As seems to be usual we have to start with an apology for the delayed issue of this fanzine. Even with new technology it�s hard to keep the production line flowing with a relatively small (160+) and geographically diverse membership. As ever we�re indebted mainly to the efforts of Mike McSherry in producing this edition. Like our friends in Mass Hibsteria we appeal for more contributors & additional production/editorial effort to keep HHHT going well into this new century.

One advantage of issuing your first fanzine in April is that you can avoid looking too dumb when you look back on crass and hopeful comments made early in the season in the first flush of victory over some Danish amateur team! I still cringe when I remember some gushing comments I made about Jim Duffy early on in season 1997/98.

So what are the uppers and downers of the season so far and what�s in store for the final few months? Without a doubt the highlight of the season to date came at Tynecastle on December 19 last year. What a way to end the year/century/millennium and of course at no time did I think, �what kind of a team is this we�ve put out?� - Well maybe for 20 minutes or so! As I write this we�re fresh from victory over Celtic, on TV of course and again I must confess to having some doubts about the team composition. Maybe Alex knows a bit more than me about this game � surely not!

Another personal highlight was our brilliant 4-3 victory over Dundee, the first real emergence of Kenny Miller as a star! I watched this game in a bar in Paphos, Cyprus in the company of 12 Hibbies. Quite amazing considering a total of 4 Everton and Manchester United fans watched the preceding game. Watching Hibs fans stop the traffic in Paphos by running around the square with their jerseys over their head was a great sight.

The play of the under 21 team is another bonus, particularly considering the loss of Kenny Miller to their cause & the loss of Mark Dempsie through injury. Let�s hope they go on to win the league & give a great boost to Willie McEwan and all his team at Hibs 2000. Make no mistake, youth development must be our future.

Off the park things have improved dramatically with a new stand on the way, a new badge and harmony (OK at least far better relations) between the Board and fans. Let�s hope things continue on the up and hopefully we can regain our board level representation at the top of Scottish and European football as it was in the days of Tom Hart & Tommy Younger.

Downsides have not been too many. Some lethargic displays and some downright awful, Ibrox/Parkhead/Pittodrie. I think everyone recognised this would be a year of consolidation with avoiding even a hint of relegation as the number 1 priority. I�m confident we will achieve that target. From a personal perspective I have one other disappointment and that was our apparent unwillingness to make any effort to hold on to Steve Crawford. There is no doubt Steve�s career to date has resulted in under achievement on his part but I believe he continues to have considerably more future potential than either Lehmann or Paatelainen. I hope he doesn�t return to haunt us in future years in the way that a similar player, Paul Wright has.

Breaking News: As the fanzine issue has been slightly delayed we have the opportunity for an update and another serious gloat at the Jambos. Big Eck has given us more joy in one season than Mogadon Miller did in 10! The downside is we seem incapable of beating the lesser lights and have not scored an away league goal this century. Thank God we still have to visit the pink bus shelter again! One other problem area has been the handling of ticket sales for the cup semi. Although we have been buying tickets by credit card from Hibs for 10 years, at times to a value of �500+ we find we cannot do so for our most important game in years. I believe ticketing arrangements were to some extent dictated by the SFA. Nevertheless Hibs must realise they have a large out of town fan base & that not everyone can get to Easter Road. Even though our members have at least 10 season tickets no postal arrangements could be accommodated. As we said earlier in this article this only reinforces our belief that Hibs need to be back in the forefront of Scottish football instead of leaving decisions to the likes of the Pieman. Hibs however must be prepared to challenge the dictats of the SFA and look after our own fans as a matter of priority.

Anyway, enjoy the fanzine and keep supporting the Hibs !