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The Hibs History Back in 1982 a group of local league players in the Stokesley and Great Ayton area, shared a common interest of playing football on a Saturday afternoon and then meeting up in the 'Sporty' for a few yals. At the time these were young single men with nothing to do on a Sunday morning except nurse a hangover and wait until the office opened at 12. So they organised themselves a number of Sunday morning friendlies through the 1982-83 season, the success they achieved in these friendlies prompted them to enter into the Hambleton Ales Football Combination, which had formed 5 years earlier. To enter the league a name was required. Well the majority of the team lived in Great Ayton, so that part was obvious, but a touch boring. There was a team that played the 1950's called Great Ayton Hibernians, so a quick check with the North Ryding that no debts were outstanding and The Hibs were formed. The picture below is believed to be the first ever team shot, in the adopted Green and White of The Hibs.
The Hibs joined the league at the same time as another team called Lemming Bar, who turned out to be one of the best team ever to play in the Combination (barring The Hibs of course!!). Unfortuneately this meant that as both teams moved up the divisions together and got to the same cup finals, it was alway The Hibs who played second fiddle and hence the state of the trophy cabinet. During the early years it was messes Drennan, Collins and Passman under the leadership of Bill Boswell who guided the team from the 4th Division to the 1st, stopping only once to catch breath in the second division. The next season though they were up into the top flight, mixing with the big boys. They continued to mix working hard on the pitch with playing hard in The Oak and The Office, non more than big man Boz and Lol Linton. 'Nobby' Swales and Mark 'Kite' Smith had joined in the running of the team, although overall guidance was still with Bill Boz. Just as the once youthful side were becoming 'more experienced' and married, The Bratt Pack arrived. Fresh faced Donaldson (H), Elcoate and Dowson were a welcome addition to the squad and along with John 'Snake' Lunn added an element of pace into the side. These were soon to be added to by 17 year old Stephen 'Benny' Bennison. Even with the injection of youth, silverware was still elusive and The Hibs suffered humiliation of relegation in 1992. A chance of silverware perhaps, but, just as in previous years when The Hibs fought out the lower divisions with The Bar, The Hibs found themselves up against a young up and coming local rivals Stokesley. Although The Hibs won both league games against Stokesley, they were pipped to the 2nd Division Championship on the last game of the season, runners up spot again, but at least 1st division football was secured. A combination of John Lunn and again Bill Boz were running the show at this time. DLF jumped ship was was transferred from Stokesley to The Hibs and it was long before he had joined the committee. The team at this point consisted Burnett, Spike, Birchy, Andy Lunn along with stalward's Blair and Passman and the maturing H, Benny and Snake, between the sticks was a combination of Corky and Oggy, as Deuce went pot hunting. As The Hibs settled into mid table mediocrity, things needed a little boost. Enter Messes Giles, Schofield, Routledge, Tom Hanks and Bill 'tortoise' Harris. The Hibs Herald was created by J&P 'Real Casual Like' Publications and with it came the prestigious Ruby Slipper award. Player profiles, celebrity look-a-like, monkey watch and sick-note, all became common dressing room banter. A team such as The Hibs without a badge, unheard of, so the The Hibs badge was formed with the consensus of the club. Peter C and Mandy along with DLF gave the Christmas bash and End of Season do a new leash of life. That particular season saw the The Great Escape - when The Hibs looked certain relegation fodder, a 5 match winning streak steered them safe. A league cup final was also the reward for a successful end of season run. Playing league champions N'ton Police, The Hibs took a half time lead through Benny, this was soured when H was taken out of the game on the half way line. Without H upfront to partner Georgie Best, the Police came out worthy 4-1 winners. The Hibs played in Europe for the first time in their history that season, when they played in Dublin. Playing on a Sunday afternoon after a couple of days on da black stuff wasn't a wise move as The Hibs lost 3-1. This was put right in the following years. A few years later The Great Escape - Part II, was required, but unfortunately although during the second half of the season performances were better than the league position suggested, The Hibs were relegated for the second time in their History. Time for a new start, Georgie Best took over as secretary and joined The Management Team of Passman and Watson with Bill Boz as Mr Chairman, but youth was to be the name of the game. Chris Johnson became the first ever player to follow in his fathers footsteps and play for The Hibs. He was joined by fellow Youth Policy members of Rio, Oates, Sean, Stoz, Kelly and Escritt. Marc Kerr and Chris Hore were also added to the existing side, which include Deuce, Barry Gibb, Jip, Roy, Benny and The Management to form the 2002/3 Team. With the launch of The Hibs website and addition of youth and quality to the squad, would this be the year for The Hibs to finally get their hands on the elusive silverware? |
