John Blackley (Sloop) inducted into Hall of fame 25/03/22

[sloops_son]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

[Bostonhibby]

You've a lot to be proud of, your Dad was a terrific player, playing at the most entertaining team in the country on it's day, he got what Hibs were about and I can honestly say he was and is loved across the support.

Should have had many Scotland caps as well.

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[Mick O'Rourke]

And not before time,Son of Sloop!
He joins a wonderful line up in the Hall of Fame

Saw your dad play many times.
He was majestic in a magic side.
Enjoy the evening with your Dad and family !!


:singing:We're Turnbull's Tornadoes !
Hibernian's the name !

[JimBHibees]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

Brilliant footballer and was great for Hibs. His performance v England at Hampden in a 2 0 victory was very classy leading to him playing in World cup 74. What a player.

[leith lynx]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

John was a great player for Hibs, great old fashioned sweeper, hard as nails and many an attack from the Tornadoes started from John at the back, should have been capped many more times for his country.

[BILLYHIBS]

The master of the ‘sweeper’ position very classy player but underneath that smooth exterior he was as hard as nails *

I remember as a wee boy I used to make a point of getting to the ground early just to watch Sloop going through his pre match routine where he would juggle the ball play keepie uppie and balance the ball on his instep and flick it up to the back of his neck

Absolute quality

Anyone that kept King Paddy out of his favoured position must have been good

You must be very proud of your Dad a long overdue and well deserved induction imho

He had a superstition of being the last man out of the tunnel and would kick the ball into the empty net

Was sent off 49 years ago today for telling the linesman where to stick his flag after failing to disallow a blatantly offside Rangers goal at Ibrox

* https://images.app.goo.gl/Bm1KWpQcoasFUSLz9

[A Hi-Bee]

Perhaps the best defender I have seen at Hibs in almost 60 years of watching, your Dad even kept his big mate Pat Stanton from playing in his favoured position. classy player and hard as nails, just ask John Greig.
Sloop J.B. should have had more caps like a few other Hibs players from that great Hibs team.
:thumbsup:

[PeeJay]

Good to hear this is happening - John Blackley was a classy footballer in a really good team of footballers - disgraceful that he never got more caps for Scotland. Great club servant, one of my favourite players back then - really enjoyed his take on his interview after winning the league cup against Celtic ...

[IberianHibernian]

The master of the ‘sweeper’ position very classy player but underneath that smooth exterior he was as hard as nails *

I remember as a wee boy I used to make a point of getting to the ground early just to watch Sloop going through his pre match routine where he would juggle the ball play keepie uppie and balance the ball on his instep and flick it up to the back of his neck

Absolute quality

Anyone that kept King Paddy out of his favoured position must have been good

You must be very proud of your Dad a long overdue and well deserved induction imho

* https://images.app.goo.gl/Bm1KWpQcoasFUSLz9Was it not JB who was applauded by Brasilian fans when doing keepie uppie at half time ( was on bench ) of a Brasil v Scotland friendly ?
Anyway , fantastic defender and I can remember him scoring a few penalties too .

[EVENTUALLY]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

Long overdue. Your father was a brilliant player for a fabulous Hibs side. He was a great reader of an opposing attack, tough in the tackle, good passer and he exuded calmness and confidence as well as being very consistent and reliable. That Hibs side didn't need a defensive or sitting midfielder in those days largely because John Blackley would step forward and snuff out an attack before it developed into a more dangerous situation. Best wishes to your father, you and the Blackley family on a very proud occasion.

[Leithenhibby]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.


Excellent, loved watching the coolness of your Dad play all those years ago, a real boyhood hero...:aok:

25709

[surreyhibbie]

An outstanding player in a team of great players.

One of my football heroes, then and now.

Thoroughly deserved award ! :thumbsup:

[Lago]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.
Your Dad was an outstanding player for Hibs and I was fortunate enough to have watched him play in an outstanding Hibs team. Oh happy days 👌

[stevenson]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

Fantastic player who should have been capped many more times by Scotland. Combined elegance with hard as nails tackling.

[BSEJVT]

As other posters have said your dad was a great player, very skillful hard as nails with a calm authority and tremendous will to win.

It is great to see him getting this long-overdue recognition.

The pro-old firm bias meant your dad didn't receive a fraction of the caps his ability merited, like so many others, but he did very well for Scotland in his appearances for the national side.

Please thank him from me for all he did for Hibs in a playing, backroom and managerial capacity.

One of my favourite Hibs players of the last 50 years.

One of my favorite Hibs photos is of him trotting nonchalantly off into the distance leaving John Greig rolling around on the ground behind him

[gazelle]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.
My favourite player at the time. I remember getting my first ever hibs strip and my mum sowing a number six on the back. I was thrilled. Congratulations to him and your family. Must be a proud moment for you all.

[FilipinoHibs]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

At 65 I was lucky enough to see your dad play. He had class and time on the ball. A great reader of the game and fantastic distribution. But could be as hard as nails. In my all time Hibs team he would play alongside Frank Sauzee in central defence.What a pairing that would be

[J-C]

What a player Blackley was, oozed class and delighted he's being inducted to our hall of fame.

[HoboHarry]

To this day my favourite ever Hibs player though Le God runs him close :)

[superfurryhibby]

I remember when Sloop returned to Hibs. He wasn't there to play, but necessity meant he had to step up a few times. Seem to recall a game v Aberdeen where he was magnificent, despite being less than mobile. He was up against a very good side and oozed class, even then.

As a boy, early 70's, he was magnificent, imperious.

[wandering_hibee]

I have the same admiration for him as all the others above, a really classy sweeper that made the game look so easy. I remember once seeing him play for Scotland v England at Hampden (1974) and he made a couple of fantastic crunching tackles that stopped the English scoring. As everyone else has said he really should have a lot more caps.

[OldEast]

A true Hibs great in a great Hibs team. One of my favourite players. A real man, hard as nails and skillful too. Enjoy your night, it's long overdue.

[Ronniekirk]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

A gifted talented player Read the game very well and was one of those players that could dribble out from the back starting an attack
Part of that great Turnbull Tornadoes Team that should of won more Honours but we’re unfortunate to be at Thier peak at the same time as the Lisbon Lions who won nine titles in a row
Well deserved belated honour of recognition
You are rightly proud


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[gbhibby]

He would stroll through games. Saw Hibs training one day and was amazed at what he was able to do with a football.

[May21/05/216]

Brilliant player

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[brog]

Was it not JB who was applauded by Brasilian fans when doing keepie uppie at half time ( was on bench ) of a Brasil v Scotland friendly ?
Anyway , fantastic defender and I can remember him scoring a few penalties too .

Think it was against Chile, the game of shame, in 1977. Sloop was a great player and a great guy. I once had pleasure of playing bowls against him at his home club.

[hibsitis]

Perhaps the best defender I have seen at Hibs in almost 60 years of watching, your Dad even kept his big mate Pat Stanton from playing in his favoured position. classy player and hard as nails, just ask John Greig.
Sloop J.B. should have had more caps like a few other Hibs players from that great Hibs team.
:thumbsup:
This. Utterly brilliant player. I don't think I ever saw him lose a defensive header.

[MKHIBEE]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

You have every right to be proud, class oozed from every pore of his body, brilliant player and servant to Hibs.

[ancient hibee]

Played at a time when the game and team formations were changing. Adapted his own game and at his peak was easily the most accomplished sweeper in Scotland. Like many was unfortunate not to get far more personal honours from the game.

[Iggy Pope]

Excellent news a real hero of mine.
I’m going along to this tomorrow looking forward to seeing Sloop and whoever is joining him.

[sloops_son]

I just want to thank everyone for such kind words regarding my dad, he really doesnt talk that much about himself,

The only thing i know is he hated getting beat and im sure he threw one of his runner up medasl away in the hampden car park whcih possibly my uncle went back to retrieve and when he was hibs manager my brother and I used to literally phone round our friends at 4.50 if hibs had been beat to see if we could spend the night there as he was a nightmare to be around.

The game i think with keepie uppies was Argentina im sure, mind seeing a paper clip someone had sent him where they actually mentioned that the fans got up and clapped and cheered as he done his juggling at the side of the park. My dad would take us out the back to show us some of his tricks when i was very young and also used to show me how to tackle.

[happiehibbie]

John Blackley

A Turnbull Tornado Great player playing alongside Jim Black

A Pleasure to watch
Congratulations

[weecounty hibby]

I don't really remember Sloop first time round as I was a bit young but my memory of him second time round was that we were playing hearts at ER and Dave Bowman had crunched a very young Mickey Weir. A few minutes later he went for a challenge with our man and ended up taken off with broken ribs. My memory could be a bit hazy though!! Even playing the occasional game then you could see how good a player he must have been in his prime

[O'Rourke3]

About time too. Your Dad was a great player in an excellent team. King of the slide tackle and a pleasure watch growing up.

[CLASS OF 72 -73]

Shock Sloop is not in it already. Why so long to nominate and why the likes of Alan Rough in there before him?

[CropleyWasGod]

Time to resurrect that photo of him walking away from a crunched John Greig 😃

Someone has it......

[allezsauzee]

Not old enough to remember Sloop when he was in the Tornadoes team but his return coincided with when I started going to ER with my pals every week and thought even at that stage of his career that he oozed class while being hard as nails. He thoroughly deserves this recognition. :not worth

[Aubenas]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

Loved watching him play in the 1970s - never seen a defender who read the game better. His timing was immaculate, his tackles an absolute joy to see. Long time hero. Well done Sloop!

[BILLYHIBS]

Time to resurrect that photo of him walking away from a crunched John Greig 😃

Someone has it......

Check my post 👍😃

[Iggy Pope]

Check my post 👍😃

If anyone has a printable file of that photo or can make one available I’d like to hear from them

[HIBBYSTU T]

I just want to thank everyone for such kind words regarding my dad, he really doesnt talk that much about himself,

The only thing i know is he hated getting beat and im sure he threw one of his runner up medasl away in the hampden car park whcih possibly my uncle went back to retrieve and when he was hibs manager my brother and I used to literally phone round our friends at 4.50 if hibs had been beat to see if we could spend the night there as he was a nightmare to be around.

The game i think with keepie uppies was Argentina im sure, mind seeing a paper clip someone had sent him where they actually mentioned that the fans got up and clapped and cheered as he done his juggling at the side of the park. My dad would take us out the back to show us some of his tricks when i was very young and also used to show me how to tackle.
Try and find interview with him, after he won league Cup. Some hair style. Was shocked when hibs sold him.spoke to your uncle years ago, said your dad never had to pay for a drink in Leith again.

[loanheadhibby]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.
And so you should be proud he was one of our greatest players.
Lawrie Reilly always reckoned your dad , John Brownlie and Pat Stanton would have been great additions to a Famous Five/ Turnbulls Tornadoes team.
Your dad was good enough to come to my dad's funeral with John Brownlie and it was great to chat with him.

[Roxyhibee]

The best centre back / sweeper I’ve ever seen at Hibs, and I started all the way back with John McNamee and through some tremendous players today in that position.

As many have said, Sloop had absolutely everything and oozed class on the ball. No team in the Scottish game and very few down south had as good a sweeper and it was a genuine disgrace he didn’t get multiple caps. Way ahead of his time keeping possession under pressure and using the ball out of defence.

Tellingly, he was the favourite player of quite a few of my Hibby mates at school - and that was in a team packed with footballing heroes.

All the best to your family and the legend himself.

[WoreTheGreen]

I would class as sloop as our Scottish Beckinbar

[BILLYHIBS]

I would class as sloop as our Scottish Beckinbar

Tommy Docherty reckoned Pat Stanton was better than Bobby Moore

What a team !

We thought it would last forever

[kaimendhibs]

John Blackley is one of my favourite ever Hibs players. Well deserved and overdue. 💚💚💚👏👏👏

[Brooster]

Well done John Blackley, well deserved. Could anyone send me a link to the Hall of Fame please? I can't seem to find it.

[brog]

I just want to thank everyone for such kind words regarding my dad, he really doesnt talk that much about himself,

The only thing i know is he hated getting beat and im sure he threw one of his runner up medasl away in the hampden car park whcih possibly my uncle went back to retrieve and when he was hibs manager my brother and I used to literally phone round our friends at 4.50 if hibs had been beat to see if we could spend the night there as he was a nightmare to be around.

The game i think with keepie uppies was Argentina im sure, mind seeing a paper clip someone had sent him where they actually mentioned that the fans got up and clapped and cheered as he done his juggling at the side of the park. My dad would take us out the back to show us some of his tricks when i was very young and also used to show me how to tackle.

Think you're correct re Argentina. We played both them and Chile on that tour in 1977. As for the number of caps won I was told, at time of 1974 WC that both Martin Buchan and Willie Morgan threatened to leave the squad if they weren't selected in the 2nd game against Brazil. Despite Zaire being our 1st ever WC win, and a clean sheet, both Buchan and Morgan played in remaining 2 games. Your Dad didn't get another cap for 2 years, IIRC, in same game that Des Bremner, scandalously, got his only cap. Congrats to the Blackley family on a richly deserved honour.

[sloops_son]

Thanks again everyone its been an amazing read and hearing how my dad is some of you guys hero is unreal.

I'm just off the phone to my mum and i've now come to realise that the inductees was meant to be a secret and i didn't know so i have more than likely (definately) let the cat out the bag so i will take this opprtunity to apologise to the club, i'm honestly so sorry.

Still super proud but wish i had left it till after tonight.

[franks]

Great player. I went through to Hamdump to watch Scotland v France U23 just because he was playing for Scotland, also after a match at tynie (semi I think) he was standing outside the players entrance and got him to sign my programme although he had missed the match due to injury. He was standing talking to John Grieg and handed my programme to him to sign. I snatched it from Grieg's hand before he could sign it and thanked Sloop before running off with a big grim on my face.

[brog]

Thanks again everyone its been an amazing read and hearing how my dad is some of you guys hero is unreal.

I'm just off the phone to my mum and i've now come to realise that the inductees was meant to be a secret and i didn't know so i have more than likely (definately) let the cat out the bag so i will take this opprtunity to apologise to the club, i'm honestly so sorry.

Still super proud but wish i had left it till after tonight.

Ooops!! Don't worry, I was at 1st one & everyone knew who the inductees were!

[Iggy Pope]

Thanks again everyone its been an amazing read and hearing how my dad is some of you guys hero is unreal.

I'm just off the phone to my mum and i've now come to realise that the inductees was meant to be a secret and i didn't know so i have more than likely (definately) let the cat out the bag so i will take this opprtunity to apologise to the club, i'm honestly so sorry.

Still super proud but wish i had left it till after tonight.

Now that you’re here you should stick around. And if your dad taught you how to tackle I wish he’d taught me. And you’ve only let one out the bag so I wouldn’t worry too much.

[leith lynx]

Tommy Docherty reckoned Pat Stanton was better than Bobby Moore

What a team !

We thought it would last forever
Yes we did, ten years on from the early seventies, the decline was incredible, looking back at the early eighties, comparitevly, where we are now is sheer luxury! Hampden is our second home and a Scottish Cup is in the bag, GGTTH!

[sloops_son]

Now that you’re here you should stick around. And if your dad taught you how to tackle I wish he’d taught me. And you’ve only let one out the bag so I wouldn’t worry too much.

Funnily enough thats what im thinking, so happy nobody asked me yesterday who else was going in

[Iggy Pope]

Funnily enough thats what im thinking, so happy nobody asked me yesterday who else was going in

I was thinking about it but resisted :greengrin
Are you and your family attending tonight?

[hibsfan7]

Tommy Docherty reckoned Pat Stanton was better than Bobby Moore

What a team !

We thought it would last forever

So did Malcom Allison and he was Bobby Moore’s best mate! Think he wanted to sign Stanton when he was Man City’s manager.

John Blackley tho. I can’t think of a better sweeper to come out of Scotland. Absolutely peerless and a top performer for the Tornados. Can’t believe it’s taken this long for the recognition. Fantastic footballer...

[Mick O'Rourke]

Meant to ask Son of Sloop if he could ask his Dad about his nickname .Who first called him Sloop ?
We know the name is from the Beach Boys hit ,Sloop John B.

Jimmy O'Rourke had a habit of giving other players nicknames,if they didn't have one.

John Brownlie could have had that nickname,too. Sloop John B.
Good reason for nicknames in football. Communicating with team mates during a game.
Opposition players maybe dont know the nicknames.

[sloops_son]

Meant to ask Son of Sloop if he could ask his Dad about his nickname .Who first called him Sloop ?
We know the name is from the Beach Boys hit ,Sloop John B.

Jimmy O'Rourke had a habit of giving other players nicknames,if they didn't have one.

John Brownlie could have had that nickname,too. Sloop John B.
Good reason for nicknames in football. Communicating with team mates during a game.
Opposition players maybe dont know the nicknames.

Hi, my dad just told the story snd yeah it was Jimmy O”Rourke 👍🏼

[superfurryhibby]

Hi, my dad just told the story snd yeah it was Jimmy O”Rourke 👍🏼

Hope you've shown your auld man this thread?

He knows how highly we hold him, must be almost 40 years since he hung up his boots. His star has not diminished.

[sloops_son]

Hope you've shown your auld man this thread?

He knows how highly we hold him, must be almost 40 years since he hung up his boots. His star has not diminished.

I showed him tonight and he was very touched, he read everyone and actually was taken aback a but 😊

[Mick O'Rourke]

Hi, my dad just told the story snd yeah it was Jimmy O”Rourke ����


Jimmy has great regard for your Dad as he does for all The Tornadoes;
They know they were special.
We wont see their like again.
Congrats to your dad. :thumbsup:

[zitelli62]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.

Just out of curiosity my best friend at school always claimed his uncle was sloop his name was Ian no second name for obvious reasons but he was a hearts fan from his dad's side do you have a cousin called Ian or am I cracking up.

[Iggy Pope]

I showed him tonight and he was very touched, he read everyone and actually was taken aback a but 😊

He’s still a toff and yes he was my first mancrush. Don’t tell anyone though.

[superfurryhibby]

I showed him tonight and he was very touched, he read everyone and actually was taken aback a but 😊

Beautiful.

[sloops_son]

He’s still a toff and yes he was my first mancrush. Don’t tell anyone though.

Was so nice to meet you tonight, was laughing when you said that to him 😂

[sloops_son]

Just out of curiosity my best friend at school always claimed his uncle was sloop his name was Ian no second name for obvious reasons but he was a hearts fan from his dad's side do you have a cousin called Ian or am I cracking up.

We have one Ian in the family and he’s a die hard rangers fan so I think your friend is at it lol

[sloops_son]

Jimmy has great regard for your Dad as he does for all The Tornadoes;
They know they were special.
We wont see their like again.
Congrats to your dad. :thumbsup:

The same goes for my dad, he hardly ever talks about himself but talks about his team mates so much more.

I think Jimmy was the master at the nicknames, John brownlie was called onion 😂

[sloops_son]

And not before time,Son of Sloop!
He joins a wonderful line up in the Hall of Fame

Saw your dad play many times.
He was majestic in a magic side.
Enjoy the evening with your Dad and family !!


:singing:We're Turnbull's Tornadoes !
Hibernian's the name !

Mick,

was trying to message you privately but i had no idea how to do it but hopefully you see this. Just want to say how sorry i am for your loss and wish i had realised earlier who you were.

My dad speaks so highly of Jimmy and i know was devastated when he sadly passed away.

Hope you are doing okay

Paul

[hibsfan7]

I remember watching him in his debut for hibs ice cool

what a player

[h1bs4life]

John Blackley gets inducted into the HOF tomorrow night.

Just want to say how proud i am of my dad and what he achieved with Hibs and its great that the club are doing this for him. Never really got the chance to see him play when he was at Hibs but i have read some really nice posts on here about what kind of player he was.


Your dad was not only a fantastic footballer but is a gentleman and very humble guy.
Had the honour and pleasure of meeting him and others at the 50 year League Cup Final event.
He chatted and posed for photos with the fans , few photos with my auld man brother and me .
You could tell how close they were as a team and how much Jimmy O’rouke and Pat meant to them as both were Hibs men.
That team was and still are my heroes, they say you shouldn’t meet your heroes but that couldn’t be further from the truth after meeting the 4 that night.