The next edition of Hibernian Community Foundation’s series ‘If You Know Your History’ will feature Turnbull’s Tornado Alex Edwards.
Aged just 16 years and 5 days, Alex made his first-team debut for Dunfermline Athletic making him the second youngest player to feature in a senior Scottish league match. He featured in the Fife outfit’s stunning 6-2 victory over Spanish giants Valencia at East End Park and helped the club to win the Scottish Cup against Hearts in 1968.
He was one of Eddie Turnbull’s first signings and became a prominent part of the Hibs attack, where the chemistry displayed between John Brownlie, Pat Stanton and the iconic number seven was a joy to behold for the support fans.
The trio were to be a massively important part of the side that won the 1972 League Cup Final, defeating Aberdeen, Dundee United, Airdrieonians and Rangers en route to the famous victory at Hampden Park.
After bossing the game, with Alex a pivotal figure in giving defenders such as Billy McNeill a difficult time, Hibs took the lead on the hour mark.
From a set-piece the winger found Stanton and the inspirational captain made it 1-0 with a fine finish. Six minutes later and the strings were being pulled by the number seven again. This time his pass found Stanton on the right wing, and with the Celtic defence all at sea, and busy marking Alan Gordon, a cross was headed home by Jimmy O’Rourke to ensure that silverware was heading back to the capital city.
Three weeks later the winger ensured his name was added to folklore as part of the side that demolished rivals Hearts 7-0 at Tynecastle. His exquisite pass to Gordon carved the hosts apart and the forward chested the ball down, before slamming it into the net to net the second goal on that day.
Edwards played at Hibernian until 1978, before transferring to Arbroath, and he saw his playing days out in a two year spell at the Gayfield club.
This call is hosted by Hibernian Community Foundation and Club Historian Tom Wright and will take place on on Tuesday 25th of August 19.00-20.15.
Confirm your ticket via Project Lead Lewis Melee – lmelee@hiberniancommunityfoundation.org.uk
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.
