Day 99
Photo credit Amanda Rogers
C’mon the Hibees!
On the penultimate (second to last) day of 100 days of Leith, Tom Wright from Hibernian Historical Trust shares some history and links with the Leith community of every (most) Leither’s favourite football club.
Boundary Marker on Albion Road. Photo Credit: Amanda Rogers
Although Hibernian FC was formed in the Cowgate area of the city in 1875, for well over 100 years the club has been known as a Leith team. After playing at several different locations throughout the city, the club would move to the first Easter Road ground in 1880 that was situated just a few yards outside the then Edinburgh boundary with Leith, a small plate bearing the initials E and L depicting the boundary between the two are still to be seen on the wall of a house in Albion Road just a hundred yards or so from the main thoroughfare. Since moving to the present Easter Road ground in 1893 the stadium has always been either partly or entirely inside the district of Leith regardless of any change of the boundary lines.
Hibernian Football Clubs first home in Leith - marked as recreational ground.
As well as the many thousands of fans that over the years have made their way the short distance from the port to the stadium on a match day, several prominent figures connected with the club have been associated with Leith including the former owner Sir Tom Farmer who was born just a short distance from the Foot of the Walk, or the ‘Fit o the Walk’ as it is more commonly known. Sir Tom’s great uncle Philip Farmer who was president when the club won the Scottish Cup in 1902 had several business interests in the town, and for many years the great Lawrie Reilly of Hibs and Scotland fame was the landlord of the Bowlers Rest public house in Elbe Street, his Famous Five colleague Eddie Turnbull latterly the licensee of Fox’s Bar in Bonnington Road. The Scottish international Bobby Combe, who was born in the immediate area, was also for several years the owner of a busy grocers shop in Leith Walk.
The football club has always been proud of its connection with Leith, and this was reflected when in 2000 it changed its crest to now include not only the port’s historic ship emblem but the Leith motto Persevere. The motto was also adopted as the slogan for the clubs later four month Persevered Scottish Cup Trophy Tour when the cup was displayed at countless schools, care homes, hospitals and many other organisations throughout the immediate area and much further afield.
Regarding the Scottish Cup campaign, perhaps the greatest achievement in the clubs long history, who will ever forget that momentous afternoon in May, when after a Civic Reception in the City Chambers the victorious Hibs party made its way along the traditional route from the High Street to Leith Links by open top bus, everywhere along the route packed solid with a crowd estimated to have been more than 100,000 strong. Even more unbelievable would be the huge crowds that had gathered at the Foot of the Walk and at the Links itself, the site of so many historic events throughout history, all helping to provide amazing scenes that were perhaps testimony not only to what Hibernian meant to the community, but also what Leith meant to the football club.
To this day both Hibernian Football Club and its supporters are extremely proud to be associated with the historic Port of Leith.
The Hibernian Historical Trust also hosts the Football Memories Project. Meeting on the First and Third Monday of each month at Easter Road, this social gathering was first begun to help those suffering from dementia and their families, providing a space where they can come and reminisce on all things football with others of like mind. Remembering past players and games, with the help of old photographs, items of memorabilia, quizzes, live music, stadium tours, short DVD’s of past games, and occasional Q&A sessions with players and others. As isolation and loneliness have also increasingly been identified as societal issues, the meetings have been further opened for anyone who feels they would benefit from these sessions. We stress that the project is not just for Hibs supporters but for fans of all clubs or merely anyone who feels that they may benefit from meeting like minded people. Due to covid, meetings are not currently taking place, but if you would be interested please do contact the Hibernian Historical Trust to be notified when these start up again.
Hibernian FC supports the football memories project by providing premises to them for free. As a club, they also have a long tradition of working to support the local community, and in 2008 set up the Hibernian Community Foundation with a mission to improve lives through football. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided opportunities across the community in employment, education and health and fitness, and has been groundbreaking in its work for disability football. You don't need to be a hibs fan (or even much into football necessarily) to enjoy what is on offer. Why not check out the range of activities at the link below, and get in touch so that when lockdown restrictions ease you are set to get involved.
Many thanks to the Hibernian Historical Trust for providing the text for this post. Many thanks also to Hibernian Historical Trust and Hibernian FC who provided the images not already credited.
