Hibs Legend Dies.

[1875steve]

Hibs legend Willie Finnigan died today aged 90.

He was part of the 1947-48 League Championship Team.

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/mo...d=1473_0_1_0_C

R.I.P

[Johnny Vegas]

sad news

r.i.p

[Postiga]

ad news indeed, R.I.P.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

[Proclaimers]

R.I.P Willie.

[chrissyraff]

I was not here to see you grace the field of dreams Willie, but i wish i had been to see the legend ive heard about. R.I.P

[bigmanandy]

r.i.p thank u 4 ure time at easter road

[blue toon hibby]

One of his team mates, Davie Shaw, was our school P.E teacher in later years and he spoke highly of Willie Finnigan. Being the only Hibs supporting pupil in my primary school, Davie was always willing to blether to me about the good old days.

R.I.P

[Smurf]

Before the link i could picture his face from the books i read as a kid.

What a history we have. Great players and Great People.

RIP.

[Hampden_Hibby]

[Tully]

R.i.p

[Greenmachine]

Like Smurf, I only know of Willie from pictures in various Hibs books I have read over the years, and also from my Dad who was lucky enough to have supported Hibs through the glory years of the forties and fifties. He said he was a fine player.

RIP Willie.

[DarrenSQH]

R.i.p

[Hampden_Hibby]

Played with junior side Bo'ness Cadoro too SQHibs. I think they were maybe one of the teams who would've formed Bo'ness United in 1945.

[Purple & Green]

Willie played 59 games for Hibs in competitive games, scoring 1 goal from 1946/1947 until 1949/50.

His only goal came against Hearts on New Years day 1947 at Tynecastle in a 3-2 win: Gordon Smith and Eddie Turnbull were the other scorers.

In Hibs championship winning season he played in 15 of the 30 league games.

RIP

Edit:

The Scotsman newspaper of 2nd January 1947 reports:

"Hearts hope of saving the game was extinguished when Finnigan put Hibs two up again" Willie scored the third that day.

[Toolpusher]

Rip

[Hampden_Hibby]

Originally Posted by Bobby S

Willie played 59 games for Hibs in competitive games, scoring 1 goal from 1946/1947 until 1949/50.

His only goal came against Hearts on New Years day 1947 at Tynecastle in a 3-2 win: Gordon Smith and Eddie Turnbull were the other scorers.

I take it that's only his post war record though Bobby. He signed in April 1937 and played in (and scored) in a fair few games up until the outbreak of war. He continued to feature strongly during the war years too. According to Alan Lugton, he was one of the best players on the day we first wore the white sleeves.

[Purple & Green]

Originally Posted by Hampden_Hibby

I take it that's only his post war record though Bobby. He signed in April 1937 and played in (and scored) in a fair few games up until the outbreak of war. He continued to feature strongly during the war years too. According to Alan Lugton, he was one of the best players on the day we first wore the white sleeves.

It is indeed Kevin, I've no detailed records prior to the end of the second world war. I've got some war time stuff though, so I'll see what I can find.

[Purple & Green]

Kevin,

I've had a look through Brian Mark's excellent "The War Years" and Willie Finnegan played 225 times for Hibs in all competitions scoring 36 goals, from 1939-1946

I guess that makes his record over 300 games, and nearly 50 goals?

[Hampden_Hibby]

Originally Posted by Bobby S

Kevin,

I've had a look through Brian Mark's excellent "The War Years" and Willie Finnegan played 225 times for Hibs in all competitions scoring 36 goals, from 1939-1946

I guess that makes his record over 300 games, and nearly 50 goals?

Aye it would be about that once you add the April 1937 to September 1939 part.