In the last issue I asked you to name the 2nd ground in Britain to stage an official European competition game, the answer is Partick Thistle’s ground, Firhill.

 In 1956, Aberdeen was Scottish champions, but like English counterparts Chelsea, they ignored the offer. So the forward thinking Hibs were in by default. In the first round they met West German champions Rot Weiss Essen. Hibs won 4-0 in Essen and the return tie in Scotland ended in a 1-1 draw.  Eddie Turnbull, later to manage one of the best Hibs sides of all time recalls: “That’s where I became the first British player to score in Europe. We gassed Rot-Weiss 4-0 although they were not a bad team, with quite a few of the World-Cup winning team of 1954 on their side.” In the quarterfinals Hibs met Djurgaarden, winning 3–1 at home and scoring the only goal ‘away’. The Scandinavian team’s pitch was frozen so they played their home match at Firhill in Glasgow. The night of Hibs’ win Celtic was playing across the city and the Parkhead programme notes stated: “Already interest in these floodlit evening games is on the wane.” 

45,000 spectators attended the second leg against Reims at Easter Road. Sadly a Reims side inspired by the great French footballer Raymond Kopa defeated Hibs. Kopa in fact, known as ‘the Little General’, was recently voted the third greatest French player behind Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, dictated both games. Reims was then beaten by Real Madrid in the final. For the full article use this link  http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0043/page01.shtml 

I was lucky enough to be at the 3 games at ER and 2 years later when I lived in Glasgow took great delight in showing my pals Raymond Kopa’s autograph. (Where do these things go? Didn’t know about ebay coming 4 decades later!) The early days of European Competition were exciting occasions. Rangers were knocked out in 56/57 against Nice, having to play a third game at a neutral venue to get a result. No away goals or penalties in these days. The next season I was at Tynecastle to watch Hearts get put out in the first round against Standard Liege. And yes, I cheered on Hearts that night as I did with Rangers the previous year, that’s what you did then. We also changed ends at half time to get behind the foreigner’s goals!  It was the 62/63 season that Gordon Smith played in the semi final for Dundee, winning 1-0 at home, but losing out on aggregate to AC Milan.    

From The Harbour City

The season has just ground to a shuddering halt with a no-nonsense loss to Motherwell at home but (maybe I’m incurable) I have a sense of optimism for next season (all of about 4 weeks away!) 

(I’m with you I can’t wait for next season I always live in hope for the Hibees ED) 

Putting this season into perspective I think you have to say we did well challenging for third place right until the last couple of weeks. Especially when you think of what that blaggard (a word you don’t see much of these days huh?) Collins did to us at the crucial mid-season stage. Had we failed to make the top 6 I’m sure we’d all be blaming it on Collins and feeling justified for doing so. The fact that Mixu took over a despondent, disconsolate, dysfunctional and disappointing side (just felt like a bit of alliteration) and managed to instil a sense of pride and a competitive spirit was nothing short of a miracle. Especially when you look at some of the players he had to work with – eg Kerr? Why is he there? Just – why? 

The intertattie cup is a great way to warm up to the season, especially with a UEFA cup spot as a bonus. The game against Barca will be huge – even if it is just a friendly and some of the big names missing. Watching Barca this year in the CL I was always amazed at their level of fitness. Against Celtic they were still running at full speed in the 90^th minute – even when they were winning. Truly awesome stuff and a great benchmark for young Hibs players to measure themselves against. 

All up I’m looking forward to next season and to see what Mixu can do over a full season. As I’ve said before – being a Hibee is more about anticipation than celebration – I just love the start to a new season (thinking about it I probably am an incurable optimist….) 

GGTTH 

Brendan Rogan 

NZ Hibs End of Season Bash

What: NZ Hibees End of Season Bash and CIS League Final DVD viewing
Where: Downstairs Bar of the Four Kings (cnr Taranaki & Manners St WGN) - Booth has been reserved for us.
When: Friday 30th May - 7pm
Who: Any local Hibbies that fancy catching up

HWG! 04/08

DO THE PLAYERS REALLY WANT 3RD SPOT
AND UEFA CUP QUALIFICATION?
Its bad enough getting beat, its even
worse playing crap and getting beat but
when the team shoots itself in the foot like
it did against Dundee Utd and Aberdeen it
really pisses me off.
We had a glorious chance to take 3rd spot
knowing as we did the Motherwell V Dun
Utd result only to blow it because of Hibs
handed 2 goals to Aberdeen on a plate.
Even then in my Hibby optimism I thought
we could at least pull a goal back.
There was a lot of discussion in the
various chat rooms about the merits of Ref
Stuart Dougal BUT I firmly put the blame
on the 2 players sent off. I feel they badly
let the team and supporters who pay
through the nose to put up with this shit ,
down.
As far as I am concerned Gatheussi should
never wear the Hibs green again. If Big
Mixu did have a word with him after the
Arabs game then he obviously did not
listen.
I’m a bit more lenient towards Nish as he
is a far better player but he still has a
tendency to fall foul of the refs.
Hibs pathetic performance against
Motherwell in the last game while not
totally unexpected was a real pisser. The
reckoning is it cost the club 150,000
pounds by dropping down from 4th to 6th
spot.
I seem to remember the same feeling last
year.
The clear out has started at ER but I
reckon big Mixu is getting rid of the wrong
players. I thought there were high hopes
for the youngsters Keegan Ayre and
Dermot McCaffrey. No arguments here
about Noubisse, Zurabi, Curier. But we
just need to add O’Brien, Gatheussi, Kerr
and Morais to the list.
Looks like we could be losing Boozy to the
championship league, Coventry are said to
be interested in him.
Mowbray wanted to take him to WBA in
January but I doubt if he would want him
now, I don’t think he is Premier league
standard. I don’t think he has been the
same player for the last couple of years,
plus he seems injury prone to me.
We have signed David Van Zanten from St
Mirren, looked at Joe Dunbar a junior
player from Newtongrange, and have first
dibs on Fabien Yantorno from Gretna. So
some big name there…..

Dear Mr. The Editor,

It was good as always to receive my copy
of HWG! this month.
It was very disappointing that Mr Stanton
was unable to come out to Australia, but
these things happen.
Trying to think of another legend to invite
that people agree on will be very difficult,
as Peter mentioned in HWG!
Just what makes a legend is something
different to every Hibs supporter.
Peter mentioned that the young fans might
regard Franck Sauzee as a legend. Well
as one of the younger fans (compared to
Peter, Fred, Tom et al!)
I’d suggest Franck Sauzee was a cult
figure rather than a legend. He didn’t
actually win anything with Hibs (except
promotion from Div 1), and didn’t gain any
caps while at Hibs.
Yes he was a standout in the team he
played in, but remember a lot of the dross
that was around then. (Yes Latapy, Mixu
Zitelle ED) He also conducted himself very
well in public and the time I chatted with
him as we watched Hibs play East Fife, he
was very open and humble, and even put
up with my shocking French.
But is he up there with Mr O’ Rourke and
Mr Stanton?
I think unfortunately times have changed
as Peter pointed
out, in that players
do not stay with a team
like Hibs long enough
to be afforded legend
status, so we have to
look to history, and sadly many of the true
legends are no longer with us, or possibly
too old to travel.
Names like Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull
seem most readily to fit the bill, however I
don’t think they’d make it.
There are of course the Alex’s Cropley and
Edwards, but legends? Keith Wright?
Jimmi Boco? Tough call.
I’d like to suggest one player who’s career
spanned the Tornados, into more modern
times, and was part of some of Hibs
legendary successes and big matches.
Arthur Duncan played 610 times for Hibs
between 1969 and 1984 (Peter’s 30th and
45th birthdays coincidentally), played in
the league Cup winning team, 6 Scotland
caps, scored 110 Hibs goals and scored
the winning goal in the 1979 Scottish Cup
Final.
Also if he moves to New Zealand, it would
be a whole lot cheaper! But as I said,
everyone will have a different idea.
If anyone suggests
Gordon Durie though,
I’ll find where you live!!
I would also like to point
out that the number of
spelling mistakes and
grammatical errors in
the most recent issues of HWG! has been
atrocious. It hus almost sank to the heights
of jamboness wrighting. I would like to
suggest that the committee consider
investing some of the left over Legends
money to buy Peter a dictionary
Also the teams John Linn and I play for
have been drawn together in the same
division this year, so if anyone wants him
kicked drop me a line.
yours
Outraged of Ormond.

Just returned from 5
weeks in Leith.
Thanks for your monthly input in HWG.
My Hibs tour only managed 3 matches this
time. The first Saturday was very bad
planning, no game!
In Dundee met up with mates from The
Windsor in Leith Walk for the United (game?).
Was disgusted and least said there the better.
Gladly I missed the Aberdeen implosion
visiting grandchildren in Linlithgow, a more
rewarding experience.
The following Sunday I was in Glasgow and
joined the sea of light blue on the M8 heading
for the Rangers game, heaven on a stick, Hibs
playing exciting stuff and me standing in the
east stand listening to fans giving the players
pelters. If what they say is true BF and KT
have a very bad habit and shall be blind in no
time. There is no doubting the chants directed
at Darcheville …. you’re just a fat
Eddie Murphy, fat Eddy Mu……… are true!
My last Wednesday found me at Easter Road
watching the U/19’s beat Hearts 3-2 in the East
of Scotland Shield. Met an old schoolmate
from the fifties, JimWelsh, he seems to know
a few lads in the club out here.
The day before returning there was a major
rearranged family function in Dundee, the
afternoon of the Celtic game. There was I
wearing my colours, (dressed up totally in
black!) in a public bar in Craigie leaving all in
no doubt that WE were the first to wear the
green and that I was more bigoted than anyone
there, “I don’t even like Forfar”!
Peter, You asked about my lack of contribution
to the Scotsman of late. Got fed up with same,
same nature of the Scatsmon site, if you don’t
get in, in the first 3 or so common sense gets
lost. Having said that in quiet moments I may
have a wee dig or stir! The paper is crap and
this was confirmed in my recent visit. If I want
the sensationalist side I’ll read the likes of the
Scotsman, Record, etc., for a more level view
of Scottish football I look for The Times and
the Glasgow Herald albeit the ‘west’ bias does
poke through in the Herald and, for what is
happening with your team over here, meet up
with the lads when the match is on Setanta
occasionally, too occasionally.
Regarding the “legend” tour.
There is something else to be taken into
account, whether they are
able to take on, or suitable in, the role as guest
and speaker?
I know of one member of the 7-0 team that
can’t even remember when and where he
scored certain goals!
Another member has been embarrassing the
club and himself in more ways than one in the
ex-players box of the Famous Five stand.
Sad as it may be, I think the correct decision
was made at the correct time regarding Paddy
coming out.
Also it would help the situation maybe if the
“legend” reference was quietly dropped.
Does it have to be an ex player anyway? There
are celebrity Hibs supporters and Hibs
supporting sports writers. The pulling power
should not be sacrificed for obvious reasons.
With all due respect would Alex Cropley,
Arthur Duncan or Alan Gordon have the same
pulling power as Paddy? Invite Sauzee, he may
have a more international pulling power, but
please drop the “legend” in his case definitely!!
The 2-year cycle is sensible and, judging by
the reaction to the last event at the Joondalup,
would be well supported by wives and non
Hibs fans alike. A scaled down version could
be organised by sourcing local identities
willing to talk Hibs in alternate years.
Reg Reid
gg2th

1st UKFest Football Supporters
Club (Australia) Penalty Shootout
Competition.
As part of UK Fest to be staged at
Peninsula Community Theatre in
Mornington, Victoria on Queens
Birthday Eve (Sunday June we are
proud to be staging in association
with World of Soccer the 1st UKFest
Football Supporters Club (Australia)
Penalty Shootout Competition.
We are sending out Official
Notification to the following Australian
based Football Supporters Clubs
(that we are aware of) to take part in
this Competition.
Arsenal, Cardiff City, Celtic, Chelsea,
Everton, Hearts, Hibernian, Liverpool,
Manchester United, Newcastle
United, Rangers, Spurs, Tartan Army,
West Ham.
You need 5 players to take 1 penalty
kick each.
The Goal will have holes with every
successful goal scoring points.
The Team with the most points is
declared the winner and will take out
the Trophy plus Free Beer and some
other prizes.
We want UK Fest to be a huge
success for all ex pat Brits so we
welcome you coming down on the
day in your football tops, we even
have a huge mesh fence to display
Football Union Jack Banners. (Why
would we want that?)
Anyone interested contact John Linn.

From the President

Hello Fellow Hibees,   

Well with the season nearly over it is a case of “oh near but yet so far” for us Hibs fans downunder. With missing out to direct qualification to the UEFA Cup we have the pleasure of competing in the inter tattie cup to look forward to. If only we hadn’t of gave away those silly penalties against the Arabs and Sheepshaggers we could have been playing Motherwell at Easter Road in front of a full house to finish third with results going as they’ve gone!! 

Well all the transfer rumours and gossip likely to link various players to Hibs is up and running already, we wait with anticipation to see who Mixu feels will better the squad and make a difference. If we use the inter tattie cup as a positive pre season then here’s hoping we can go further than previously and claim a UEFA place?? Anyway we’ll see what happens not forgetting the new training facilities that may help entice new players and contribute to greater fitness levels for next season. 

Please send any news or stories as we maintain HWG through the close season, surely someone out there wishes to speak out regarding the past season’s display?  Look forward to hearing from you.   

  Please drop me a line if you wish to discuss anything at hibs@iprimus.com.au 

  Regards 

John Linn 

Here We Go - Nov 2007

I write this message after
enjoying another memorable OZ
Hibs night of entertainment at
Moonee Valley Racetrack in
Melbourne, this was the auction
night organised to raise funds for
the visit of Pat Stanton and his
wife in 2009.A terrific night of
Hibernian hospitality with friends
and family where over sixty
people put their hand in there
pocket on numerous occasions.
At this moment in time I am
informed that the branch has
raised over $3000.00 with
additional funds still to come. A
big thankyou to Fred Legget and
Family, Peter & Wilma Hart for
helping organise this special
night as all the hard work
certainly paid off. A special
mention and thanks to John
‘Shocker’ Myles for a excellent
night of entertainment as MC
and our steadfast auctioneer. I
would also like to acknowledge
the support from Simon Morris
who made the trip over the
Tasman from New Zealand -
Well-done Simon!! Also not
forgetting those Hibees, Friends
and well-wishers who kindly
donated the items for
auction, helped in numerous
roles and those that put there
hand in there pocket - Thank
you very much. Last but not
least thanks to David O’Conner
from DOC Academy for coming
along and sponsoring the
evening - Cheers David.
On a different note Geoff Smith
has gladly agreed to assist me in
Victoria as the new state rep,
this will help the branch and it’s
Vic members informed on all levels of communication. Geoff
will bring a wealth of knowledge
and wit to the roll as previously
being the editor of ‘Here We Go’ will no doubt help the transition!!
Well with away trips to Aberdeen,
Inverness, Parkhead and
Kilmarnock in the month of
December we certainately have our
work cut out, having Benji and
Boozy back will help the squad
over a potentially dangerous
festive period. Personally I am
looking forward to watching the
games on Setanta and Hibernian
interactive as Hibs are continuing
to play some good football (here’s
hoping)
On a personal note the trip with
DOC Academy has been postponed
until mid next year where we will
visit Easter Road, hopefully the
kids might see some sunshine -
aye right!!!!
Well to all Hibees wherever you are
I’d like to wish you and your
families a Merry Christmas and a
safe and Happy New Year, thanks
for supporting the branch in 2007.
Enjoy this month’s HWG and please drop
me a line if you wish to discuss anything
at hibs@iprimus.com.au
Regards
John Linn
Sponsorships are still available, and
come in the form of SILVER $200,
GOLD $400 and PLATINUM $1000.
(Note that Gold and Platinum
sponsorships guarantee you two tickets
to one of Pat’s functions.)
If you are interested in signing up for a
sponsorship package, or want more
details, contact Fred Legget at
forza@unwired.com.au

PAT STANTON SPONSORSHIPS

Sponsorships are still available, and
come in the form of SILVER $200,
GOLD $400 and PLATINUM $1000.
(Note that Gold and Platinum
sponsorships guarantee you two tickets
to one of Pat’s functions.)
If you are interested in signing up for a
sponsorship package, or want more
details, contact Fred Legget at
forza@unwired.com.au
I’m sure that one day I will visit
Melbourne and on the flight back to
Sydney I WON’T be nursing a
hangover of epidemic proportions.
One day, no doubt, but perhaps not in
*this* lifetime.
The auction night at Moonee Valley
appeared to be a superb success on a
number of fronts, not the least of which
was again getting to catch up with
some of the old faces that have now
been part of the Australia branch for
what seems like half a lifetime, and in
reality probably is.
Much beer was of course drunk
(again), a few songs were sung, and
quite a number of people went home
with ‘trophies’ from the night.
If they had to carry extra weight as a
result of carrying this picture
frame or that football strip, at least that
would have been offset to a
degree by their wallets being a wee bit
lighter…8-)
The not so sexy follow up of bids, i.e.
actually getting all the money in that
was bid from throughout the world
continues, as does the logistical (and
cost) headache of actually posting

many queer shaped articles to all over
the place , but safe to say, over $3000
PROFIT was made as a result of this
venture.
Just for the record, there obviously
were a couple of items that we knew
we would NOT make any money on -
but we felt we just HAD to include
them to make the night a memorable
one not only for the ‘die hard Hibbies’
who attended, and would possibly have
been happy bidding for a pair of
Gareth Evan’s used jockstraps from
1994, but also something that would
appeal to the people who continue to
come along and support our functions
who may not even know WHAT the
Four In Hand is, never mind WHERE
it is.
Hence the framed Hibs strip I can
reveal cost us about $550 to put
together, and the Gold Coast Holiday
about a grand. Alex Brodie snapped up
the framed strip for $500, and we
recovered $800 for the Gold Coast
weekend, so we weren’t burned by any
means.
They were if you like, ‘loss leaders”,
but ones that we considered
absolutely necessary, if the night was
to be a success, and would be viewed
by the attendees as being something
that they would attend again sometime
as opposed to forming the view that it
was some kind of self indulgent
‘jumble sale’.
My statement on the night in the pub
afterwards was simply…”we should
have done this much earlier in the
branch’s existence”…. but hey…. better
late than never I suppose.
Anyway.. a profit of over $3000
where everybody had a good
time and left singing, seems a bloody
good result, especially when our early
projections were based on a possible
figure of around $1200.
Lessons were learned too, and next
time I think it is safe to say that we would do it slightly differently, but
only slightly.
The success was such that I think its
safe to say that it is likely to become an
annual event,
Although obviously we can’t keep
asking the same people every year for
donations.

The prices that some of the items went
for were interesting, with the signed
John Robertson strip going for $430
and Craig Gordon’s gloves fetching
$275, The Proclaimers returning
$200,and the Hibs v Barcelona
programme snapped up for $80.
Lowest return for any of the
catalogued items was still a healthy
$40 for a pair of Holden Racing Team
hats.
Thanks to everyone who donated,
assisted, bid or attended, you made the
venture an amazing success.
Fred Legget

I would like to welcome Chris Ward to the branch. Chris lives in Belair, Adelaide. So I asked Chris to
tell us a little bit about himself.
Hi Peter,
Well I’ve just returned from living in Edinburgh for 20 months. Had an amazing time. Went to numerous Hibs
games including the CIS cup final.
I have brought my Scottish girlfriend back to Australia with me & at this stage we will be returning to
Edinburgh in 12 months from now.
How’s this, I was working for Ferrari in Fort Kinnaird for approx 8 months. My last day was the Friday before
the CIS cup final. I received numerous hibs gifts. Was funny because I pulled a hibs jersey out of one of the
gift bags, the top had my name on the back. I thanked everyone & put it back in the bag. Everyone looked
stunned. I didn’t understand why. However I pulled the top back out the bag & turned it over & to my surprise
it was personally signed by the entire cup squad, & as you know they went on to win on the Sunday. Was
incredible.
My mates in the framing game so I’m currently in the process of getting it framed.
Carn the cabbage!!

As has been said by better people
than myself Moonee Valley was
another great night.
I just want to thank everyone who
turned up on the night especially Doug
Grassick and Ian Carmichael who
brought large groups this enables us to
have a private
room.
It was also good to catch up with the
usual suspects, Shane, Tom, David &
Susan and John Linn. I don’t miss
much about Melbourne but I do miss
you guys.
Shocker worked the room well! despite
the constant harness races and being
told by me to try and hurry up. As usual Shocker brought his own brand
of humour to the evening.
Also thanks must go to Simon Morris
who was once again our furthest
visitor your wife must be very
understanding.
While not travelling as far but it still a
hell of a long way to come for a drink,
thanks to Fred and Marilyn and
Andrew Legget.
Anyone with an email address if you let
me know, I will send HWG! Via email
You will receive it quicker and the
photos are in colour photocopy it.
Let me know a bit about yourself,
got an opinion, drop me a line and I
will put it in HWG!
Glory, Glory to the Hibees.
Peter Hart

Rangers v Hibs - On the telly

The Rangers v Hibs game will be shown by Setanta this Saturday - midnight KO.

The Melbourne branch of the AHSC will be watching the game at the Charles Dickens bar in the Melbourne CBD.

Any questions or to confirm your attendance - please reply to the oz-hibs mailing list

Here We Go - Aug 07

It was a great start to the season beating the jambos at Tynie. Contrary to the usual cliché its more than just 3 points…it gives the fans bragging rights and made going to work just a wee bit more enjoyable next day 

The fact that it was Hibs Birthday, Hibs were founded on the 6^th of August 132 years ago made it all the more enjoyable as if we need any reason to celebrate beating herts.

Blobby Williamson must be turning over in his grave (at least he would if he was dead)

“If you want entertainment go to the movies… “

You would be hard beat to Easter Road for entertainment so far this season great if you were a neutral. BUT do they have to give the away team to 2-goal start not good for the old ticker.? I’m a bit worried about our new keeper “Kalamity” it was not just the Aberdeen game he has not looked to hot against the “Arabs” and Queens Park.

It seems we are in for another nerve-wracking season where we have to score at least 3 goals at home just to ensure we will not get beat.

It could be worse we could be jambos “spit!” lots of disarray at Tynie and long may it last.

SEE YOU JIMMY!

Fred Legget takes a whimsical look at some of the colourful individuals who make up the equally colourful Australia Branch.

Alex Brodie

“Its 20 years ago today…” so the opening line of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart club band goes, and it was 20 years ago in 1987 that a 20 something Alex Brodie left Edinburgh for a new life in Australia. Alex, a then fireman who supplemented his income as a part time bouncer in Edinburgh’s famous Rose Street met an Australian nurse, and the ultimate result was that wedding bells would chime and a new member of the Oz branch was on his way.

He settled in Perth, a couple of kids followed, followed by a divorce, then marriage number 2, followed by divorce number 2, so I’m not sure if ’settled’ is the appropriate term to use in Alex’s case.

In fact Alex’s life these past few years appears to be anything but ‘settled’ as he juggles his time between his work on the Algerian/Libyan border, his houses (yes houses plural) in Perth’s Safety Bay area, his recently acquired acreage in Mandurah W.A. and his gentleman’s residence in Edinburgh’s Mortonhall. His frequent flyer points are rumoured to be in the millions, even if his bank balance possibly isn’t just yet, but on the plus side, Alex’s somewhat unconventional lifestyle means that he is able to occasionally get to Easter Road for some matches.

A safety consultant now by profession, I’ve had telephone conversations about the Hibs with Alex from all over the world, and it must be said that most of his work locations, definitely don’t fit into the category of ‘must see’ tourist destinations.

The place is near a town called Amenas and a recent email I got from Alex stated that the temperature that day was 54.3 degrees Celsius!

No chance to cool down with a frosty ale though as there is a strict no alcohol rule, and given that he is located in a pretty volatile area, it is NOT a good idea to go for a midnight stroll, because if the Algerian terrorists don’t get you, then the scorpions surely will!

In fact even if he wanted to, he couldn’t as his camp is locked down at 6-30pm every night, and is guarded around the clock by both the Algerian military and the legendary French Foreign Legion.

Strangely enough, at this far flung outpost, Alex is not the only Hibs supporter, and naturally the internet these days, allows the trio of desert based Hibbies to keep up with what is going on at Easter Road during their month on/month off stints.

Alex’s nomadic lifestyle obviously makes it difficult for him to get to many Oz Hibs functions these days, but I can remember being put up by him when I visited Perth’s Kings Park for the Perth barbeque back in the early 90’s and I also have fond memories of a couple of visits to Melbourne for functions where we shared the odd 41 beers or so.

Hopefully the French Foreign Legion will grant Alex permission to leave site in February 2009 so that he can use some of those frequent flyer points to attend the Pat Stanton functions, as Alex is one of our Gold Sponsors of the visit. A fully paid up one in fact.

Oh, and embarrassing fact number one, Alex was considered a possible child prodigy when he was younger – not as a footballer, although he did play for the renowned Edinburgh juvenile side Salvesen Boys club, but as a…dancer!!

My informants tell me that he danced at the Lyceum in a stage show of The Widow Twanky when he was a laddie and earned rave reviews in the Edinburgh Evening News!!!

Pounding the boards in the Widow Twanky, Camels, Scorpions, The French Foreign Legion, Rose Street Bouncers…. Alex certainly meets the definition of this article’s header of ‘colourful’ I reckon!!

AND THEN THERE WERE 15
Sponsorships that is. For the Pat Stanton tour.
Most recent to sign up were George and Craig Howie from Melbourne and their full paid up sponsorship is gratefully acknowledged.
I know that the people who have signed up for sponsorships are not looking for pat on the backs, but
without their unselfish and generous contributions, quite simply the planned tour by arguably Hibs greatest living player, could not take place. So listed below, in no particular order are our ‘hall of famers’ who are helping make it all possible.

George and Craig Howie, Peter Hart,
Gary Cooper, John Linn, Brendan, Rogan, Alex Brodie, Vince Macari,
Stuart Robertson, Ian Carmichael
Alan Raeburn, John Walker,
Will Stirling, Simon Morris
John Jones, Fred Legget

It’s not too late for anyone else to sign up for a sponsorship package, and to do so, simply contact Peter Hart, Fred Legget or John Walker for details.

Those who may not wish to take out a sponsorship package, but do want to contribute in other ways will be able to do so on November 24^th.

A sports auction night is being held at Moonee Valley function centre (see elsewhere in this magazine for details of how to get tickets) and several items will be up for auction.

An authentic Mark Schwarzer EPL Boro strip, the authentic Ian Murray SPL rangers away strip from last season, a signed Scottish rugby strip, John Robertson’s signed and donated Hearts strip, and a replica David Beckham LA Galaxy strip all the way from the U. S of A, and a replica Swindon Town strip signed/donated by John Blackley to name a few.

Obviously not a lot of Hibbies are going to want a framed Rangers or Hearts strip on their walls, so if you know of any football fans of other persuasions, let them know that they can bid for them.

In fact they can even drop me a line and put a bid in now, and we will keep them informed, and we have a scheme in mind to contact any bidders who may not be in attendance on the night for whatever reason, but still want to put a bid in.

Currently I have received a bid of $156 for the Rangers strip, and no doubt that will climb as auction night approaches.

We’re happy to take ‘pre-auction’ bids for any items, but obviously nothing will be moved on until after the 24^th of November.

It is hoped that a colour catalogue showing the items will be issued prior to the auction on 24^th November, but below is a taste of one of the items up for grabs.

Donated by Simon Morris in Wellington New Zealand, It is our “Sunshine on Leith” package, and contains a green top signed by the Reid Twins, Charlie and Craig aka The Proclaimers, together with the Sunshine on Leith CD.

By all means bid for it on the 24^th November, but if you can’t be in attendance at Moonee Valley on the night, then feel free to put in a bid simply by emailing me at forza@unwired.com.au

Valley on Saturday the 24th of November in the Markovina Room. I have arranged the following Package for $48. I need $10 deposit per person. You can either send me a cheque or pay directly into the bank. The bank account details are. Westpac Bank Account Name Hibernian F.C. Supporters Assoc.

BSB No 032-775 Acc No 14-5092

• Dining Package.

• Admission to the course

• A Hot Carvery Buffet.

• A race book for each guest

• Exciting Harness races

• A Hot Carvery Buffet.

• Trackside View from your Dining Table

• Betting Facilities

• A Cash bar for all beverage purchases.

• 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm

• Beverage service ends at 11:00 pm

Anyone with an email address if you let me know, I will send HWG! Via email it just saves me time and money and you get it quicker  plus to keep costs down I have to sneak and photocopy it.

Let me know a bit about yourself, got an opinion, drop me a line and I will put it in HWG!

Glory, Glory to the Hibees.

Peter Hart

Wee Fat Robbo signed Hearts top for Auction

A Note from Fred

We are having a fund raising auction in Melbourne planned for November to raise funds to pay for a visit to Australia by former Hibs legend Pat Stanton.
Pat played in an era just before the stellar salaries of today’s game, and when loyalty between clubs/players still existed, and our aim is to reward him for this loyalty by giving him a three week tour of OZ..
Among the items offered is the above replica Hearts top, which was donated by none other than ‘The Hammer of the Hibs’ John Robertson.
If you are wondering why Robbo has put the number 27 on the back, let’s just say he has a sense of humour and he tells me that this was the number of gaols he scored against Hibs during his career!!
Obviously not too many Hibbies are going to break the bank to hang a Hearts strip on their wall..just as you guys would have minimal interest in a Hibs strip, but our aim is simply to maximise any revenue towards Pat’s visit, hence this email to you.
If you know any Hearts fans, your local club or anyone you know of may be interested in putting in a bid they can contact Fred for further details.

IS FRED A CLOSET JAMBO/HUN? News of my strange behaviour (i.e. allowing a Hearts strip in my home) has surprised many. Now there is even more cause for rumour mongering! 

On a coat hanger next to a John Robertson donated Hearts jersey now hangs a fair dinkum Rangers match strip. I kid you not. It is the red away strip and was donated by former Hibs captain and now Ibrox regular Ian Murray. The strip naturally has ‘Murray’ on the back along with a number 18, and Ian has kindly arranged for the rest of the Ibrox squad to autograph the strip along with his own signature. Ian inevitably upset a few Hibbies with his move to the Forces of Darkness, but even the most churlish among us would appreciate him taking the time and effort to come to our assistance, and prove that he may play for the Huns, but deep down he’s still one of us. After all, as we all know you can take the boy out of Leith, but….. 

Ian’s magnificent donation should attract a fair auction price from our Weedgie friends, so if you have any chums, who are Rangers supporters, make them aware of Ian’s donation and drag them along on the night of the auction.  With a collection of Hibs, Hearts and Rangers strips up for auction, the assembled throng should be quite varied, and could make for ‘passionate’ half time entertainment should there be any disagreement among the various factions!!    Fred Legget

Hibs Interactive 07/08

Live coverage will commence with the two pre-season games at Easter Road
against Barclay's Premiership sides Bolton and Middlesbrough.   For
overseas based subscribers these games are 'Bonus' features in our new
season ticket structures - if you live outwith the UK, Ireland and the
Isle of Man you can watch every Hibernian League game Live this season,
but you need to move quickly as our season ticket offers must end on
Saturday 21st July at midnight.  To pick up a season ticket you can use
the following links:

Season07: Every home Clydesdale Bank game + all other home games in league
or cup competiton covered by Hibernian Interactive for £125.00 (in 2006/07
this was 27 games, at our per-match price this would cost £162.00).

http://ww10.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=C6201468&product=Season07&price=125.00

Season07Max: As above, plus every away game covered by Hibernian
Interactive + Free standard annual subscription to Hibernian Interactive
for £216.00 (in 2006/07 this was 40 games, at our per-match price plus
annual subscription this would cost £274.99).

http://ww10.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=C6201468&product=Season07Max&price=216.00