot striker, Alan held a unique record of having played for all four clubs in Dundee and Edinburgh, where he scored almost 250 goals. Of these, Alan hit 80 for Hearts in 179 appearances, 64 in 156 competitive matches.

The intelligent and skilful attacker was born in the capital on 14 May 1944 and in his formative years the Murrayburn schoolboy skippered Edinburgh Primary Schools to a Scottish Cup victory. However, he then attended the rugby-playing George Heriot's School and had to develop his football career in the juvenile grade with Edina Hearts and then Edinburgh Athletic, from whom he was signed by Hearts' manager, Tommy Walker, in July 1961. The 17-year old striker had previously turned down an approach by Rangers, because, quite simply, he always wanted to play for the Hearts.

Alan earned rapid promotion and made his debut on 21 October 1961, when Hearts beat Celtic by 2-1 in a League match at Tynecastle. His cultured play impressed the fans and on 28 October, he held his place for the League Cup Final against Rangers at Hampden Park. The game ended in a 1-1 draw before a crowd of over 88,000 and Hearts' goal came from a penalty, given after young Alan Gordon had been fouled as he threatened the Rangers goal. Willie Bauld replaced him for the Replay, which Hearts lost 3-1.

It was disappointing not to play in that Replay, but this was nothing compared to season 1964-65, when Hearts lost the Championship on goal average to Kilmarnock, after the Ayrshire side won 2-0 at Tynecastle on the final day of the campaign. Alan scored 19 League goals that season and in the closing stages of that title decider, only a brilliant save from the Kilmarnock keeper prevented one of his renowned headers from bringing the Championship to Edinburgh.

During his early years with Hearts, the big centre studied accountancy at Edinburgh University and when Alan graduated in May 1967, he headed to South Africa, where he found professional employment, linked to playing for Durban United. However, Hearts retained an interest in his future and when Alan returned to the UK, he was re-signed in September 1968. Although he then scored six goals in 15 League appearances, manager, John Harvey, had restructured the squad during his absence and accordingly, the stylish attacker was transferred to Dundee United in March 1969 for £8,000.

He scored over 50 goals for United and during an eventful period, Alan toured the USA and Mexico with his new club; played in several European matches; and assisted United to become one of Scotland's leading teams. Nevertheless, when Jim McLean took over as manager, Alan was unable to meet his requirement that all players live in the Dundee area. This was due to his flourishing accountancy business in Edinburgh and as a result, Alan readily signed for Hibernian in January 1972 for a fee of £12,000.

Alan scored over 80 goals for Hibs and helped the Leith club to reach the Scottish Cup Final in May 1972 against Celtic. He scored in the heavy 6-1 defeat, but gained a measure of revenge in December 1972, when Hibs defeated Celtic by 2-1 in the League Cup Final. Alan was a member of the Hibs' team that inflicted Hearts' record defeat and he also assisted the Leithers to win the pre-season Drybrough Cup competition, before a £13,000 move to Dundee in December 1974.

Alan played his part as Dundee qualified for the first ever Premier Division in 1975-76, but when the Dens Park side was immediately relegated, he retired from the game to concentrate on his business interests and to also undertake some sports media work.

The club extends its condolences to Alan's family.