Hibs’ fan Hugh Cockburn has finally completed his quest to visit all the football league clubs in Scotland in memory of fellow St Patrick’s Branch member Shaun McKinley who sadly passed away aged 34 on 31 December 2016 after a brave fight with sarcoma, a rare cancer which develops in the soft tissue, bone and muscle.
His passing was marked by a minute’s applause at the Hibs game against Dundee United on Friday 6th January 2017, and Hugh, who previously cycled from London to Edinburgh to raise funds for a gravestone to mark the resting place of former Hibs manager Dan McMichael decided to take up the challenge in memory of Shaun.
The final leg of the journey ended where it started at Easter Road Stadium over a year ago.
Hugh (Pictured above at Tynecastle) told the Edinburgh Reporter about his journey. “On Tuesday 28 August, I set off from Berwick to complete my quest to cycle to all 42 stadiums in Scotland in memory of Shaun McKinley. Despite taking a wrong turning at Chirnside, in the borders which cost me an extra 10 miles, and climbing 2 massive hills at Whiteadder Reservoir it was a great ride.
“The views and the solitude of being up on the moors were incredible. On dropping down in to Gifford, I found the perfect ‘oasis’ in the shape of the ‘Lanterne Rouge’ café. The owner, a lovely gentleman Cameron McVean, made me more than welcome and served up a gorgeous butternut squash soup, which certainly hit the spot. He took time out to ask about my ride and we had a bit of banter about Scottish Football in general.
“Cameron is a keen Morton supporter and backs up his passion for them by travelling to watch them. Which makes him a good guy in my view, no matter who you support, well some exceptions. On coming to pay the bill, Cameron would not accept any money and his generousity overwhelmed me.
“I have met some genuinely nice people on my travels and Cameron moved right up there with the best. Please if you ever happen to visit or pass through Gifford, pop in and see how nice he is for yourself.
“I left Gifford and headed for Tranent and popped in to the impressive Hibs Training Centre, then on to the Capital itself. My next port of call was Meadowbank, which is the past and future home of Edinburgh City, the last of the 42 clubs I had to visit.
“I then headed for City’s current home which is Ainslie Park, which they share with Spartans FC. After a few wrong turns and asking a few tourists, the way?????, I finally found it. A quick photo then on to my digs for the night. Big shout to Trevor, fellow St. Pats member, who took me out for an Italian. Appreciated him giving up his evening to meet me, another fine gent.
“In the morning, I climbed aboard my trusty steed and headed for Murrayfield, which could become the new home of our National Stadium. Then I made the short journey to Tynecastle, which I had visited previously but was in the middle of reconstruction. I was allowed access to pitch side for a photo, which I was grateful for.
Job done, I then headed back to Easter Road where it all began on the 22 May 2017. After which I cycled up to Waverley station and train back to Newcastle and cycle to Sunderland.
“All in all, I visited all 42 senior football stadiums, Gretna and Spartans from lowland league, 6 Highland League grounds and Sunderland, Newcastle and Carlisle in the English League. Covering a distance of 1364 miles give or take.
“I had a great time, saw beautiful scenery, as I said earlier, met wonderful people with great generosity and more importantly, hope I kept the memory of Shaun McKinley alive”
The cycle was a sponsored event in aid of cancer, so readers can contribute by visiting the St Patrick’s Branch donation page and mark your donation Hugh’s Shaun McKinley cancer appeal.
Shaun is survived by wife Aoibheann and sons Ross and Finn.
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.
