‘London Calling………!!!’

(The Official Newsletter of the London Hibs Supporters Club)

London Hibs Members and Friends

 15^th August 2000

Dear Member

Welcome

May I take this opportunity to welcome you all to a new season. A new season which has already got of to a flyer and seen Hibs reach the top of the premier league, albeit, for only 24hrs, but nonetheless it promises at this early stage to be thrilling, exciting, new but with a certain degree of familiarity (hopefully that does not mean getting beat by the minnows in the Cup !!).

17 members turned out for our ‘kick-off’ to the new season, where we enjoyed the ‘new playing surface’ of the William Wallace at its new location, 33 Aybrook Street which is right around the corner from where the pub used to be in Blandford Street. (Map)

Of the members that came along, we were pleased to welcome two new signings: Mike Gorrie and Richard Anderson, who in finest tradition, received their welcome pint from the treasurer – again lads – Welcome !!

All Change !! – Not Quite !!

The start of the new season always brings its new looks – Lorenzo Amorouso’s hair grease, sorry – gel!! Chris Sutton’s impression of an old firm diddy!! and of course Graeme Souness actually winning a game of football and not having to kick sh*% out of the opposition to achieve it !!

Well, I have decided to adorn my finest ‘Carol Smilie’ pose and give the newsletter a bit of a makeover. Don’t worry!! You will still find the same information, news and views that have been the ‘backbone’ of this newsletter since Easter Road had a ‘slope’, besides Mike McSherry would never forgive me!!

However, It is my intention to introduce new regular features in this newsletter. Accordingly, you will find in this edition ‘From the Dug-Out’, this new section will carry news, views and happenings from Easter Road or associated with Easter Road, funny and serious and ‘The Starting Line-Up’, which will take a look at all those players and maybe even officials that have contributed in whatever way to making our club what it is!! Whether it be ‘Benny Brazil’, Keith Houchen, Pat Stanton, Joe Baker, Bernie Breslin or any other you will find this is an unmissable trip in to the team as it has evolved!!

Of course we still have our ‘Jimmy Boco’ award and this continues in this edition, so read on to see if you are the proud recipient of this month’s award.

I will trial these features over the next few months and would welcome your feedback on these.

One final change, I am contemplating, is changing the format from the A4 sheets to a booklet style – Now, like Franck Sauzee and Russell Latapy, not to mention Didier Agathe, the style show has reached London Hibs!! But don’t get too carried away this is like Ivano Bonetti’s brain (new Dundee Manager)……….. at the formation stage !!

‘Player of The Year Function’

Franck Sauzee and his wife

‘Watch out, Edinburgh here we come!!!!’. The London Hibs Annual Player of the The Year Function reaches Edinburgh on the 11^th November 2000. Like last year which was a roaring success with approximately 160 people sharing the team talk with Big Eck, Malcolm McPherson, Ollie the Goalie, Grant Brebner, Stuart Lovell, Mathias Jack, and the ‘calypso kid’, Russell Latapy, to name but a few !!

This is our once only official function in Edinburgh so you have no excuse!! And guess what ……… ???? You can bring partners, other people’s partners, family and friends for a cost per ticket of just £10 (ten) – Yes !! I did say £10.

On the night you will get to mingle with the stars, dance the night away, meet the one and only Sauzee, not to mention eating the famous Hibernian Buffet !!

So if you want tickets then you better get in quick. Please write to Andrew Murray at  4 St Leonard’s Close, Bushey, Watford, Herts, WD2 2DB and make cheques payable to ‘London Hibs Supporters Club’.

Surely it must be the biggest sale of the century since Nicholas Parsons took the stage all those years ago !! Tickets will go fast so get your family and friends to come along and grace the hallowed walls !!

‘Golden Years’ – (No !! It’s not a holiday advertisement !!)

This is a real piece of football nostalgia that you are being invited to!! London Hibs have a reserved table at what can only be described as a Hibs Fans’ dream!! 20 ex-players including Lawrie Reilly, and Eddie Turnbull to name a few along with the other players and officials from Hibernian Football Club from the period 1946 – 1956. Malcolm McPherson, Alex McLeish and  Lord Provost Milligan are also invited to attend and it is to be a real gala occasion.

The event will take the format of a gala meal with the usual raffles and prizes, however, there will be a special 20-minute tribute video shown and Bob Crampsie or David Francie are coming along to speak after dinner.

The dinner is to take place in the Forthview suite on the 30^th September 2000 at 7:30pm (after we tank St. Johnstone). The cost is £60 (sixty) per person but I say what price Hibernian Nostalgia !!

Interested!! Email Mike McSherry, today the table (10 only) will go fast !!

Happy Anniversary – us !!

It may be the 125^th anniversary of our famous team !! But another landmark was celebrated at our August meeting!!

Our supporters branch, one of the most innovative and forward thinking supporters branches of Hibernian in the world reached its tenth birthday !!

Our Treasurer killed the moths and got the drinks in for the gathered faithful as we paid tribute to those that have and continue to make our supporters club what it is – that is every one from the founders Dino Rafferty and Kevin Robertson to name but a few not to mention every single member past and present – so to you all happy birthday !!

Football Team

Hot on the heals of their record breaking season, in which London Hibs won the league championship and were runners-up in the cup, London Hibs are FIRST again, and a ball has not been kicked of the new season yet !! (They have now - see friendly report. Webmaster)

Barcelona have one, Marseille have one, hence if all major European outfits have one and need one so do London Hibs …….!!

Kevin Robertson has stepped from Team Manager to become ‘El-Presidente’. London Hibs are the first team in the APFSCIL League to have a club president !!

We salute you and your boys for last season Kevin, and wish you and all at the football club the very best for the forthcoming season !!

Football Team (2)

The new APFSCIL season starts on the 10^th September 2000 and here you will find another New Feature : I will publish all fixtures and results of London Hibs as they attempt to retain the championship……. whether it be ‘Humping the Huns !! or ‘Dumping Man Utd out of the cup’ we will be there and you will be with your favourite London Team !!

Football Team (3)

To celebrate their season’s success, the London Hibs footy team held a ‘Champions’ Ball at the Duke’s Meadow Golf Club, Chiswick. A night which was a roaring success with a turnover of £4,500 and a club profit of £600-00.

Not too mention that there were 4 ladies to every man!! You won’t get better odds all season and so with a ceilidh scheduled for the 25^th November 2000 (details to be confirmed !!) I think you should join me and get along on the 25^th; after all, if for no other reason, it’s St Andrew’s Night !!

Finances

As was mentioned in the AGM newsletter Subscriptions are now due !! Subscriptions are as previous last years £10 (ten) and for this you get your cheery monthly newsletter, the chance to win the coveted ‘Jimmy Boco’ Award, club fanzine, not to mention the monthly like-minded meeting of minds at the ‘William Wallace pub’ in central London.

For an additional payment you will have access to the London Hibs season tickets, and this year it comes with access to the Almond Suite in the famous five stand for some food and a cash bar before the match , at half-time, and at the end of the match. The cost of the season ticket is £10 (ten) and application should be made on the form sent to you with the AGM newsletter (spares available !!) However, be quick as this is popular and dealt with purely on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis !!

Fanzine

Your football club needs you!! Calling all you ‘Hugh Keevans’ or ‘Jim Whites’ it’s time to get your pens out and get writing for our first fanzine of the year and the first under the editorship of Rose McEwan, our new fanzine editor.

Whether you have stories to tell about queuing for tickets against Stirling Albion and then getting beat by them !! or whatever, then we want to here from you !!

All article should be with Rose McEwan by 30^th September 2000

Rose intends to launch, in this fanzine the ‘Dear Rosie’ problem page where Rose will answer your problems…….. whether it be not being able to cope with Hibs scoring 9 goals in 3 games or being ‘in love with Dirk Lehmann and not knowing what to do about it' then Rose wants to help you!! Get writing today.

It is our intention to have the fanzine ready for sale at the Player of The Year match against Kilmarnock at Easter Road on the 11^th November 2000 and then at the do itself that evening.

We are the only supporters branch to run a fanzine and this has proved popular all over the world and especially in Edinburgh itself!!

We want your articles, folks, so come on !!

Mass Hibsteria may fold !!!

There are rumours about that ‘Mass Hibsteria’ the long running Hibs Fanzine that has a ITV Teletext page (p532) may be in danger of folding. As yet we have no confirmation of this and as we do I will let you know!!

However, it was suggested by Bill Garriock, at our August meeting, that if this was the case then perhaps we can look at taking over their ITV Teletext page. This we agreed to do and Bill kindly volunteered to investigate this avenue for us and report back!!

‘London Hibs have new signing ……..!!!’ – (well ! for October only!!)

Wait for it!!! Who is it!! What position will he play!! How much will he cost!! (£52, 000 per week!!). Malcolm McPherson has kindly agreed, subject to confirmation, to attend our October meeting and answer any questions you may have for him!!

Whether it be ‘why did we sell Kenny the ‘Hun’’; or ‘is there a role for Alan Rough as goalkeeping coach at Hibs’ you need to come along and give your input at this other ‘first for London Hibs : The date October 10^th 2000.

Hibernian Memorabilia – You’re chance to win !!

You may remember that at the Burns Supper this year (for those of you who can remember !!). Eddie Turnbull our guest that night, presented us with a framed singed ‘Hibs-Tottenham-Tottenham-Hibs’ set of programmes.

The club have decided to raffle this unique piece of memorabilia. The raffle will take the format of all paid up members by the end of August 2000, having their names placed in a hat – the first name pulled out will win the prize – it’s as simple as that!!! So make sure you pay your subs by the end of August 2000!!

Travel

Just to remind all members that Alex Lindsay is the club transport convener!! Whether you want to know the cheapest train seats!! The nearest airport to Vilnius for next years Champions League (Go On The Hibbies!!) then Alex is your man!!

Alex travels up to most, if not, to all home matches and is always willing to take members with him!!

For whatever travel query you have please feel free to contact Alex

The Masters comes to Borehamwood ???

Keeping with Alex; the man has made a deal that ‘Bill McMurdo’ would be proud of. Fancy………………….:

• 9 holes of golf

• Lunch

• 9 holes of golf

• Buffet dinner

All for £20 (twenty) – Yes, I did say £20, then you have to be quick and get your £20 to Alex by the end of August 2000. Don’t miss out!! and don’t worry about your handicap, after all mine is my Golf – come on and show us your ‘Tiger Stroles !!!@

The Jimmy Boco Award – Month 2 !!

Forget your Oscars !! Or your ‘Brucie Bonus’ the ‘Jimmy Boco Award’ is what all the stars are wanting …….!! Just look at the quotes :

‘……..I would give mine up tomorrow for this award (Michael Caine)’

‘……It’s worth coming out of retirement for…….(Jimmy Hill)’

‘…I would wash my hair if I thought I was going to win this award…(Lorenzo Amorouso)’

But all these and more have been undone this month as I am pleased to announce the proud recipient of the ‘Jimmy Boco Award’ is to go to Rose McEwan

Rose, before she became a member, was traveling back from Highbury, after watching Arsenal play in the FA Premiership (I’m not going to say a thing …..) It was a Saturday afternoon and on boarding a tube to go home Rose sat beside a guy on the tube wearing a Hibs Top.

‘Excuse me’ said Rose, do you know what the score was today ? The gent (maybe not ?? – only kidding!!) told her the score and there then ensued a discussion about the green and white dynamite !!

Rose tuned to the chap and said ‘I’ve got the name of this guy to contact about the Hibs and their meetings in London, as I am a Hibbie’, do you know a…a …….a Tony Connor ?

The voice replied ….’I am Tony Connor’

Congratulations Rose on being this month’s proud winner !!

Any more nominations for the Jimmy Boco Award please – send to me at the addresses above !!

‘From The Dug-Out’

Didier Agathe

As I furiously type this newsletter, Didier is in talks with Rod Petrie, to attempt secure the services of this French Hitman and fans favourite. After being a bit of a ‘diddie’ on the opening day of the season the Frenchman has bagged 4 goals in two games and helped blow the ‘Kenny Miller Blues’ away from Easter Road and around!! Isn’t it nice to see a board of Hibs actually signing real talent so that we can compete at the right end of the Premier leaue and hopefully beyond?? (Diddy signs for Celtic!!! Webmaster)

David Zitelli

Hibs secured the services of David Zitelli from FC Strasbourg on a two year deal. David was presented to the crowd before the game on Saturday against Dundee and was warmly welcomed. Again, another influential signing and lets hope that he makes the same impact as Didier – watch this space!!!

Barry Lavety – Signs On !!

One time Hibs man, ‘Basher’, Barry Lavety, has been signing on for ‘Job Seekers’ allowance for the past few months. St Mirren are keen to keep the player but cannot afford the Hibs asking price and hence has not played football for some months. Then again, some fans may argue that ‘Basher’ has never played at all. However, there is good news for him – Hibs are reduce their asking price and ‘Basher’ can resume his ‘Pele’ days – Good luck !!

Big Eck and Paul Fenwick ……….. Racists ????

So that’s what happens when you’re found out not to be as good as you make people think!! You automatically blame your defeat; your losing top spot in the league; and two of your players getting sent off on something else.

Is it Ivano Bonetti is ‘offo his boxo’ in calling Alex McLeish and Paul Fenwick, racists ?

Come on Ivano !! You didn't think Dundee could actually beat the cabbage did you???

Top Again !!

NEWSFLASH!!            NEWSFLASH!!            NEWSFLASH!!            NEWSFLASH !!

Kilmarnock 0 –v. – Hibernian 1 (SPL, 16^th Aug 2000)

This result proudly moves the Hibbies back to their rightful place on top of the SPL. After a gutsy performance, Mixu, the Finn, sent us to the Top!!

‘The Starting Line-Up’

As mentioned above, monthly you will find under this section a profile on players and may be even officials of our club who have shaped the club to what it is today – No matter in what way – big or small !!

I hope this brings back some memories for you all !!

Goalkeepers – Alan Rough (Roughie)

With that distinctive perm Alan Rough was as noticeable in the Hibs goal as Hugh Dallas giving Celtic a penalty in an old firm clash.

Roughie had won all but two of his 53 Scotland caps when he signed for Hibs. He had already been voted ‘Player of the Year’ by the Scottish Football Writers Association. He was moving into the autumn of a career that previously had only been with Partick Thistle. Yet he proved to be an inspired signing when Hibs Manager, Pat Stanton, brought him to Easter Road in November 1982 for a reported fee of £60,000.

As had always been the case when he was at Partick Thistle, ‘Roughie’ was hardly ever flustered. For years he had heard people question his ability and doubt his ambitions. He had a poor World Cup in 1978 and his critics were instantly on his back, questioning his positional sense and asking rhetorically why no big club appeared especially interested in signing him.

It was that same calmness that made him instantly popular with the Hibernian faithful. He was steady and more than that, he saved the club valuable points with some outstanding stops.

He remained at Hibs for five seasons until the signing of Andy Goram from Oldham. He was freed on April 19, 1988, aged 36. However, it wasn't long before he was back at Easter Road, this time in the colours of Celtic, as he made one of seven appearances as emergency cover for them. ‘Roughie’ was warmly welcomed especially as Hibs went on to beat Celtic that day.

He went on to have spells with Hamilton Academical and Ayr United followed by a move into management with Junior side, Glenafton.

Records show that he played 175 league games for Hibs !!

‘It’s a Question of Hibs’

The final of my new pieces allows you to pit your wits against the ‘Quiz Master’. Each month you will find five Hibs trivia questions designed to test your knowledge. Keep your answers safe as next month you will get the answers !! Its your chance to get the knowledge to challenge Pete Maheedy …….Come On !!!!

Q1.            Where did Keith Houchen make his debut for Hibs in 1989 ?

Q2.      Who signed from Falkirk in 1993 ?

Q3.      What was Hibs recorded biggest ever victory in all competitions ?

Q4.      In which year did the Famous Five make their collective debut ?

Q5.            Against whom did George Best make his debut for Hibs ?

Next Meeting !!!!

Our next meeting will be at the William Wallace on the 12^th September 2000 at 8pm. Remember the draw will take place for the Eddie Turnbull programmes so come along and hopefully collect your prize !!!

Remember the William Wallace has moved to 33 Aybrook Street, (just around the corner from where it used to be)

Craig Bennison
Secretary