Hibernian F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Hibernian Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Hibs, The Hibees, The Cabbage | ||
| Founded | 6 August 1875 | ||
| Ground | Easter Road, Edinburgh | ||
| Capacity | 20,421 | ||
| Owner | Bydand Sports | ||
| Chairman | Malcolm McPherson | ||
| Head coach | David Gray | ||
| League | Scottish Championship | ||
| 2015–16 | Scottish Championship, 3rd | ||
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Hibernian Football Club, often called Hibs, is a professional football team from Edinburgh, Scotland. They play in the Scottish Premiership, which is the top football league in Scotland. The club started in 1875. It was founded by people from Edinburgh's Irish community. The name "Hibernian" comes from an old Latin word for Ireland.
The club's Irish background is shown in its name, colors, and badge. Their main shirt color is green, usually with white sleeves and shorts. Hibs' biggest local rivals are Heart of Midlothian. Their matches are known as the Edinburgh derby.
Hibs play their home games at Easter Road. They have used this stadium since 1893. Fans often call the team "Hibs" or "The Hibees". Another fun nickname is "The Cabbage". This comes from a rhyming slang phrase for Hibs.
Hibernian has won the Scottish league championship four times. Their most recent win was in 1952. Three of these wins happened between 1948 and 1952. This was when the club had a famous group of players called The Famous Five. The club has also won the Scottish Cup three times (1887, 1902, and 2016). The 2016 victory was very special because it ended a long wait for the trophy. Hibs have won the Scottish League Cup three times too (1972, 1991, and 2007). In 1955–56, Hibernian became the first British team to play in a European competition. They reached the semi-finals of the first ever European Cup.
Contents
Club History: From 1875 to Today
How Hibs Started (1875–1939)
The club began in 1875. It was started by Irish people living in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh. They chose the name Hibernian (from Hibernia, an old name for Ireland). They also used green colors, the Celtic harp, and the Irish phrase Erin go bragh (meaning Ireland Forever). These were all symbols of their Irish roots.
At first, some people didn't like an Irish club playing in Scottish football. But Hibs quickly became a strong team in the 1880s. They were the first club from the east of Scotland to win a major trophy. This was the Scottish Cup in 1887. After that, they even beat Preston North End in a friendly match. This game was called the Association Football Championship of the World Decider.
Due to some problems, Hibs lost their home ground and stopped playing for a short time in 1891. But they found a new home at Easter Road in late 1892. They played their first game there in February 1893. The club still counts all its wins from 1875 onwards, including the 1887 Scottish Cup. Hibs joined the Scottish Football League in 1893. They had to win the Second Division twice before joining the top league in 1895.
Around this time, players no longer had to be part of the Catholic Young Men's Society. Today, Hibs is not seen as just an Irish or Catholic club. For example, the Irish harp was only put back on the club badge in 2000. The current badge shows three important parts of the club's identity: Ireland, Edinburgh (with the castle), and Leith (with a ship). Now, most Hibs fans support the team because of where they live in Edinburgh, not because of their background.
Hibs had some success after restarting. They won the Scottish Cup in 1902 and their first league championship a year later. But then, the club had a long period without winning much. They were even relegated (moved down a league) for the first time in 1931. However, they returned to the top league two years later. They reached three Scottish Cup finals but lost them all. This started a long wait for that trophy.
The Famous Five Era (1939–1959)
Hibs had their most successful time in the ten years after World War II. They were one of the best clubs in Britain. Their group of forward players was known as the Famous Five. These players were Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull, and Willie Ormond. Many people think they were the best forward line in Scottish football history. Each of them scored more than 100 goals for Hibs. The north stand at Easter Road is now named after them.
The Famous Five players joined Hibs between 1941 and 1946. Only Ormond cost a transfer fee, which was £1200. The others came from youth or junior leagues.
In the first season after the war, Hibs reached the 1947 Scottish Cup final. They lost 2–1 to Aberdeen. With Reilly joining the team in 1947–48, Hibs won the Scottish league championship. This was their first league title since 1903. They won it even though their manager, Willie McCartney, died that season.
The 1950–51 season was a highlight for the Famous Five. Hibs won the league by 10 points. They also reached the 1950 Scottish League Cup final but lost 3–0 to Motherwell. Hibs won the league again in 1951–52. They almost won a third title in a row in 1952–53. But Rangers won the title on the last day because of a better goal average. The Famous Five played together until March 1955, when Johnstone was sold.
Even though Hibs finished fifth in the Scottish League in 1955, they were invited to play in the first ever European Cup. This competition wasn't just for league winners back then. Eighteen clubs were invited because they were popular and had floodlights to play night games. Hibs became the first British club to play in Europe. This happened because the English champions, Chelsea, decided not to enter.
Hibs played their first European game against Rot-Weiss Essen. They won 4–0 away and drew 1–1 at home. They then beat Djurgårdens IF to reach the semi-finals. But they lost 3–0 to Stade de Reims, a strong French team.
Turnbull's Tornadoes (1960–1989)
Hibs often played in the Fairs Cup in the 1960s. They won matches against famous teams like Barcelona and Napoli. But they didn't win many trophies in Scotland until Eddie Turnbull, a former player, became manager in 1971.
His team was called Turnbull's Tornadoes. They finished second in the league in 1974 and 1975. They also won the League Cup in 1972. The club won the Drybrough Cup in 1972 and 1973. They also had a huge 7–0 win over their rivals Hearts at Tynecastle on New Year's Day 1973.
After the mid-1970s, Hibs' performance went down. They were replaced by Aberdeen and Dundee United as the main challengers to the "Old Firm" (Celtic and Rangers). Turnbull left as manager, and Hibs were relegated again in 1980. They quickly returned to the top league in 1981. But the 1980s were tough, and they didn't play in European competitions again until 1989.
The 1990s: Almost Merging with Hearts
In 1990, Hibs faced serious money problems. Wallace Mercer, the chairman of Hearts, suggested joining the two clubs together. But Hibs fans saw this as a hostile takeover attempt. They started a group called Hands off Hibs to fight for their club's survival. They succeeded when a local businessman, Sir Tom Farmer, bought control of Hibs. Farmer wasn't a big football fan, but he was convinced to help. A relative of his had also helped save Hibs from financial trouble in the 1890s.
After this, Hibs had some good years in the early 1990s. They won the 1991 Scottish League Cup final and finished in the top five of the league several times. In 1998, Alex McLeish became manager. Hibs were relegated to the First Division, but they immediately won promotion back to the SPL in 1999.
The 2000s: A "Golden Generation" of Players
Hibs had a good season in 2000–01. They finished third in the league and reached the 2001 Scottish Cup final. However, they lost 3–0 to Celtic. Manager Alex McLeish left for Rangers in December 2001. The team's captain, Franck Sauzée, became the new manager. But he had no coaching experience. The team played very badly, and Sauzée was fired after only 69 days.
Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson then took over. He wasn't very popular with fans. But a "golden generation" of exciting young players started to appear. These included Garry O'Connor, Derek Riordan, Kevin Thomson, and Scott Brown. These players helped Hibs reach the 2004 Scottish League Cup final. They beat both halves of the Old Firm (Celtic and Rangers) to get there. But they lost 2–0 to Livingston in the final.
Williamson left near the end of that season. Tony Mowbray replaced him. In his first season, Hibs finished third in the league. Mowbray even won the SFWA Manager of the Year award.
Mowbray left Hibs in October 2006. Former player John Collins became manager. The team won the 2007 Scottish League Cup final under him. But the club sold key players like Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown, and Steven Whittaker for over £8 million. Collins resigned later that year because he was frustrated by the lack of money to sign new players. Another former Hibs player, Mixu Paatelainen, was hired but left after his first full season.
Then, John Hughes, another former Hibernian player, became manager. Hughes signed important players like Anthony Stokes and Liam Miller. He led Hibs to a strong start in the 2009–10 season.
The 2010s: Scottish Cup Victory!
Hibs finished fourth in 2010 and qualified for the Europa League. But a bad start to the 2010–11 season led to John Hughes leaving. Colin Calderwood replaced him but was also sacked a year later. The club avoided relegation in 2011–12. They reached the 2012 Scottish Cup final under new manager Pat Fenlon, but lost 5–1 to Hearts.
Fenlon rebuilt the team after this loss. This led to a better league position in 2012–13. They also reached the 2013 Scottish Cup final, but lost 3–0 to Celtic. Hibs qualified for the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League. However, they suffered a record Scottish defeat in Europe, losing 9–0 to Malmö. Fenlon resigned in November and Terry Butcher took over. A run of 13 games without a win meant Hibs had to play in a relegation play-off. They lost after a penalty shootout against Hamilton Academical.
Butcher was sacked in June 2014. Alan Stubbs replaced him. He couldn't get the team promoted, but the 2015–16 season brought great cup success. The team reached the League Cup final, but lost to Ross County. Then came the big moment: victory in the Scottish Cup! For the first time since 1902, Hibs won the cup with a 3–2 win in the final against Rangers.
This win ended a very long wait for the cup. It also helped change the idea that Hibs always failed when expectations were high. Fans even started using the phrase 'Hibsed it' in a positive way. Soon after the cup win, Stubbs left. Neil Lennon became manager and led the team to promotion by winning the 2016–17 Scottish Championship. In their first season back in the top league, Hibs finished fourth and qualified for the Europa League. Lennon left in January 2019. Paul Heckingbottom replaced him but only stayed for seven months. Jack Ross was appointed in November 2019.
The 2020s: Many Manager Changes
Hibs finished seventh in the 2019–20 league season, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. The next season, they finished third in the league. They also reached the 2021 Scottish Cup final, but lost 1–0 to St Johnstone. Ross led Hibs to the League Cup final later that year. But he was sacked 10 days before the final after a bad run of league games.
Shaun Maloney became manager in December 2021. But he was also sacked four months later. His replacement, Lee Johnson, was appointed in May 2022. Hibs finished fifth and qualified for European games under Johnson. But his time ended when the team lost three games in a row at the start of the 2023–24 season.
Team Colors and Badge
Hibs' main colors are green and white. They have used these colors since the club started in 1875. The team's uniform usually has a green body, white sleeves, and a white collar. The shorts are usually white, but sometimes green. The socks are green, often with white details. In recent years, Hibs have also used yellow, purple, black, white, and dark green for their away kits. In 1977, Hibs was the first club in Scotland to have a sponsor's name on their shirts.
In the 1870s, Hibs wore green and white striped shirts. This style later inspired Celtic. From 1879 to 1938, Hibs wore all-green shirts. Then, white sleeves were added, similar to Arsenal. In 2004, the shorts changed to green to match the shirts. This was to celebrate 40 years since a friendly win against Real Madrid. Green shorts were used in that match to avoid a color clash with Real Madrid's all-white kit. Hibs also used green shorts in other seasons. For the 2012–13 season, Hibs changed their main shirt color to a darker "bottle" green. This was a return to an older style used until the 1930s. In 2014–15, they removed the white sleeves to honor the Famous Five players.
The club's badge has changed many times over the years. This shows an ongoing discussion about the club's identity. People have debated whether to proudly show its Irish heritage or not. The Irish harp was first removed in the 1950s. It was put back on the badge when it was redesigned in 2000. Ged O'Brien, a director at the Scottish Football Museum, said in 2001 that the current badge shows Hibs is "comfortable with all the strands of their tradition." The current badge includes the harp (for Ireland), a ship (for the port of Leith), and a castle (for Edinburgh Castle).
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (front) | Shirt sponsor (sleeve) |
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| 1976–1977 | Bukta | No sponsor | No sponsor |
| 1977–1980 | Bukta | ||
| 1980–1981 | Umbro | No sponsor | |
| 1981–1984 | Fisher's Alfa Romeo | ||
| 1984–1985 | No sponsor | ||
| 1985–1986 | Insave | ||
| 1986–1987 | P&D Windows | ||
| 1987–1988 | Adidas | ||
| 1988–1991 | Frank Graham Group | ||
| 1991–1992 | No sponsor | ||
| 1992–1994 | Bukta | Macbean Protective Coating | |
| 1994–1996 | Mitre | Calor | |
| 1996–1998 | Carlsberg | ||
| 1998–2004 | Le Coq Sportif | ||
| 2004–2009 | Whyte & Mackay | ||
| 2009–2010 | McEwan Fraser | ||
| 2010–2011 | Puma | ||
| 2011–2013 | Crabbie's | ||
| 2013–2014 | Nike | ||
| 2014–2017 | Marathon Bet | ||
| 2017–2019 | Macron | ||
| 2019–2020 | Hibernian Community Foundation | ||
| 2020–2021 | Thank You NHS | ||
| 2021–2023 | Joma | Utilita | |
| 2023–2024 | Bevvy.com | ||
| 2024– | SBK |
The Easter Road Stadium
Hibs played in different places before moving to Easter Road. They played on The Meadows for their first two years. Then they moved to Mayfield Park and Powderhall. In 1892, Hibs got a lease for the land now known as Easter Road. They have played their home games there since February 1893.
Before the Taylor Report said stadiums must have seats, Easter Road had large standing areas. It could hold over 60,000 fans. The record attendance was 65,860. This was for an Edinburgh derby on January 2, 1950. This huge crowd came because of the success of the Famous Five.
The pitch used to have a noticeable slope, but this was removed in 2000. Today, the stadium has all seats and can hold 20,421 people. Easter Road is a modern stadium. All four of its stands have been built since 1995. The newest part is the East Stand, built in 2010.
The Scotland men's national team has played seven home matches at Easter Road. This was between 1998 and 2017. The Scotland women's team played their first game there in August 2019. This was a Euro 2022 qualifying match against Cyprus. The stadium has also hosted one international friendly game not involving Scotland. This was between Ghana and South Korea before the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Easter Road is sometimes used for Scottish League Cup semi-final matches. It also hosted one Scottish Challenge Cup final.
The Edinburgh Derby: Hibs vs. Hearts
Hibs has a long-standing local rivalry in Edinburgh with Hearts. The derby match between these two clubs is one of the oldest football rivalries in the world. People describe it as "one of the jewels of the Scottish game."
The clubs first played each other on Christmas Day 1875. Hearts won 1–0 in that very first game for Hibs. The two clubs became the top teams in Edinburgh after a five-game battle for the Edinburgh Football Association Cup in 1878. Hearts finally won that series 3–2 after four draws.
Hibs and Hearts have met in two Scottish Cup finals. Hearts won both of these matches, in 1896 and 2012. The 1896 match is special because it was the only Scottish Cup Final played outside Glasgow.
Both clubs have won the Scottish championship four times. Hearts have a slightly better record in derby matches. Hibs had their biggest derby win in a competitive game when they won 7–0 at Tynecastle. This happened on New Year's Day 1973. While some rivalries are based on religion or background, this one is mostly "good-natured." It has even helped both clubs in some ways.
Fans and Club Culture
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Hibernian is one of only two full-time professional football clubs in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is the capital and second-largest city in Scotland. Hibs had the fourth-highest average attendance in the Scottish leagues during the 2022–23 season, with 17,469 fans per game.
After World War II, Hibs often had over 20,000 fans at games. Their highest average attendance was 31,567 in the 1951–52 season. Since Easter Road became an all-seater stadium in the mid-1990s, average attendance has changed. It was highest at 18,124 in 2017–18 and lowest at 9,150 in 2003–04. There has been a big increase in recent seasons. This was inspired by the Scottish Cup win in 2016 and promotion in 2017. In the 1980s and 1990s, a small group of supporters had a reputation for being part of a 'casual' subculture.
Hibs in Books
The books by author Irvine Welsh, especially Trainspotting, often mention Hibernian. The team is talked about in everyday conversations. Many of his characters support Hibs. In Danny Boyle's film of Trainspotting, you can see references to Hibs. For example, Francis Begbie wears a Hibs shirt while playing football. Many Hibs posters are on the walls of Mark Renton's bedroom.
The 2012 and 2016 Scottish Cup finals are described in Welsh's novels A Decent Ride and Dead Men's Trousers.
Hibernian is also often mentioned in the Inspector Rebus series of detective novels by Ian Rankin. Rankin has said that Rebus supports Raith Rovers. But in the 2000s TV show based on the books, Rebus is a Hibs fan. Interestingly, the actor who plays Rebus, Ken Stott, supports Hearts. DS Siobhan Clarke, Rebus's colleague in later books, is a "loyal supporter" of Hibs.
Hibs in Music
The Hibs song "Glory, Glory to the Hibees" was written by Scottish comedian Hector Nicol. Former Marillion singer Fish is a Hibs fan. Easter Road is mentioned in his song "Lucky."
The Proclaimers are lifelong Hibs fans. They were very involved in the 'Hands off Hibs' campaign in 1990. Their song Sunshine on Leith has become a Hibs anthem. It is often played after big wins at Easter Road and after cup finals.
The song "Joyful Kilmarnock Blues" from The Proclaimers' first album is about a Hibs away victory.
Hibs in Television
Hibs is featured in the TV series Succession. In the episode Dundee, Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) buys Hearts. He thinks it's his father's favorite team. But when he gives the gift, Logan Roy reveals he is actually a Hibs supporter.
Club Ownership and Money
The football club started in 1875, but it became a company in 1903. It stayed a private company until 1988. Then, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange. Because of this public listing and money problems, Hibs was almost taken over in 1990. This was by Wallace Mercer, the chairman of Hearts. But this attempt failed. Mercer couldn't get enough shares to close the company.
The club's main company, Forth Investments plc, went into financial trouble in 1991. Sir Tom Farmer then bought control of the club for £3 million. Farmer helped pay for new developments at Easter Road and covered Hibs' financial losses. He let others, like Rod Petrie, manage the club day-to-day.
In December 2014, the club said it wanted to sell up to 51% of its ownership to its fans. By November 2017, fans owned 34% of the club. In July 2019, the majority ownership was sold to Ronald Gordon, a businessman from Peru living in the US. He became the executive chairman. On February 21, 2023, Hibernian announced that Gordon had died from cancer at 68. His family then took over his majority shares.
In February 2024, a deal with Black Knight was approved. Black Knight is the main owner of the English club AFC Bournemouth. With this deal, the Gordon family will still own most of the club (60%). Black Knight will get 25% for a £6 million investment. Other smaller owners, like the fans' group Hibernian Supporters Limited, now own a smaller percentage of the club.
Players
Current First Team Squad
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Players on Loan to Other Clubs
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Women's Team
The Hibernian women's team started in 1997. It was first called Preston Athletic. In 1999, the name changed to Hibernian Ladies. They became one of the best women's teams in Scotland.
Hibernian won the Scottish Women's Cup in 2010. This was their fifth win in eight years. Their success in the national cup was a big contrast to the men's team. The men's team went over a century without winning the same competition until 2016. Hibernian Ladies won both domestic cups in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Before the 2020 season, the club changed its name to Hibernian Women. Players were offered their first part-time professional contracts. In July 2022, the women's first team became a full part of the men's club. The youth teams are still run by the Hibernian Community Foundation.
Club Officials
First Team Coaching Staff
Source: Board of Directors
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Backroom Staff
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Famous Players
Lewis Stevenson has played the most league games for Hibs. He passed 450 appearances in 2023. All of the Famous Five players – Gordon Smith, Eddie Turnbull, Lawrie Reilly, Bobby Johnstone, and Willie Ormond – scored over 100 league goals for Hibs.
Hibs players have played for 30 different national teams. 68 Hibernian players have played for Scotland. Hibernian is fifth among all clubs for providing players to Scotland. Only the Old Firm, Hearts, and Queen's Park have provided more. James Lundie and James McGhee were the first Hibs players to play for Scotland in 1885. Lawrie Reilly holds the record for most international games played while a Hibs player. He played 38 times for Scotland between 1949 and 1957. In 1959, Hibs forward Joe Baker became the first player who hadn't played for an English club to play for England.
To celebrate the club's 135th birthday, Hibs created a Hall of Fame in 2010. The first group of nominees, including 13 former players, were honored at a dinner that year.
Famous Managers
From 1875 to 1903, a committee managed Hibs. But Dan McMichael was the main manager when the club won the Scottish Cup in 1902 and the league championship in 1903. Willie McCartney was in charge for part of the league-winning 1947–48 season. But he sadly died after a Scottish Cup match in January 1948. Hugh Shaw then took over that team. He went on to win three league championships in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Alan Stubbs won the Scottish Cup in 2015–16. This ended a 114-year wait for that trophy. Eddie Turnbull, Alex Miller, and John Collins each won one Scottish League Cup. Bobby Templeton, Bertie Auld, Alex McLeish, and Neil Lennon all won championships in the second tier league.
Club Achievements
Major Trophies
- Scottish League (Top Division)
- Winners (4): 1902–03, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1951–52
- Runners-up (6): 1896–97, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1973–74, 1974–75
- Scottish Cup
- Winners (3): 1886–87, 1901–02, 2015–16
- Runners-up (12): 1895–96, 1913–14, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1946–47, 1957–58, 1971–72, 1978–79, 2000–01, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2020–21
- Scottish League Cup
- Winners (3): 1972–73, 1991–92, 2006–07
- Runners-up (8): 1950–51, 1968–69, 1974–75, 1985–86, 1993–94, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2021–22
Other Trophies
- Scottish League (Second Division): 1893–94, 1894–95, 1932–33, 1980–81, 1998–99, 2016–17
- Drybrough Cup: 1972, 1973
- Summer Cup: 1941, 1964
- Southern League Cup: 1943–44
- East of Scotland Shield: 49 times
- Rosebery Charity Cup: 22 times
- Wilson Cup: 14 times
- Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup: 1902
- Edinburgh Football League: 1901–02
- North-Eastern Cup: 1910–11
- Dunedin Cup: 1921, 1929
Club Records
Attendance Records
- Highest attendance for one game: 65,860 vs Hearts, January 2, 1950
- Highest average home attendance: 31,567 in the 1951–52 season
- Highest attendance for any match with Hibs: 143,570 vs Rangers at Hampden Park, March 27, 1948
Game Records
- Biggest victory: 22–1 vs Black Watch Highlanders, September 3, 1881
- Biggest competitive victory: 15–1 vs Peebles Rovers, February 11, 1961
- Biggest league victory: 11–1 vs Airdrie, October 24, 1959, and vs Hamilton, November 6, 1965
- Biggest defeat: 0–10 vs Rangers, December 24, 1898
Player Records: Games and Goals
- Most competitive appearances: Gordon Smith, 636 games
- Most league appearances: Lewis Stevenson, 477 games
- Most capped player (played for national team): Lawrie Reilly, 38 times for Scotland
- Most competitive goals: Gordon Smith, 303 goals
- Most league goals: Lawrie Reilly, 187 goals
- Most competitive goals in one season: Joe Baker, 46 goals in 1959–60
- Most league goals in one season: Joe Baker, 42 goals in 1959–60
Transfer Records
- Record fee paid for a player: Undisclosed (over £700,000) for Martin Boyle from Al Faisaly in 2022
- Record fee received for a player: £4,400,000 for Scott Brown from Celtic in 2007
See also
- Hibernian F.C. in European football
- Hibernian W.F.C.
- Hibernian F.C. Reserves and Academy
- Hibernian Training Centre
