C
RALPH CALLACHAN (1955 -
This slim left-sided midfielder made his mark with Hearts in the mid 1970s, moved to Newcastle United for a huge fee then returned to the capital with Hibernian in August 1978.
His move to Easter Road saw popular full-back John Brownlie head for Newcastle as part of a swap deal. That could have been a mill-stone around his neck but Ralph was a cultured player who although slightly built was quickly able to prove his worth at Easter Road. A play maker, full of subtle-promptings he was elegantly efficient.
By playing for Hibs in the 1979 Scottish Cup final he achieved the unusual distinction of having represented both Edinburgh sides in Scottish Cup finals. In August 1979 he scored one of the great Easter Road goals when slaloming through the entire Dundee defence before rounding their keeper to net. Overall Ralph played 219 league games for Hibs and consistently impressed with his incisive, creative style.
Off the field Callachan was a great friend of Jackie McNamara and they ran a public house together when their football days ended.
HONOURS
Scottish Cup final 1979
CHAIRMEN
Just as with players, chairmen come in all shapes and sizes and some are more successful and colourful than others. The list below is therefore not a definitive list of every Hibernian chairman, but rather a summary of the most influential.
Harry Swan: the one-time baker was Hibernian chairman in the glory years of the Famous Five. He became chairman in June 1934 and worked tirelessly to make Hibs a major force in the Scottish game. Widely acknowledged as the key factor in Hibs being invited to enter the inaugural European Cup competition; when they beat Essen in their first match he proudly stated "Our boys struck a great blow for the prestige of British football."
The first Hibs chairman asked to be SFA President he was forward-thinking and extremely proud of his club. He was viewed as an outsider by some quarters of the Hibernian support and his move to distance the club from their Irish origins was initially not universally popular. Harry was actually Henry and he was a Justice of the Peace as well as Hibs chairman.
Tom Hart: Tranent-based, Hart was a lifetime Hibs supporter. A keen player as a youth he had served Musselburgh Union but a war-time injury sustained in France in 1944 ended his playing aspirations. He returned from the war determined to make his fortune and did so in the building industry. This provided the perfect platform for him to acquire Hibs in 1970 and his recipe for reviving Hibernian’s fortunes involved bringing Eddie Turnbull from Aberdeen as manager and then ploughing substantial sums of money into the club. Something of a maverick he brought undersoil heating to Easter Road, and perhaps more impressively George Best! Hart died in March 1982 and, following a brief interregnum by his son Alan, was replaced by Kenny Waugh as club chairman.
Tom O’Malley: Former headmaster Tom was in charge when Hibernian won the First Division in 1999. A long-standing supporter he stepped into the void in the wake of relegation and provided the gravitas and gentlemanly decency that the club needed in a crisis. He worked well with manager Alex McLeish and withstood some early criticism when he suggested the First Division might be ‘an adventure’. Of McLeish he said with considerable foresight “He is inspirational, thoughtful, courageous and he is a very, very strong person. He has engendered spirit and confidence through out the whole club, not just the players. He means such a great deal to the future of Hibs. We can go far with Alex – I think we are made for each other.” With promotion safely achieved O’Malley slipped back into the background and enjoyed his North Stand season ticket. Interestingly his grandfather had been involved in the foundation of Hibernian.
Rod Petrie: Became Chairman in December 2004 but had of course been managing director for eight years prior to taking up what was by this stage a figure-head role. He oversaw the completion of Easter Road as a first rate venue and in his time worked well with managers as diverse as Alex McLeish, Franck Sauzee, Bobby Williamson, Tony Mowbray and John Collins. His support of John Park in the crucial youth development role allowed Hibernian to bring through a plethora of talented youngster which generated much needed cash. It is also worth noting that during Petrie’s reign season-ticket sales improved season upon season. His stewardship must be judged by modern-era standards as a huge financial and playing success, the later being cemented with the League Cup triumph of 2007. The opening of the Hibs training facility in east Lothian was another marked success.
Rod Petrie: Became Chairman in December 2004 but had of course been managing director for eight years prior to taking up what was by this stage a figure-head role. He oversaw the completion of Easter Road as a first rate venue and in his time worked well with managers as diverse as Alex McLeish, Franck Sauzee, Bobby Williamson, Tony Mowbray and John Collins. His support of John Park in the crucial youth development role allowed Hibernian to bring through a plethora of talented youngster which generated much needed cash. It is also worth noting that during Petrie’s reign season-ticket sales improved season upon season. His stewardship must be judged by modern-era standards as a huge financial and playing success, the later being cemented with the League Cup triumph of 2007. The opening of the Hibs training facility in east Lothian was another marked success.
JOHN COLLINS (1968 -
A magnificent midfielder, John cut his footballing teeth at Easter Road before going on to prove himself on the international stage. Spells with clubs such as Celtic, Monaco and Everton, as well as memorable matches with Scotland, followed a good Hibs apprenticeship. When he returned to Hibernian to manage the club in October 2006 it was to open arms.
Born and bred in Galashiels, he should by rights have served his apprenticeship at Celtic as he was a member of their prolific Boys Club set-up. But when the Glasgow club baulked at his travel expenses (John’s Dad having broken a leg and being unable to drive young Collins to training) he joined Hutcheson Vale BC and then Hibs.
Aged just 16 he was tossed into the fray in a Hibs pre-season friendly with Manchester City and so impressed that it was clear great things lay in store. But allied to his natural left-footed skills was a steely resolve to succeed. His attention to detail, healthy life-style, and sheer determination took him to heights that few Scottish players reach. He was a Hibee from January 1984 until the close season of 1990.
Gradually he became the play-maker at Easter Road and clubs hovered on the fringes eager to sign him. The inevitable came in the summer of 1990 when Celtic offered an unprecedented £925,000 to make him a Parkhead player. He was not particularly successful at Parkhead in terms of trophies but the dead-ball skills that would serve him so well were honed in the east end of Glasgow. When he moved on a ‘Bosman’ to Monaco his dedication began to play off. The better diet and preparation of French football suited his receptive nature and he was a good addition to a strong side.
He came back to Britain in England with the likes of Everton and Fulham but his goal against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup finals in France endeared him to Scotland supporters.
There was considerable surprise when Rod Petrie revealed Collins as Hibernian manager in succession to Tony Mowbray in 2006 but a quick League Cup win over Hearts and then winning the trophy itself confirmed that once more Hibs had plucked out another fine young manager. This despite facing a player revolt in April 2007 that probably derailed Hibs hopes of adding the Scottish Cup to the League Cup in the Easter Road trophy room.
Sensationally he resigned as Hibernian manager on 19 December 2007. What was truly remarkable about his departure was that it came just 24 hours after he had helped the club officially open its £4.9m training complex, and although the club had failed to win any of its previous five games there was no hint in public of any impending crises.
Born and bred in Galashiels, he should by rights have served his apprenticeship at Celtic as he was a member of their prolific Boys Club set-up. But when the Glasgow club baulked at his travel expenses (John’s Dad having broken a leg and being unable to drive young Collins to training) he joined Hutcheson Vale BC and then Hibs.
Aged just 16 he was tossed into the fray in a Hibs pre-season friendly with Manchester City and so impressed that it was clear great things lay in store. But allied to his natural left-footed skills was a steely resolve to succeed. His attention to detail, healthy life-style, and sheer determination took him to heights that few Scottish players reach. He was a Hibee from January 1984 until the close season of 1990.
Gradually he became the play-maker at Easter Road and clubs hovered on the fringes eager to sign him. The inevitable came in the summer of 1990 when Celtic offered an unprecedented £925,000 to make him a Parkhead player. He was not particularly successful at Parkhead in terms of trophies but the dead-ball skills that would serve him so well were honed in the east end of Glasgow. When he moved on a ‘Bosman’ to Monaco his dedication began to play off. The better diet and preparation of French football suited his receptive nature and he was a good addition to a strong side.
He came back to Britain in England with the likes of Everton and Fulham but his goal against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup finals in France endeared him to Scotland supporters.
There was considerable surprise when Rod Petrie revealed Collins as Hibernian manager in succession to Tony Mowbray in 2006 but a quick League Cup win over Hearts and then winning the trophy itself confirmed that once more Hibs had plucked out another fine young manager. This despite facing a player revolt in April 2007 that probably derailed Hibs hopes of adding the Scottish Cup to the League Cup in the Easter Road trophy room.
Sensationally he resigned as Hibernian manager on 19 December 2007. What was truly remarkable about his departure was that it came just 24 hours after he had helped the club officially open its £4.9m training complex, and although the club had failed to win any of its previous five games there was no hint in public of any impending crises.
HONOURS
Scotland (4), Scotland Under-21 (8)
League Cup final 1985
BOBBY COMBE (1924 - )
Lawrie Reilly was adamant that the Famous Five was actually the Famous Six, and the sixth man was Bobby Combe. A marvelously consistent player Combe enjoyed a lengthy Hibernian career and such was his flexibility that he was able to cede the number eight jersey to little Bobby Johnstone and find a berth with ease elsewhere in the team. The beneficiaries were Hibernian who thus accommodated a fresh talent whilst retaining a most reliable one.
Born in Leith on 29 January 1924 Combe was signed as a 17 year old in 1941 from Inveresk Thistle. He was persuaded to Hibernian by Willie McCartney when only 17 years old and was audaciously snatched from under the noses of Hearts whom he had been training with.
In truth Bobby’s debut was an historic occasion in the story of Hibernian. Also making his debut that day was one Gordon Smith and whilst Combe’s single goal was excellent, Smith chipped in with a hat-trick that heralded the dawning of a new era at Easter Road.
However, back to James Robert Combe. He was the epitome of the ‘old head on young shoulders’ and shortly after his scoring debut against Hearts at Tynecastle grabbed headlines that put even Smith in the shade! His remarkable feat was to bag four in the 8-1 demolition of Rangers. Indeed in season 1941/42 he had an astonishing 27 goals, a sensational haul for an inside-forward who had a liking for playing deep.
Around this time the Summer Cup was on its way to Easter Road and given that Rangers were beaten in a thrilling final against the odds Bobby Combe (who was a key part of that side) could be well-pleased with his early Easter Road endeavours.
Bobby built well upon his notable start and was capped 3 times by Scotland as a half-back (against England, Belgium and Switzerland all in 1948) and 3 times by the Scottish League.
The tag ‘versatile’ is often used loosely in football but in Bobby’s case it is highly appropriate. In the 1950/51 campaign Hibs won the League, and lost in the League Cup final and Scottish Cup semi-final. It was a marvellous season and Combe was a star performer at left-half, and outside left when Willie Ormond was lost to long term injury. When Combe missed the Scottish Cup replay against St Mirren in January of that season he ended a run of 71 consecutive matches.
Nothing though could compromise his versatility. Lawrie Reilly missed only one game in the 1952/53 season. The occasion was a February fixture at Airdrie and many wondered how Hibs would cope with the disruption. Any worries were unfounded. Bobby Combe, who never missed a game that season himself, moved up from half-back to centre-forward and scored 4 times in a powerful 7-3 victory!
Bobby stayed with Hibs until retiring at the end of the 1956/57 season. In 1959 he spent a short time in charge of Dumbarton before he began working with the Gas Board. A wonderful player, an extremely versatile player, Bobby Combe truly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath at the Famous Five.
Born in Leith on 29 January 1924 Combe was signed as a 17 year old in 1941 from Inveresk Thistle. He was persuaded to Hibernian by Willie McCartney when only 17 years old and was audaciously snatched from under the noses of Hearts whom he had been training with.
In truth Bobby’s debut was an historic occasion in the story of Hibernian. Also making his debut that day was one Gordon Smith and whilst Combe’s single goal was excellent, Smith chipped in with a hat-trick that heralded the dawning of a new era at Easter Road.
However, back to James Robert Combe. He was the epitome of the ‘old head on young shoulders’ and shortly after his scoring debut against Hearts at Tynecastle grabbed headlines that put even Smith in the shade! His remarkable feat was to bag four in the 8-1 demolition of Rangers. Indeed in season 1941/42 he had an astonishing 27 goals, a sensational haul for an inside-forward who had a liking for playing deep.
Around this time the Summer Cup was on its way to Easter Road and given that Rangers were beaten in a thrilling final against the odds Bobby Combe (who was a key part of that side) could be well-pleased with his early Easter Road endeavours.
Bobby built well upon his notable start and was capped 3 times by Scotland as a half-back (against England, Belgium and Switzerland all in 1948) and 3 times by the Scottish League.
The tag ‘versatile’ is often used loosely in football but in Bobby’s case it is highly appropriate. In the 1950/51 campaign Hibs won the League, and lost in the League Cup final and Scottish Cup semi-final. It was a marvellous season and Combe was a star performer at left-half, and outside left when Willie Ormond was lost to long term injury. When Combe missed the Scottish Cup replay against St Mirren in January of that season he ended a run of 71 consecutive matches.
Nothing though could compromise his versatility. Lawrie Reilly missed only one game in the 1952/53 season. The occasion was a February fixture at Airdrie and many wondered how Hibs would cope with the disruption. Any worries were unfounded. Bobby Combe, who never missed a game that season himself, moved up from half-back to centre-forward and scored 4 times in a powerful 7-3 victory!
Bobby stayed with Hibs until retiring at the end of the 1956/57 season. In 1959 he spent a short time in charge of Dumbarton before he began working with the Gas Board. A wonderful player, an extremely versatile player, Bobby Combe truly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath at the Famous Five.
HONOURS
Scotland (3), Scottish League (3)
League Championship 1947, 1951, 1952
League Cup finalist 1950
Scotland (3), Scottish League (3)
League Championship 1947, 1951, 1952
League Cup finalist 1950
CONTROVERSY
There have been a few instances of Hibernian’s name being linked to football controversy. In 1887 the club’s Scottish Cup triumph was tarnished in some eyes when Vale of Leven suggested that Hibs had paid one of their players - William Groves – four times his standard wages outside football in order to turn out for the club. Vale of Leven even went so far as hiring a private detective to confirm Groves wages and working hours. Not long afterwards the Hibs treasurer – a Mr. McFadden - made off with club funds (and monies belonging to the Archdiocese of Edinburgh) as he emigrated to Canada.
Hibernian were initially denied membership of the Scottish Football League as it was suggested their constitution was designed to encourage an ‘Irish club’ whereas the league was designed to benefit Scots.
In 1958 Hibs defeated Rangers 2-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Rangers were denied a late equalizer and tried to have the referee – Mr. R. H. Davidson of Airdrie – removed from their next fixture (which he was due to referee). Rangers even suggested that others had asked for him not to referee the match. The Scottish Football League were furious and refused to bow to Rangers request.
An 1893/94 East of Scotland Shield meeting between Hibs and Hearts ended in confusion when Hearts walked off the field following a disputed goal for Hibernian. There was a precedent here as in 1877 Hibs had played Thornliebank in a Scottish Cup tie and the Glasgow club claimed to have scored a perfectly good goal which was not allowed. The SFA agreed and ordered a replay.
In 1882 Hibs played Arthurlie (from Barrhead) in a Scottish Cup tie and lost narrowly 3-4. Convinced that their defeat was due to the game finishing in darkness (in the age before floodlights) Hibs appealed the result and were granted a replay. Justice was probably done when Hibs were thrashed 6-0 in the rematch.
Four years later in 1886 Hibernian away matches against Airdrie and Aston Villa were abandoned when Hibs fans rioted.
In November 1973 Hibs lost in the UEFA Cup to England’s powerful Leeds United side. But the game was only decided on a penalty-shoot out and Hibs chairman Tom Hart launched an appeal in the aftermath because the Leeds boss Don Revie has stayed on the park during the penalties, in clear contravention of a UEFA directive. Alas Hibs appeal fell on deaf ears.
Hibernian were initially denied membership of the Scottish Football League as it was suggested their constitution was designed to encourage an ‘Irish club’ whereas the league was designed to benefit Scots.
In 1958 Hibs defeated Rangers 2-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Rangers were denied a late equalizer and tried to have the referee – Mr. R. H. Davidson of Airdrie – removed from their next fixture (which he was due to referee). Rangers even suggested that others had asked for him not to referee the match. The Scottish Football League were furious and refused to bow to Rangers request.
An 1893/94 East of Scotland Shield meeting between Hibs and Hearts ended in confusion when Hearts walked off the field following a disputed goal for Hibernian. There was a precedent here as in 1877 Hibs had played Thornliebank in a Scottish Cup tie and the Glasgow club claimed to have scored a perfectly good goal which was not allowed. The SFA agreed and ordered a replay.
In 1882 Hibs played Arthurlie (from Barrhead) in a Scottish Cup tie and lost narrowly 3-4. Convinced that their defeat was due to the game finishing in darkness (in the age before floodlights) Hibs appealed the result and were granted a replay. Justice was probably done when Hibs were thrashed 6-0 in the rematch.
Four years later in 1886 Hibernian away matches against Airdrie and Aston Villa were abandoned when Hibs fans rioted.
In November 1973 Hibs lost in the UEFA Cup to England’s powerful Leeds United side. But the game was only decided on a penalty-shoot out and Hibs chairman Tom Hart launched an appeal in the aftermath because the Leeds boss Don Revie has stayed on the park during the penalties, in clear contravention of a UEFA directive. Alas Hibs appeal fell on deaf ears.
PETER CORMACK (1946 –
Peter joined Hibs as a 16-year-old straight from Tynecastle Boys Club. He stayed for eight years and made an inside-forward role his own. Skilful, energetic and creative, he thoroughly endeared himself to the Hibs faithful. Fiercely competitive he fell foul of several referees (he was sent off four times as a Hibee) and was always capable of brightening up the dullest afternoon.
Peter made his Hibs debut against Airdrie at Broomfield in November 1962 and scored. As a 17 year old he played and scored for Hibs against the mighty Real Madrid - arguably the most famous football team in the world.
That cemented his place at Hibs and thereafter he developed into a solid inside-forward who had enough skill and drive to stand out from the crowd. He could turn his hand to goalkeeping and twice (against St. Mirren and Hearts) deputised for the injured Willie Wilson. Capped against Brazil in 1966 that was the first of nine caps he would win. His international career had begun with an Under-23 award whilst a Hibee and he scored in a 3-1 victory over England in 1967 (Pat Stanton was also in the victorious Scottish side).
Sadly the bulk of his caps were won whilst he was away from Easter Road. A precocious talent, it was never likely that Hibernian would be able to hold him indefinitely and a switch to English football was a natural progression. He left Hibs having played in over 200 matches and netted 77 league goals alone.
Cormack adapted well to life at Nottingham Forest, whom he joined in March 1970, and was soon on his way to Liverpool. The honours simply cascaded into the Cormack display cabinet and his time at Anfield saw him win 2 championships, 2 UEFA Cups and an FA Cup. Playing under the legendary Bill Shankly he thrived in one of Britain’s finest ever club sides.
He had a second spell at Hibs before beginning a coaching career that saw him work at Partick, in Cyprus, and at Morton and Cowdenbeath. At one time he was assistant Hibernian manager to Bertie Auld and with a little more luck he would have been boss at Easter Road.
Peter made his Hibs debut against Airdrie at Broomfield in November 1962 and scored. As a 17 year old he played and scored for Hibs against the mighty Real Madrid - arguably the most famous football team in the world.
That cemented his place at Hibs and thereafter he developed into a solid inside-forward who had enough skill and drive to stand out from the crowd. He could turn his hand to goalkeeping and twice (against St. Mirren and Hearts) deputised for the injured Willie Wilson. Capped against Brazil in 1966 that was the first of nine caps he would win. His international career had begun with an Under-23 award whilst a Hibee and he scored in a 3-1 victory over England in 1967 (Pat Stanton was also in the victorious Scottish side).
Sadly the bulk of his caps were won whilst he was away from Easter Road. A precocious talent, it was never likely that Hibernian would be able to hold him indefinitely and a switch to English football was a natural progression. He left Hibs having played in over 200 matches and netted 77 league goals alone.
Cormack adapted well to life at Nottingham Forest, whom he joined in March 1970, and was soon on his way to Liverpool. The honours simply cascaded into the Cormack display cabinet and his time at Anfield saw him win 2 championships, 2 UEFA Cups and an FA Cup. Playing under the legendary Bill Shankly he thrived in one of Britain’s finest ever club sides.
He had a second spell at Hibs before beginning a coaching career that saw him work at Partick, in Cyprus, and at Morton and Cowdenbeath. At one time he was assistant Hibernian manager to Bertie Auld and with a little more luck he would have been boss at Easter Road.
HONOURS
Scotland (4)
League Cup final 1969
CORONATION CUP
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 sparked a wave of celebrations. British football responded with a cup competition that saw eight teams take part – four from Scotland and four from England.
Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian and Rangers represented north of the border and Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur turned out for England. All fixtures were played in Glasgow with Hampden and Ibrox sharing the honours.
Hibs beat Tottenham in the opening round, but only after a replay.
Good fortune favoured Hibs in the semi-final where they rather luckily beat a very good Newcastle United side 4-0. United, led by the imperious Jackie Milburn, squandered a series of gilt edged opportunities (including a penalty kick) whilst Hibs snapped up their own chances with glee. After 17 minutes of near constant Newcastle pressure a crowd of just over 50,000 saw a Turnbull shot deflected into the English goal. Just after the half hour Reilly scored following good work by Smith; further goals by Turnbull and Johnstone won an emphatic win for a rampant Hibs.
The victorious Hibernian semi-final team was: Younger, Govan, Paterson; Buchanan, Howie, Combe; Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull, Ormond.
The final attracted a crowd of 117,060 and despite being firm favourites Hibs lost 0-2 to Celtic. Hibs lined up: Younger, Govan, Paterson, Buchanan, Howie, Combe, Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull, Ormond. On paper it looked like the same eleven, but crucially Hibs switched Paterson from centre-half to left back and neither he nor Howie had their finest hour playing essentially out of position.
It is generally accepted that Hibs had the bulk of the play but it simply wasn’t their day. In particular Hibs battled bravely in the second half as they chased a 1-0 deficit. The Scotsman said of the Edinburgh efforts in the second half ‘Hibernian came blazing back into the picture in the second period, turning on every trick of their extensive football repertoire to peg back their opponents.’
Certainly extra-time was looking feasible as Hibs pounded their opponents mercilessly, but three minutes from the end Bonnar in the Celtic goal saved brilliantly from a Johnstone header. Worse still Celtic broke up-field and when Govan cleared a Walsh effort from the line he couldn’t believe his back luck as the rebound went straight back to Walsh who promptly scored. To sum up Hibs ill-luck Bobby Johnstone then drove a shot against the post with Bonnar beaten all ends up.
The result of Hibs endeavours in full were:
May 11, Tottenham Hotspur (Ibrox Stadium) D 1-1
Smith
May 12, Tottenham Hotspur (Ibrox Stadium) W 2-1
Reilly 2
May 16, Newcastle United (Ibrox Stadium) W 4-0
Turnbull 2, Johnstone, Reilly
Final May 20, Celtic (Hampden Park) L 0-2
Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian and Rangers represented north of the border and Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur turned out for England. All fixtures were played in Glasgow with Hampden and Ibrox sharing the honours.
Hibs beat Tottenham in the opening round, but only after a replay.
Good fortune favoured Hibs in the semi-final where they rather luckily beat a very good Newcastle United side 4-0. United, led by the imperious Jackie Milburn, squandered a series of gilt edged opportunities (including a penalty kick) whilst Hibs snapped up their own chances with glee. After 17 minutes of near constant Newcastle pressure a crowd of just over 50,000 saw a Turnbull shot deflected into the English goal. Just after the half hour Reilly scored following good work by Smith; further goals by Turnbull and Johnstone won an emphatic win for a rampant Hibs.
The victorious Hibernian semi-final team was: Younger, Govan, Paterson; Buchanan, Howie, Combe; Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull, Ormond.
The final attracted a crowd of 117,060 and despite being firm favourites Hibs lost 0-2 to Celtic. Hibs lined up: Younger, Govan, Paterson, Buchanan, Howie, Combe, Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull, Ormond. On paper it looked like the same eleven, but crucially Hibs switched Paterson from centre-half to left back and neither he nor Howie had their finest hour playing essentially out of position.
It is generally accepted that Hibs had the bulk of the play but it simply wasn’t their day. In particular Hibs battled bravely in the second half as they chased a 1-0 deficit. The Scotsman said of the Edinburgh efforts in the second half ‘Hibernian came blazing back into the picture in the second period, turning on every trick of their extensive football repertoire to peg back their opponents.’
Certainly extra-time was looking feasible as Hibs pounded their opponents mercilessly, but three minutes from the end Bonnar in the Celtic goal saved brilliantly from a Johnstone header. Worse still Celtic broke up-field and when Govan cleared a Walsh effort from the line he couldn’t believe his back luck as the rebound went straight back to Walsh who promptly scored. To sum up Hibs ill-luck Bobby Johnstone then drove a shot against the post with Bonnar beaten all ends up.
The result of Hibs endeavours in full were:
May 11, Tottenham Hotspur (Ibrox Stadium) D 1-1
Smith
May 12, Tottenham Hotspur (Ibrox Stadium) W 2-1
Reilly 2
May 16, Newcastle United (Ibrox Stadium) W 4-0
Turnbull 2, Johnstone, Reilly
Final May 20, Celtic (Hampden Park) L 0-2
ALEX CROPLEY (1951 -
Born in Aldershot in January 1951, Alexander James Cropley was one of the key elements of the famous Turnbull’s Tornadoes side. A gifted, slight and crafty inside-forward he burst into the team in the 1968/69 season and by the early seventies was an integral part of the Hibernian set-up.
Alex made his debut against St. Mirren in March 1969 and for a couple of seasons flitted in and out of the first team from the side-lines. He served notice of his talent on the opening day of the 1971 season when he scored against Hearts in a 2-0 win at Tynecastle and he repeated his derby goalscoring exploits some two years later when he scored in the 7-0 massacre. Clearly he enjoyed the capital clashes for he also scored twice when the Hibees trounced Hearts 3-1 in January 1974.
Whilst with Hibs Alex won a League Cup badge and played in a Scottish Cup final. He was also part of the side that reached the 1974 League Cup final and was capped by Scotland at Under-23 level, before playing twice for the full international side. A substantial part of the Easter Road picture it was only his desire to move on that ended his time at the club.
In 1974 he moved to Arsenal for £150,000. It was perhaps a rather unfortunate time to join the North London giants for, unusually, they were languishing in the relegation zone at the time. After 34 games for the Gunners he joined Aston Villa in 1976 for £125,000 and there he won a League Cup medal. At just 5’7” and with a light frame he was frequently the recipient of rough treatment and this may have contributed to the catalogue of injuries he suffered. It was injuries that led to his early retirement.
Alex made his debut against St. Mirren in March 1969 and for a couple of seasons flitted in and out of the first team from the side-lines. He served notice of his talent on the opening day of the 1971 season when he scored against Hearts in a 2-0 win at Tynecastle and he repeated his derby goalscoring exploits some two years later when he scored in the 7-0 massacre. Clearly he enjoyed the capital clashes for he also scored twice when the Hibees trounced Hearts 3-1 in January 1974.
Whilst with Hibs Alex won a League Cup badge and played in a Scottish Cup final. He was also part of the side that reached the 1974 League Cup final and was capped by Scotland at Under-23 level, before playing twice for the full international side. A substantial part of the Easter Road picture it was only his desire to move on that ended his time at the club.
In 1974 he moved to Arsenal for £150,000. It was perhaps a rather unfortunate time to join the North London giants for, unusually, they were languishing in the relegation zone at the time. After 34 games for the Gunners he joined Aston Villa in 1976 for £125,000 and there he won a League Cup medal. At just 5’7” and with a light frame he was frequently the recipient of rough treatment and this may have contributed to the catalogue of injuries he suffered. It was injuries that led to his early retirement.
HONOURS
Scotland (2)
League Cup 1972, League Cup final 1974
JOHNNY CUTHBERTSON
With 29 goals in 33 post-war league games Johnny “Cubby” Cuthbertson was the epitome of the prolific marksman. He was also the master of the early strike and had a goal in the first minute of the 1947 Scottish Cup final and the opening league game of that season (when Hibs won a sensational match against Queen of the South 9-1)
A 1939 signing from Ayrshire junior side Craigmark, Johnny became a Hibernian hero with his dashing forward play. In the 1940/41 war-time season he scored 27 goals in just 27 league games; included in that haul were five in a 7-1 win over Falkirk. It wasn’t just the early goal that he was able to grab. When Hibs won the championship in 1948 one of their key victories was a 1-0 triumph over Rangers at Easter Road, when Cubby scored in the dying seconds. He was indeed a player for the big occasion, the latter match being played before a crowd of 53,000 which constituted a Hibs record at the time.
He was frustrated by a lack of first team openings in a very strong Hibernian side (Leslie Johnstone and then Lawrie Reilly were rivals for the number nine jersey) and moved to Third Lanark in July 1949. He was a sensation at Third Lanark with his total application, wonderful ball control and trigger-happy style and bagged 55 goals for the Cathkin side from just 103 games.
A short stint with Stenhousemuir was equally interesting and brought him a haul of 48 goals in only 69 league starts before he retired in the summer of 1957. After hanging up his boots Johnny Cuthbertson worked as a civil servant and completed his service in the heart of Yorkshire at Wetherby.
One lovely story surrounding Cuthbertson concerns team-mate Ally MacLeod’s mother. Ally’s mum was so taken with Johnny that she named her cat after him -
A 1939 signing from Ayrshire junior side Craigmark, Johnny became a Hibernian hero with his dashing forward play. In the 1940/41 war-time season he scored 27 goals in just 27 league games; included in that haul were five in a 7-1 win over Falkirk. It wasn’t just the early goal that he was able to grab. When Hibs won the championship in 1948 one of their key victories was a 1-0 triumph over Rangers at Easter Road, when Cubby scored in the dying seconds. He was indeed a player for the big occasion, the latter match being played before a crowd of 53,000 which constituted a Hibs record at the time.
He was frustrated by a lack of first team openings in a very strong Hibernian side (Leslie Johnstone and then Lawrie Reilly were rivals for the number nine jersey) and moved to Third Lanark in July 1949. He was a sensation at Third Lanark with his total application, wonderful ball control and trigger-happy style and bagged 55 goals for the Cathkin side from just 103 games.
A short stint with Stenhousemuir was equally interesting and brought him a haul of 48 goals in only 69 league starts before he retired in the summer of 1957. After hanging up his boots Johnny Cuthbertson worked as a civil servant and completed his service in the heart of Yorkshire at Wetherby.
One lovely story surrounding Cuthbertson concerns team-mate Ally MacLeod’s mother. Ally’s mum was so taken with Johnny that she named her cat after him -