Hibs legend Pat Stanton officially unveiled almost 1000 personalised dark green granite stones placed at the entrance of the Easter Road East Stand before the SPL match against Aberdeen.
The development had been designed to echo the irregular charm of the old ‘East Terrace’ and each stone was carefully sited within a loose grid to create an impressive and organic show of support for Hibernian Football Club.
The stones were designed to enable supporters to literally become part of the stadium, and fans’ messages sit alongside members of the Hibernian Hall of Fame which will now become part of the fabric of Easter Road Stadium forever.
Around 1500 supporters turned out to witness the ceremony, and Chairman Rod Petrie addressed the crowd saying: “I am reminded of the words of Eddie Turnbull who said ‘There’s Class, First Class and Hibs Class’ and I hope that this evening we have emulated his words and it’s truly Hibs class.”
He then handed over to the man who needed no introduction to the Easter Road faithful, Pat Stanton who said: -“I can remember coming down here with my dad and we stood just along at the old scoreboard there, and watched some of the magical nights against Barcelona and Roma, and for me to be asked to do this is a delight and I’m sure my dad would have been delighted as well.”
The former club captain then formally cut the ribbon, allowing the fans to enter the concourse and Hibs director Bruce Langham was on hand with a clipboard to direct fans to where their stone was located
Among the supporters present were father and daughter Jimmy Henderson and Angie Thomson, who both purchased the stones at Christmas. Jimmy’s read ‘Hibs, Hibs, Hibs for the Cup, Jim Henderson’ whilst Angie’s read ‘Hibs Memories with Rebecca, Angie Thomson.’
Jimmy who is originally from Morrison Street told The Edinburgh Reporter: “My dad brought me here to Easter Road when I was 12, just after the war finished in 1945. Kerr was the goalie, and Govan and Shaw were the full backs. I’m not sure of the half backs, but the centre forward was Alex Linwood. My all-time favourite player, Gordon Smith also played. I’ve seen some great players over the years, there was no-one like the great Lawrie Reilly as a centre forward, apart from Joe Baker, although Willie Bauld was a great player as well and a credit to Hearts.”
Angie was delighted with the quality of the stones and said:- “They look very smart and it’s great to think that they will be there forever. I think it’s a good idea to have then next to the legends from the Hall of Fame.”
Pat Stanton agreed with Angie, and took time out from having his photograph taken with dozens of supporters to tell the Edinburgh Reporter: “The stones look terrific, and this is now part of the history of this club. It shows what it means to fans, and not just those from Leith. The last time I was round this side of the ground was when I was a laddie climbing over the wall to get in.”
Having won the League Cup and two Drybrough Cups with Hibs and a League and Cup double with Celtic, Pat was ideally placed to give his views on the forthcoming Scottish Cup Final, but clearly didn’t want to tempt fate by forecasting a Hibs victory. When asked whether he thought that Hibs could finally end the 111 year hoodoo he tactfully replied: “Who knows, but if they stand back and look they will get beat, but if they get stuck in like Falkirk did last weekend then they will have a chance, particularly with Leigh Griffiths up front who is a goal-scorer.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
