An emotional Pat Stanton described having a stand named in his honour as “almost like a fairy tale.”
The Hibs legend delivered the match ball ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Rot-Weiss Essen and was greeted by a huge standing ovation from all sides of the ground with chants of ‘There’s only one Paddy Stanton’ ringing out from the newly named stand.
The vast majority of those in attendance would not have seen him play but his reputation amongst Hibs fans is such that stories of his ability have been passed down.
Speaking ahead of kick off he said: ““My dad would be at a loss for words. When you think of all the Hibs supporters over the years and you having the good fortune to play for them and then to see my name up on the stand. I just feel great about the whole thing. It’s almost like a fairy tale.
“My dad came from where Hibs were founded, up in St Mary’s Street. Not far from St Patrick’s Church up the Cowgate. That’s where my dad lived up there. There were a lot of Hibs supporters up there at the same time and that was it.
“I’d pay at the boy’s gate, and he’d pay at the adult’s gate, but we’d meet inside. Not done it for a while, right enough, but that was what we did.
“My brothers came as well, and we stood in the same bit over the seasons. I can remember my very first game here in the first team. The game was about to start and where I used to stand with my brothers and my dad, I looked over, the corner flag away over there, and just waved to me.
“I tell you, that put pressure on me, from them. It played a big part in our life.
“When I first came here, I trained on a Tuesday and a Thursday night. And it was great then when I turned professional.
“But I always found over the piece there was always somebody you could go to and ask for help. Like John Fraser who played here at right-back and centre-forward as well. He would point things out to you after a game, and you’d learn quickly.”
Stanton joined Hibs in 1963 before making his debut shortly after at the tender age of 19 years and 22 days.
He developed into one of the best players in the Scottish game going on to win the SFWA Footballer of the Year award in 1969/70.
Establishing himself as a leader on the pitch, Stanton became Hibs captain and helped lead his side to win the Scottish League Cup in December 1972, scoring the opener as Hibs beat Celtic 2-1 at Hampden Park. He also helped lift two Drybrough Cups.
Stanton was known for his ability to read the game, his tackling, and range of passing, and those three qualities were influential as Hibs beat local rivals Hearts 0-7 at Tynecastle in 1973, and recorded memorable victories over Napoli and Sporting Lisbon in Europe.
It was during his time at Hibs where he made his Scotland debut in 1966. He earned 16 caps in total and captained his nation on three occasions.
In 1976, he ended his 13-year spell at his hometown club, and in total made 617 appearances, scoring 78 goals.
On the announcement of the Pat Stanton Stand, Hibernian FC Chairman Ian Gordon commented: “It’s with great pride and pleasure that we are honouring Pat Stanton’s amazing contribution to Hibernian FC and Scottish football during our anniversary season.
“The Pat Stanton Stand will serve as a lasting tribute to his achievements and legacy, inspiring future players and supporters for many years to come.
“On behalf of everyone associated with Hibs – the fans, the board, the staff, the players, the entire Hibernian Family – I would like to thank Pat for everything he’s done for the Club.”
