Mass Hibsteria

Hibs: The Prodigal is Back!

2008-09-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hibernian yesterday completed the signing of former striker, Derek Riordan from Celtic after a torrent of rumour regarding a possible deal. Fans' nerves were stretched to breaking point waiting for the Messiah-like return of the former golden boy of Easter Road until an announcement during the evening. Although the talk of a return seemed well-substantiated, it was far from a formality with Hibs having to comply with Celtic's wishes regarding a sizable sell-on fee.

Hibs' pre and early season form has been poor and erratic and Derek's return will give a great boost a to a beleaguered club board and concerned and angry supporters alike. It's just the fillip required at Easter Road and one can almost feel the tides of goodwill and optimism flowing from club's faithful fans today

Riordan is back!

The rarest commodities in football are surely true goalscorers- those that have the happy knack of being in the right place when it matters and able to despatch the ball into the back of the net in a variety of methods. Derek Riordan is just such a player. Not for him the most robust aspects of the game as a very slimly built forward player it must be stated. His tackling won't trouble too many apart from nuisance value but his talents are far more valuable in and around the opposition penalty area where he excels like few others. A study of Riordan's goals is an examination of how to score in a myriad of ways. Twenty-five yarders, tap-ins, mazy dribble and finishes, all taken with a cool clinical precision. Hibs are very fortunate indeed to have the player, who is also a life-long fan of the club back in the fold. It is perhaps a regret to the player and at the same time incredible, that the Glasgow club seemed unable or unwilling to unleash his considerable talents too often. That is for them to reflect upon. In the meantime the whole of Leith (and those of us further adrift) with a love of the old club will be celebrating and have a new spring in our step today.

DEREK RIORDAN IS BACK!

Stuart Frew

Another Bad Day at the Office for Hibernian

2008-08-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell

: More misery for the Hibees

Worrying times continue for the Hibees after another defeat, this time to a late John Sutton goal fromMotherwell at Easter Road. It's yet another blow for this toothless team in green and white that is long past beginning to concern me. Following on from an embarrasssing 3-4 defeat at the hands of Greenock Morton - a team two divisions below Hibs, last Tuesday evening.

The hopeful diversion of a possible return of former Hibs star Derek Riordan has perhaps contributed to some of us with the Easter Road club at heart taking our eye off the ball as matters are truly dire at the club presently. It will take more than a fit and scoring Riordan to turn things around for our currently ailing team sadly.

There are reports that towards the end of the game today there were shouts of 'Petrie out' directed towards the CEO who is taking a fair amount of the flack from sections of the support for a lack of re-investment in the team after taking in approximately £11m of late in player sales. It's a stance I have a lot of time for as we watch a denuded team attempt to replace a galaxy of great young talent with generally very ordinary journeymen football players.

Others will point to healthy movements forward for the club as a whole. Certainly the East Mains Training Centre in particular and the prospective completion of the rebuilding of Easter Road with a brand-spanking new East Stand measure some of the progress the club has made over the past few seasons. Unfortunately Chairman Petrie seems to have forgotten that Hibernian FC is actually a football club. The training centre is a marvellous move for the future whilst the new stand's immediate worth must be in some doubt. Hibs don't have a team on the pitch worthy of filling the new spectator area sad to say.

My personal opinion for what it's worth is that there has been a lack of balance in the way that the clubs financial affairs have been managed for some time now. There is little balance between expenditure on team matters and other areas of the football club. Hibs fans have been let down badly in seeing an extremely talented young team dismantled and being replaced with players of inferior quality and pedigree. It's easy to see why so many are angry and I count myself as one of that number.

: An emotional Mixu Paatelainen

It's always a blame game nowadays as people seek to find a scapegoat for most every general situation. This is no different at Easter Road. Whilst a proportion of the Hibs faithful blame Chairman Petrie for his tight-wallet fiscal approach, others go further in seeing him as a puppet of Hibs owner Sir Tom Farmer. Others still pour scorn on individual players, the goalkeepers in particular. There is also a sizable body of supporters that blame the woes of the club on manager Mixu Paatelainen. I'm not yet certain of Mixu's capabilities and I'll lay my cards on the table in saying that he would not have been my first choice for Hibs boss when the vacancy last occurred. It does seem unfair however to lay all of the blame at the former player's door in spite of some of his well-documented weaknesses tactically and with team selections. Mixu, like most Hib managers has to operate with an arm tied firmly behind his back. It was the same for John Collins and Tony Mowbray in recent times. Collins in particular in spite of having a reportedly larger amount of money to spend on team matters than some others also presided over the selling off of a great young set of players from underneath him without adequately priced replacements being installed.

Finally regarding today's game, it was telling to note that a crowd of around 11,000-odd turned up. This is certainly down by a good piece when compared to last season's figures. I find this one of the most worrying factors about the game today. Is our 'upward spiral' finally grinding to a halt in the face of lack of ambition? I'm sorry to admit that I believe it is. Who knows, a run of a few decent performances and results will see me and others feeling differently but I have no confidence that this will happen without a re-think from the individuals charged with the running of Hibernian Football club.

Stuart Frew

Derek Riordan

2008-08-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

There - I've quoted the name. The one that's tripping off practically every Hibs supporters lips at the current time. Presently Derek remains sitting out his contract at Celtic, shorn of match fitness by manage

r Strachan who appears to have taken personal exception to the young goal scorer and who has consistently refused to play him for the Glasgow club during his own at Parkhead.

At the time of writing - and this situation is a dynamic one that could change at any moment, the transfer window in Scottish Football is due to close on Monday and the usual rumour-mill is wound up to full speed. The Hibs online communities are beside themselves to discuss the possibly of a Messiah-like return to Hibs of the slimly built hit-man. Literally scores of forum threads have been dedicated to the subject rendering the persuing of those messageboads almost unreadable at times.

As those with an interest know, Derek left Easter Road around two years ago amidst a bad atmosphere and one of recriminations around the manner of his departure. He was seen by many to have sold the club short financially at that time and one of the many rumours surrounding his exit was that CEO Rod Petrie had played hardball with the youngster and in turn the player had responded accordingly. Of course this is just one of the theories and perhaps we will never know the truth.

The cry at that time was one of 'Judas' from a vociferous section of the Easter Road faithful. We've become used to seeing seeing the word 'loyalty' become a redundant one in modern football - from players, managers and supporters but the scale of abuse was as great as I had personally ever witnessed from my fellow Hibs fans. Disturbing in its intensity in one or two individuals.

Of course I hope that Hibernian are the club that finally parade his talents in a first team strip.. It's not the fact that Derek Riordan is a dyed-in-the-wool Hibby but much more to do with his ability. Those capabilities include being a most natural goal scorer. Derek has that innate ability to put the ball in the back of the net and as always, there are few in the game that can offer

: Happier days. Hibs' then twenty-goal a season man celebrates yet another marker

that promise. In his Easter Road days he was sometimes reviled for his lack of work-rate and indifference to tackling and tracking back when Hibs weren't in possession of the ball. Whilst always applauding industry and a good work ethic in a professional, asking Derek to undertake that type of role was missing the point of his game slightly I always felt. There were occasions he didn't necessarily help himself in that respect but at the same time his opportunities were often denied due to being consistently substituted by manager Mowbray at that time. It's certainly a facet of his game that the player will have to pay attention to in order to resume his career progress however.

So the controversy regarding a return to Edinburgh continues to rage. Of late there have been thousands of words expounded by the Hibernian support and press alike regarding the situation and in spite of being a fan of the player I can't help but feel that in the event of his potential second coming he will have far too much too live up to in people's slightly unreasonable expectations. I hope that I am proved incorrect in the event. Knowing Derek Riordan it would be just like him to drive a swerving 25-yarder into the top of the net on his debut.ernian What happens if he isn't able to keep that type of magic up or game after game though. That is my worry as us Hibs fans have become increasingly short of patience and fractious with our players these days. In the meantime I'll be avoiding those 'stories' surrounding his return, his social life, his Range Rover and what he eats for breakfast.

Stuart Frew

The problem with Scottish refs

2008-08-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

It seems that refereeing decisions in the SPL are becoming ever more bizarre over time. Everybody has their own explanation to explain the shoddy standard of refereeing in this country. Three of the most predominant are the refs are just useless, backhanders and that they are bigot brother fans in black shirts.

The sit down between selected managers, players and refs was supposed to help to clear the air. If it did work it only lasted until the next match kicked off. Yogi Hughes has suggested that referees go for a game of golf with managers in order to help break down the barriers that exist between them. I would not force my worst enemy to spend any length of time with a referee and I would not make anybody spend time in the company of Yogi no matter how much they had pissed me off. The US constitution describes that as cruel and inhumane treatment, even inmates in Guantanamo Bay don’t have to put up with that kind of torture.

How do you justify giving the bastard in the black the £800 a game that they are asking for? Is it the time to get professional referees? Should we borrow referees from another league?

The first thing they have to do is to look at the whole issue of sponsorship of the referees. We all laughed when they announced that Specsavers were taking over the sponsorship deal for refs. How many times had the resident wit of the east stand suggested a trip to Specsavers for a referee? An ideal sponsorship opportunity if ever there was one. I bet that Specsavers are embarrassed by it now though, having your name associated with one of the myopic groups of people ever to walk this earth. Well maybe it is time to move on. My suggestion is that the refs go cap in hand to a company that provides laser eye surgery. Specs have not worked so they might as well give Lasik a try. Anything that helps them see the damage that they are doing to the game as well as the reputation of Scottish football must be good.

Hibernian – Give us a Goal

2008-07-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

Not ‘six of the best’ unfortunately as after six pre-season games Hibs have proved unable to hit the net in half a dozen attempts this summer so far. With capitulations (twice) in the Intertoto Cup against Sweden’s Elfsborg, a no-score draw with Raith Rovers and defeats versus the modest opposition of Cowdenbeath and now Clyde, the 6-0 drubbing from mighty Barcelona almost seems to appear quite reasonable.

Further home games against EPL outfits Middlesbrough and Wigan now pave the way to the first league fixture away to Kilmarnock. There has to be a fair chunk of trepidation felt by the Easter Road faithful about these encounters and about the coming season in earnest to follow.

Remember the days when pre-season friendlies were of little note? Tradition might be for a good few Scottish teams to try their hand against English competition and apart from the odd shallow bragging right nobody really cared too much. It’s different nowadays isn’t it? Fans travel long distances and spend a lot of money to see their team on trips that often raise funds for some clubs or provide a busman’s holiday for teams’ players. I’m really not sure about this. Every game is there to be won of course and paying fans have the right to see a performance fitting of their admission fee but there now seems a lot of negativity created by defeats in these games.

I’ve never been a fan that particularly takes pre-season results too seriously what is happening at Easter Road concerns me a lot. Six games and not a solitary goal should worry anyone as evidently the team is not firing and creating chances. It should be obvious to state what a bad sign this is as alternatiely we can sometimes forgive a side that creates plenty of opportunities to score but fails to take advantage. To not carve out an opening or two however poses greater and deeper problems.

Mixu Paatelainen in angry mood

So what’s the big problem with Hibs? We all have our theories and many will share mine but this football team has been robbed of the nearly all its quality over the season or two. Many times this situation has been impossible to deny as young ambitious players wish to move on to pastures anew and huge wage increase and who can blame them. What is a greater problem is the way in which Hibernian have chosen to replace that young talent. Nearly always this means bargain basement buys, cheap ‘Bosmans’ and very ordinary journeymen players who represent the flotsam and jetsam on the fringes of international football way down to non-league. It’s no mystery why Hibs now find themselves in such an apparent mess. It was always fairly inevitable that this was going to happen.

Perhaps the long term way forward for Hibs is again in youth. This is being attended to via the new training centre at East Mains but chairman Rod Petrie really does need to address the issues of seeking and attracting better quality players in the short term. It’s rare that we get to know the real financial business of Hibs as mere supporters but it seems all too evident that the club simply don’t pay enough to draw better players to Easter Road. Petrie may think his financially prudent master plan is the way for Hibs to progress but personally I feel there is little balance in the way he runs affairs. This is still a football club, fans pay to be entertained and the same fans are now beginning to rebel against this tight fiscal policy that is strangling the team’s vitality. At times it feels as though the good work carried out over the past three seasons or so is being completely reversed. What a great shame it is to state that.

Finally I feel it’s a great pity to see another former Hibs hero in Mixu Paatelainen carrying the brunt of the blame in some eyes. I have to confess that whilst having the greatest respect for the Finn he wouldn’t have been my first choice for the Easter Road job. Nevertheless I feel that Mixu is being hung out to dry – just as previous manager John Collins was. The reasons that Collins appeared to have walked out of the club for could well be the same reasons that Mixu may soon leave for - namely a lack of support on team building issues from the Hibs board. Sad to say, Hibernian FC does not always learn from its mistakes.

Stuart Frew

Cropley - The Second Coming

2008-07-16T01:59:00.000-07:00

I was pleased to note a familiar old name being bandied around in Hibs circles yesterday. The name Cropley will be familiar to many Hibs aficionados and also not a few older generation Aston Villa and Arsenal supporters as belonging to the brilliant talent of 1970s’ midfielder, Alex Cropley. Alex was one of my great Hibs heroes. In what was a wonderful and creative team shrewdly managed by Hibs boss, Eddie Turnbull in that era, midfielder Cropley shone, even amongst a great array of talent and flair.

Alex Cropley’s game was very much a multi-dimensional one. Not only could he play inch-perfect and flamboyant cross field passes and hold the ball with sublime skill, he could also ‘dig’ pretty well too. His tackling being at the sharp and aggressive end of the spectrum belying his size and neat, deft ball skills. Alex was quite left-footed but what a foot it was.

Alex was born in Aldershot, England being the son of a serviceman stationed in that part of the world. This fact provided his long-time nickname ‘Sodjer’ although he did come to represent Scotland internationally on two occasions. One might look back at the modest two caps and ask how many more times that would have been had he played for Celtic or Rangers instead of Hibs? Nevertheless Alex did have a good career before ending his playing days prematurely at just thirty-one. In 1974 after a successful period at Hibs he was transferred to Arsenal where he unfortunately failed to establish himself due to continual injury problems, unluckily suffering two leg-breaks. In 1976 he moved to Aston Villa where he made sixty-seven appearances before leaving in 1980. Alex continued playing for a short while with Newcastle, Toronto Blizzards and Portsmouth before finally drawing the curtain on his playing career. The mercurial former midfielder now earns a living as a taxi driver in Edinburgh.

It's 1974 and Alex Cropley signs for Arsenal under the eye of Bertie Mee

Now it seems the name of Cropley returns and I for one am excited at that prospect. Alex’ son, Jordan Cropley is also a midfield player who is currently on the verge of breaking through from Hibs’ junior ranks. Newspaper reports tell us that Cropley jnr. travelled to Sweden with the Hibs first team squad for the recent Inter-Toto tie. Perhaps the most shocked to hear of this prospect was Jordan himself and its good to hear of his obvious humility and that his feet are firmly on the ground.

Apparently Jordan Cropley is left-footed and passes the ball extremely well – just like his father did all those years ago. He feels himself to be not quite as aggressive in the tackle as his dad was however. It seems churlish to state that if Jordan develops into half the player his father was he will be a fine performer indeed. I hope that he is allowed to further his career without the millstone of comparisons with his famous father being made too often.

Stuart Frew

Signings

2008-07-15T02:48:00.000-07:00

Wading my way through what is a recurrent theme at this time of year, that of angst caused by the lack of ‘signings’ at Hibs encourages me to consider a little of the way things used to be in professional football too many decades ago to admit to.

Of course nowadays the average supporter is well used to new faces in the squad, freshening up the team and creating interest around Hibs, and most other clubs for that matter. It should be remembered however that this state of affairs was not always so. Perhaps only two decades ago matters were quite different in an era that was not dominated by football agents, ‘Bosman’s and pre-contracts.

In those days we football fans were quite used to watching a very similar team evolve only very slowly over a period of seasons. We had our favourites, and just like now our villains, but we identified with those players almost like they were old friends that we renewed acquaintance with every other Saturday afternoon at 3pm. How easy it is to recall fan favourites such as Arthur Duncan pacing the left touchline every week for year after year or an Eric Schaedler, tough and fully committed to the cause week in, week out, having the entire East Terrace making every tackle with him?

Fan favourite: 'Shades'

The truth is that in those days, which now seem from such a greatly different era in football, the game was a far simpler one in many respects. It was seldom we as fans talked at length of board members and what their exact roles were for example – mainly because we weren’t particularly interested in what the ‘suits’ said or did generally speaking.

Every team had its resident hard man, skilled player, stalwart of a dozen seasons or more and character goalie. There was no real need to go fishing for your rival’s version of these players unless they were substantially and unarguably better than the men turning out in the one to eleven jerseys for your side. Of course most teams would push to sign that left back who was more accomplished than the one you already had, but the difference was the lack of fan clamour to do so by comparison to today.

Without wishing to be patronising, I often feel sorry for younger fans today. They seldom have the opportunity to build a relationship with their heroes on the pitch like we did. In past times we’d look for the team photograph in the close season and the biggest changes would be who had grown a moustache or their hair a couple of inches over their collar. The faces were always very much still there in the main, the Stanton’s and the Blackley’s peering out of the team line-up photograph, looking happy and optimistic for the new campaign.

Football will most probably never return to those days and this how it should be, forever changing, moving on and reflecting the society in which it operates. It’s difficult not to imagine that the current merry-go-round of cheap expendable and sometimes ordinary talent takes the average team absolutely nowhere in terms of tangible success however. Will the young fans of today be talking in legendary terms about there heroes just as we insist on doing from those days?

Stuart Frew

Perspective

2008-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Being fortunate enough to have made a trip to the ‘Burgh for the past few days I took the opportunity offered by a fellow MHHM-er for an early morning visit to the new training centre at East Mains.

On a mostly deserted Saturday morning before 9pm it takes the use of the imagination to envisage a day’s hard work being put in by the playing staff from Easter Road at East Mains but still the centre remains extremely impressive. The only sign of life was a tractor pulling a gang mower in the far distance (thankfully) as we pondered this new and vital facility for Hibs’ future.

How archaic is Scottish and British football generally when we are informed how very few clubs own such a training centre? It’s said that the majority of top clubs in France for example train in such circumstances. With some of the success the French have had in recent years we can see that this is perhaps no coincidence.

The centre sports some of the lushest, greenest new turf I’ve seen in a while. Around the main buildings, the turves are currently still knitting together at this time and infant saplings have been planted to surround the playing areas and offer an eventual windbreak in what look to be potentially fairly windswept conditions.

Inside the main premises a large indoor pitch is visible, additionally there are gyms packed with new equipment. It’s difficult to imagine how the full array of facilities which are available at East Mains will not benefit the football club greatly. Apart from the more obvious advantages which take the Hibs players away from minibus rides to local public parks and into the modern era, such a working environment has to be something of a draw in attracting new players to the club. What professional footballer wouldn’t be happy to perform his job of work daily in such an environment?

An inauspicious sight maybe but will millions of pounds of Hibs talent be nurtured behind those shuttered doors?

At a time when there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth emanating from the Hibs support due to lack of investment in the playing squad (some of it well-justified it could be argued) it was refreshing to see at first hand the great progress the club is making at least in this area together with the proposed new East Stand. The latter two developments will stand in testament to some forward thinking planning by the club in the decades to come. All we need now is to see a little perspective from the Hibernian board in offering more balance in the way in which the clubs finances are expended. It should always be remembered that constructions and acquisitions such as East Mains and the new East stand are only ever in put place to service what happens the other side of the white lines on a Saturday afternoon.

Stuart Frew

Mass Hibsteria

2008-07-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new official Mass Hibsteria blog.

A new season beckons and with our glourious performances against that Swedish mob a new sense of optimisim is already gripping the fans.

Well I guess we will soom see if all the people who promised they would contribute here do so.

Easter Road 1980

2008-02-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

Super-8 film footage of Easter Road in 1980, taken by a Mr W. Gibson who was obviously on a mission at the time to film as many of the UK’s football grounds as he could.

Apart from the roof and benches on the north terrace this is substantially how Easter Road had looked since the early 1950s. Three years after this film was taken the top tier was sliced off the massive east terrace and by 1985 the present roof had been added.

Ten years later and work began to replace the north and ‘Dunbar’ ends with new stands, and in 2001 the main west stand, which had stood (and decayed) since the 1930s was replaced, and not before time.

It seems probable that the final part of the jigsaw, the east terrace, is about to be levelled and rebuilt, erasing the last vestige of the ground shown in this film and creating a complete stadium fit for the century ahead.

It is well worth having a look at the film of other grounds too, many of which have now either been completely or significantly rebuilt, or in many cases bulldozed and covered in supermarkets or housing developments. Of several that I have visited, Douglas Park, Kilbowie, Boghead and Brockville have all disappeared, although the last two survived almost exactly as you see them here into the 21st century when they barely seemed fit for the 19th. God knows what Frank Sauzee thought when I saw him make his debut for Hibs at that Brockville in 1998. Did he for a moment think that he had fallen through a crack in the fabric of time and was doomed to play out the twighlight of his career in places like that? Luckily he didn’t just rip up his contract and run screaming for the airport then and there.

Hats off to Mr Gibson for his priceless record of our football heritage.

the hibLOG

Mephisto!

2008-01-10T04:09:00.000-08:00

Well that didn’t take long. Anyone else notice the striking similarity between our new manager and the Bond-baddie from Never Say Never Again? Could they be in any way related?

Let’s hope Captain Jones’s not-so-secret agent is first in the torture chamber.

the hibLOG

Expectation

2008-01-10T04:05:00.000-08:00

League Cup 2007 - 8,

While we are all waiting with baited breath the unveiling of our new manager (it’s Mixu, we all ken that), readers may like to while away a few moments browsing my small collection of Hibs photos and memorabilia, shamelessly culled from online media sources.

The photos of John Collins’s finest hour are all my own work though. Ah John, where did it all go wrong?

the hibLOG

"The Clash of the Maroon and the Green and White"

2007-11-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

An interesting article by journalist Graham Spiers about the great Edinburgh rivalry. The piece focusing on the sociological aspects surrounding Hibs and Hearts rivalry perhaps contains many half-truths, untruths and a good dash of social stereotyping. It’s nevertheless a worthy attempt in investigating what makes ‘us’ different to ‘them’. I enjoyed the article in spite of it’s obvious flaws.

Edinburgh derby is the jewel of the game in Scotland

Stuart Frew

A manager we can belieeeeeeve in...

2007-10-29T03:57:00.000-07:00

Another good in-depth interview with John Collins in Yesterday’s Scotland on Sunday I see. Good to read him tackling the contentious issues head on and putting fat oafs like Simon Brown in their place without having to resort to diplomatic euphemism. Pity it came on the back of such a monstrously gash performance on the park…

Still, JC’s sincerity and commitment shine out, as well as his obvious intelligence. No doubt the more intellectually challenged Yams will still go on about Six-Pack and Tommy Craig the Puppetmaster, but articles like this remove any substance from claims that Collins is not his own man, or that he is just an arrogant narcissus. He ain’t. He’s just an honest, dedicated professional trying to do a tough job with materials of sometimes questionable quality.

the hibLOG

Troubled Times: Straiton

2007-10-29T03:51:00.000-07:00

A past perspective written shortly after the prospect of ‘Straiton II’ was announced. Worthwile considering when we measure the reaction to Hibs losing a game to St. Mirren 0-1 last Saturday?

"I felt the same emotions as many other THAT Monday
morning recently when news filtered through about a possible prospective move
from the Hibernian heartland of Easter Road. Feelings of confusion, incredulity,
anger and disappointment were paramount primarily.Fear not here, as I do not
proffer another angle as to whether our football team should indeed be
Straiton-bound or not. Many have comprehensively and expertly covered this
subject, through informative and well-conceived articles reproduced on the
Hibs.net front page and further by excellent debating skills displayed within
the recently particularly well-used medium of the message board. It would be a
difficult task to imagine anything new to present to the table currently.
I offer a word of reassurance to this end, as I am
perfectly sure many of are feeling the effects of a certain Straiton
‘burn-out’!My own initial opinions of the move, admittedly with a very little
information to hand, like most of us, had been woven around fears of deceit. I,
like others have at times taken the opportunity to make my, (in my case negative
towards a move), opinions known, so If I may, I’d enjoy laying that thought down
straight away and moving on toward my main point.
Over some considerable period of, at first, passively
noting contributions to the original Erin site and Hibs.net and progressively to
being a regular, hopefully constructive contributor through postings on the
message board, it has been my pleasure always to talk to fellow Hibernian
supporters. I should also give mention to other club’s supporters who offer
width and depth to the conversation. Without their presence we could potentially
experience a more sterile environment.It is against this backdrop that I would
like to express some very real concerns and fears for the brotherhood that we
call supporting Hibernian Football Club.
There has been mention by some of a feeling of ‘supporter
against supporter’ in recent times over this huge issue that confronts us all.
Indeed I recognise the signs in myself – thoughts of impatience and
dismissiveness at others opinions which do not correspond with my own. I started
to feel some anger at some fellow fans, fans who I have enjoyed the ‘company’ of
on Hibs.net and have had copious amounts of respect for previously, for their
wisdom, intelligence, debating skills and not least, a love of our club,
Hibernian.Now, I don’t like this, I don’t like it all. In fact I thought about
this so much it moved me to come along here for the first time, and share my
thoughts with those of you who would be kind enough to listen.
After an initial period of understandably fierce debating
there is movement afoot. We have watched as Hibernian people are starting to
inevitably collect and organise themselves to make themselves heard. I sense
huge black clouds gathering and the chill wind of harsh words that will surely
blow around us all very soon. This has to be, and perhaps is the way it should
be?I’ll get to the point, and thank you for your patience thus far. I’d like to
offer a little plea if I may? It would make me very happy if I could observe my
fellow supporters, whichever ‘side’ of the debate you may stand on, behaving
with decorum and dignity. Let’s leave the insults at home and attempt to
understand fellow fan’s various points of view, be what they may. It might be
fair to say that a majority of supporters have already achieved this desirable
state. I salute those of you.
We are all under great provocation at times to act
otherwise, (note my self-confessed emotions earlier), the measure of us will be
to witness our actions in this (yet another) time of adversity.We have an
excellent forum for debate on the Hib.net message board, and indeed over on our
friends at the Hibees Bounce site, another superb portal for Hibbies worldwide.
Let’s utilise these facilities to their full, with honest, reasoned and
respectful debate as talking must always be the foremost way forward. Yes of
course there will be anger and derision occasionally. That we can be sure
of, I am equally sure that we can concentrate on the avoidance of unnecessary
instances of this though, happily.
The current storm brewing rumbles ominously, when those
hard times pass we will see Hibernian Football Club delivered into fresh new
pastures and a new era or alternatively steadfastly resolute in our beloved home
of Easter Road – The Holy Ground. A safe and respectful passage I bid you
all."

Stuart Frew

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

2007-10-27T03:47:00.000-07:00

Hibernian 0 St. Mirren 1

An unsatisfactory result by most standards for the Hibs today then and a double disappointment after finally last week relinquishing a superb unbeaten league run this season. Well all good things come to an end and how, let down as we might feel, can say they’ve never been taken to extremes of expectancy by Hibs only to have their dream dashed? For those of us who have been following this club for any time at all it has been a default condition over the years, we’re Hibbies and we expect and quite often accept this as part of the ride whilst following the Green Jerseys.

I get annoyed when Hibs capitulate from these fine positions they get into, I feel as desperately disappointed as anyone else. That said a certain maturity in dealing with it comes about after much experience of another bad day at the office. To be fair I’m not able to be at Easter road often enough to actually watch and feel the ebb and flow of the game. It’s quite easy to be more balanced about such situations overlooking them at a distance - quite another to watch a poor and seemingly unnecessary and inexplicable performance unfold. Having added that caveat I am almost more disappointed with some supporters rants during and immediately after the game than the team’s deficiencies…almost.

Today I found myself listening to the Internet radio coverage and flicking through the Hibs messageboards whilst the game was going on, picking up on snippets added by stay at home and distant Hibbies. Some of the comments I read make me wonder if some of these people actually support this team at all? It’s each to their own of course and I take the point that people pay their money and deserve their say just like anyone else, but some of it is just totally ridiculous and in particular very fickle. After the twelfth minute today when St. Mirren went ahead due to an apparent defensive mix-up between centre back Jones and Makalamby in goal one fan opined that this was ‘unnacceptable’. Take that apart for a second and what oes it actually mean? Does it mean that it’s unacceptable for any team to score a goal against Hibs? Manager John Collins has expressed at various times that it is important to realise and understand that there will be setbacks - during games and in the team’s general progress but that point does not appear to have been ‘acceptable to some’.

Further chagrin tonight then as I read that Clayton Donaldson is ‘pure and utter keek’ whilst his strike partner Curier is a ‘carthorse’. Luckily I was able to see these guys take the pitch for Hibs quite recently and whilst always saying that it is impossible to judge a player on one performance the evidence I saw with my own eyes would be contrary to those extreme views given. Of course Jones should ‘go - and take Makalamby with him’. Next game, a different day and different performance their praises will be getting sung no doubt… What’s the answer here? I’m not sure. I do believe generally that Hibs should open the purse strings a little, within reason. I’m not however suggesting a wholesale hiking up of the wage structure that would see the bulk of the type of the quality in the team getting a big overhaul. We need a lot more patience yet, the board still have to convince me on the extreme prudence though, but that’s another debate. Speaking of patience I really think I might resort to my old routine of waiting to hear what supporters have to say on the day after - or better still Monday - rather than on a Saturday evening.

Any football supporters, not just Hibs, are liable to get a little angry when their team underperforms and disappoints come match day. It’s a passionate game and it just wouldn’t be the same without that. It’s not a notion that fans should ’sit down and shut up’ but I have to ask this one final question. Does our club have some of the moaniest, critical and negative individuals of any team you’ve witnessed? I’ll leave you to decide.

Stuart Frew

Sans Singe says Sean

2007-10-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve not yet seen even highlights of yesterday’s game, although I did manage to listen to most of it courtesy of BBC Radio Scotland.

To say there are a few talking points is a huge understatement, but I’d rather not dwell on those if you don’t mind. For one thing, its past now and there’s nothing we can do. For another thing, we’ll be the beneficiary of those talking points from other games (Killie anyone?) and whilst it’s true to say they probably won’t even themselves out, they do swing both ways.

One thing I do believe though though is that yesterday’s defeat is a real monkey off our back. It was the kind of pressure I’m not sure some of our young and inexperienced players needed.
What I also believe is that now that we are sans singe, lets knuckle down hard and continue the good work by showing the old and infirm that we can sustain a top of the league challenge.

Today we are third in the SPL, one solitary point behind both Celtic and Rangers, with one game left to finish the first quarter. There is a pretty bloody good chance that come next Sunday evening with that Q1 closed, we will be in no worse a standing in the league, possibly in an even better one.

Will we have achieved those lofty heights with an unfair advantage over our rivals? Have we spent our way to the top? Have we been injury free so far this season? Have we had a good run of home fixtures? Have we kept our best players whilst others have not?

No, the truth is despite the press speaking of disharmony and strife. Despite the loss of our most experienced and influential players through injurys and religeous festivals. Despite playing two of the big(ot) three away from home. Despite spending less than nowt on new players. Despite losing almost all of last seasons top players.

Despite EVERYTHING we, no not we, John Collins and his staff have confounded EVERYONE. Fans and critics and neutrals alike. Johnny Collins and the Hibernians have mounted a serious challenge to all our SPL rivals. We have done so playing with what we have. Making do when we have to. Grinding a result when we have to. Playing teams off the park when they let us, and yes, taking defeat on the chin when it comes our way.

This morning and tomorrow mornings papers and messageboards wil undoubtedly contain the phrase “bubble burst” somewhere in their columns, but I’ll tell you here and now why that is bullshit. Plainly and simply, the Hibs bubble hasn’t burst because as yet there is no Hibs bubble. There is just a bunch of laddies trying their level best and working hard.

Glory glory to the Hibees!

Sean Allan

Ooh! Zemmama

2007-10-15T03:41:00.000-07:00

Now I’ve heard all the “ma mates mate” or “a pal of a pal” or a “bloke in my dads work” stories before, but this one’s different. Cos its come from me!

A pal was out with a musim pal of his when they spotted wee Zemmama sitting chatting to a suited and booted chap.

Being a wee bit devious and because his muslim pal speaks arabic, they decided to walk past to try and eaves drop.

Of course, they couldn’t listen in for the sake of beeing bleedin’ bloddy obvious eaves droppers, but they did hear chat of “definitely more money next season.”

That tells you nothing, absolutely nothing but nevertheless its got you thinking. More money at Hibs? more money not at Hibs? More money from his generous parents?

Ha, thats what you get for listening to a half arsed eaves drop. Dinnae get annoyed now, if we were the Retard we would have had the wee guy sold tae Celtic by now!

Sean Allan

The Sickness of Modern Football

2007-10-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

As evidenced by the incident during the Celtic-Milan clash last night.

On the one hand the pitch invader was a complete idiot and Celtic will undoubtedly be punished for his actions but look at the reaction of Dida, his stretchering off with an ice pack on his face is just shameful. I’d like to see him heavily punished as this kind of behaviour just makes a mockery out of the beautiful game.

Interested in other’s thoughts on this one. For me the Celtic fan looked like he was going to put his arms around Dida then thought better of it and ran on. Certainly there appeared minimal contact.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2MVDIYC13cg

Stuart Frew

A Hibs Comparison

2007-10-07T03:38:00.000-07:00

Collins: a potential Clough?

I noticed an interesting comparison online recently and it set me casting my mind back some years. In the light of some superb results of late and in particular yesterday’s vanquishing of the hun, a Hibby was prompted to relate the present-day abilities of the Hibs team and management in comparison to the Nottingham Forest side that conquered Europe with two European Cup wins and several domestic trophies. Some of the similarities drawn were of smallish squads, tight discipline in the players and similar budgets. Having had the pleasure of watching that great Forest team week in, week out, I’d like to offer the following comparison.
Indeed Forest’s was a smallish squad but some of the players who came in to fill the breach were tremendously effective. I’m referring to players like John O’Hare, Ian Bowyer and an extremely young Chris Woods and Gary Mills (16 years old in the latter case).

A good comparison about the discipline I believe. Clough simply would not allow his players to cheat or berate officials. If they did they would not get any backing from him but rather one of his infamous verbal blasts! It seems John Collins shares this attitude.

The passing is an interesting one. One of my abiding memories of that great team was their method of trying to walk the ball into the net at times. I hear similar complaints from the odd Hibby about this as I did then about Forest Although Forest have always been very much a ‘football’ side like Hibs purport to be some of the fans still didn’t get it - until that run of 42 games unbeaten and various silverware started assembling! Forest would literally pass, pass, pass the ball around the edge of the box practically forever until a good shooting opportunity arose. They were extremely patient in that way as Clough ruled that it was an extremely bad habit to shoot when someone else was in a superior position.

One way in which I’d suggest this Hibs team is actually superior is in physical fitness. Forest were fortunate enough to have a player or two like Archie Gemmill and Martin O’Neill with great engines. The training however was laughable by todays standards. Any morning one could walk down to the Trent enbankment by the river and watch those great stars just fiddling around playing fives amongst the dog walkers! Clough would stand there with his own dog, flat cap on, bawling the odd comment.

John Robertson flattered to deceive - until Cloughie came along to rescue him from the chip pan!
As regards the spending of money, yes most definitely Forest did and it did get them into financial problems for several years afterwards. Of course Trevor Francis was the first £1m player. What Clough did was buy a spine for his team in Shilton, Burns and Gemmill. The majority of the rest were young guys like O’Neill and John Robertson who had done little before Clough came along. Just as important were some of the bargain buys like Peter Withe (£40,000) and the misfits and ‘has beens’ like John O’Hare and Frank Clarke (free transfer).

I do see some similarities between Hibs and Forest, and not for the first time. Certainly I think we have a manager with equal self-belief I’m happy to say. Look out Europe!

Rangers v Hibernian

2007-10-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

Having imposed a ban on myself going to Ibrox (nasty, plod related incident) I settled for listening to yesterday’s game on the wireless. That is, till the phone rang and a familiar voice telt me the game was on in a rather pleasant Leith eatery the Allans frequent on a regular basis.
With fifteen minutes of the first half remaining, I managed to squeeze firstborn and I into a wee spot near the telly, surrounded by I dunno 50-80 boistrous Hibees, with pizza slices passing overhead, carbonaras being sucked down disney style, and draught Peroni beer flowing like wine. It felt good.

The first half finished with hibs not looking troubled at all. To be fair, we didn’t really trouble Rangers in that last 15 either.

Johnny Collins made a change for part two, and from the off Hibs looked livlier. Philipe Morais really does look like a footballer, the type we all think Beuzy should be.

Throughout the half Hibs had nice wee spells of possession, but looked more dangerous on the break. The impasse though was broken on the hour mark.

A Morais corner was headed home by fans favourite David Murphy, probably the last hibs player the opposition would mark at a corner. From that moment on the game was NEVER in doubt.

Rangers had a couple of chances, but relied on the hopeless long ball most of the time. Hibs on the other hand settled into a passing controlling game Ajax ‘72 would be proud of. It felt like 10 minutes, but 2.5 would be more accurate, when Rangers, at home, never got a sniff of the ball. It was beautiful stuff from the Hibernians, and it’s very obvious John Collins philosophy is getting through to the players.

Normally, with 10 to go and one nil up against the old firm, we start the whistles. Not this time, not today. The 3 minutes overtime was not nearly enough. If another goal was coming it was from the men in green. Sadly though, the game eventualy did end, with Hibernian jubilant and top of the league.

Jubilant and top of the league.

The scenes in leiths finest eatery were fantastic, every bit as good as my experiences in Italy the night they won the World Cup. Chorus of “top of the league” “we are unbeatable” “Johnny Collins….” “Copland Road” it was superb, ecstatic, a moment to savour.

Jubilant and top of the league, lang may JC’s lum reek.

Sean Allan

This is How it Feels...From a Distance

2007-10-06T03:29:00.000-07:00

A familiar old Mass Hibsteria phrase and one that is very apt at this time. I’ve spent the afternoon following The Hibees progress at Ibrox against a Rangers team who scored an excellent 3-0 victory in Europe during the past week. I use methods like Radio Scotland on the net and/or the Sporting Life text coverage along with the Hibs messageboards - anything in fact that keeps me in contact with Hibs’ fortunes down here in Nottingham.

I have to say that yet again tonight, this is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in forty-odd years of following the Hibs man and boy. What’s more I keep getting that feeling - it’s becoming more regular. We all know the feeling when the Hibs are hanging on for a win in a big game like this, it can be heart-stopping and gut-wrenching at the same time. The adrenaline flows and one kicks every ball for the team , whether we’re in the seats watching the game or stuck in front of the Internet or a radio. These are the moments when you know how much your team means to you. In my case I have no problem in admitting that’s a very great deal.

Ironically it seems as though our team were not even ‘hanging on’. From reports for those of us who weren’t there it appears that our football was showing through and that there were spells - one in particular, of an incredible passing sequence keeping Rangers away from the ball for a long period of time. Everything about this club feels good at the moment. The good news is spread in so many different ways. Typically, early reports give out that Ross Chisholm was given the man-of-the-match award and that seems to say so much about our team right now. Young players step into the breach continually and show great maturity for those so young and inexperienced. Wherever we look there’s positivity.

It’s not so long ago that a visit to Ibrox or Parhead was looked upon with some gloom and trepidation. That feeling seems to have withered and died and there is a new confidence about Hibernian from both the players and the fans. Finally those mental shackles seem to have been shed. Conversely it apparent that neither of the Old Firm feel necessarily that comfortable about facing Hibs - nor should they. Tonight as I write, Hibernian sit proudly atop the SPL, unbeaten after ten games and growing in stature and confidence under our young manager, John Collins. Perhaps, just perhaps he is embedding some of the undoubted self-confidence he had as a player himself. I’m happy to say that those young players could barely have a better role model at the helm.

This is how it feels then. I think about Hibs an awful lot, probably more than is healthy for me! I think of them and the great people I know through supporting this team at odd and various times. When I’m driving somewhere, when I’m walking home after a pint or two at night, when I’m in the company of others and particularly when I pontificate about why I feel so eternally tied to this club, when I’m alone. The sense of belonging to this thing connects me with my family history and means so very much to me in so many different ways. I find myself this evening looking forward to the next occasion I can visit Easter Road to watch the men in green shirts with white sleeves weave those pretty patterns and entertain us, those of who love this club. I am a very proud fan this Saturday evening.

Erin Go Bragh

Stuart Frew

Hibernian (since 1875) v Celtc (since 1888)

2007-09-24T03:16:00.000-07:00

It was a fine game yesterday, after all, with the sun shining brightly on Leith it was a fine day for it.

Post match opinions are likely to differ widely on who was what or what was deserved, for what it’s worth, here’s my humble opinion on the SPL clash of the undefeated.

Most supporters whether in the stadium or watching on telly would not have been disappointed with what was served up by either team. Neutrals (with the exception of any watching Yam, would no doubt have been thoroughly entertained.

The first half was a strange encounter. For the most part, Celtc not only retained good possession of the ball, they canped out in Hibs’ half for large parts of it. Hibs on the other hand found it difficult to retain the ball when they did get it. What was strange though was that for all that Hibs carved out the better and more numerous chances.

The 2-1 lead Hibs took into the break may have had many a Hibee wondering what we had done to deserve it, but on chances created, Hibs were well worth their slender half time lead.
The second half saw a much better display from Hibs in terms of possession and football, and contrived to turn the volume up on the home support who created the best atmosphere at Easter Road in recent games.

Despite losing the on form and dangerous looking Fletcher in the first half, and John Collins making some tactical alterations to personal and formation, Hibs looked more composed throughout the second period.

All three Hibs substitutes made a positive impact on the match, although despite large spells where Hibs kept good possession and passed the ball sweetly and swiftly, we found it very difficult to get into the final third of the pitch.

Celtc’s equaliser was possibly against the general run of play in the second half, but with the clock ticking away, Celtics desire to push on and claim a winner served only to leave room for Hibs attacking midfielders to get in behind them.

Although we were all perhaps surprised by the nature and timing of Dean Sheils winner for Hibs, if you asked me it was no more than our second half performance deserved.

Yves Ma Kalamby:

Much more assured display. Not faultless, but much more assured. 5 or 6 very good saves and several more good interceptions. Showed a bit of maturity and confidence too in the last 15 minutes with some cheeky gamesmanship.

Thierry Gateussi:

A bit of a shaky start, but looked more settled with Morais in front of him. Scored an excellent goal and looked cool and calm as the game went on.

David Murphy:

Another solid assuring display from Murph. It’s difficult to keep finding positive things to say that haven’t been said before. Kept Scott brown quiet – there, not been said before, and what better thing could you say?

Chris Hogg:

One of his best performances for Hibs. Rarely put a foot wrong, looked comfortable all game. A real candidate for MoM.

Rob Jones:

His best game since the cup final. Coped well with Vinegar of Castlemilk. Never threatened Celtic at set pieces but we can’t have it all. Another real contender for MoM
Guillaume Beuzelin:Great game from the Enigma that is Beuzy.Despite not being entirely comfortable with the new formation, Beuzy coped admirably, rarely losing out to the Celtc strikers.

Brian Kerr:

Like Mr Benn, Kerr ket appearing from nowhere yesterday to make a takle or block a run. His movement was stealth-like and had it not been for the sheer number of his timely interventions, you probably would not have noticed him at all. His best game for Hibs yet, with hopefully even better to come. Another genuine MoM candidate.

Lewis Stevenson:

The youngster struggled a bit but worked doggedly away in a 5 man midfield. To be fair to Lewis, he probably needs more room, and a ree-er role than yesterday allowed.
Mickael Antoine-Curier:He did the hardest job in football, the lone striker role for most of the game and did it superbly. If that is all MAC can offer Hibs, it will probably be enough. Goals would be good too though, and yesterday he deserved one, although was unlucky not to get at least two. Sean’s MoM.

Steven Fletcher:

Looked lively and hungry before being pole-axed by Thug McManus. Get well soon lad, we need you.

Kevin McCann:

Like Stevenson, a bit lost, and to be fair, a bit out of position. Like Stevenson, Kid McCann has a big and bright future.

Filipe Morais:

Turned the game, looked like a football player, would not argue with anyone who made him their MoM. Could be a big player for us this season. Do we have him on a long term?
Dean Sheils:Deano, Deano, Deano. He should have “scores the winner habitually” on his CV. Dunno why JC doesn’t like the lad, but I love him. I know its been said several times by several people before but SURELY Deano has done enough to deserve a few starts?

Merouane Zemmama:

Ooooh Zemmama! A joy to watch, pity it was only for 15 minutes. What a 15 minutes though. Tormented Celtc and ripped the fookin pish out of Paul Fartley. Magic wee man. If he’d been on the pitch twice as long, he could have been an MoM contender too!

Sean

A year of John Collins

2007-09-10T02:27:00.000-07:00

When I started writing this article, I assumed that it was around about a year since JC had become boss. Upon checking I discovered that it was on October 31st he was appointed, so there’s still 6 weeks until his anniversary. How was his year for you? Here’s my thoughts.
Let me start by being upfront. I’m a Collins fan, a BIG fan. What has really nailed it for me was winning the CIS Cup in March. That is what it is all about isn’t it? Winning things. I mean, there’s the Hibs way to football: the flair, the class and a certain way of winning but that is what is all about: WINNING. It’s something that I feared Tony Mowbray was never going to be able to do after successive Hampden Semi Final defeats; and I think his start at West Brom has done nothing to dissuade me from that opinion.

I remember after the semi final victory against St Johnstone that a disgruntled friend had compared the performance to the one versus Ayr United under Sauzee in 2002. His point was that Collins was as clueless as Sauzee and appeared unable to stop St Johnstone from taking a grip on the game. I disagreed with him, I thought he was very unfair on Franck, but also we won the game. That was the point, it didn’t really matter how we got to Hampden it was about getting there by hook or by crook. We did that. In a couple of year’s time nobody will even remember the performance that night at Tynecastle.

It’s not just winning that has won me over, his attitude to youth strikes a chord with me. I think most Hibs fans agree that the Bobby Williamson attempts to take credit for the development of the youth at Easter Road are as embarrassing as his attempts to be a manager but I was also concerned at Mowbray becoming very conservative with the youngsters. A particular gripe of mines was the continued use of Stephen Glass as left back cover for any time that David Murphy was injured. I felt that Lewis Stevenson had showed enough to be given a chance especially in some of the more meaningless league games. If you look back over the reign of Mowbray he didn’t give debuts to that many players, but he did make infinitely better use of the resources at his disposal than his immediate predecessor.

However, Collins has gone to a different level: not surprising perhaps from a player who was established as a first team regular at 17. First it was McCann who was brought in for his debut in a vital Scottish Cup game versus Aberdeen. If we thought that was brave that was just for starters. He followed that up by starting the following game with 5 teenagers. The development of Lewis Stevenson & Stephen Fletcher has been outstanding.

Which bring us neatly to this season. We’ve had our best start in years, but how are we going to do? I think we’ll do very well this season, and I don’t think that third is out of the question. Of course, we have Rangers and Celtic in our next 4 matches: my initial feeling is that neither is much better than last season. If we lose both games I think it will be clear evidence that both have improved, whilst we have gone backwards due to the squad being reordered. Time will tell.
Then, there is the issue of the revolt. What a strange bizarre thing to happen, and I can’t think of it ever happening in Scotland let alone Hibs before. It would suggest that there was something very not right about the relationship between the players and the manager. Or, it could be that the Daily Record didn’t really report accurately what happened. Whatever, there could only be one winner, I do feel that the short sightedness of the players cost us a crack at the Scottish Cup and they should have showed Collins much more respect. They didn’t seem to have any problem with respect when he won the CIS Cup.

And yet, there’s always a but; it is Hibs. We don’t seem to be as fluid yet this season as we have in the past. The new signings are just waiting to gel, and you watch us when they do. We haven’t even seen the new French striker yet, but he sounds a bit tasty and hopefully will bring the balance back to the squad that we lost when Chris Killen left. Maybe it’s because we’ve lost so many good young players in the recent past, and a time of rebuilding is necessary. There is an upside to players leaving, however, it creates spaces in the team for new young players to come in. Sometimes, the replacements are even better than the favourite players they replace.
Collins is not above criticism, and he has made some mistakes. I’m sure he’d admit them, and equally point out that he is still a novice. The biggest criticism I have is the continuing employment of Gordon Marshall as goalkeeping coach. I really just don’t get it. Brown, Malkowski, McNeil have all been guilty of appalling mistakes: their ability isn’t in question, not from this writer anyway, and worryingly Makalambay has showed signs of going the same way. I have a cunning plan for this. Sack Marshall, and bring in Jim McArthur as goalkeeping coach. He couldn’t be as bad as Marshall, and secondly it would stop his nonsense as an agent. Have a think about it John.

Manager Records

Hibernian

Tony Mowbray 108 matches 52 wins 16 draws 40 defeats
John Collins 41 matches 19 wins 11 draws 11 defeats
Bobby Williamson 93 matches 34 wins 21 draws 38 defeats

Purple & Green