It’s been far too long since the Hibees even punched their weight, never mind hit above it.
Most people see Terry Butcher’s appointment as Hibs’ manager as a golden opportunity for the former England captain to make himself a legend in Leith.
For a team with the fifth-biggest support in Scotland, it’s been far too long since the Hibees even punched their weight, never mind hit above it.
So surely things can only improve under Big Tel?
But don’t set your clock for any open-top bus parades down Princes Street. Hibs have forgotten how to win a major honour. Just check their record.
The Easter Road outfit have been Scottish Champions four times, but not since 1952. They’ve won the Scottish Cup twice, but not since 1902.
OK, the much-maligned League Cup has graced the Boardroom table three times, most recently in 2007.
But for a club with Hibs’ potential, the occasional League Cup triumph isn’t nearly enough to satisfy their long-suffering fans.
Most of these supporters remain nostalgic about the days when Eddie Turnbull was manager. Yet ‘Turnbull’s Tornadoes’ didn’t exactly fill the Boardroom with silverware either.
Under ‘Ned’, Hibs only won one League Cup during his nine-year reign.
Sure, he produced a side that was pleasing on the eye, playing thrilling football, yet in many ways that team, boasting the likes of Pat Stanton, John Blackley and Alex Cropley, under-achieved.
The last time Hibs had a proper team was back in the late 1940s and into the early 1950s when they were Scottish Champions three times in five years during Hugh Shaw’s time as manager.
These were the days of the ‘Famous Five’ forward line of Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Turnbull himself and Willie Ormond.
The Hibs team of that era went on to become the first British side to play in the European Cup, reaching the semi-final of the inaugural tournament in season 1955-56.
Although Aberdeen were Scottish Champions the previous season, Hibs were invited because they had floodlights and UEFA thought they’d generate more interest throughout Europe.
Chelsea qualified as English champions but the FA and Football League refused them permission to participate.
Changed days, indeed!
Since Shaw resigned in 1961, it’s been gradually downhill all the way for Hibs, something like the old slope at Easter Road itself!
Butcher is their 11th different manager in the last 15 years.
While I’m certain he will improve things at Easter Road, he won’t return the club to the halcyon days of over 60 years ago.
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