Heroes

[Hibees-Mad]

One of the most significant events of my life happened on the evening of Saturday, 3rd May, 2003. The Place? The Stella Maris Club. The Function? The very first Bounce POTY. The event in question? Seeing my dad become a nervous quivering wreck! And finally, the reason for him becoming this way? He was about to meet his hero, one Pat Stanton!

I had met Pat once before, so I went over to his table and asked if my dad could come over and say hello, saying that he was my dads all time hero. “Of course” Pat said, this was no problem. As I strode back over to my table I saw my dad half looking my way looking as nervous as a kid who had just been told by the school nurse ‘OK, now drop your trousers for a second and cough’

“Dad, there’s someone over there who wants to meet you” I offered, knowing his stomach was turning like a washing machine filled with Tennents Lager, but also happy I was making a long held childhood dream come true ‘fur ma da’.

“No, no, no, I’m no going over” he retorted, before of course, getting up – a tiny grin daring to appear on his face.

We get over there. “Pat, this is my dad, Neil Wood. Dad, this is Pat Stanton”.
MAN I felt self important! I’m the man! I can do anything! So of course, I make a complete idiot of myself. “My dad says you’re the best player he’s ever seen……but you couldn’t have been better than Matty Jack”
What on EARTH was I saying?!?! I swear I had a Simpsons moment right there, as I heard my brain slam the door in disgust on the way out. Anyway, they chatted, had their photo taken, and everything was fine.

It didn’t bother me in the slightest going up and talking to one of the greatest players to ever pull on a Hibs jersey, not in the slightest – but my dad was bricking it. I found that interesting, and didn’t understand fully, until later on when I was going about chatting to various Bouncers, when I look over, and clock Paul Kane.

“Oh Kano’s here. That’s groovy. I might go over and say hi” I thought. Then I saw who he was talking to. My mouth went dry. I swear my legs felt like jelly.

That’s………KEITH WRIGHT!!!!

In that instant I got it. Keith was……scrub that, IS to me what Pat is to my dad. One helluva player. One helluva Hibby. One HELL OF A HERO. And there is no way in hell I can go over and talk to him. I mean it’s Keith Wright. KEITH WRIGHT!

KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH!


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I didn’t see a guy slightly older than myself having a drink with old friends and making new ones. I saw a Hibernian great. I saw a player who raced forward to slot the ball into the Dunfermline net to send me into hysterics. Just as I imagine my dad didn’t see a man with grey hair and a suit – but a super elegant player, wearing a simple number 4 on his back, gliding past players who should not even be on the same pitch as him. I don’t DARE go over there – so I don’t. I sit down and continue to have one of the best nights of my life. And I did!

The point of this trip down recent memory lane, is obviously heroes. I have mine, my dad has his, YOU have yours.

And I’m hoping that the guys that take on a far too over hyped Hearts side tomorrow will become the heroes of the new generation of Hibees.

In years to come, will we be telling our youngsters, and maybe their young ‘uns about how that inductee into the Hibs Hall of fame Michael Stewart used to play for the now defunct Hearts? ;-) The legend, and the rumour that Steven Whittaker, before signing for Chelsea from us for £28m, used to support Hearts as a lad?

Or regale them with the re-telling of the time when the all time SPL leading goal scorer Garry O’Connor slammed in the winner in the derby in the last minute despite the fact that we were down to ten men for over half of the game?!?!?

Hold on, you can tell that one now!!

Of course, this is all just flight of fancy stuff – but you don’t need to make huge accomplishments to be a hero. Just be a good, committed Hibbys on the park (a decent wedge of talent would be a plus!), and nice guys off it. I’m thinking we might have a good few of these chaps pulling on the hallowed shirt.

Mind you, I’m pretty sure there will be one sitting in the Hibs dugout with a shirt and tie on!

ROLL ON THE GAME!!!!!!!