Falmer Flutter ©
Well-known member
Apologies for the long post, but thought I'd share this. Was up in Edinburgh at the weekend to mark the first year of the sudden death of my father-in-law, who was Leith born and bred, and a huge Hibee. We'd obviously clocked earlier in the season that Hibs were at home to St Johnstone on the Saturday so this would be the perfect opportunity to have a proper final send off with loads of his family and mates.
We'd hired a room at the Hibs social club for the evening, and wondered whether there'd be the chance to sprinkle some of the ashes at Easter Road. There didn't seem to be anything on the Hibs' website about doing this, but I'd found a thread on a Hibs forum with the email of the head groundsman.
A bit of messaging to and fro later and we're stood in the main reception at Easter Road at 9.30am on matchday, about 10 close family, and ashes in a box. We'd been told we'd be able to sprinkle some of the ashes behind the goal at one end. What followed was truly incredible. We were given a tour of the manager's office and changing rooms, then out through the tunnel, photo ops in the dugouts, before being taken to the goal at the home end of the stadium.
The groundsman had one of those tools that makes golf holes and he proceeded to make three holes IN THE BLOODY GOAL! He then left us for about 20 minutes so we could do what we had to. Never once felt rushed despite his team getting the pitch prepared for later that day.
The game itself was a stroll of a 3-0 to Hibs. First two goals at the other end, then a barrage at the home end in the second half. Save after save, we thought we'd cursed that goal. But then, 95th minute, penalty calmly tucked away, icing on the cake. Oh, and Scottish football is dry at the moment! The irony of the Albion just opening a new £40 squillion bar that day didn't escape me.
Then into the Hibs social club to watch the agonies of Brighton, being surrounded by more and more sympathetic and increasingly drunken Hibs supporters for ET and pens. Whisky really is the perfect drink to drown your sorrows.
Thank you, Hibs. The football family can be incredible at times. And to Brian, hope you're happy with the view.
We'd hired a room at the Hibs social club for the evening, and wondered whether there'd be the chance to sprinkle some of the ashes at Easter Road. There didn't seem to be anything on the Hibs' website about doing this, but I'd found a thread on a Hibs forum with the email of the head groundsman.
A bit of messaging to and fro later and we're stood in the main reception at Easter Road at 9.30am on matchday, about 10 close family, and ashes in a box. We'd been told we'd be able to sprinkle some of the ashes behind the goal at one end. What followed was truly incredible. We were given a tour of the manager's office and changing rooms, then out through the tunnel, photo ops in the dugouts, before being taken to the goal at the home end of the stadium.
The groundsman had one of those tools that makes golf holes and he proceeded to make three holes IN THE BLOODY GOAL! He then left us for about 20 minutes so we could do what we had to. Never once felt rushed despite his team getting the pitch prepared for later that day.
The game itself was a stroll of a 3-0 to Hibs. First two goals at the other end, then a barrage at the home end in the second half. Save after save, we thought we'd cursed that goal. But then, 95th minute, penalty calmly tucked away, icing on the cake. Oh, and Scottish football is dry at the moment! The irony of the Albion just opening a new £40 squillion bar that day didn't escape me.
Then into the Hibs social club to watch the agonies of Brighton, being surrounded by more and more sympathetic and increasingly drunken Hibs supporters for ET and pens. Whisky really is the perfect drink to drown your sorrows.
Thank you, Hibs. The football family can be incredible at times. And to Brian, hope you're happy with the view.
