I
INTER CITIES FAIRS CUP
The trophy was devised to provide a competition for those European cities which held a trades fair and to begin with the likes of London put forward a combined team rather than an individual club.
Just as with the European Cup Hibernian were Scotland’s first contestants. And, as with the 1955 European Cup venture, it almost ended in outrageous success. But for a slightly ‘greedy’ attitude Hibs might well have made of with the trophy.
Barcelona presented a formidable challenge at the first hurdle. In the Catalan capital a marvelous 4-4 draw unfolded. That was nothing however compared to one of the most controversial of European nights as Hibs beat Barcelona 3-2 amid chaotic and disgraceful scenes in the second leg.
The competition was so small that this win carried Hibs into the semi-final stage where they played Italian giants Roma. Two high scoring draws ensued (had away goals counted double Hibs would have won through). A play-off was required and Hibs relinquished home advantage. What followed was a 6-0 thrashing.
Hibs were back the very next year. They overcame Beleneses despite failing to win the first leg at home (3-3) but found Red Star Belgrade too hot to handle in the Second Round.
It would be 1965 before Hibs were back in this competition but when they did return they made a good fist of the opportunity. Danish side Copenhagen were dispatched 7-2 on aggregate before Utrecht of the Netherlands fell in the Second Round. This sent Hibs in against Valencia of Spain and a dreadful 5-0 thumping in the first leg ended any dreams of success. A 2-1 win in the Easter Road return was a pyrrhic victory indeed.
The very next season Hibs were back and so too were Valencia and the first round pairing was viewed with trepidation by many of the Hibs faithful. But each side won their home game 2-0 and a third match was required to separate the sides. Valencia won the replay by 3-0
By this stage Hibs were getting a taste for the competition and they made a powerful effort in the 67/68 tournament. Porto were dispatched in the first round and then came arguably Easter Road’s finest European night. Beaten 4-1 in Napes by Napoli nobody, but nobody, gave Hibs and earthly chance in the return at Easter Road. Step forward 11 Hibs heroes and a 5-1 victory. That propelled Hibs into the quarter finals.
Alas lying in wait was one of the strongest sides in Europe in the late 1960s – Don Revie’s all conquering Leeds United. But how Hibs tested them. At Elland Road Hibs lost just 1-0, and despite testing the Yorkshire men to the limit in the return leg a 1-1 draw carried Leeds through.
Joe McBride dominated the 1968/69 attempt at glory. Olympia were defeated in the first round; 3-0 at home and 2-1 away before Hibs beat a competent Lokomotiv Leipzig at the next stage by again wining home and away. Alas West German side Hamburg lay in wait and won on away goals after falling 2-1 at Easter Road.
In 1970/71 another English adventure ended the journey. Malmo and Guimares of Portugal were beaten in the early rounds but Liverpool were too strong in the quarter finals and won both matches against Hibs.
The Fairs Cup was replaced by the UEFA cup in the mid 1970s.
Just as with the European Cup Hibernian were Scotland’s first contestants. And, as with the 1955 European Cup venture, it almost ended in outrageous success. But for a slightly ‘greedy’ attitude Hibs might well have made of with the trophy.
Barcelona presented a formidable challenge at the first hurdle. In the Catalan capital a marvelous 4-4 draw unfolded. That was nothing however compared to one of the most controversial of European nights as Hibs beat Barcelona 3-2 amid chaotic and disgraceful scenes in the second leg.
The competition was so small that this win carried Hibs into the semi-final stage where they played Italian giants Roma. Two high scoring draws ensued (had away goals counted double Hibs would have won through). A play-off was required and Hibs relinquished home advantage. What followed was a 6-0 thrashing.
Hibs were back the very next year. They overcame Beleneses despite failing to win the first leg at home (3-3) but found Red Star Belgrade too hot to handle in the Second Round.
It would be 1965 before Hibs were back in this competition but when they did return they made a good fist of the opportunity. Danish side Copenhagen were dispatched 7-2 on aggregate before Utrecht of the Netherlands fell in the Second Round. This sent Hibs in against Valencia of Spain and a dreadful 5-0 thumping in the first leg ended any dreams of success. A 2-1 win in the Easter Road return was a pyrrhic victory indeed.
The very next season Hibs were back and so too were Valencia and the first round pairing was viewed with trepidation by many of the Hibs faithful. But each side won their home game 2-0 and a third match was required to separate the sides. Valencia won the replay by 3-0
By this stage Hibs were getting a taste for the competition and they made a powerful effort in the 67/68 tournament. Porto were dispatched in the first round and then came arguably Easter Road’s finest European night. Beaten 4-1 in Napes by Napoli nobody, but nobody, gave Hibs and earthly chance in the return at Easter Road. Step forward 11 Hibs heroes and a 5-1 victory. That propelled Hibs into the quarter finals.
Alas lying in wait was one of the strongest sides in Europe in the late 1960s – Don Revie’s all conquering Leeds United. But how Hibs tested them. At Elland Road Hibs lost just 1-0, and despite testing the Yorkshire men to the limit in the return leg a 1-1 draw carried Leeds through.
Joe McBride dominated the 1968/69 attempt at glory. Olympia were defeated in the first round; 3-0 at home and 2-1 away before Hibs beat a competent Lokomotiv Leipzig at the next stage by again wining home and away. Alas West German side Hamburg lay in wait and won on away goals after falling 2-1 at Easter Road.
In 1970/71 another English adventure ended the journey. Malmo and Guimares of Portugal were beaten in the early rounds but Liverpool were too strong in the quarter finals and won both matches against Hibs.
The Fairs Cup was replaced by the UEFA cup in the mid 1970s.
INTER-CITY LEAGUE
A competition devised to engage the best sides in Glasgow and Edinburgh early in the 20th century. A ‘Glasgow only’ version had existed beforehand but the meetings of Celtic, Rangers, Third Lanark and Queen’s Park did not excite and thus Hibs and Hearts were invited to join. However, the competition only ran until 1906 when it disappeared from the football calendar.
In 1902 and 1903 Hearts won this league, but Hibs record was less impressive. Hibs joined the league in 1899 and struggled to make a mark but were capable of beating both member of the Old Firm at home. Ultimately the tournament suffered from unfulfilled fixtures and was withdrawn when the Scottish League in successive seasons increased the number of teams in the top league, thus ending the problem of blank Saturdays.
It is interesting to note that when Hibs beat Queen’s Park 3-2 at Hampden Park in May 1903 that was the last ever match at the Second Hampden Park.
In 1902 and 1903 Hearts won this league, but Hibs record was less impressive. Hibs joined the league in 1899 and struggled to make a mark but were capable of beating both member of the Old Firm at home. Ultimately the tournament suffered from unfulfilled fixtures and was withdrawn when the Scottish League in successive seasons increased the number of teams in the top league, thus ending the problem of blank Saturdays.
It is interesting to note that when Hibs beat Queen’s Park 3-2 at Hampden Park in May 1903 that was the last ever match at the Second Hampden Park.
INTERNATIONALISTS
Hibernian has provided a continual stream of players for the Scottish national side. At one point Hibs even provided both full backs, and when one of those was injured the club were called upon to supply a direct replacement!
Lawrie Reilly remains the most capped Hibernian player and he is also the Hibs player with most international goals. The list below whilst subject to constant additions shows the most significant facts in relation to Easter Road’s capped players. It attempts to list those caps won whilst the player was with Hibernian.
Scotland: John Blackley (7), Des Bremner (1), ‘Pat’ Breslin (1), John Brownlie (7), Scott Brown (1), Gary Caldwell (16), Pat Callaghan (1), John Collins (4), Peter Cormack (4), Bobby Combe (3), Alex Cropley (2), Arthur Duncan (6), Jimmy Dunn (5), Robert Glen (1), Andy Goram (11), Jock Govan (6), John Grant (2), A Gray (1), Willie Groves (1), Willie Hamilton (1), Joe Harper (1), Willie Harper (9), Hugh Howie (1), Darren Jackson (20), Bobby Johnstone (13), John Kennedy (1), Peter Kerr (1), Jim Leighton (23), James Lundie (1), William McCartney (1), James McGhee (1), James McLaren (1), Johnny MacLeod (4), Murdo MacLeod (3), James Main (1), Neil Martin (2), Ian Murray (3), Pat Murray (2), Robert Neil (1), Garry O’Connor (7), John O’Neil (1), Willie Ormond (6), Lawrie Reilly (38), Harry Rennie (11), Derek Riordan (1), Henry Ritchie (2), Willie Robb (1), Alan Rough (2), Erich Schaedler (1), Jim Scott (1), Davie Shaw (8), Gordon Smith (18), Pat Stanton (16), George Stewart (4), Eddie Turnbull (9), Duncan Urquhart (1), Keith Wright (1), Tommy Younger (8)
England: Joe Baker (5)
Northern Ireland: W Gowdy (1), P Farrell (1), J Jones (4), Michael O’Neil (7), John Parke (2), Ivan Sproule (5)
Wales: Bobby Atherton (5)
Republic of Ireland: Michael Gallagher (1)
Several Hibernian players have represented overseas countries whilst on the Easter Road payroll. The counting of overseas caps is not an exact science but the list below at least lists the bulk of players to be capped whilst at Hibs.
Ecuador Ulises De La Cruz
Austria Alen Orman
Canada Paul Fenwick
Trinidad and Tobago Russell Latapy
Finland Mixu Paatelainen
Scottish League caps
John Blackley (1), Des Bremner (1), Pat Breslin (4), John Brownlie (1), Pat Callaghan (2), Bobby Combe (3), Peter Cormack (6), Johnny Cuthbertson (1), Arthur Duncan (3), Jimmy Dunn (1), Robert Glen (1), Jock Govan (2), Johnny Graham (2), John Grant (6), Jock Gray (1), Willie Hamilton (1), Willie Harper (3), Bobby Johnstone (6), John Kennedy (1), Peter Kerr (2), Alex Linwood (1), Tom McFarlane (1), William McGinnigle (1), James Main (1), Neil Martin (2), Willie McCartney (2), Ally MacLeod (1), Johnny McLeod (1), Jackie McNamara (1), Pat Murray (1), Robert Neil (1), Willie Ormond (10), John Paterson (1), Alex Raisbeck (2), Harry Rennie (5), Lawrie Reilly (13), Henry Ritchie (5), Davie Shaw (3), Gordon Smith (10), George Stewart (2), Pat Stanton (7), Eric Stevenson (1), Eddie Turnbull (4), ‘Ginger’ Watson (1), Tommy Younger (4)
Scotland under-23 caps:
John Baxter (1), John Blackley (4), Des Bremner (3), John Brownlie (2), Peter Cormack (6), Alex Cropley (3), Arthur Duncan (1), John Easton (1), Jim Harrower (1), Neil Martin (1), Peter Marinello (2), Johnny MacLeod (2), Bobby Nicol (2), John Plenderleith (5), Pat Stanton (3), Colin Stein (1)
England Under-23 caps:
Joe Baker (5)
Scotland Under-21 caps:
Ally Brazil (1), Grant Brebner (1), Alastair Brown (1), Scott Brown (8), John Collins (8), Darren Dods (5), Graeme Donald (3), Billy Findlay (5), Steven Fletcher (2), Jason Gardiner (1), Kevin Harper (7), Gordon Hunter (3), Graeme Love (1), Ally MacLeod (3), Tom McManus (14), Eddie May (2), Kenny Miller (7), Willie Miller (7), Lindsay Muir (1), Ian Murray (15), Garry O’Connor (8), Craig Paterson (2), Chris Reid (3), Derek Riordan (5), Pat Stanton (1), Kevin Thomson (4), Joe Tortolano (2), Steven Tweed (3), Steven Whittaker (16)
Scotland ‘B’ caps:
Tommy McDonald, John Mulkerrin and Eddie Turnbull (each 1)
War-time internationalists:
International football was particularly badly disrupted during the war years, but for reasons of morale the annual England v Scotland match continued. Hibs had several players capped in this period, it should be noted that some of those players were merely on loan to Hibs at the time:-
Bobby Baxter (2 caps), Tommy Bogan (1), Matt Busby (2), Jimmy Caskie (5), Sammy Kean (1), Arthur Milne (1), Davie Shaw (2), Gordon Smith (2).
Tommy Bogan’s was the most tragic international career. Noted for his speed he was selected to play against England in 1945 but in a first minute attack tangled with the English ‘keeper Swift and was carried off with a bad knee injury. He left Hibs in 1946 and could only watch as the club dominated post-war Scottish football with Rangers.
Into a similar category as the war-time players falls Tommy McIntyre who toured America and Canada with a Scottish FA team in 1939.
Captains:
Eddie Turnbull captained Scotland during the World Cup finals in Sweden in 1958.
Managers:
Hibernian managers have gone on to lead the national side: Jock Stein (1965 and 1978-1985), and Alex McLeish are the most recent examples.
Lawrie Reilly remains the most capped Hibernian player and he is also the Hibs player with most international goals. The list below whilst subject to constant additions shows the most significant facts in relation to Easter Road’s capped players. It attempts to list those caps won whilst the player was with Hibernian.
Scotland: John Blackley (7), Des Bremner (1), ‘Pat’ Breslin (1), John Brownlie (7), Scott Brown (1), Gary Caldwell (16), Pat Callaghan (1), John Collins (4), Peter Cormack (4), Bobby Combe (3), Alex Cropley (2), Arthur Duncan (6), Jimmy Dunn (5), Robert Glen (1), Andy Goram (11), Jock Govan (6), John Grant (2), A Gray (1), Willie Groves (1), Willie Hamilton (1), Joe Harper (1), Willie Harper (9), Hugh Howie (1), Darren Jackson (20), Bobby Johnstone (13), John Kennedy (1), Peter Kerr (1), Jim Leighton (23), James Lundie (1), William McCartney (1), James McGhee (1), James McLaren (1), Johnny MacLeod (4), Murdo MacLeod (3), James Main (1), Neil Martin (2), Ian Murray (3), Pat Murray (2), Robert Neil (1), Garry O’Connor (7), John O’Neil (1), Willie Ormond (6), Lawrie Reilly (38), Harry Rennie (11), Derek Riordan (1), Henry Ritchie (2), Willie Robb (1), Alan Rough (2), Erich Schaedler (1), Jim Scott (1), Davie Shaw (8), Gordon Smith (18), Pat Stanton (16), George Stewart (4), Eddie Turnbull (9), Duncan Urquhart (1), Keith Wright (1), Tommy Younger (8)
England: Joe Baker (5)
Northern Ireland: W Gowdy (1), P Farrell (1), J Jones (4), Michael O’Neil (7), John Parke (2), Ivan Sproule (5)
Wales: Bobby Atherton (5)
Republic of Ireland: Michael Gallagher (1)
Several Hibernian players have represented overseas countries whilst on the Easter Road payroll. The counting of overseas caps is not an exact science but the list below at least lists the bulk of players to be capped whilst at Hibs.
Ecuador Ulises De La Cruz
Austria Alen Orman
Canada Paul Fenwick
Trinidad and Tobago Russell Latapy
Finland Mixu Paatelainen
Scottish League caps
John Blackley (1), Des Bremner (1), Pat Breslin (4), John Brownlie (1), Pat Callaghan (2), Bobby Combe (3), Peter Cormack (6), Johnny Cuthbertson (1), Arthur Duncan (3), Jimmy Dunn (1), Robert Glen (1), Jock Govan (2), Johnny Graham (2), John Grant (6), Jock Gray (1), Willie Hamilton (1), Willie Harper (3), Bobby Johnstone (6), John Kennedy (1), Peter Kerr (2), Alex Linwood (1), Tom McFarlane (1), William McGinnigle (1), James Main (1), Neil Martin (2), Willie McCartney (2), Ally MacLeod (1), Johnny McLeod (1), Jackie McNamara (1), Pat Murray (1), Robert Neil (1), Willie Ormond (10), John Paterson (1), Alex Raisbeck (2), Harry Rennie (5), Lawrie Reilly (13), Henry Ritchie (5), Davie Shaw (3), Gordon Smith (10), George Stewart (2), Pat Stanton (7), Eric Stevenson (1), Eddie Turnbull (4), ‘Ginger’ Watson (1), Tommy Younger (4)
Scotland under-23 caps:
John Baxter (1), John Blackley (4), Des Bremner (3), John Brownlie (2), Peter Cormack (6), Alex Cropley (3), Arthur Duncan (1), John Easton (1), Jim Harrower (1), Neil Martin (1), Peter Marinello (2), Johnny MacLeod (2), Bobby Nicol (2), John Plenderleith (5), Pat Stanton (3), Colin Stein (1)
England Under-23 caps:
Joe Baker (5)
Scotland Under-21 caps:
Ally Brazil (1), Grant Brebner (1), Alastair Brown (1), Scott Brown (8), John Collins (8), Darren Dods (5), Graeme Donald (3), Billy Findlay (5), Steven Fletcher (2), Jason Gardiner (1), Kevin Harper (7), Gordon Hunter (3), Graeme Love (1), Ally MacLeod (3), Tom McManus (14), Eddie May (2), Kenny Miller (7), Willie Miller (7), Lindsay Muir (1), Ian Murray (15), Garry O’Connor (8), Craig Paterson (2), Chris Reid (3), Derek Riordan (5), Pat Stanton (1), Kevin Thomson (4), Joe Tortolano (2), Steven Tweed (3), Steven Whittaker (16)
Scotland ‘B’ caps:
Tommy McDonald, John Mulkerrin and Eddie Turnbull (each 1)
War-time internationalists:
International football was particularly badly disrupted during the war years, but for reasons of morale the annual England v Scotland match continued. Hibs had several players capped in this period, it should be noted that some of those players were merely on loan to Hibs at the time:-
Bobby Baxter (2 caps), Tommy Bogan (1), Matt Busby (2), Jimmy Caskie (5), Sammy Kean (1), Arthur Milne (1), Davie Shaw (2), Gordon Smith (2).
Tommy Bogan’s was the most tragic international career. Noted for his speed he was selected to play against England in 1945 but in a first minute attack tangled with the English ‘keeper Swift and was carried off with a bad knee injury. He left Hibs in 1946 and could only watch as the club dominated post-war Scottish football with Rangers.
Into a similar category as the war-time players falls Tommy McIntyre who toured America and Canada with a Scottish FA team in 1939.
Captains:
Eddie Turnbull captained Scotland during the World Cup finals in Sweden in 1958.
Managers:
Hibernian managers have gone on to lead the national side: Jock Stein (1965 and 1978-1985), and Alex McLeish are the most recent examples.
INTERTOTO CUP
This summer tournament was initially confined to mainland Europe. It came into being in 1961 and had the useful benefit of helping generate funds for clubs during the summer shut-down; it was open only to those sides which hadn’t qualified for mainstream European competitions.
In short it was a very low-key affair. However, in 1996 UEFA revamped the competition with a view to the winners qualifying for the UEFA Cup. By 1998 the Intertoto Cup offered six places in the UEFA Cup. It had moved from facilitating the gambling world to mainstream UEFA competition.
Hibs competed at the start of the 2004/05 season against FK Vetra of Lithuania.
In July 2006 Hibs were back in the Intertoto cup and this time they entered at the second round stage. They made short shrift of their Latvian opponents Dinaburg, indeed Hibernian killed the tie off by winning 5-0 at home thanks to goals by Killen, Brown, Fletcher, Sproule and Murphy. A healthy crowd of 11,753 watched the game. Amazingly only 350 turned up for the second leg which Hibs won 3-0. Round Three pitched Hibs in against Danish side OB Odense. Beaten 1-0 away Hibs could not turn the tie around at home and although they won 2-1 the away goal by the Danish side was sufficient to clinch victory.
In short it was a very low-key affair. However, in 1996 UEFA revamped the competition with a view to the winners qualifying for the UEFA Cup. By 1998 the Intertoto Cup offered six places in the UEFA Cup. It had moved from facilitating the gambling world to mainstream UEFA competition.
Hibs competed at the start of the 2004/05 season against FK Vetra of Lithuania.
In July 2006 Hibs were back in the Intertoto cup and this time they entered at the second round stage. They made short shrift of their Latvian opponents Dinaburg, indeed Hibernian killed the tie off by winning 5-0 at home thanks to goals by Killen, Brown, Fletcher, Sproule and Murphy. A healthy crowd of 11,753 watched the game. Amazingly only 350 turned up for the second leg which Hibs won 3-0. Round Three pitched Hibs in against Danish side OB Odense. Beaten 1-0 away Hibs could not turn the tie around at home and although they won 2-1 the away goal by the Danish side was sufficient to clinch victory.
WILLIE IRVINE (1956 -
Best known for the striking partnership he forged with Steve Cowan, Irvine was a quick striker whose approach to the game was pretty direct.
Willie began his senior career with Celtic, signing for Jock Stein’s club in 1973 as a 16-year-old. Competition was inevitably keen at Parkhead and he was freed in 1977 having failed to reach the first team.
He then went from junior football to Alloa Athletic; bagged 29 goals in a season and in 1979 Motherwell snapped him up for £25,000. In the Steelmen’s promotion winning team of 1981/82 he was top scorer with 21 goals. However, like manager Davie Hay, he was to leave in the shadow of that triumph, electing to move to Hibernian.
Whilst at Hibs he was the second-top scorer in the Premier League during the 83/84 campaign. Such was his prowess that it was suggested the club rejected a
Willie began his senior career with Celtic, signing for Jock Stein’s club in 1973 as a 16-year-old. Competition was inevitably keen at Parkhead and he was freed in 1977 having failed to reach the first team.
He then went from junior football to Alloa Athletic; bagged 29 goals in a season and in 1979 Motherwell snapped him up for £25,000. In the Steelmen’s promotion winning team of 1981/82 he was top scorer with 21 goals. However, like manager Davie Hay, he was to leave in the shadow of that triumph, electing to move to Hibernian.
Whilst at Hibs he was the second-top scorer in the Premier League during the 83/84 campaign. Such was his prowess that it was suggested the club rejected a