Hibs legends Lewis Stevenson and Paul Hanlon left the Easter Road pitch in May to a hugely deserved standing ovation from 15,000 fans.
Fittingly the pair bowed out with an impressive 3-0 victory over Motherwell on an emotional night in Leith.
For Stevenson, it was a landmark 600th appearance for the Club over 19-years while close friend and teammate Hanlon has chalked up 565 games over 16-years.
Stevenson was the man of the match when Hibs beat Kilmarnock 5-1 in the final of the CIS League Cup in 2007 and the pair played their part in the glorious 114-year hoodoo-smashing Scottish Cup triumph in 2016 with Hanlon scoring the famous equaliser at Tynecastle en route to the final.
Both received testimonial matches and founded the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation with the proceeds.
The charity is primarily youth related and aims to help less privileged children.
Projects include Street Soccer Scotland, Helping Hands, Show Racism the Red Card, CCLASP (Children with Cancer and Leukaemia Advice & Support for Parents) LIFT (Low Income Families Together) as well as the Hibs Mascot and Ball Attendants.
Kirkcaldy born Stevenson was quickly snapped up by his home town club Raith Rovers who are managed by former Hibs captain Ian Murray. On 20th June Hanlon joined him signing a three year deal with the Starks Park club.
Stevenson said: “I went from being a daft wee boy from Kirkcaldy breaking into the Hibs team as a teenager to a man that got to marry the girl he met at school, have three amazing kids and pack in more memories on a football pitch that I could have hoped for. I have no complaints.
Hanlon said: I’d be lying if I said I’m not disappointed to be leaving Hibs. I’m not ready for this journey to be over but I suppose the day ws always going to come.
“The overriding emotion is pride. I never lost sight of the reality that I was able to live my dream as a local boy who loved this club for as long as I can remember.
“When all is said and done it’s been an amazing period of my life.”
Club ambassador Pat Stanton paid tribute to the pair.
He said: “Lewis Stevenson and Paul Hanlon should leave with their heads held high knowing they have contributed so much.
“They will rightly be remembered for all they have given to Hibs and how much they have achieved.
“There is something really special about these two having worked their way through the youth set up and progress to playing as many games as they have in the first team.
“You don’t see it as much in the modern game which probably only adds to their story.”
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.
