They Played in Blue - Part One

Page 3

Alex Cropley

Alex Cropley was born in January 1951 in Aldershot of Scottish parents and earned the nickname ‘Sodjer’ due to his birth place. A slight but wiry frame ensured he would never shirk a tackle and his bravery was ‘rewarded’ with a broken leg whilst at Easter Road, Hibs being his first senior club. A member of the celebrated early 70’s side nicknamed Turnbull’s Tornadoes, he was famously amongst the goalscorers on 1 January 1973 when Hearts were humbled 7-0 at Tynecastle. Cropley left Hibs for Arsenal in 1974 before joining Aston Villa in 1976 and subsequently played for Portsmouth and had a spell in Canada.

Alex Cropley won two Scottish caps

Arthur Duncan

Arthur Duncan was brought to Easter Road from Partick Thistle by Willie MacFarlane and was a magnificent servant to Hibs in amassing 446 League appearances, a club record. ‘Nijinsky’ as he was to known was a flying winger who played in the Turnbull’s Tornadoes side of the early seventies and remained in the fold until the early eighties, moving to the left back slot to great effect. After 14 years of sterling service he left to join Meadowbank Thistle and remains there to this day (now Livingston FC) as a fitness coach

Arthur Duncan won six Scottish caps

Gordon Durie

Born in Paisley in 1965 Durie began his long playing career with East Fife where he soon caught the eye of bigger clubs and was transferred to Hibs where he formed a formidable strike force with Steve Cowan. Left Hibs for Chelsea in 1985 and had six seasons at Stamford Bridge before making the short journey across London to join Tottenham Hotspur in August 1991 before heading north to Ibrox and Rangers in November 1993. Had seven seasons at Ibrox before traveling east in September 2000 and joining Hearts where he remained until his retirement from playing

Gordon Durie won forty three Scottish caps

George Farm

Born in Edinburgh in 1924 Farm was an outstanding goalkeeper who made over 500 appearances for the Blackpool side for which Stanley Matthews starred. His career began at Armadale and from there on to Hibs before heading south to the seaside town of Blackpool in September 1948, where he stayed until 1960. Queen of the South provided his next port of call and he went on to manage that side with some success before taking over at Raith Rovers in 1964. In the summer of 1967 he moved to Dunfermline and took them into Europe before returning to Raith in 1971 for another three years prior to his retirement.

George Farm won ten Scottish caps

Davie Gibson

Born in the West Lothian village of Kirkliston in September 1938 Davie Gibson was a very talented inside forward who signed for Hibs in 1956 from junior side Livingston United. After six good years at Easter Road Gibson was transferred to Leicester City in January 1962 for £40,000, a handsome sum in those days. His Leicester side reached a number of finals but Davie’s only winner’s medal came in the 1964 Football League Cup. In September 1970 he moved to Aston Villa and then ended his career at Exeter City in the summer of 1974.

Davie Gibson won seven Scottish caps

Stephen Glass

Stephen Glass was born in Dundee in May 1976 and started his professional career at Aberdeen in October 1994. Four years later the graceful and talented left sided midfield player was transferred to Newcastle United for a fee reported as £650,000 but injuries and bad luck restricted his chances and he was freed to join Watford in June 2001. Two years on he departed Vicarage Road and joined Hibs where he remains a valued first team squad player.

Stephen Glass won a single Scottish cap

Andy Goram

Andy Goram was born in Bury, Lancashire in April 1964 of Scottish parents. His Dad, Lew Goram had once played in goal for Hibs and it was a feat young Andy would emulate during a very colourful career which began with Oldham Athletic in August 1981 before moving north to join Hibs for a reported £350,000 in October 1987. After more than 150 appearances for Hibs Goram was transferred to Rangers in June 1991 for a staggering £1m and in almost seven years at Ibrox he won many major honours. When Rangers released him in May 1998 he went on to play for numerous clubs including Motherwell, Manchester United, Coventry and Queen of the South before taking the position of goalkeeping coach at Airdrie United

Andy Goram won 43 Scottish caps

Jock Govan

Jock Govan was born in Larkhall in January 1923 and was signed by Hibs from his local junior team Larkhall Thistle in 1942. In his long career at Easter Road he made many appearances at right back for Hibs until his departure for Ayr United in the 1954/55 season. A great club man it was Govan who unknowingly brought the wing into wingback as he was often found charging down the right for Hibs in support of his forwards. A great tackler and a handy passer he played behind the Famous Five on many occasions.

Jock Govan won six Scottish caps

Parts two and three to follow