Dan McMichael

[Barney McGrew]

Today marks the 103rd year since the passing of Dan McMichael, a true Hibs legend.

He helped revive the club in the 1890’s, and worked for the club as secretary, treasurer, physio as well as being our longest ever serving manager. He was in charge for our Scottish Cup win in 1902 and the league championship win of 1902-03.

RIP Dan, your memory most definitely marches on.

[Mick O'Rourke]

Thank you for this reminder,Barney.

Without Dan,and true believers like him in those difficult days, we may well have ceased to exist.

A True Hibernian Saviour and Legend :not worth

[hibby rae]

Didn't know he died in the Spanish Flu pandemic.

This would have been around where he lived:

https://www.facebook.com/333309933448600/photos/glover-and-ferrier-street-leiththis-is-a-sad-view-of-the-last-days-of-the-houses/726315730814683/

[BILLYHIBS]

On Saturday 1st February 1919 Dan McMichael carried out his last duties for Hibernian when he travelled with his team or ‘ma laddies’ as Dan called them for a League match against Falkirk at Brockville which ended in a 1-1 draw

Dan should never have travelled to Falkirk with his team as he was a very sick old man made worse by falling victim to the flu epidemic You were wasting your breath telling the stony faced old Irishman not to go he lived and ultimately died for Hibernian Football Club

On his return trip from Falkirk poor Dan collapsed and his players brought him home at 287 Easter Road to be cared for by his wife Jane Murphy who had borne him eight children

The doctors could do nothing for him and at eight o’clock on the morning of Thursday 6th February Dan passed away peacefully in his bed fortified by the rites of the Holy Mother Church

Dan McMichael was Irish born of Ulster Catholic stock emigrating first to the west of Scotland then on to Edinburgh’s Old Town Irish ghetto Little Ireland before settling in the Irish Barracks which was Leith’s Irish ghetto

For the rest of his life Dan considered himself to be a Leither Dan was a HIBS supporter all his days going back to the founding of the club in 1875 and he was one of the Stella Maris Catholic Young Men’s Society of St Mary’s Star of the Sea who fought for the survival of Hibernian in the early 1890’s

By 1895 he was a HIBS scout an SFA Referee and an expert Physiotherapist

From 1899 and for the next 20 years Dan was Treasurer then Secretary-Manager winning the Scottish Cup in 1902 and the League Championship in 1903

Dan guided HIBS through the cash strapped period of the Great War Years with no cash available he preferred to bring through his own young talent introducing Peter Kerr Willie Dornan Willie Miller Willie McGinnigle Hugh Shaw and the tragic Jimmy Main to the first team many of whom would go on to serve HIBS and Scotland well

Dan’s Requiem Mass took place at St Mary’s Star of the Sea in Leith The Club’s wreath took the form of the traditional broken harp

Dan was buried in the Eastern Cemetery off Easter Road close to his Easter Road home and beloved Easter Road club


The peace I shall know
In green grass I’ve found
Resting at Easter Road
In the shadow of the Holy Ground

Hibernian Park, the green, the harp and Erin go Bragh
Hibs four immortal blends
Dan McMichael faith, hope and charity
Hibs four immortal friends

RIP


The Making of Hibernian The Romantic Years

Alan Lugton

[Pretty Boy]

On a somewhat related note I was at Mass this morning and it was mentioned it was almost a year since the passing of Alan Lugton. A man who brought the story of the formative years of Hibs to so many.

In these days of instant gratification where history if an often disposable accessory it's nice to pause and remember someone like Dan McMichael and the gift he and the other pioneers that built this club gave us.

[Mick O'Rourke]

On a somewhat related note I was at Mass this morning and it was mentioned it was almost a year since the passing of Alan Lugton. A man who brought the story of the formative years of Hibs to so many.

In these days of instant gratification where history if an often disposable accessory it's nice to pause and remember someone like Dan McMichael and the gift he and the other pioneers that built this club gave us.

What Alan achieved with his writing the history of our club is truly remarkable given the tools he had and his many hundreds of hours of research over 20 or more years.
Alan and his pals looked after us "wee yins" at away games travelling on the St Giles bus in the 60s.

So i raise a glass today to Dan and Alan.
RIP
HGSP
GGTTH



Nice wee BBC website article and film clip about our birth on this link

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2BJKzyV3GpSD66swPg6Gr4h/the-football-team-formed-in-the-shadow-of-famine-that-fought-xenophobia-and-raised-money-for-impoverished-immigrants

[Nakedmanoncrack]

On a somewhat related note I was at Mass this morning and it was mentioned it was almost a year since the passing of Alan Lugton. A man who brought the story of the formative years of Hibs to so many.

In these days of instant gratification where history if an often disposable accessory it's nice to pause and remember someone like Dan McMichael and the gift he and the other pioneers that built this club gave us.

I dont think I knew about Alan Lugton's passing, certainly can't imagine I've forgotten, but almost as hard to imagine not hearing of it. His books are essential reading, meticulously created, the first of the trilogy in particular.

[The Harp Awakes]

https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2013/12/hibs-fans-emotional-tribute-to-former-manager-dan-mcmichael/

[Mick O'Rourke]

https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2013/12/hibs-fans-emotional-tribute-to-former-manager-dan-mcmichael/

May i add link to a photo/report from 1902.
Dan is in the top row. 4th in from the left.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/scottish-cup-final-hibs-fans-want-party-its-1902-619741



Any more photos of Dan out there ?

[The Harp]

So good to see such a fine tribute to probably the greatest of the old Hibernians, Dan McMichael, and to a latter day club legend, my old pal, Alan Lugton.

Legendary figures built into the rich tapestry of our great club.

Well done to Barney McGrew for the reminder.

[Sauerkraut]

I've been mates with Dan's great grandson since the early 80's. Many years overseas, he's now retiring back to Edinburgh. A smashing guy, huge Hibby, and been a great unofficial ambassador for our wonderful club the length and breadth of Europe. When Darren J scored at Anderlecht and one end went berserk, the 2 guys going radio in the posh seats were me and him. He hasn't been in town a few weeks but never misses on TV and is back for the Ross County game. We'll slurp one for Dan.

[Ardenttwo]

[QUOTE=Mick O'Rourke;6851477]May i add link to a photo/report from 1902.
Dan is in the top row. 4th in from the left.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/scottish-cup-final-hibs-fans-want-party-its-1902-619741



Any more photos of Dan out there ?[/QUOTE

Some Hibs fans found that Dan did not have a headstone on his grave so clubbed together the rectify this. I was at the ceremony of the unveiling of the beautiful new headstone. I stood with Pat Stanton and Paul Kane If any of you get the time it’s worth going round to the cemetery behind Easter Road Stadium just to see it. MrFarmer said of few nice words at the unveiling which was much appreciated by representatives of Dan’s family

[BILLYHIBS]

[QUOTE=Mick O'Rourke;6851477]May i add link to a photo/report from 1902.
Dan is in the top row. 4th in from the left.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/scottish-cup-final-hibs-fans-want-party-its-1902-619741



Any more photos of Dan out there ?[/QUOTE

Some Hibs fans found that Dan did not have a headstone on his grave so clubbed together the rectify this. I was at the ceremony of the unveiling of the beautiful new headstone. I stood with Pat Stanton and Paul Kane If any of you get the time it’s worth going round to the cemetery behind Easter Road Stadium just to see it. MrFarmer said of few nice words at the unveiling which was much appreciated by representatives of Dan’s family

Captured on YouTube for posterity

Many thanks to the St Pats Branch


https://youtu.be/zzN2bz1pHIQ