E
EASTER ROAD
Easter Road timeline:
The current Easter Road has been home to Hibernian since 1893.
Prior to 1893 Hibs played at East Meadows from their foundation in 1875 before moving to the Powderhall Grounds in 1878. One year later Hibs vacated Powderhall in favour of Mayfield. From there it was on to the first Easter Road (on what is the current Bothwell Street; many fans making their way to Easter Road today will follow a route that takes them along this street and over disused railway bridges to the stadium). This area was snapped up by property developers when the first Hibernian FC folded.
The current Easter Road has been home to Hibernian since 1893.
Prior to 1893 Hibs played at East Meadows from their foundation in 1875 before moving to the Powderhall Grounds in 1878. One year later Hibs vacated Powderhall in favour of Mayfield. From there it was on to the first Easter Road (on what is the current Bothwell Street; many fans making their way to Easter Road today will follow a route that takes them along this street and over disused railway bridges to the stadium). This area was snapped up by property developers when the first Hibernian FC folded.
1892 – Hibernian open the first Easter Road 1892 - Hibernian acquired the Drum Park area just a short distance from Leith Athletic’s Bank Park. Drum Park sat on the site of the current Easter Road.
1893 – February sees Hibernian take occupancy of the second Easter Road, the ground is rented and this hampers any significant development of the stadium. The ground was hemmed in by roads (Albion Place, a school and the North British Railways Leith central Branch line.
1922 – Hibs take out a 25 year lease on Easter Road and promptly move the pitch to allow for new facilities.
1924 – Season starts with Hibs having to play out of Tynecastle Park as ground renovations continue at Easter Road. September 1924 Queen’s Park are guests as improved Easter Road opens with a capacity of 45,000
1932 – New ground attendance record set as 53,490 watch Hibs tackle Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie on February 13th.
1950 – Easter Road’s record gate of 65,840 for match v Hearts on January 2nd. Soon afterward the East terracing is dramatically increased in height by adding a second tier. On April 8th, the wife of Hibs chairman Harry Swan opened Easter Road Station immediately adjacent to the ground. The opening took place before the home game with Clyde which Hibs won 6-3 and fittingly the Famous Five shared the goals between them.
1954 – First floodlit game at Easter Road with local rivals Hearts providing the opposition on October 18th.
1956 – First competitive games in Scotland played under floodlights … Hibs v Raith and East Fife v Stenhousemuir (both Scottish Cup ties on February 8th). Hearts use Easter Road to play floodlit friendlies against Tottenham, Newcastle United and Manchester City.
1958 – League Cup semi final between Hearts and Kilmarnock staged.
1966 – Shelter is provided on the North Terracing with the building of a cover.
1981 – Undersoil heating of Easter Road pitch introduced
1983 – East Terracing is reduced in size, and the remaining terracing covered.
1995 – New Stands are completed behind both goals. Scotland meet Northern Ireland in a B international match and Raith Rovers switch their home UEFA Cup tie with Bayern Munich to Easter Road.
1998 – Easter Road hosts Scotland v Finland international. The first international match in Edinburgh in 60 years. The autumn brings rugby union to Easter Road as Edinburgh Reivers entertain Glasgow Caledonian, Ebbw Vale and Toulouse in the European Cup.
2000 – Famous Easter Road slope removed
2001 – New West (main) stand is opened. Understandably club chairman Malcolm MacPherson suggests it gives the best view of any Scottish football ground (this without taking into account the view of the Firth of Forth and Fife). Holding 6,500 it became the third new stand in an impressive stadium.
2002 – Scotland host Canada at Easter Road, Paul Fenwick of Hibs plays at centre half for the visitors.
2003 – Scotland meet Croatia in an Under 21 fixture
2005 – Elton John is the first rock star to hold a concert at Easter Road. Marginally more exciting is the Motherwell v Hearts CIS Cup semi-final which utilizes the stadium too.
2006 – Dunfermline play Livingston in another CIS Cup semi final at Easter Road.
A number of league titles have been decided at Easter Road. In 2005 Rangers required to win at Hibs in order to take the title, moreover they also required that Celtic lose at Motherwell. That was exactly what happened and a goal by Nacho Novo won the league for the blue half of Glasgow.
In May 1980 Aberdeen clinched the league title at Easter Road when they romped home 5-0. The enduring memory of this match is Alex Ferguson galloping on to the pitch after the game to greet his successful players as the Hibernian side skulked off somewhat embarrassed.
At the end of the 1974/75 season a 1-1 draw between Hibs and Rangers was enough to send the title to Ibrox, two years earlier Celtic clinched the title at Easter Road.
In May 1980 Aberdeen clinched the league title at Easter Road when they romped home 5-0. The enduring memory of this match is Alex Ferguson galloping on to the pitch after the game to greet his successful players as the Hibernian side skulked off somewhat embarrassed.
At the end of the 1974/75 season a 1-1 draw between Hibs and Rangers was enough to send the title to Ibrox, two years earlier Celtic clinched the title at Easter Road.
EASTERN REGIONAL LEAGUE
In October 1939 league football in Scotland resumed after being halted by the outbreak of World War Two. But league football did not return in its normal guise. The new ‘war-time’ league set up saw football restructured along regional lines and both Hibs and Hearts found themselves playing in the Scottish League’s Eastern Regional League.
Goals were aplenty in this league and Hibs lost games to both Hearts and Falkirk 5-6. By contract Kings Park (whom came from Stirling) were thrashed 7-2.
Hibernian’s results were as follows:-
Home Away
Dundee W 6-0 L 1-2
St Johnstone D 3-3 L 0-4
Aberdeen W 2-0 D 3-3
Stenhousemuir L 1-2 L 1-2
Kings Park W 2-1 W 7-2
East Fife L 2-5 L 3-4
Falkirk L 5-6 D 3-3
Dundee United W 6-2 W 3-1
Arbroath L 2-4 D 0-0
Alloa Athletic W 3-0 w 3-2
St Bernards W 3-1 W 6-1
Hearts L 0-4 L 5-6
Cowdenbeath W 4-0
Raith Rovers W 4-1 D 1-1
Dunfermline A. L 2-3 L 1-2
The league ran for only one season with Hibs and Hearts on board, and after twelve months the two Edinburgh sides became part of the Southern League. The Eastern Regional League for season 1939/40 finished up as follows:
P W D L Pts
Falkirk 29 20 5 4 45
Hearts 29 18 4 7 40
Dunfermline Ath 29 19 2 8 40
Aberdeen 29 16 4 9 36
St Johnstone 29 3 8 8 34
Dundee 29 11 8 10 30
Alloa Athletic 29 13 4 12 30
Hibernian 29 12 5 12 29
Dundee United 29 12 2 15 26
East Fife 29 11 3 15 25
Raith Rovers 29 10 3 16 23
King’s Park 29 9 4 16 22
St Bernard’s 29 8 5 16 21
Stenhousemuir 29 7 3 19 17
Arbroath 29 6 5 18 17
Goals were aplenty in this league and Hibs lost games to both Hearts and Falkirk 5-6. By contract Kings Park (whom came from Stirling) were thrashed 7-2.
Hibernian’s results were as follows:-
Home Away
Dundee W 6-0 L 1-2
St Johnstone D 3-3 L 0-4
Aberdeen W 2-0 D 3-3
Stenhousemuir L 1-2 L 1-2
Kings Park W 2-1 W 7-2
East Fife L 2-5 L 3-4
Falkirk L 5-6 D 3-3
Dundee United W 6-2 W 3-1
Arbroath L 2-4 D 0-0
Alloa Athletic W 3-0 w 3-2
St Bernards W 3-1 W 6-1
Hearts L 0-4 L 5-6
Cowdenbeath W 4-0
Raith Rovers W 4-1 D 1-1
Dunfermline A. L 2-3 L 1-2
The league ran for only one season with Hibs and Hearts on board, and after twelve months the two Edinburgh sides became part of the Southern League. The Eastern Regional League for season 1939/40 finished up as follows:
P W D L Pts
Falkirk 29 20 5 4 45
Hearts 29 18 4 7 40
Dunfermline Ath 29 19 2 8 40
Aberdeen 29 16 4 9 36
St Johnstone 29 3 8 8 34
Dundee 29 11 8 10 30
Alloa Athletic 29 13 4 12 30
Hibernian 29 12 5 12 29
Dundee United 29 12 2 15 26
East Fife 29 11 3 15 25
Raith Rovers 29 10 3 16 23
King’s Park 29 9 4 16 22
St Bernard’s 29 8 5 16 21
Stenhousemuir 29 7 3 19 17
Arbroath 29 6 5 18 17
EAST OF SCOTLAND SHIELD
In football’s early days local football was in many ways more important and better organized than national football. Thus the East of Scotland Shield was the big trophy for Hibs and Hearts in the latter part of the 19th century. Hibernian had an excellent run in this competition winning it in 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1887.
The competition lasted over a century but eventually fell into disrepute as both Hibs and Hearts used it to field reserve sides and as a virtual youth competition. One factor which accelerated its decline was an injury to Arthur Duncan which almost ended his career, as the game was a virtual friendly by then it was an injury that infuriated the Easter Road hierarchy. There was also the increasing problem of a congested fixture list and that was arguably the most pressing factor in the tournament’s eventual death.
The competition lasted over a century but eventually fell into disrepute as both Hibs and Hearts used it to field reserve sides and as a virtual youth competition. One factor which accelerated its decline was an injury to Arthur Duncan which almost ended his career, as the game was a virtual friendly by then it was an injury that infuriated the Easter Road hierarchy. There was also the increasing problem of a congested fixture list and that was arguably the most pressing factor in the tournament’s eventual death.
EDINBURGH SELECT
In 1941 Hearts met Arsenal for the City of Edinburgh Cup, the match being part of Edinburgh Charities Day activities. It was an outstanding success and one year on Hibernian played the RAF in similar circumstances. 1943 saw Hearts entertain the RAF but from this point onwards the two clubs pooled their resources and staged a number of highly popular fixtures against glamour opposition.
The pick of the results from the Edinburgh Select matches were as follows:
1944 Edinburgh Select 3, Aston Villa 4
1945 Edinburgh Select 4, Huddersfield Town 0
1946 Edinburgh Select 3, Aston Villa 3
1947 Edinburgh Select 4, Derby County 5
1948 Edinburgh Select 1, Blackpool 1
1949 Edinburgh Select 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3
1950 Edinburgh Select 1, Newcastle United 1
1951 Edinburgh Select 1, Liverpool 2
The Allison Cup was awarded to the winners, the trophy being named after the Arsenal manager who made a humourous speech after the 1941 game with Hearts. There was some embarrassment in 1949 when Wolves had to make do with the Reserve Cup which was hurried called into service when the Allison Cup was lost!
The Liverpool match in 1951 took place at Easter Road and the following team represented the city: Brown, Parker, McSpadyen (all Hearts), Buchanan, Dougan, Laing (both Hearts), Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Wardaugh (Hearts) and Combe. There were those who suggested that the side that faced Newcastle twelve months earlier was even stronger: Younger, Govan, Cairns, Combe, Dougan, Laing; Smith, Conn, Bauld, Wardaugh, Ormond. But clearly Edinburgh was spoiled for choice in the early 50s and would have struggled to field an ‘ordinary’ side.
The pick of the results from the Edinburgh Select matches were as follows:
1944 Edinburgh Select 3, Aston Villa 4
1945 Edinburgh Select 4, Huddersfield Town 0
1946 Edinburgh Select 3, Aston Villa 3
1947 Edinburgh Select 4, Derby County 5
1948 Edinburgh Select 1, Blackpool 1
1949 Edinburgh Select 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3
1950 Edinburgh Select 1, Newcastle United 1
1951 Edinburgh Select 1, Liverpool 2
The Allison Cup was awarded to the winners, the trophy being named after the Arsenal manager who made a humourous speech after the 1941 game with Hearts. There was some embarrassment in 1949 when Wolves had to make do with the Reserve Cup which was hurried called into service when the Allison Cup was lost!
The Liverpool match in 1951 took place at Easter Road and the following team represented the city: Brown, Parker, McSpadyen (all Hearts), Buchanan, Dougan, Laing (both Hearts), Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Wardaugh (Hearts) and Combe. There were those who suggested that the side that faced Newcastle twelve months earlier was even stronger: Younger, Govan, Cairns, Combe, Dougan, Laing; Smith, Conn, Bauld, Wardaugh, Ormond. But clearly Edinburgh was spoiled for choice in the early 50s and would have struggled to field an ‘ordinary’ side.
ALEX EDWARDS (1946 -
Alex Edwards joined Dunfermline when he was 15 and made his debut at that tender age against Hibernian. Clearly he made an impression because the Pars ran out 4-0 victors.
Edwards excelled with Dunfermline, winning a Scottish Cup medal (against Hearts) in 1968, featuring in several high-profile European matches and picking up Scottish League and Under 23 awards.
He had his admirers at Easter Road from an early stage. Indeed the Hibs match programme for the fixture with Dunfermline in August 1969 said of him “The principal schemer for the visitors is little Alex Edwards who passes a good ball and teases goalkeepers with his cleverly flighted crosses. He was switched from the orthodox right wing role to midfield last season and Alex enjoys being more in the game”. The success of that switch probably convinced Hibernian to make their move
Hibs signed Alex when he was 25 and picked up a real bargain at £13,000. The Hibs price, however, was slightly compromised in that Alex was actually serving one of his many suspensions at the time! Indeed there was a five week ‘sentence’ to serve before he could make his debut.
Under Turnbull Edwards thrived and won a League Cup winners medal and Dryburgh Cup badges. Alex also built upon the European experience he had gained at Dunfermline. Whilst with Hibs he regularly featured on the Euro stage but it was against English opposition that he gave one of his best showings. The match was a UEFA Cup tie against Liverpool in 1975 and Edwards had the Hibs counter in the 3-1 reversal at Anfield that saw Hibs bow out narrowly 2-3 on aggregate.
Just what kind of player was Edwards? It is probably fair to say that he was a midfield dynamo. He had a good engine, was not afraid to graft and tended to create openings for those around him.
Aged 32 he finally left Hibs and joined Arbroath briefly before retiring from the game. When he gave up football he concentrated on his farmhouse in Fife and became extremely interested in horses.
Edwards excelled with Dunfermline, winning a Scottish Cup medal (against Hearts) in 1968, featuring in several high-profile European matches and picking up Scottish League and Under 23 awards.
He had his admirers at Easter Road from an early stage. Indeed the Hibs match programme for the fixture with Dunfermline in August 1969 said of him “The principal schemer for the visitors is little Alex Edwards who passes a good ball and teases goalkeepers with his cleverly flighted crosses. He was switched from the orthodox right wing role to midfield last season and Alex enjoys being more in the game”. The success of that switch probably convinced Hibernian to make their move
Hibs signed Alex when he was 25 and picked up a real bargain at £13,000. The Hibs price, however, was slightly compromised in that Alex was actually serving one of his many suspensions at the time! Indeed there was a five week ‘sentence’ to serve before he could make his debut.
Under Turnbull Edwards thrived and won a League Cup winners medal and Dryburgh Cup badges. Alex also built upon the European experience he had gained at Dunfermline. Whilst with Hibs he regularly featured on the Euro stage but it was against English opposition that he gave one of his best showings. The match was a UEFA Cup tie against Liverpool in 1975 and Edwards had the Hibs counter in the 3-1 reversal at Anfield that saw Hibs bow out narrowly 2-3 on aggregate.
Just what kind of player was Edwards? It is probably fair to say that he was a midfield dynamo. He had a good engine, was not afraid to graft and tended to create openings for those around him.
Aged 32 he finally left Hibs and joined Arbroath briefly before retiring from the game. When he gave up football he concentrated on his farmhouse in Fife and became extremely interested in horses.
HONOURS
Scottish Cup final 1972
League Cup 1972, League Cup final 1974
Scottish Cup final 1972
League Cup 1972, League Cup final 1974
EMERGENCY WAR CUP
On Monday, September 4, 1939 British newspapers announced that Britain and France were at war with Germany. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told a hushed House of Commons that his ultimatum to Germany had brought no response from Berlin and that “consequently this country is now at war with Germany”.
The Scottish football season was five games old and Sammy Kean had netted what was Hibs last goal before the outbreak of war. Sports meetings and public events that promised large gatherings of people were almost immediately outlawed. But before too long it was agreed that such sporting events could be good for morale. Football would continue during World War Two but in a hugely different format.
The Emergency War cup replaced the popular Scottish Cup. Hibernian drew Falkirk and thus in February 1940 the sides lined up at Brockville Park in the first leg of what would be a two legged match. It went badly for Hibs who were beaten 5-0. Mind you back at Easter Road a week or so later Hibernian almost pulled off a sensational recovery. Goals by Bobby Nutley (2), Willie Finnegan and Johnny Cuthberston brought a lively Hibernian to within an ace of saving their cup lives.
The Scottish football season was five games old and Sammy Kean had netted what was Hibs last goal before the outbreak of war. Sports meetings and public events that promised large gatherings of people were almost immediately outlawed. But before too long it was agreed that such sporting events could be good for morale. Football would continue during World War Two but in a hugely different format.
The Emergency War cup replaced the popular Scottish Cup. Hibernian drew Falkirk and thus in February 1940 the sides lined up at Brockville Park in the first leg of what would be a two legged match. It went badly for Hibs who were beaten 5-0. Mind you back at Easter Road a week or so later Hibernian almost pulled off a sensational recovery. Goals by Bobby Nutley (2), Willie Finnegan and Johnny Cuthberston brought a lively Hibernian to within an ace of saving their cup lives.
EUROPEAN CUP
Hibernian were Scotland’s first contestants in the inaugural European Cup (which got underway in September 1955) despite the fact that Aberdeen were actually Scottish Champions at the time. The initial tournament was organised along invitational lines and Hibs with their established tradition of travelling were invited. This was fortunate for hereafter the competition was only open to league champions and by 1955 Hibs star was on the wane. It is sometimes overlooked that Hibs were actually Britain’s first representatives. Chelsea would have represented England but the English FA declined to allow them to take part.
The French Sports newspaper L’Equipe was the driving force behind the first competition and Hibernian chairman Harry Swan was an advocate of the new competition. That said when the meeting to start the competition was held in Paris Hibs didn’t attend and instead expressed their support by letter.
Admitted by dint of Swan’s passion and Hibs history of touring, the club rose to the occasion defeating German champions Rot Weiss Essen (the red and whites of Essen) 4-0 on the Rhineland in their first round, first leg tie. Although inconceivable today the matches in the first round had been hand selected rather than drawn out of a hat. To Eddie Turnbull went the honour of netting the first British goal in the competition that would be the fore-runner to the Champions League.
In Round Two Hibs were drawn against Djurgardens IF of Stockholm, Sweden. Having defeated Polish side Gardia Warsaw there were several commentators suggesting the Swedes would pose a difficult challenge. The first leg match should have been played in Scandinavia but due to a severe winter in Scandinavia was instead played at ‘neutral’ Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium. The pessimists seemed to have their case proven in the very first minute when Eklund flashed home a startling opener. But Hibs rallied to win 3-1 and then 1-0 at Easter Road.
The victory over the Swedish champions took Hibernian into the last four of the European Cup. There they were drawn against Rheims of France. Beaten 2-0 in France Hibs lost the home leg 1-0 to go out 3-0 on aggregate. The legendary Raymond Kopa starred for the French team who lost out to Real Madrid in the final.
Five players with a Hibernian connection have won the European Cup. They are Franck Sauzee (Marseille), Bertie Auld (Celtic), Ronnie Simpson (Celtic), Des Bremner (Aston Villa) and George Best (Manchester United).
NB - There are separate entries for the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, Intertoto Cup, UEFA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup within this book.
The French Sports newspaper L’Equipe was the driving force behind the first competition and Hibernian chairman Harry Swan was an advocate of the new competition. That said when the meeting to start the competition was held in Paris Hibs didn’t attend and instead expressed their support by letter.
Admitted by dint of Swan’s passion and Hibs history of touring, the club rose to the occasion defeating German champions Rot Weiss Essen (the red and whites of Essen) 4-0 on the Rhineland in their first round, first leg tie. Although inconceivable today the matches in the first round had been hand selected rather than drawn out of a hat. To Eddie Turnbull went the honour of netting the first British goal in the competition that would be the fore-runner to the Champions League.
In Round Two Hibs were drawn against Djurgardens IF of Stockholm, Sweden. Having defeated Polish side Gardia Warsaw there were several commentators suggesting the Swedes would pose a difficult challenge. The first leg match should have been played in Scandinavia but due to a severe winter in Scandinavia was instead played at ‘neutral’ Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium. The pessimists seemed to have their case proven in the very first minute when Eklund flashed home a startling opener. But Hibs rallied to win 3-1 and then 1-0 at Easter Road.
The victory over the Swedish champions took Hibernian into the last four of the European Cup. There they were drawn against Rheims of France. Beaten 2-0 in France Hibs lost the home leg 1-0 to go out 3-0 on aggregate. The legendary Raymond Kopa starred for the French team who lost out to Real Madrid in the final.
Five players with a Hibernian connection have won the European Cup. They are Franck Sauzee (Marseille), Bertie Auld (Celtic), Ronnie Simpson (Celtic), Des Bremner (Aston Villa) and George Best (Manchester United).
NB - There are separate entries for the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, Intertoto Cup, UEFA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup within this book.
EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP
The European Cup Winners Cup came into being in 1960. The intention was that the winners of national cup competitions would compete. Matches were to be played on a home and away basis.
Fiorentina of Italy won that initial tournament, beating Rangers in the final. This was somewhat ironic as the Italians had always treated their national cup competition as very much the poor relation to their league campaign and with far less respect. On occasion the same club would win a nation’s league and cup, and in such instances it was decided that the cup runners up could compete (the double winners being in the European Cup). It was through this ruling that Hibernian entered on their one and only occasion.
Hibernian’s finest performance in European competition came in that 1972-73 competition. Having lost the Scottish Cup final against Celtic in the summer of 1972 rather heavily by 6-1 few held out much hope for Hibs in a competition that included the likes of AC Milan and Leeds United.
Drawn in round one against Sporting Lisbon Hibs played very well in Portugal, restricting their illustrious hosts to a 2-1 victory. Back at Easter Road Hibs turned on the style and whacked a very good side 6-1. Over 26,000 saw Turnbull’s team in rampant form and Jim O’Rourke was rewarded with a hat-trick.
The Portuguese triumph sent Hibs into round two where Albanian opposition lay in wait. Fortunately the trip to one of Eastern Europe’s strangest countries was rendered meaningless as little FC Besa were beaten 7-1. That Easter Road first leg saw O’Rourke grab another hat-trick and thus bag the distinction of scoring hat-tricks in successive Hibernian European ties. A 1-1 draw in Albania (during which goalkeeper Herriot was replaced by Robertson) was really an exercise in getting a meaningless game out of the way.
Yugoslavian side Hadjuk Split provided stern opposition in the quarter finals. The first leg took place in Edinburgh and nearly 30,000 witnessed a match of real ebb and flow. But in scoring twice in a 4-2 defeat Split looked to have given themselves a reach chance. So it proved. In the heat of Yugoslavia Hibs wilted and were beaten 3-0 to exit 4-5 on aggregate.
The significance of this defeat is said by many to be that Turnbull decided his side ‘lacked the bottle’ to win very big games and that he thus began to dismantle and reassemble his talented team.
Fiorentina of Italy won that initial tournament, beating Rangers in the final. This was somewhat ironic as the Italians had always treated their national cup competition as very much the poor relation to their league campaign and with far less respect. On occasion the same club would win a nation’s league and cup, and in such instances it was decided that the cup runners up could compete (the double winners being in the European Cup). It was through this ruling that Hibernian entered on their one and only occasion.
Hibernian’s finest performance in European competition came in that 1972-73 competition. Having lost the Scottish Cup final against Celtic in the summer of 1972 rather heavily by 6-1 few held out much hope for Hibs in a competition that included the likes of AC Milan and Leeds United.
Drawn in round one against Sporting Lisbon Hibs played very well in Portugal, restricting their illustrious hosts to a 2-1 victory. Back at Easter Road Hibs turned on the style and whacked a very good side 6-1. Over 26,000 saw Turnbull’s team in rampant form and Jim O’Rourke was rewarded with a hat-trick.
The Portuguese triumph sent Hibs into round two where Albanian opposition lay in wait. Fortunately the trip to one of Eastern Europe’s strangest countries was rendered meaningless as little FC Besa were beaten 7-1. That Easter Road first leg saw O’Rourke grab another hat-trick and thus bag the distinction of scoring hat-tricks in successive Hibernian European ties. A 1-1 draw in Albania (during which goalkeeper Herriot was replaced by Robertson) was really an exercise in getting a meaningless game out of the way.
Yugoslavian side Hadjuk Split provided stern opposition in the quarter finals. The first leg took place in Edinburgh and nearly 30,000 witnessed a match of real ebb and flow. But in scoring twice in a 4-2 defeat Split looked to have given themselves a reach chance. So it proved. In the heat of Yugoslavia Hibs wilted and were beaten 3-0 to exit 4-5 on aggregate.
The significance of this defeat is said by many to be that Turnbull decided his side ‘lacked the bottle’ to win very big games and that he thus began to dismantle and reassemble his talented team.
GARETH EVANS (1967 -
Signed in February 1988 from Rotherham United Gareth made the conversion from English Third Division football to the Scottish Premier League in a gradual but progressive fashion. He scored on his debut against Dundee but took time to settle and at one stage was keen to return to England. So keen indeed he welcomed loan spells with Stoke City and Northampton Town.
A League Cup winner in 1991, Gareth’s confidence seemed to soar thereafter and with his electric pace and busy manner he was a handful for defences. A consistent performer he matured as a player and gradually became more methodical in his approach.
Supremely fit he seldom missed matches through injury and when he curbed his temper he was a regular fixture in the side for several years; making 247 league appearances. After leaving Hibs he played with Partick Thistle, Airdrie and Alloa. He even contrived to get sent off against Hibs whilst with Airdrie!
In June 2007 he was surprisingly recruited by John Collins to the Easter Road backroom staff, his remit to run the reserve side. He had been part-time assistant manager at Brechin City and was welcome back to Edinburgh with open arms.
A League Cup winner in 1991, Gareth’s confidence seemed to soar thereafter and with his electric pace and busy manner he was a handful for defences. A consistent performer he matured as a player and gradually became more methodical in his approach.
Supremely fit he seldom missed matches through injury and when he curbed his temper he was a regular fixture in the side for several years; making 247 league appearances. After leaving Hibs he played with Partick Thistle, Airdrie and Alloa. He even contrived to get sent off against Hibs whilst with Airdrie!
In June 2007 he was surprisingly recruited by John Collins to the Easter Road backroom staff, his remit to run the reserve side. He had been part-time assistant manager at Brechin City and was welcome back to Edinburgh with open arms.
HONOURS
League Cup 1991
League Cup 1991
DAVE EWING (1929-1999)
In June 1949 Dave moved from Perthshire’s Luncarty Juniors to Manchester City and there followed 11 solid years in English football. A team-mate of former Hibernian legend Bobby Johnstone during much of his Maine Road career, he proved a distinguished centre-half in Manchester, making over 300 outings and playing in the 1955 and 1956 FA Cup finals. When he left City it was to join Crewe Alexandria in 1962 and he guided them to promotion before entering coaching