H
ALEC HALL (1908 - 1991)
On the surface you could be forgiven for thinking that Alexander Webster Hall, with only one competitive post-war outing as a Hibee, was a player who never made the grade. How wrong you would be!
Here was a player who competed at the very top level in England from 1929 until the outbreak of World War Two, sampling all the triumphs the English game could offer. In 1936 he won an English Championship medal and one year later was climbing the steps at Wembley as an FA Cup winner. These triumphs came with Sunderland whom Hall had joined from Dunfermline in December 1928 after an apprenticeship in the Scottish juvenile ranks with Oakbank Amateurs and the delightfully named Wallyford Bluebell.
He had well over 200 appearances for Sunderland when he joined Hibernian ostensibly as a war-time guest player but more substantially as a coach. Alec turned out in two League Cup ties in October 1946 when Davie Shaw was unavailable but his single league outing in peace-time league action came unexpectedly, aged 38, when he donned the number three jersey as Hibs ran short of players in a bruising holiday period that brought four games in just six days. He retained a keen interest in the game even when not playing and joined the Committee of Kelso United in the East of Scotland League. When he left Hibs in 1950 it was to become coach at Sliema Wanderers in Malta.
Here was a player who competed at the very top level in England from 1929 until the outbreak of World War Two, sampling all the triumphs the English game could offer. In 1936 he won an English Championship medal and one year later was climbing the steps at Wembley as an FA Cup winner. These triumphs came with Sunderland whom Hall had joined from Dunfermline in December 1928 after an apprenticeship in the Scottish juvenile ranks with Oakbank Amateurs and the delightfully named Wallyford Bluebell.
He had well over 200 appearances for Sunderland when he joined Hibernian ostensibly as a war-time guest player but more substantially as a coach. Alec turned out in two League Cup ties in October 1946 when Davie Shaw was unavailable but his single league outing in peace-time league action came unexpectedly, aged 38, when he donned the number three jersey as Hibs ran short of players in a bruising holiday period that brought four games in just six days. He retained a keen interest in the game even when not playing and joined the Committee of Kelso United in the East of Scotland League. When he left Hibs in 1950 it was to become coach at Sliema Wanderers in Malta.
BRIAN HAMILTON (1967 -
A talented left-sided midfielder Brian impressed with his home town club St. Mirren, helping them to the Scottish Cup in 1987. Clever, economical and elegant he played the game with a touch of finesse. His signing by Hibs in July 1989 was viewed as something of a coup and his silky skills were soon put to good use.
Capped four times by Scotland at Under-21 level he was a very popular Hibee and regarded as a player’s player due to his tremendous work rate. A League Cup winner in 1991 he seldom missed games as his fitness was excellent and his temperament equally reliable. Rarely injured he clocked up 200 appearances for Hibernian and looked destined to become one of the longest serving players at the club. There was consternation on the Easter Road terraces therefore when Brian ‘jumped ship’ in January 1995 to join fierce rivals Hearts.
He was predictably a success at Tynecastle and later served Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Clydebank.
Capped four times by Scotland at Under-21 level he was a very popular Hibee and regarded as a player’s player due to his tremendous work rate. A League Cup winner in 1991 he seldom missed games as his fitness was excellent and his temperament equally reliable. Rarely injured he clocked up 200 appearances for Hibernian and looked destined to become one of the longest serving players at the club. There was consternation on the Easter Road terraces therefore when Brian ‘jumped ship’ in January 1995 to join fierce rivals Hearts.
He was predictably a success at Tynecastle and later served Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Clydebank.
WILLIE HAMILTON (1938 – 1976)
One of the most enigmatic performers ever to pull on a Hibs jersey. Hamilton could be sublime, a near genius, but like so many genius footballers he was essentially a flawed character. A lack of dedication and a fondness for the good life were ultimately his undoing.
There were games where he dominated the scene magnificently, arguably never more so than in a friendly against the mighty Real Madrid at Easter Road as he inspired Hibs to a 2-0 win.
William Murdoch Hamilton began his senior career at Sheffield United in 1956. In 1961 he made a £12,000 move north to Middlesbrough but he was not a hit on Teeside and in June 1962 Hearts were able to secure his services for a mere £5,000.
He was nothing short of sensational for Hearts and won a League Cup winners medal in 1962. However, he fell out of favour and the excellent Hearts in Art by Andrew Hoggan suggests “his career went off the rails during the long winter shut down of 1962-63”.
In October 1963 Hibernian shelled out £6,000 and he quickly regained all his old magic. As well as the Real Madrid match there were other highlights and Willie proved a hero to a whole generation of Hibs fans who were prepared to forgive his poor work-rate because it was more than compensated by sheer natural talent. When Hibs bundled Rangers out of the 1965 Scottish Cup competition it was on the back of a double-goal salvo by Hamilton in a 2-1 win.
It wasn’t just Hibernian fans who loved Willie. Those in charge of Scotland’s affairs were impressed too and he gained his only Scotland cap whilst a Hibee. Thus he had much to thank the then Hibs boss, Jock Stein, for as it was Stein who instilled an unlikely level of self-belief in the enigmatic inside forward.
He helped Hibs win the Summer Cup in 1964, scoring in the replayed final against Aberdeen when Hibs won 3-1. However, his off field activities and lack of dedication to mundane aspects of football – like training – eventually convinced Hibs to off-load him. The fact that Aston Villa were prepared to pay £25,000 for him in August 1965 was some consolation.
His spell with Aston Villa was wrecked by a car-crash and although he recovered, returned to Hearts and even played abroad, his career was in decline. He was in South Africa in 1969, with Ross County in 1970 and Hamilton Accies in 1971.
Sadly Willie died young. He was not yet forty when he passed away in 1976 and was mourned on both sides of Edinburgh such was his popularity.
There were games where he dominated the scene magnificently, arguably never more so than in a friendly against the mighty Real Madrid at Easter Road as he inspired Hibs to a 2-0 win.
William Murdoch Hamilton began his senior career at Sheffield United in 1956. In 1961 he made a £12,000 move north to Middlesbrough but he was not a hit on Teeside and in June 1962 Hearts were able to secure his services for a mere £5,000.
He was nothing short of sensational for Hearts and won a League Cup winners medal in 1962. However, he fell out of favour and the excellent Hearts in Art by Andrew Hoggan suggests “his career went off the rails during the long winter shut down of 1962-63”.
In October 1963 Hibernian shelled out £6,000 and he quickly regained all his old magic. As well as the Real Madrid match there were other highlights and Willie proved a hero to a whole generation of Hibs fans who were prepared to forgive his poor work-rate because it was more than compensated by sheer natural talent. When Hibs bundled Rangers out of the 1965 Scottish Cup competition it was on the back of a double-goal salvo by Hamilton in a 2-1 win.
It wasn’t just Hibernian fans who loved Willie. Those in charge of Scotland’s affairs were impressed too and he gained his only Scotland cap whilst a Hibee. Thus he had much to thank the then Hibs boss, Jock Stein, for as it was Stein who instilled an unlikely level of self-belief in the enigmatic inside forward.
He helped Hibs win the Summer Cup in 1964, scoring in the replayed final against Aberdeen when Hibs won 3-1. However, his off field activities and lack of dedication to mundane aspects of football – like training – eventually convinced Hibs to off-load him. The fact that Aston Villa were prepared to pay £25,000 for him in August 1965 was some consolation.
His spell with Aston Villa was wrecked by a car-crash and although he recovered, returned to Hearts and even played abroad, his career was in decline. He was in South Africa in 1969, with Ross County in 1970 and Hamilton Accies in 1971.
Sadly Willie died young. He was not yet forty when he passed away in 1976 and was mourned on both sides of Edinburgh such was his popularity.
HONOURS
Scotland (1)
HANDS OFF HIBS
The chairman of Heart of Midlothian in the late 1980s was one Wallace Mercer and his dream was to merge Hearts and Hibs. In the summer of 1990 he sprung his plan on a surprised capital football population. Wealthy and articulate his vision was of a strong Edinburgh presence to tackle to the Old Firm, but his merger aim was almost as unpopular in Gorgie as it was at Easter Road.
Almost instantly there were huge demonstrations and on the Hibernian side of the divide a ‘Hands Off Hibs’ movement sprung up. Rallies were held at Easter Road, former captain Pat Stanton addressed supporters, Joe Baker made an emotional appearance, and singing duo The Proclaimers were to the forefront of the very public and popular moves to save Hibs. Whilst the movement did not have the financial clout to save the club it did raise awareness to the extent that others were persuaded to save the club.
Arguably the man who did most to save Hibernian from extinction was watching from the sidelines. Tom Farmer, a self made millionaire from Leith, owned the Kwik-Fit tyre and exhaust company; as news of Wallace Mercer’s plans unfolded he quickly acquired 10% of Hibs shares.
David Duff, who had emerged as the new owner of Hibs had turned the company into a Public Limited venture and whilst this gave fans an opportunity to invest in shares it offered no substantial returns and left the club vulnerable. His was an empire built on sand and Mercer was quick to realise this; by July 1990 Mercer had in the region of 60% of Hibs shares. However, as opposition to his plans increased neither Duff nor Farmer would sell to Mercer and his plans ran aground amid a welter of public objection.
Hibs, of course, were ‘not out of the woods’ instantly. It was clear that the PLC behind the club had huge debts (it had dabbled unspectacularly in property investments) and this led to the sale of star players Andy Gorman and John Collins. Quite simply the club struggled to bring debts under control to the satisfaction of their bankers. Ultimately Farmer in effect, underwrote the club and guaranteed its long term survival.
He has since been a guiding figure in the background, unwilling to take on a figure-head role (he is not a dyed in the wool football supporter) but providing the financial clout to ensure the club’s survival. When Hibs were revived in the 1890s two names associated with the club were Philip and John Farmer, distant relatives of Tom Farmer.
Farmer is now one of the wealthiest men in Scotland. The Ford Motor Company bought his Kwik-Fit chain for around one billion dollars in 1999 and his business acumen is acknowledged across Europe. He has been honoured as far afield as Poland and Holland and was awarded a knighthood in 1997. But his role much closer to home has been equally appreciated.
There was a brief Hands On Hibs movement in the summer of 1998 when the club was relegated to the First Division. But perceptions that the board were complacent about demotion proved groundless and the movement fizzled out within months of the new campaign.
Almost instantly there were huge demonstrations and on the Hibernian side of the divide a ‘Hands Off Hibs’ movement sprung up. Rallies were held at Easter Road, former captain Pat Stanton addressed supporters, Joe Baker made an emotional appearance, and singing duo The Proclaimers were to the forefront of the very public and popular moves to save Hibs. Whilst the movement did not have the financial clout to save the club it did raise awareness to the extent that others were persuaded to save the club.
Arguably the man who did most to save Hibernian from extinction was watching from the sidelines. Tom Farmer, a self made millionaire from Leith, owned the Kwik-Fit tyre and exhaust company; as news of Wallace Mercer’s plans unfolded he quickly acquired 10% of Hibs shares.
David Duff, who had emerged as the new owner of Hibs had turned the company into a Public Limited venture and whilst this gave fans an opportunity to invest in shares it offered no substantial returns and left the club vulnerable. His was an empire built on sand and Mercer was quick to realise this; by July 1990 Mercer had in the region of 60% of Hibs shares. However, as opposition to his plans increased neither Duff nor Farmer would sell to Mercer and his plans ran aground amid a welter of public objection.
Hibs, of course, were ‘not out of the woods’ instantly. It was clear that the PLC behind the club had huge debts (it had dabbled unspectacularly in property investments) and this led to the sale of star players Andy Gorman and John Collins. Quite simply the club struggled to bring debts under control to the satisfaction of their bankers. Ultimately Farmer in effect, underwrote the club and guaranteed its long term survival.
He has since been a guiding figure in the background, unwilling to take on a figure-head role (he is not a dyed in the wool football supporter) but providing the financial clout to ensure the club’s survival. When Hibs were revived in the 1890s two names associated with the club were Philip and John Farmer, distant relatives of Tom Farmer.
Farmer is now one of the wealthiest men in Scotland. The Ford Motor Company bought his Kwik-Fit chain for around one billion dollars in 1999 and his business acumen is acknowledged across Europe. He has been honoured as far afield as Poland and Holland and was awarded a knighthood in 1997. But his role much closer to home has been equally appreciated.
There was a brief Hands On Hibs movement in the summer of 1998 when the club was relegated to the First Division. But perceptions that the board were complacent about demotion proved groundless and the movement fizzled out within months of the new campaign.
JOE HARPER (1948 -
A small, barrel-chested striker, Joseph Montgomery Harper was one of the finest goal-grabbers of his era. He started his career with Morton in the mid 1960s and then, following a glut of goals, moved to Huddersfield Town. Failing to settle in West Yorkshire he returned to Morton and in March 1969 he scored a hat-trick for the Greenock club against Hibernian at Cappielow.
From Morton his travels took him northwards to Aberdeen then south to Everton. His boss at Aberdeen had been Eddie Turnbull and when Eddie became Hibs manager he was swift to set in motion a plan to lure Harper to Edinburgh.
It cost Hibernian a club record £120,000 to secure his services (indeed that was THE Scottish record fee at the time) but he was a proven goalscorer and he did not let anyone in Edinburgh down.
Joe had many highs in his Hibernian career, short as it was. He scored Hibs first ever Premier League goal when Hearts were beaten 1-0 and scored all five in a 5-0 win over Nijmegan (he also hit the post in that game!). I once asked Joe which was his favourite Hibernian memory and he did not hesitate to answer. “The 1974 League Cup final, or as it’s better known the 6-3 game when myself and Dixie Deans of Celtic both scored hat-tricks. After the game people asked me how I felt about scoring a hat-trick and still losing. My answer was ‘Okay we haven’t won the cup but I had a job to do as a striker. When you go out in a cup final and score a hat-trick you have to be pleased’. I had done my bit and scored three times against the biggest club in the land.” As football historian Bob Crampsey remarked ‘no man ever played better in a losing cause”.
He left Hibs in 1976 to rejoin Aberdeen for a ludicrously low sum of £40,000 and went on to become a Dons legend. From 1976 to 1981 he was their main marksman and he scored 57 goals in only 105 league appearances for the Dons. In November 1976 he scored the only goal as Dons beat Hibs 1-0 and he was awarded a testimonial when his Pittodrie career ended.
After his senior playing career ended he played briefly in the Highland league with Peterhead then managed both Huntly and Deveronvale before returning to the West of Scotland and renewing his association with Morton as part of their commercial team.
From Morton his travels took him northwards to Aberdeen then south to Everton. His boss at Aberdeen had been Eddie Turnbull and when Eddie became Hibs manager he was swift to set in motion a plan to lure Harper to Edinburgh.
It cost Hibernian a club record £120,000 to secure his services (indeed that was THE Scottish record fee at the time) but he was a proven goalscorer and he did not let anyone in Edinburgh down.
Joe had many highs in his Hibernian career, short as it was. He scored Hibs first ever Premier League goal when Hearts were beaten 1-0 and scored all five in a 5-0 win over Nijmegan (he also hit the post in that game!). I once asked Joe which was his favourite Hibernian memory and he did not hesitate to answer. “The 1974 League Cup final, or as it’s better known the 6-3 game when myself and Dixie Deans of Celtic both scored hat-tricks. After the game people asked me how I felt about scoring a hat-trick and still losing. My answer was ‘Okay we haven’t won the cup but I had a job to do as a striker. When you go out in a cup final and score a hat-trick you have to be pleased’. I had done my bit and scored three times against the biggest club in the land.” As football historian Bob Crampsey remarked ‘no man ever played better in a losing cause”.
He left Hibs in 1976 to rejoin Aberdeen for a ludicrously low sum of £40,000 and went on to become a Dons legend. From 1976 to 1981 he was their main marksman and he scored 57 goals in only 105 league appearances for the Dons. In November 1976 he scored the only goal as Dons beat Hibs 1-0 and he was awarded a testimonial when his Pittodrie career ended.
After his senior playing career ended he played briefly in the Highland league with Peterhead then managed both Huntly and Deveronvale before returning to the West of Scotland and renewing his association with Morton as part of their commercial team.
HONOURS
Scotland (1)
League Cup final 1974
Scotland (1)
League Cup final 1974
KEVIN HARPER (1976 -
Born in Oldham in January 1976, but raised in Possilpark, Glasgow, this clever little winger joined Hibs in 1992 as an apprentice and was promptly capped at Scotland Youth, Under-21 and ‘B’ international level. Tricky, direct and useful around goal he became a Hibs favourite very quickly following debut day against St Johnstone in September 1993.
He was the first coloured player to represent Hibs and had the difficult task of overcoming racism. Following one game with Hearts, in November 1986, he took the issue to the SFA. It was an Under 21 hat-trick that finally propelled Kevin Harper from local to national stage. His 1995 threesome against Finland – one with his right, one with his left and a header – proving neatly his versatility.
When Hibs slipped into the First Division it was clear he would be looking to move on and in September 1998 he joined Derby County for £300,000. He was just four games short of making his 100th league outing for Hibs when he departed. Later in his career he served Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth. He gained a First Division Championship medal with Pompey and spent a period on loan to Norwich City.
He later played with Stoke City and then on loan with Carlisle United. Whilst playing with the latter he opened a Gents outfitters in Glasgow’s exclusive Royal Exchange Square. By 2007 he was with Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish First Division.
He was the first coloured player to represent Hibs and had the difficult task of overcoming racism. Following one game with Hearts, in November 1986, he took the issue to the SFA. It was an Under 21 hat-trick that finally propelled Kevin Harper from local to national stage. His 1995 threesome against Finland – one with his right, one with his left and a header – proving neatly his versatility.
When Hibs slipped into the First Division it was clear he would be looking to move on and in September 1998 he joined Derby County for £300,000. He was just four games short of making his 100th league outing for Hibs when he departed. Later in his career he served Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth. He gained a First Division Championship medal with Pompey and spent a period on loan to Norwich City.
He later played with Stoke City and then on loan with Carlisle United. Whilst playing with the latter he opened a Gents outfitters in Glasgow’s exclusive Royal Exchange Square. By 2007 he was with Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish First Division.
HONOURS
Scotland Under-21 (7)
Scotland Under-21 (7)
WILLIE HARPER (1897 – 1989)
In the 1920s Hibernian had one of the finest goalkeepers in Scotland in Willie Harper. A physically impressive man (who had been both a boxer and a blacksmith) he was with Edinburgh Emmet when Hibernian signed him.
He had five years with Hibs before joining Arsenal in what was reckoned to be a £5,000 deal in 1925. Hibernian it is said used the money to build the Easter Road main stand. Then he signed for Plymouth and he had 40 years with the Devon club. He is attributed by the late Stewart Brown, a long standing football correspondent on the Edinburgh Evening News, with being the first goalkeeper to make use of a yellow jersey.
Harper made a rare mistake in the 1923 Scottish Cup final against Celtic. 80,000 fans saw him misjudge a cross and allow Cassidy a clear header into the unguarded Hibs goal. Sadly it was to prove the only goal of the game.
He had five years with Hibs before joining Arsenal in what was reckoned to be a £5,000 deal in 1925. Hibernian it is said used the money to build the Easter Road main stand. Then he signed for Plymouth and he had 40 years with the Devon club. He is attributed by the late Stewart Brown, a long standing football correspondent on the Edinburgh Evening News, with being the first goalkeeper to make use of a yellow jersey.
Harper made a rare mistake in the 1923 Scottish Cup final against Celtic. 80,000 fans saw him misjudge a cross and allow Cassidy a clear header into the unguarded Hibs goal. Sadly it was to prove the only goal of the game.
HONOURS
Scotland (9), Scottish League (3)
Scottish Cup finals 1923, 1924
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN
Hearts were founded in 1873, Hibernian in 1875 and a healthy rivalry has existed between the clubs for over 100 years. The first meeting is reckoned to have taken place on December 25, 1875. That Christmas Day clash is said by many to have been Hibs first senior match. In 1896 they met in the Scottish Cup final and the game is now viewed as the biggest derby out with the Glasgow Old Firm clash.
Both Edinburgh sides have handled Scottish football’s challenges well and won all of the major domestic honours. The list below shows the outcome of Hibs – Hearts clashes up to December 31, 2007.
League
P W D L F A
Division One 142 41 34 67 202 263
Premier 72 14 29 29 66 92
SPL 30 9 10 11 43 48
Lge Wartime 14 8 2 4 31 26
League Cup
P W D L F A
Total 5 1 0 4 5 12
Scottish Cup
P W D L F A
Total 28 9 7 12 39 50
Victories
Hibernian’s biggest victories over Hearts are as follows:
League:- Arguably the great result in Hibernian’s history came on January 1st, 1973. As the new year was ushered in Hibs had a great day out and crushed their fiercest rivals 7-0 on their own ground. It is perhaps the ultimate derby result.
Jimmy O’Rourke started the rout with a goal in the ninth minute. Just six minutes later Alan Gordon made it 2-0 and when Arthur Duncan netted again in the 26th minute it was clear Hibs would win.
Alex Cropley made it four-nil in the 35th minute and within two minutes of that Hibs were five up when Duncan scored his second.
There were only two goals in the second half; Jimmy O’Rourke scoring in the 56th minute and Alan Gordon completing the scoring with quarter of an hour still remaining.
Scottish Cup:- 23 October 1886 saw Hibs win 5-1 in a Third Round tie at Easter Road.
League Cup:- Hibs have never managed to beat Hearts by more than a single goal in a League Cup clash.
Defeats
Hibs’ worst defeats at the hands of Hearts are:
League: On September 21, 1935 Hibs were thrashed 3-8 at Tynecastle Park in a Division One fixture. Rab Walls, Willie Black and Tommy Brady scored the Hibernian goals, in a game that saw Hibs trailing 0-4 at half-time.
Scottish Cup: Hibs were thumped 0-5 at Tynecastle on February 5, 1955 in a Fifth Round tie. The Terrible Trio did the damage with goals by Jimmy Wardaugh (2), Willie Bauld (2) and Alfie Conn. A crowd of 45,700 watched the match. Hibs lined up: Willie Miller, Willie Macfarlane, John Paterson, Eddie Turnbull, John Grant, Tommy Preston, Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Bobby Combe, Willie Ormond.
League Cup; 11 August 1956 brought a 1-6 defeat for Hibernian at Tynecastle. Eddie Turnbull scored the only Hibs goal. Hearts also contrived to miss a penalty kick.
Friendly: 12 August 1893, Hibs lost 10-2 at Easter Road in a challenge match.
Goalscoring:
The following Hibernian players have scored hat-tricks against Heart of Midlothian.
John Kennedy: Hearts won the first Division One clash 4-3 despite this hat-trick in 1895
Hamilton Handling: Netted a hat-trick in 1899 as Hibs won 3-1 at Tynecastle, their first win as the new Hibs in this fixture. Handling did the same in 1901 in an Inter-City League fixture.
Peter Flucker: On Boxing Day 1932 Hibs defeated Hearts 3-2 at Tynecastle Park in the Wilson Cup final. Flucker, who also played with Hearts and St. Bernard’s, scored all three Hibs goals.
Tommy McIntyre: Hibs win 4-0 on September 10th, 1938 at Easter Road and McIntyre scores three times.
Gordon Smith: Although only 16 and making his Hibs debut against Hearts in 1941 Smith turns on the style and scores three in a 5-3 war time victory.
Johnny Cuthbertson: in a sensational 6-5 war-time victory played on 1 January 1940 ‘Cubby’ netted a hat-trick in a real goal festival
Lawrie Reilly: 20 September 1953 saw Hibs win 3-1 at Easter Road and Lawrie scored his one and only hat-trick against Hearts.
Joe Baker: perhaps the most remarkable individual performance. The teenage sensation scores all four Hibs goals in a 4-3 win at Tynecastle on 1 March 1958. A wonderful Scottish Cup quarter-final tie.
Pat Quinn: Hibernian romp home at Tynecastle 4-1 in a league game and Quinn, hardly a noted goalscorer hits a hat-trick. The match took place on 9 September 1967.
Mixu Paatelainen: On the 22 October 2000 Finnish striker Mixu Paatelainen hit a hat-trick as Hibs romped home 6-2 at Easter Road.
The highest scoring Hibernian players against Heart of Midlothian are the following: Gordon Smith (15), Lawrie Reilly (10), Arthur Duncan (8), Eddie Turnbull (8), Jim Scott (7), Willie Ormond (7), Alex Cropley (6), Arthur Milne (6), Garry O’Connor (6), Jimmy Dunn (6), Joe Baker (6), Mixu Paatelainen (6), Derek Riordan (5), Johnny Cuthbertson (5), Willie Finnegan (5).
Derby snippets:
Both Edinburgh sides have handled Scottish football’s challenges well and won all of the major domestic honours. The list below shows the outcome of Hibs – Hearts clashes up to December 31, 2007.
League
P W D L F A
Division One 142 41 34 67 202 263
Premier 72 14 29 29 66 92
SPL 30 9 10 11 43 48
Lge Wartime 14 8 2 4 31 26
League Cup
P W D L F A
Total 5 1 0 4 5 12
Scottish Cup
P W D L F A
Total 28 9 7 12 39 50
Victories
Hibernian’s biggest victories over Hearts are as follows:
League:- Arguably the great result in Hibernian’s history came on January 1st, 1973. As the new year was ushered in Hibs had a great day out and crushed their fiercest rivals 7-0 on their own ground. It is perhaps the ultimate derby result.
Jimmy O’Rourke started the rout with a goal in the ninth minute. Just six minutes later Alan Gordon made it 2-0 and when Arthur Duncan netted again in the 26th minute it was clear Hibs would win.
Alex Cropley made it four-nil in the 35th minute and within two minutes of that Hibs were five up when Duncan scored his second.
There were only two goals in the second half; Jimmy O’Rourke scoring in the 56th minute and Alan Gordon completing the scoring with quarter of an hour still remaining.
Scottish Cup:- 23 October 1886 saw Hibs win 5-1 in a Third Round tie at Easter Road.
League Cup:- Hibs have never managed to beat Hearts by more than a single goal in a League Cup clash.
Defeats
Hibs’ worst defeats at the hands of Hearts are:
League: On September 21, 1935 Hibs were thrashed 3-8 at Tynecastle Park in a Division One fixture. Rab Walls, Willie Black and Tommy Brady scored the Hibernian goals, in a game that saw Hibs trailing 0-4 at half-time.
Scottish Cup: Hibs were thumped 0-5 at Tynecastle on February 5, 1955 in a Fifth Round tie. The Terrible Trio did the damage with goals by Jimmy Wardaugh (2), Willie Bauld (2) and Alfie Conn. A crowd of 45,700 watched the match. Hibs lined up: Willie Miller, Willie Macfarlane, John Paterson, Eddie Turnbull, John Grant, Tommy Preston, Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Bobby Combe, Willie Ormond.
League Cup; 11 August 1956 brought a 1-6 defeat for Hibernian at Tynecastle. Eddie Turnbull scored the only Hibs goal. Hearts also contrived to miss a penalty kick.
Friendly: 12 August 1893, Hibs lost 10-2 at Easter Road in a challenge match.
Goalscoring:
The following Hibernian players have scored hat-tricks against Heart of Midlothian.
John Kennedy: Hearts won the first Division One clash 4-3 despite this hat-trick in 1895
Hamilton Handling: Netted a hat-trick in 1899 as Hibs won 3-1 at Tynecastle, their first win as the new Hibs in this fixture. Handling did the same in 1901 in an Inter-City League fixture.
Peter Flucker: On Boxing Day 1932 Hibs defeated Hearts 3-2 at Tynecastle Park in the Wilson Cup final. Flucker, who also played with Hearts and St. Bernard’s, scored all three Hibs goals.
Tommy McIntyre: Hibs win 4-0 on September 10th, 1938 at Easter Road and McIntyre scores three times.
Gordon Smith: Although only 16 and making his Hibs debut against Hearts in 1941 Smith turns on the style and scores three in a 5-3 war time victory.
Johnny Cuthbertson: in a sensational 6-5 war-time victory played on 1 January 1940 ‘Cubby’ netted a hat-trick in a real goal festival
Lawrie Reilly: 20 September 1953 saw Hibs win 3-1 at Easter Road and Lawrie scored his one and only hat-trick against Hearts.
Joe Baker: perhaps the most remarkable individual performance. The teenage sensation scores all four Hibs goals in a 4-3 win at Tynecastle on 1 March 1958. A wonderful Scottish Cup quarter-final tie.
Pat Quinn: Hibernian romp home at Tynecastle 4-1 in a league game and Quinn, hardly a noted goalscorer hits a hat-trick. The match took place on 9 September 1967.
Mixu Paatelainen: On the 22 October 2000 Finnish striker Mixu Paatelainen hit a hat-trick as Hibs romped home 6-2 at Easter Road.
The highest scoring Hibernian players against Heart of Midlothian are the following: Gordon Smith (15), Lawrie Reilly (10), Arthur Duncan (8), Eddie Turnbull (8), Jim Scott (7), Willie Ormond (7), Alex Cropley (6), Arthur Milne (6), Garry O’Connor (6), Jimmy Dunn (6), Joe Baker (6), Mixu Paatelainen (6), Derek Riordan (5), Johnny Cuthbertson (5), Willie Finnegan (5).
Derby snippets:
1. In October 2000 Hibs thrashed Hearts 6-2 at Easter Road. Mixu Paatelainen scored a hat-trick as Hibs enjoyed their biggest winning margin for 27 years. Shortly afterwards Hearts manager Jim Jefferies resigned.
2. The September 1965 clash at Tynecastle saw Hibs record a 4-0 win. Remarkably all four goals came in the first 10 minutes with Jim O’Rourke and Eric Stevenson scoring two apiece. Easter Road folklore has it that some Hibees who arrived late missed all the goals.
3. Derek Riordan scored in three consecutive derbies in late 2004 and early 2005. However, Alex Cropley netted in four consecutive clashes in the early 1970s
4. Alan Gordon scored four goals for Hearts and two for Hibs in derby clashes.
5. Jock White scored in five consecutive Hearts matches against Hibs. All five games took place between 1922 and 1924.
6. Andy Millen and Gary Smith were both sent off twice whilst representing Hibs in the derby fixture
7. In 2001 Hearts had Thomas Flogel sent off against Hibs in the final minute of a 0-0 draw at Easter Road. In November 2002 Phil Stamp was sent off in the final minute (for over-celebrating a goal).
8. In August 1978 Hearts had both Jim Jefferies and Donald Park sent off in a 1-1 draw with Hibs.
9. The highest scoring Hearts players against Hibernian are John Robertson with 27 goals, Bobby Walker 16, Jimmy Wardaugh 14, Willie Bauld 13, Alfie Conn 13, Tommy Walker 13.
10. In September 1983 Hearts beat Hibs 3-2 at Tynecastle, thanks largely to two goals by young striker John Robertson. Thus began a 17 match run in which Hibs failed to beat their nearest and dearest rivals. But that run was bettered when Hearts racked up a 22 match unbeaten run against Hibs between April 1989 and April 1994. The dire sequence went as follows:
1 April 1989 League L 1-2 Tynecastle Houchen
26 Aug 1989 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
4 Nov 1989 League D 1-1 Easter Road Archibald
1 Jan 1990 League L 0-2 Tynecastle
31 Mar 1990 League L 1-2 Easter Road Weir
15 Sep 1990 League L 0-3 Easter Road
24 Nov 1990 League D 1-1 Tynecastle Houchen
2 Jan 1991 League L 1-4 Easter Road own goal
23 Mar 1991 League L 1-3 Tynecastle Tortolano
31 Aug 1991 League D 0-0 Tynecastle
2 Nov 1991 League D 1-1 Easter Road K Wright
1 Jan 1992 League D 1-1 Tynecastle McIntyre
21 Mar 1991 League L 1-2 Easter Road Weir
22 Aug 1992 League D 0-0 Easter Road
7 Nov 1992 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
2 Jan 1993 League D 0-0 Easter Road
20 Mar 1993 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
21 Aug 1993 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
30 Oct 1993 League L 0-2 Easter Road
12 Jan 1994 League D 1-1 Tynecastle K Wright
20 Feb 1994 SC L 1-2 Easter Road K Wright
30 April 1994 League D 0-0 Easter Road
1 April 1989 League L 1-2 Tynecastle Houchen
26 Aug 1989 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
4 Nov 1989 League D 1-1 Easter Road Archibald
1 Jan 1990 League L 0-2 Tynecastle
31 Mar 1990 League L 1-2 Easter Road Weir
15 Sep 1990 League L 0-3 Easter Road
24 Nov 1990 League D 1-1 Tynecastle Houchen
2 Jan 1991 League L 1-4 Easter Road own goal
23 Mar 1991 League L 1-3 Tynecastle Tortolano
31 Aug 1991 League D 0-0 Tynecastle
2 Nov 1991 League D 1-1 Easter Road K Wright
1 Jan 1992 League D 1-1 Tynecastle McIntyre
21 Mar 1991 League L 1-2 Easter Road Weir
22 Aug 1992 League D 0-0 Easter Road
7 Nov 1992 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
2 Jan 1993 League D 0-0 Easter Road
20 Mar 1993 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
21 Aug 1993 League L 0-1 Tynecastle
30 Oct 1993 League L 0-2 Easter Road
12 Jan 1994 League D 1-1 Tynecastle K Wright
20 Feb 1994 SC L 1-2 Easter Road K Wright
30 April 1994 League D 0-0 Easter Road
Connections:
A number of players have served both Hibs and Hearts. Two men, Willie McCartney and Willie Ormond, have managed both clubs.
Amongst the players to have served both clubs are Willie Harper, Gordon Smith, Alan Gordon, Peter Marinello, Willie Hamilton, Chris Shevlane, Brian Hamilton, Darren Jackson, Ralph Callachan, Jim Brown, Gordon Marshall, Willie Irvine, Lawrie Tierney, Roy Barry, Willie Jamieson, Paul Hartley and Michael Stewart.
Hugh Shaw played for Hearts and managed Hibernian.
The most recent addition to the list of players to serve both clubs is Michael Stewart. Stewart joined Hibs in the summer of 2005 from Manchester United, having spent an impressive spell on loan to Hearts. However, he was implicated in the player revolt at Easter Road in the spring of 2007 and returned to Hearts in late June 2007.
A number of players have served both Hibs and Hearts. Two men, Willie McCartney and Willie Ormond, have managed both clubs.
Amongst the players to have served both clubs are Willie Harper, Gordon Smith, Alan Gordon, Peter Marinello, Willie Hamilton, Chris Shevlane, Brian Hamilton, Darren Jackson, Ralph Callachan, Jim Brown, Gordon Marshall, Willie Irvine, Lawrie Tierney, Roy Barry, Willie Jamieson, Paul Hartley and Michael Stewart.
Hugh Shaw played for Hearts and managed Hibernian.
The most recent addition to the list of players to serve both clubs is Michael Stewart. Stewart joined Hibs in the summer of 2005 from Manchester United, having spent an impressive spell on loan to Hearts. However, he was implicated in the player revolt at Easter Road in the spring of 2007 and returned to Hearts in late June 2007.
TONY HIGGINS (1954 -
One of the great tricks that Eddie Turnbull performed as Hibs manager in the early 1970s was keeping his team moving by slowly but surely introducing talented youngsters like Iain Munro, Bobby Smith and of course Anthony Higgins. Big Tony Higgins benefited hugely from Turnbull’s time as Easter Road boss. The at times taciturn Hibs boss sensed the youngster with an academic bent had quality to accompany his undoubted height and bulk. Proof of the latent talents came most memorably at Elland Road in a UEFA Cup tie when Higgins almost single-handedly ran a very good Leeds United side ragged.
Higgins joined Hibs in 1972 and made his debut in the 1972/73 season. Tall, a bit gangling he was nevertheless a very good footballer. Initially he played up front but his logical thinking and shrewd football brain soon marked him out as a midfielder. With his long curly hair and huge moustache allied to his six foot plus frame he was the kind of player that it was impossible to ignore.
In 1979 he scored for Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final when Rangers squeaked home after two replays, but earlier in his Hibs career he had enjoyed better luck in finals. He was a key part of the 1973 Drybrough Cup winning team, scoring the winner in the semi-final tie against Rangers and playing well in the final tie with Celtic.
Although still with the club in the disastrous 1979/80 season when relegation befall a very ordinary Hibernian team, even with George Best on board, it was clear his spell in a green jersey was nearing an end. He scored the winning goal in a rare 2-1 victory over Rangers in December, but joined Partick Thistle in March 1980. Thistle, managed by former Hibs coach Bertie Auld, were sailing to mid-table safety and Higgins was ever present in the last 12 games of the season. What’s more he was the Glasgow club’s top scorer in the very next season.
Tony stayed at Firhill until 1982 when he moved to Greenock Morton where he linked up wonderfully with another big striker Andy Ritchie. The last port of call in his career was Stranraer. Away from football he was a very eloquent man and made a great success of representing players in his role as general secretary of the players' union.
Higgins joined Hibs in 1972 and made his debut in the 1972/73 season. Tall, a bit gangling he was nevertheless a very good footballer. Initially he played up front but his logical thinking and shrewd football brain soon marked him out as a midfielder. With his long curly hair and huge moustache allied to his six foot plus frame he was the kind of player that it was impossible to ignore.
In 1979 he scored for Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final when Rangers squeaked home after two replays, but earlier in his Hibs career he had enjoyed better luck in finals. He was a key part of the 1973 Drybrough Cup winning team, scoring the winner in the semi-final tie against Rangers and playing well in the final tie with Celtic.
Although still with the club in the disastrous 1979/80 season when relegation befall a very ordinary Hibernian team, even with George Best on board, it was clear his spell in a green jersey was nearing an end. He scored the winning goal in a rare 2-1 victory over Rangers in December, but joined Partick Thistle in March 1980. Thistle, managed by former Hibs coach Bertie Auld, were sailing to mid-table safety and Higgins was ever present in the last 12 games of the season. What’s more he was the Glasgow club’s top scorer in the very next season.
Tony stayed at Firhill until 1982 when he moved to Greenock Morton where he linked up wonderfully with another big striker Andy Ritchie. The last port of call in his career was Stranraer. Away from football he was a very eloquent man and made a great success of representing players in his role as general secretary of the players' union.
HONOURS
Scottish Cup final 1979
HISTORY
Although Hibernian is a totally open football institution today the club does not ignore its poverty inspired Irish Catholic roots. Founded in 1875 Hibs initially only welcomed Catholics and had quite distinct Irish Home Rule agenda amongst its membership. By modern standards the club was clearly sectarian.
The co-founders of the original Hibernian Football Club were Canon Edward Hannan of St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, based in St.Mary’s Street, Cowgate, and Michael Whelahan of the Catholic Young Men’s Society of Edinburgh.
Perhaps not surprisingly Hibernian were not instantly welcomed into the bosom of the flourishing but embryonic Scottish game. Support may have been strong in Leith but it was less so across Scotland and initially attempts to join the SFA were rebuffed. Fortunately the Edinburgh footballing community found a place for Hibs which was to Edinburgh’s immense credit as a largely Protestant city.
Ironically it was helping Celtic establish a similar club in Glasgow’s East End in 1888 that laid the foundations for a truly Scottish Hibernian club. Celtic not only benefited from Hibs early assistance but in effect killed off the Hibs club by pinching their best players.
A substantial number of Irish Catholics, and those with sympathies in that direction, abandoned Hibs in favour of the more dynamic Glasgow club. Hibs folded in 1889 and had to be resurrected in a new guise to continue in business. Their resurrection was linked to the legalization of professionalism by the Scottish Football Association.
When the club was reborn the name Farmer first surfaced with John and Philip (forefathers of current club owner Tom Farmer) aiding the growth of the new non-sectarian club. That was in 1893 and the club went from strength to strength.
Gradually the Irish roots that had distinguished Hibernian became less prominent, moroevoer the club became a key sporting institution in Edinburgh and triumphs in the major Scottish competitions raised their profile in a positive manner.
In the immediate post war era Hibs moved from being ‘also-rans’ in the domestic game to arguably the most fashionable club in Scotland. Key administrators like Harry Swan, Willie McCartney and Hugh Shaw elevated the club to the top table. On the playing field successive sides played an expansive, attractive style of football that captivated the Scottish footballing public. This reached a peak when the Famous Five wooed crowds the length and breadth of the country in the late 1940s and early 1950s with their marvelous skills and total commitment to attacking football.
In truth the Famous Five era changed Hibernian Football club forever. Huge crowds were watching Hibs, particularly in the Edinburgh derbies which lacked the venom of the Glasgow derby between Rangers and Celtic but lacked none of the quality and many would contest displayed far more style. The name Hibernian became no longer synonymous with Irish heritage but more closely allied to football played with excessive flair. Supporters at Easter Road reared on a diet of skilful football had changed their appetite and Hibs had attracted a new audience; one which cared more for where the club was going rather than being obsessed with where it had come from. Successive regimes and managers have been made only too well aware that subsequent generations of Hibernian football fans expect to see football played with style.
Thus when former Famous Five member Eddie Turnbull took the helm he immediately transformed Hibs from 1960s battlers into 1970s stylists. The forward line of Edwards, O’Rourke, Gordon, Cropley and Duncan picked up the mantle of the Famous Five and the addition of footballing defenders like Pat Stanton, John Brownlie and John Blackley created a side that again won admirers well beyond Edinburgh. The trophy cabinet may not have been as well used as in the Famous Five era but the plaudits were rolling in once more.
To this day Hibs are steeped in a desire to play attractive football and the input of modern day players such as Franck Sauzee and Russell Latapy shows that the tradition survives.
Gradually the Irish roots that had distinguished Hibernian became less prominent, moroevoer the club became a key sporting institution in Edinburgh and triumphs in the major Scottish competitions raised their profile in a positive manner.
In the immediate post war era Hibs moved from being ‘also-rans’ in the domestic game to arguably the most fashionable club in Scotland. Key administrators like Harry Swan, Willie McCartney and Hugh Shaw elevated the club to the top table. On the playing field successive sides played an expansive, attractive style of football that captivated the Scottish footballing public. This reached a peak when the Famous Five wooed crowds the length and breadth of the country in the late 1940s and early 1950s with their marvelous skills and total commitment to attacking football.
In truth the Famous Five era changed Hibernian Football club forever. Huge crowds were watching Hibs, particularly in the Edinburgh derbies which lacked the venom of the Glasgow derby between Rangers and Celtic but lacked none of the quality and many would contest displayed far more style. The name Hibernian became no longer synonymous with Irish heritage but more closely allied to football played with excessive flair. Supporters at Easter Road reared on a diet of skilful football had changed their appetite and Hibs had attracted a new audience; one which cared more for where the club was going rather than being obsessed with where it had come from. Successive regimes and managers have been made only too well aware that subsequent generations of Hibernian football fans expect to see football played with style.
Thus when former Famous Five member Eddie Turnbull took the helm he immediately transformed Hibs from 1960s battlers into 1970s stylists. The forward line of Edwards, O’Rourke, Gordon, Cropley and Duncan picked up the mantle of the Famous Five and the addition of footballing defenders like Pat Stanton, John Brownlie and John Blackley created a side that again won admirers well beyond Edinburgh. The trophy cabinet may not have been as well used as in the Famous Five era but the plaudits were rolling in once more.
To this day Hibs are steeped in a desire to play attractive football and the input of modern day players such as Franck Sauzee and Russell Latapy shows that the tradition survives.
HUGH HOWIE (1924 -1958)
The cold statistics show that Hugh Howie played in 139 league matches for Hibs without scoring a single goal. It is, therefore, a surprise to learn that Hugh is remembered for not one, but two goals he scored in his career. One was a legendary Scottish Cup semi-final winner the other was an international debut goal!
Hugh was something of a utility player and far more skilful than many observers realised. He started his football with Hallside Juveniles then moved on to Newton Juniors and it was from there that Hibs signed him in 1943. He played in two league games in the 1942/43 season and throughout the war-time campaigns he made sporadic outings.
The first official season after the cessation of hostilities was the 1946/47 campaign and Hugh Howie played in 29 of Hibs 30 league matches. Starting out an out-and-out right back he ended the season playing either centre-half or right-half. His input was significant and his efforts helped the club reach the Scottish Cup final and the League Cup semi-final.
A tall man (he measured just under the six foot mark) he was a lithe 11st 12lbs and could move with surprising speed. However, there was precious little need for that speed when he scored his famous counter in the March 1947 Scottish Cup semi-final against Motherwell. That goal has become one of the most talked about goals in Hibernian’s rich history.
The 1946/47 season attracted huge crowds as the game returned to normality after the war years. Hibernian battled through to the semi-final stage of the national cup only to come up against a resolute Motherwell. In the era before penalty shoot-outs it was decided to play the game to a finish. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes had elapsed and thus the game went into a ‘golden goal’ period which would not end until one side scored. Ultimately the match lasted an astonishing 142 minutes until Howie scored in spectacular fashion by returning a long punt upfield by the Motherwell goalkeeper Johnston back over his head and into the net.
In September 1948 he was badly injured playing against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and when he was allowed out of hospital the club sent him to Switzerland to recuperate. Given that this was in March 1949 the severity of his injury is clear. But recover he did and he was ever-present in the 1951/52 title winning side, Hugh played a peripheral role in the other two championship winning sides.
Capped once by Scotland, against Wales in the 1948/49 season, he made it a memorable occasion by scoring another unlikely goal. Remarkably although Howie did not feature in the next Scotland game Hibs STILL supplied both full-backs. It was a measure of the strength of pool Hibs had that Jock Govan neatly slipped in to partner Davie Shaw.
After the game Hugh took up journalism and he was occupied in that capacity until he tragically lost his life in a motor accident in January 1958.
Hugh was something of a utility player and far more skilful than many observers realised. He started his football with Hallside Juveniles then moved on to Newton Juniors and it was from there that Hibs signed him in 1943. He played in two league games in the 1942/43 season and throughout the war-time campaigns he made sporadic outings.
The first official season after the cessation of hostilities was the 1946/47 campaign and Hugh Howie played in 29 of Hibs 30 league matches. Starting out an out-and-out right back he ended the season playing either centre-half or right-half. His input was significant and his efforts helped the club reach the Scottish Cup final and the League Cup semi-final.
A tall man (he measured just under the six foot mark) he was a lithe 11st 12lbs and could move with surprising speed. However, there was precious little need for that speed when he scored his famous counter in the March 1947 Scottish Cup semi-final against Motherwell. That goal has become one of the most talked about goals in Hibernian’s rich history.
The 1946/47 season attracted huge crowds as the game returned to normality after the war years. Hibernian battled through to the semi-final stage of the national cup only to come up against a resolute Motherwell. In the era before penalty shoot-outs it was decided to play the game to a finish. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes had elapsed and thus the game went into a ‘golden goal’ period which would not end until one side scored. Ultimately the match lasted an astonishing 142 minutes until Howie scored in spectacular fashion by returning a long punt upfield by the Motherwell goalkeeper Johnston back over his head and into the net.
In September 1948 he was badly injured playing against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and when he was allowed out of hospital the club sent him to Switzerland to recuperate. Given that this was in March 1949 the severity of his injury is clear. But recover he did and he was ever-present in the 1951/52 title winning side, Hugh played a peripheral role in the other two championship winning sides.
Capped once by Scotland, against Wales in the 1948/49 season, he made it a memorable occasion by scoring another unlikely goal. Remarkably although Howie did not feature in the next Scotland game Hibs STILL supplied both full-backs. It was a measure of the strength of pool Hibs had that Jock Govan neatly slipped in to partner Davie Shaw.
After the game Hugh took up journalism and he was occupied in that capacity until he tragically lost his life in a motor accident in January 1958.
HONOURS
Scotland (1)
Scottish League Championship 1948
Scottish Cup final 1947
JOHN HUGHES (1964 -
John Hughes was actually aged 23 when he finally made it into the ranks of professional football, joining Berwick after an abortive spell with Arbroath and having reverted to junior football with Newtongrange Star.
From Berwick Hughes, who was nicknamed ‘Yogi’, moved to Wales with Swansea. Jim Jefferies signed Hughes for Falkirk and the big centre-half never looked back. He won two First Division championships with the Bairns and was a ‘man mountain’ of a captain.
He switched to Celtic in a £250,000 deal. A Leith bred player, John was happy at Celtic but maintains he was delighted when Hibernian stepped in to sign him in October 1996. Quickly made club captain he was the type of ‘hero figure’ that the Hibernian support was able to establish a huge rapport with.
Mind you he had a torrid introduction to life as a Hibee. In his first game Hibs were crushed 2-4 at Kilmarnock and his second game was worse. He was sent off against Hearts in the derby at Tynecastle. Mind you there were many who felt that Hearts’ Stephane Paille conned the referee by diving to the ground.
John helped Hibs battle out of the First Division but as father time crept on was allowed to leave and he swopped the east coast for the west when he elected to join Ayr United. Ironically he was in the Ayr side that dumped Hibs from the League Cup in the 2002 semi-final. From Ayr it was into coaching and he was in charge at Falkirk as they took the Premier Division by storm in 2006 leading his side to famous wins over Celtic and Rangers.
From Berwick Hughes, who was nicknamed ‘Yogi’, moved to Wales with Swansea. Jim Jefferies signed Hughes for Falkirk and the big centre-half never looked back. He won two First Division championships with the Bairns and was a ‘man mountain’ of a captain.
He switched to Celtic in a £250,000 deal. A Leith bred player, John was happy at Celtic but maintains he was delighted when Hibernian stepped in to sign him in October 1996. Quickly made club captain he was the type of ‘hero figure’ that the Hibernian support was able to establish a huge rapport with.
Mind you he had a torrid introduction to life as a Hibee. In his first game Hibs were crushed 2-4 at Kilmarnock and his second game was worse. He was sent off against Hearts in the derby at Tynecastle. Mind you there were many who felt that Hearts’ Stephane Paille conned the referee by diving to the ground.
John helped Hibs battle out of the First Division but as father time crept on was allowed to leave and he swopped the east coast for the west when he elected to join Ayr United. Ironically he was in the Ayr side that dumped Hibs from the League Cup in the 2002 semi-final. From Ayr it was into coaching and he was in charge at Falkirk as they took the Premier Division by storm in 2006 leading his side to famous wins over Celtic and Rangers.
GORDON HUNTER (1967 -