Retire 16

[Vault Boy]

Something I’d love the club to consider.

It wouldn’t feel right seeing anyone but Lewis wearing that number, unless his son Louie wants to pick up the mantel one day. Double cup winner, 600 appearances, one club legend. Make his place at Hibernian permanent. 💚

[Northernhibee]

Yep.

[.Sean.]

Yep. An absolute no brainer

[oconnors_strip]

Definitely!

[Tricla]

Yup

[SHODAN]

I agree.

[hibee_girl]

100%

[Glory Lurker]

Agree

[lyonhibs]

And 4 for Hanlon.

[Onceinawhile]

And 4 for Hanlon.

4 for hanlon and stanton tbf.

[Ray_]

4 for hanlon and stanton tbf.

:thumbsup:

[EdinMike]

Absolutely have to !

[GreenCastle]

100%.

Make it happen Hibs.

[HendoDelivered]

Here, here!

[chippy]

Never retire 4, Paddy, Sauzee. Hanlon. These are numbers that new players can aspire to, they are the benchmarks

[Unseen work]

Not for me, just don’t think it should happen at any club for any player.

Not convinced Hanlon and Stevenson would be the type to like that happening either

Both are absolute legends however

[Stairway 2 7]

Nah do we drop 7 for Gordon Smith 636 games 303 goals 3 league titles or 10 for Turnbull 3 titles, 1 league Cup as manager.

That was very emotional and they are legends both but I wouldn't and I'm confident there will be future legends

[lugz]

With it being such a random number I wouldn't be against it, same with Joelle and 17 for the ladies team.

[hibee-boys]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.

[Nicho87]

I would rather we named a stand after them to be fair

[Hiber-nation]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.

Exactly. Can't imagine Lewis would entertain such a daft idea.

[Haymaker]

Something I’d love the club to consider.

It wouldn’t feel right seeing anyone but Lewis wearing that number, unless his son Louie wants to pick up the mantel one day. Double cup winner, 600 appearances, one club legend. Make his place at Hibernian permanent. [emoji172]Retire it or only allow a direct descendant of Lewis to wear it.

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[Vault Boy]

Exactly. Can't imagine Lewis would entertain such a daft idea.

It’s common practice across football so just because you don’t support it doesn’t make it ‘nonsense’ or ‘daft’. 16 isn’t a standard XI number, it’s become synonymous with Lewis and a lot of us think it would be a nice way to honour him.

[Haymaker]

Never retire 4, Paddy, Sauzee. Hanlon. These are numbers that new players can aspire to, they are the benchmarks#4 should never be retired BUT it should be a sacred number. Like #7 at Liverpool or Man United, Real Madrid.

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[Hiber-nation]

It’s common practice across football so just because you don’t support it doesn’t make it ‘nonsense’ or ‘daft’. 16 isn’t a standard XI number, it’s become synonymous with Lewis and a lot of us think it would be a nice way to honour him.

Maybe it's because I am old. Not arguing but I still think its daft :greengrin

[JohnM1875]

Easiest decision the clubs had to make in a long time.

[One Day Soon]

I think with Lewis and Paul that rather than mark their importance with the absence of something I’d prefer if we did with the presence of something. Their professional approach and their achievements over their careers at Hibs should be a reminder to every player that comes to us and wears the jersey. Let’s find a way to celebrate that and use it as a spur for others to come.

[mcohibs]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.

Exactly. If I was a young player coming through now I’d dream of pulling that 16 on like our double cup winning legend.

I can’t think of anything less Lewis Stevenson than retiring his number. The humble hero would never allow it.

[Scouse Hibee]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.

Agree with this.

[Forza Fred]

It’s just a number.

Long after we’re all deid there will be many other players who have been long standing and well loved servants of the club.

And so it will go on.

[CMac1988]

Have always felt more could be done to commemorate our legacy and players who have unique achievements at the club.

This is no slight on Paul as I haven't given him as much thought given I'd never expected them to both finish their time at Hibs together but for a couple of years now I've always felt it'd be fitting to name or reference part of HTC after Lewis. As the our only Scottish and League cup winning player his work ethic has shown through amongst his many attributes and it would be a proper tribute and reminder of his achievements, inspiring others of what the can be achieved through discipline, hard work and perseverance.

[Greenbeard]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.
This.

[JeMeSouviens]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.

Spot on.

[McGruber]

Not into this retiring number nonsense. Wearing the numbered shirts of previous Hibs legends should be used as inspiration for the new player.

Absolutely

[Pretty Boy]

Not for me. Is it really the done thing in football? I know it happens relatively regularly in other sports but a quick search online suggests in football it's primarily a posthumous honour for players who have died, often prematurely young. The only evidence I can find of it officially happening in Scotland is 26 at Hearts for Zaliukas and number 10 at Motherwell for Phil O'Donnell. Aberdeen and Rangers have both retired 12 for their fans.

Barcelona gave the number 10 shirt to another player when Messi moved on, it's vacant this year but they have already said that won't be permanent. For me certain numbers mean something at certain clubs. The 10 shirt is the most common 'sacred' shirt because historically it was given to the star player. You have 7 at a club like Man Utd and I suppose for Hibs it would be 4.

I think there is a lot to be said for certain shirt numbers being something to aspire to. You have to earn the number 10 at a club. I think waiting for a fitting successor to certain numbers is better than permanently retiring them.

[PHeffernan]

I would rather we named a stand after them to be fair

The Stevenson Hanlon Farmer Petrie Stand

[Since452]

Stevenson and Hanlon were great servants but retiring numbers and naming stands after them? Getting a bit silly.

[One Day Soon]

Not for me. Is it really the done thing in football? I know it happens relatively regularly in other sports but a quick search online suggests in football it's primarily a posthumous honour for players who have died, often prematurely young. The only evidence I can find of it officially happening in Scotland is 26 at Hearts for Zaliukas and number 10 at Motherwell for Phil O'Donnell. Aberdeen and Rangers have both retired 12 for their fans.

Barcelona gave the number 10 shirt to another player when Messi moved on, it's vacant this year but they have already said that won't be permanent. For me certain numbers mean something at certain clubs. The 10 shirt is the most common 'sacred' shirt because historically it was given to the star player. You have 7 at a club like Man Utd and I suppose for Hibs it would be 4.

I think there is a lot to be said for certain shirt numbers being something to aspire to. You have to earn the number 10 at a club. I think waiting for a fitting successor to certain numbers is better than permanently retiring them.

Actually your comment about Messi gave me an idea. Aside from a more permanent reminder of their contributions which I'd prefer, the club could perhaps retire their jerseys for a fixed term? Three years, one for each goal in that cup final? Or one day for every game they played for the club? Something like that? When the numbers came back they'd be a bit special and you'd hope players would aspire to them.

Or alternatively do a 2012 British Olympic team thing and instead of retiring their numbers make them the only gold ones while the others remain black or white? Not sure if regulations allow that but I love the idea that Lewis and Paul are still on the pitch every game via their gold numbers.

[JohnM1875]

Stevenson and Hanlon were great servants but retiring numbers and naming stands after them? Getting a bit silly.

The only player in the clubs history to have won both cups. Also has 600 appearances and has the highest league appearances. I honestly believe that will never be matched.

Don’t think some folk realise just how special the players were for us.

[jeffers]

The only player in the clubs history to have won both cups. Also has 600 appearances and has the highest league appearances. I honestly believe that will never be matched.

Don’t think some folk realise just how special the players were for us.

Agreed. Saying that I wanted 23 retired too.:greengrin

[Stokesy's on fire]

16..that number will always be Stevensons retire it for sure.

[MWHIBBIES]

The only player in the clubs history to have won both cups. Also has 600 appearances and has the highest league appearances. I honestly believe that will never be matched.

Don’t think some folk realise just how special the players were for us.

Agreed. A lot more than great servants.

[Swedish hibee]

Nah. One day there will be a great youngster coming through, and Lewis will be so proud seeing him run out in his number.

[Stairway 2 7]

The only player in the clubs history to have won both cups. Also has 600 appearances and has the highest league appearances. I honestly believe that will never be matched.

Don’t think some folk realise just how special the players were for us.

Gordon Smiths 3 leagues 636 games 303 goals and genuinely regarded as one of the best players in the world at the time, matches it. Lewis's achievement is tremendous though, to regularly play in that many sides.

Smiths record won't obviously be matched and probably not Lewis's due to players getting snapped up after a few good seasons, like Doig who came in for Lewis. I hope we see more legends but I doubt they will have 19 years.

I wouldn't retire 7 for Smith or 16 for Lewis and I'm sure he wouldn't want it

[Haymaker]

Not for me. Is it really the done thing in football? I know it happens relatively regularly in other sports but a quick search online suggests in football it's primarily a posthumous honour for players who have died, often prematurely young. The only evidence I can find of it officially happening in Scotland is 26 at Hearts for Zaliukas and number 10 at Motherwell for Phil O'Donnell. Aberdeen and Rangers have both retired 12 for their fans.

Barcelona gave the number 10 shirt to another player when Messi moved on, it's vacant this year but they have already said that won't be permanent. For me certain numbers mean something at certain clubs. The 10 shirt is the most common 'sacred' shirt because historically it was given to the star player. You have 7 at a club like Man Utd and I suppose for Hibs it would be 4.

I think there is a lot to be said for certain shirt numbers being something to aspire to. You have to earn the number 10 at a club. I think waiting for a fitting successor to certain numbers is better than permanently retiring them.AC Milan retired #6 and partially retired #3 to be worn by Maldinis descendants.

Iirc, Spanish football require your 25 man squad to be numbered 1-25, they couldn't retire #10 if they wanted to.

Randomly in France, the French cup requires teams to play 1-11 as their starting numbers. Or certainly did so retiring numbers is difficult.

#4 for Hibs is a sacred number and anyone wearing it should know, been educated, to what it means to wear that number. #16 should potentially be retired, or only used for players descendants of Lewis Stevenson. Much like #3 at AC Milan.

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[Halifaxhibby]

Nope. Slap in the face to so many better players that didn’t win cups…both legends at hibs…..not necessarily in Scottish football. Both hibs legends. Should be kept at the club in back room staff…sir David, Lewis and Paul know what it’s like to play for hibs…what it means to the fans….these guys still involved with the club will nurture youngsters coming through….tell them how important it is to play for hibs….unfortunately we don’t have anyone apart from SDG doing this at present.

[JeMeSouviens]

The only player in the clubs history to have won both cups. Also has 600 appearances and has the highest league appearances. I honestly believe that will never be matched.

Don’t think some folk realise just how special the players were for us.

Longevity, certainly. Attitude, commitment etc unquestionably ... but (unpopular opinion warning) neither of them were more than "decent" players. I mean would you put either anywhere near an all time Hibs 11?

[bod]

It’s a no from me

[Greencore]

Yes from me.

Guys the only player in our clubs history to win the double.

Gave his everything.

Retire it.

[Vault Boy]

Clearly divides opinion, but a lot of interesting contributions to the conversation on both sides. I’ve not really known Hibs without Stevenson (I was 9 when he made his debut and was a bit late getting into watching football), so that probably impacts my perspective on things. I just can’t picture anyone else wearing that 16 shirt for us.

[SHODAN]

Yes from me.

Guys the only player in our clubs history to win the double.

Gave his everything.

Retire it.

Yeah, normally not one for retiring numbers but it's not a first XI number and Stevenson's achievement is unique. Do it.

[Since452]

Longevity, certainly. Attitude, commitment etc unquestionably ... but (unpopular opinion warning) neither of them were more than "decent" players. I mean would you put either anywhere near an all time Hibs 11?

Totally agree. Don't think anyone is pretending they were great players though. Both had obvious failings or wouldn't have been at Hibs so long. Great servants, stalwarts of the club and could never question their character. Good Hibs guys.

[erin go bragh]

Surely we should have retired all the famous five numbers first
Nice sentiment but it's a big no from me.

[KWJ]

I like this in American Sports. It makes more sense now that we're in the squad number era.

Would like to something for previous era legends within the stadium too.

27882

[Stairway 2 7]

Yes from me.

Guys the only player in our clubs history to win the double.

Gave his everything.

Retire it.

Turnbull won 3 leagues playing and the league Cup managing no comparison to two cups retire 10. Do we only retire non 1 to 11 numbers. You can't retire Stevenson but not the 5 or tornadoes