Smurf
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For me there's just something absolutely magical about a winger running at a defender. Knowing that past his man he'll ping it into the box....
And more so the second half "down the slope" that's now gone in front of a packed "terracing" in the East Stand.
How I miss it. And this morning I've been going through the wingers at Hibs in my time going to see Hibs regularly since I was 10 in 1983.
My earliest memory of a winger at Hibs was seeing Arthur Duncan score in my first ever Hibs game in 1981. I know he was coming towards the end of his career as a winger but I recall the anticipation as he got the ball from the crowd in the freezing cauld holding my hot Bovril with no lid....
I'm struggling to think of another winger until Hibs signed Joe McBride from Oldham IIRC for 20K around 1984. I don't really remember him beating too many defenders or going past them? I more remember free kicks and corners from him?
Then there was Joe Tortolano. I actually loved him as he appeared to not know what he was going to do himself with the ball! Though he could produce magic going past folk then whip in a cross that was more likely to hit the electric scoreboard that was never switched on at the top of the cowshed. (I've always thought Pierce O'Leary damaged it...).
I think the first proper winger for me was Mickey Weir. Being honest though I sometimes think we thought he was better than he was? On his day though he was capable of brilliance. And his contribution thirty years ago (how the fuck did that happen??!!) helping us to win the Scottish League Cup was immense.
Next on the scene was unquestionably my favourite winger at Hibs. Kevin McAllister. For me this guy was exceptional. I thought this Hibs team with him, Michael O'Neill, Darren Jackson and Keith Wright was a seriously good team. Crunchie was a great Hibs player. And let go far too soon by Jim Duffy....
He who gave us Paul. Tosh. 200K for him and Lee Power. A double signing that I feel gives much credence to the then rumours...
Tony Rougier was inconsistent but I thought on his day a player. In a struggling side though his body language could be awful.
Is my memory playing tricks with me but we didn't really play with a winger under GJP? Or indeed Boaby 'Moonface' Williamson?
Then under Tony Mowbray we were given "What's he going to fuckin do?" Ivan Sproule. He was a fantastic player for us. Him running at a defender was something else. He comes a close second for me as my favourite Hibs winger.
Under John Collins, Mixu Paatelainen, John Hughes, Colin Calderwood, Pat Fenlon and Terry Butcher I'm struggling to think of any wingers? Alex Harris gave us huge hope but sadly it never materialised. Though of course Rod Petrie signed Ivan Sproule back under the hopeless Colin Calderwood.
And then of course Alan Stubbs got us Martin Boyle from Dundee. He can be frustrating but he's definitely my third favourite winger. On his day he's capable of brilliance.
Have I missed anyone?
And more so the second half "down the slope" that's now gone in front of a packed "terracing" in the East Stand.
How I miss it. And this morning I've been going through the wingers at Hibs in my time going to see Hibs regularly since I was 10 in 1983.
My earliest memory of a winger at Hibs was seeing Arthur Duncan score in my first ever Hibs game in 1981. I know he was coming towards the end of his career as a winger but I recall the anticipation as he got the ball from the crowd in the freezing cauld holding my hot Bovril with no lid....
I'm struggling to think of another winger until Hibs signed Joe McBride from Oldham IIRC for 20K around 1984. I don't really remember him beating too many defenders or going past them? I more remember free kicks and corners from him?
Then there was Joe Tortolano. I actually loved him as he appeared to not know what he was going to do himself with the ball! Though he could produce magic going past folk then whip in a cross that was more likely to hit the electric scoreboard that was never switched on at the top of the cowshed. (I've always thought Pierce O'Leary damaged it...).
I think the first proper winger for me was Mickey Weir. Being honest though I sometimes think we thought he was better than he was? On his day though he was capable of brilliance. And his contribution thirty years ago (how the fuck did that happen??!!) helping us to win the Scottish League Cup was immense.
Next on the scene was unquestionably my favourite winger at Hibs. Kevin McAllister. For me this guy was exceptional. I thought this Hibs team with him, Michael O'Neill, Darren Jackson and Keith Wright was a seriously good team. Crunchie was a great Hibs player. And let go far too soon by Jim Duffy....
He who gave us Paul. Tosh. 200K for him and Lee Power. A double signing that I feel gives much credence to the then rumours...
Tony Rougier was inconsistent but I thought on his day a player. In a struggling side though his body language could be awful.
Is my memory playing tricks with me but we didn't really play with a winger under GJP? Or indeed Boaby 'Moonface' Williamson?
Then under Tony Mowbray we were given "What's he going to fuckin do?" Ivan Sproule. He was a fantastic player for us. Him running at a defender was something else. He comes a close second for me as my favourite Hibs winger.
Under John Collins, Mixu Paatelainen, John Hughes, Colin Calderwood, Pat Fenlon and Terry Butcher I'm struggling to think of any wingers? Alex Harris gave us huge hope but sadly it never materialised. Though of course Rod Petrie signed Ivan Sproule back under the hopeless Colin Calderwood.
And then of course Alan Stubbs got us Martin Boyle from Dundee. He can be frustrating but he's definitely my third favourite winger. On his day he's capable of brilliance.
Have I missed anyone?