John White - Dead for 50 Years

[Phil D. Rolls]

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/john-white-still-here-in-spirit-1-3482323

No doubt, if he'd played for the OF, at any time this anniversary would get more attention up here.

[Spike Mandela]

Had a tour of Recreation Park at Alloa and John White is well represented there. Pretty sure one of the rooms is the John White room.

[fat freddy]

Had a tour of Recreation Park at Alloa and John White is well represented there. Pretty sure one of the rooms is the John White room.
I met his son Rob recently and returned a Scotland Jersey belonging to his Dad that I inherited from my Dad, he gave me a small mention in his interview in this mornings SOS article although the mention was more about my occupation than the returning of his Dads jersey. If you've read it you'll know what I mean. I've mailed him this afternoon and he's coming up to Edinburgh from his London home for the Hibs Alloa match, what chance of Hibs showing him some good Scottish hospitality?

[Phil D. Rolls]

I met his son Rob recently and returned a Scotland Jersey belonging to his Dad that I inherited from my Dad, he gave me a small mention in his interview in this mornings SOS article although the mention was more about my occupation than the returning of his Dads jersey. If you've read it you'll know what I mean. I've mailed him this afternoon and he's coming up to Edinburgh from his London home for the Hibs Alloa match, what chance of Hibs showing him some good Scottish hospitality?

More chance of getting struck by lightning. :wink: (Or even lighting).

[GORDONSMITH7]

John was brought up just up the road from where I was in the 'Wimpeys' council scheme in Musselburgh. I remember being at Olivebank in 1964 to see the Hibs in the annual Festival 5 a sides at which Hearts, Rangers, Celtic and others were playing. At some point during the game police came in and escorted Tommy White, John's footballer brother from the ground, unbeknown to us that his brother had died by a lightning strike whilst playing golf in London.

GGTTH

BIG G

[JIm]

Family on the whole are mad hubbies as we'll! Sure his nickname was the ghost? By all accounts he was an incredible player.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Family on the whole are mad hubbies as we'll! Sure his nickname was the ghost? By all accounts he was an incredible player.

I don't think that's right, at least the family members I have met aren't. Brother Tom played for the Yaks, although he didn't speak fondly of his time there. Said they sold him to Aberdeen because he'd headed a ball down the way, but it bounced over the bar. Directors looking on, thought he'd simply headed over the bar.

[Capt Mainwaring]

Bonnyrigg Rose Social Club has the John White Lounge in memory of him and his time playing for the Rose.

[fat freddy]

Family on the whole are mad hubbies as we'll! Sure his nickname was the ghost? By all accounts he was an incredible player.
I believe John leant towards Rangers but his dream of playing for them never came off because they considered him too fragile

[tamig]

My mum used to work at one of the golf clubs in Gullane and she said John White was a regular visitor and an absolute gent. She always spoke very highly of him.

[JIm]

I don't think that's right, at least the family members I have met aren't. Brother Tom played for the Yaks, although he didn't speak fondly of his time there. Said they sold him to Aberdeen because he'd headed a ball down the way, but it bounced over the bar. Directors looking on, thought he'd simply headed over the bar.

His great nephews who I know are hibbies used to travel on East Lothian bus. Perhaps not all family.

[Boris]

John was brought up just up the road from where I was in the 'Wimpeys' council scheme in Musselburgh. I remember being at Olivebank in 1964 to see the Hibs in the annual Festival 5 a sides at which Hearts, Rangers, Celtic and others were playing. At some point during the game police came in and escorted Tommy White, John's footballer brother from the ground, unbeknown to us that his brother had died by a lightning strike whilst playing golf in London.

GGTTH

BIG G

To this day the 5 a side tournament at Olivebank during the festival is for the John White memorial trophy. Can remember in the late 60s & early 70s (when I was a laddie) the 5's drew big crowds with Hibs, Hearts, Dunfermline, Falkirk & Rangers all sending top players to compete. I grew up in the council flats at Edinburgh Road in Musselburgh & John's uncle & aunty (Tom & Nan) lived on the top floor (Tom was Lord Provost). Heard a lot of stories about John over the years as I grew up. Some player by all accounts. Read the book his son wrote about him a couple of years back - fantastic read about a great footballer from the Honest Toun.

[Phil D. Rolls]

His great nephews who I know are hibbies used to travel on East Lothian bus. Perhaps not all family.

From what I know, just that branch. Although I have been responsible for some other great nephews going to ER. Certainly nothing to suggest the older generations are Hibs fans, from what I've seen.

Besides, what does it matter? John White was a great player, that's all that should count.

[Hibee-Bongo]

I'm quite close to the family so been told many stories about how great John was. Family up here are a mixed bag of supporters but there's some Hibees in there for sure.

[stu in nottingham]

I used to think that my auld mn would rave about John White when I was a kid because he was from our family's town, then I began reading about his career. He was evidently one of the true greats by what people recount. His subtle play in that Spurs push-and-run team seemed years ahead of it's time.