DENNY HIBERNIAN

[PRICEY]

A huge thanks to Mark Donnelly who is a mod on the Pollok forum for the info he sent me on the Hibs and Dunipace.Below should be an article on the club from 1933,just before the club folded,from the evening times.Thers a lot of good info that I would never have found out about had he not sent.

I will hang fire with the article on the Pace,its thrown up a couple things that I'm desperately trying to disprove!!!!!

TEAM THAT GAVE US JIMMY McMULLAN

The Joys and Sorrows of Denny Hibs

(Article accompanied by photo of Matt Busby)

If Denny Hibs had never done anything other than just give us Jimmy McMullan their existence would have been justified. What a great little player, and what a great little general! And he is still in active service- behind the lines a bit, but there. I saw him at Maine Road, Manchester, in November in the dressing room, all smiles at that victorious Scottish League team was led inside by John Johnston. No doubt he and his young Denny friend Busby would have a peaceful week after that. Singular that another of my McMullan memories is of Manchester again- this time at Old Trafford in 1926- when we won the big international there. Big Jimmy Gibson seemed highly strung, and McMullan spent his precious period at the interval quietly chatting and soothing his clubmate, who went out to finish off in fine style.

In 1906 – But I’m forgetting- this is Denny Hibs’ history, not McMullan’s biography, though the name recurs so often throughout that it might be anything. Denny Hibs were formed in 1906 from a juvenile club of the same name who played in the field of Denny Athletic until they got their own ground, School Loan. The meeting at which it was decided to run as juniors was held in the schoolhouse. Among those present were the late Rev. Canon Shivens, Bailie (now Provost) Losey, John McGlade, and Jas. Kelly. They secured the field beside the school and named it School Loan- the only ground the club has had. It took much hard wok to make it right, as a burn formerly ran right across it. Unfortunately this is likely to be their last season on it, as a new school is to be built.

The First Officials – The first officials of the club were: - President, J. Hamill (now in America); match secretary, James McBryde (who played with Stenhousemuir for years); and financial secretary, James Kelly. Denny Hibs entered for all the local cups and also the Scottish Cup, but were refused entry into the Stirlingshire League. This meant many friendlies to fill vacant dates. The first game on the field was a first round Scottish Cup-tie against Dunipace Juniors, then holders. There was nearly a sensation- Dunipace only drew level in the last half-minute, making the score one goal each. Dunipace won the replay, but only by the merest margin: - 2-1. Denny’s team here was:- T. Kane, Davidson, W. Kane, J. McMullan (“Grocer”), O. Kane, Loney, J. Fagan, J. Crawford, Patrick McMullan, Hynds, and Peter McMullan. The trainer was Neil Dougall, whose three sons played with Falkirk and Burnley.

The First Honour – The following season, again denied entry to the Stirlingshire League, Denny secured admission to the Clackmannan County League and won it- their first honour. In the Clackmannan Cup-final they were beaten by Alva 2-1. It was 1910-11 before they won their first cup, the Stirling and District, beating their local rivals, Denny Athletic, 3-0 with the following team:- T. Kane, Forbes, Bell, McCann, J. McMullan, Carr, Laurie, McCulloch, P. McMullan, Cameron, and Wilson. By this time they were in the Stirlingshire League and won it also. Then came one of their big years, 1911-12, and one of their sad disappointments. With only one goal registered against them they reached the Scottish Cup Final at Firhill, and when it was over they had lost a total of six and the cup- Petershill winning 5-0. I saw the game and how little luck they had in it.

An Ill Wind – However, it’s an ill wind, etc. The cash from the gate cleared them of debt for the first time since the club was formed. They sportingly admit that the following side- not their full strength- had been fairly beaten: - T. Kane, Docherty, Bell, Carr, James McMullan, James McMullen (later Partick Thistle), E. Kane, McCulloch, Pat. McMullan, T.O. May, and McHarg. In 1917 Denny had this good side which won the County Cup and Falkirk District and Hospital Shield:- T. Ferguson, Wylie, Loney, T. Scott, J. McMullan, Hammond, O. McMullan, McCormick, Kielt, Mulholland, and McHarg. Again, in 1922, they had another fine side- sufficiently good to beat their greatest rivals, Dunipace, in the final of the County Cup. Here it is: - Coutts, Whitehead, Hammond, Dunnigan, J. McMullan, Marshall, Burns, Todd, Dyer, Price, and Malloy.

A Queer Year – 1928-29 was a queer year. They reached the final of the Scottish, Stirlingshire, Falkirk District, and Victory Consolation Cups, and lost the lot! They were beaten in the Scottish final by Dundee Violet 2-0, but protested before the game finished and secured a replay at Dundee. This finished a draw 2-2, and they were sent back to Dundee- which they considered harsh- and lost 4-0. They had another protest- sound and sufficient- but after persuasion from the ruling powers and a bitter meeting with their own supporters it was withdrawn. In view of certain happenings in the 1930-31 Burnbank-Denny Hibs final the arguments used then about “protests not being in the interests of the game” by influential people rankle with Denny now. Denny’s team against the Dundee Violet was: - Maxwell, McAuley, Martin, Keir, B. McMullan, Crossley, McCormick, McKay, Young, Anderson, and Regan. At Dundee McRobert came in for McMullan, and the second day at Dundee McMullan came in for Young.

More Than History – In 1930-31 Denny won the Scottish Cup, Falkirk District, Stirling District, and the Scottish League, besides being runners-up in the Victory Cup final and Stirlingshire League Cup. The team which at Tynecastle beat Burnbank in the Scottish final 1-0 was: - Toner, Herd, Martin, Davidson, D. McLaughlin, Crossley, McKay, McDonagh, Wilson, Comrie, and Archibald. What followed is more than club history, and a book might be written about the subsequent “protest proceedings”. But I’ll keep off that, after recording that Denny Hibs were not just in ecstasies when they ultimately were given possession of the cup for ten days! They considered they had won it well twelve months previously. However their honours list is quite an imposing and creditable one, comprising:- Scottish Cup- 1930-31; Falkirk District Cup- 1917, 1924, and 1931; Clackmannan League- 1907-08; Scottish League- 1930-31; Stirlingshire County Cup- 1916-17, 1922, 1932; Stirling District Cup- 1910-11, 1932; Stirlingshire League- 1911; League Cup- 1926. Individual honours were gained by the following in being “capped” for Scotland:- J. Allan, W. Forbes, W. McHarg, James McMullan, D. Keir, M. Comrie, D. McLaughlin, G. Maxwell, J. Archibald, and J. Black.

Players Remembered – Players who have played with the Hibs and later gone to the seniors include James McMullan (Partick Thistle and Manchester City), J. Loney (Clyde), Busby, Rodgers, Comrie, and Burns(all of Manchester City), Sherry (Preston North End), W. Forbes (Plymouth Argyle), Black (Sunderland), Park (Swansea), Archibald, McDonagh, and McKay (Raith Rovers), A. McAttee, McCormick, Robertson, and Owen McInally (Celtic), O’Kane (Leith), J. Allen (East Stirlingshire), J. Crawford (Blackburn Rovers), James Smith (Rangers), and McCaig (Stenhousemuir). Other players who helped the club to prominence were J. Dunnigan, G. McAulay, G. Coyle, G. Price, J. Crossley, and Peter Ryan (president, and secretary when they won the cup). Crossley has a unique record- a winner’s medal for every competition the club has entered for. And he is still playing!

Since the Beginning – Prominent Officials have been such as Mr. John O’Hanlan- who has given unflagging service since the club was started- A. McNeil, M. Ryan, J. Lynn, H. Dunnigan, J.J. Timmons, C. McMahon, W. Crawford, B. Kelly, James Smyth, James McGlade, W. Coyle, J. Sinclair, J. McPake, C. McCallum, J. Casey, and T. Garner. And from what I have gathered in the compilation of this history the James McMullan resident at Denny is just as thorough in his position as his namesake at Manchester. They all seem to be a fine set of chaps, even if after a memorable Scottish Cup-tie a party got lost in the fog in Glasgow, missed all the buses, and were finally locked up overnight in the Central Police Station!

[PRICEY]

Sorry folks to bump an old thread,but.........

Next Monday there will be a meeting in the Songbird Lounge,Dunipace,with the view to reviving the name of three time Junior cup finalists,Denny Hibernian.The short to medium term plan is to form a football club that will help and support local community groups and charities.In the cubs short history,they were an integral part of the community,with a lot of well known Denny family names being involved.Hopefully the project can get a bit of support. Everybody welcome!!! meeting kicks off at 7.30pm.

[tracy]

All the best and good luck .

[PRICEY]

We have a limited edition Denny Hibernian scarves.Each scarf is £7 ,£2.50 of which will go to a poverty or homeless charity.Hopefully this will help to revive the name of a once great Denny institution.Pm for further details.

Edited December 11, 2014 by PRICEY

[PRICEY]

As part of my ongoing research into Denny's most successful Junior club,I was delighted when a very good friend loaned me his Grandfathers Denny Hibs medal.It belonged to Tam Kane who played a huge part in the Hibs early years.Tam was the goalkeeper in the clubs first match,first trophy win and first Junior cup final appearance in 1912.The medal looks as if it was presented by the club recognition of the previous season.So far I've only scratched the surface of the Hibs story,but what I have found out is fascinating.

[Klepto]

They've still an outstanding cup tie to play v Dunipace

[garrellburn]

They've still an outstanding cup tie to play v Dunipace

I'm sure it will eventually be played, It took six years from 1939 to May 1945 to get the final of the Stirlingshire Jubilee cup final between Dunipace and Kilsyth Rangers played.

Edited February 26, 2016 by garrellburn

[PRICEY]

I'm sure it will eventually be played, It took six years from 1939 to May 1945 to get the final of the Stirlingshire Jubilee cup final between Dunipace and Kilsyth Rangers played.

Garrell ,it's interesting you mention that cup tie.I can never understand why KRFC has 1945 as your year founded.Everything I've came across points to you being the same club after your 5/6 years in abeyance. Edited February 26, 2016 by PRICEY

[kilsythblue]

The present ground dates to 1945 but the team goes back to the 1920s I believe

[Brig O'Lea]

Is this photo any help in identifying grounds? I was given it and told it was Neilston Victoria (Neilston's junior side up until 1939).

You'll see on the back it's a Scottish Cup 4th round replay at Denny. I've always guessed it looks like it was maybe taken during the first world war. The clothes fit that period, the strips and ball look in poor condition which is what you'd expect during wartime and some of the players look that wee bit older.

All I have managed to find out was that in 1916/17 Denny Hibs did indeed beat Neilston Victoria 4-0 in a Scottish Cup 4th round tie but whether it was a replay, I've not confirmed.

Hope it helps anyway if you can recognise the location.

[Sergeant Wilson]

I'm sure it will eventually be played, It took six years from 1939 to May 1945 to get the final of the Stirlingshire Jubilee cup final between Dunipace and Kilsyth Rangers played.

Why the long delay?

[auldgeezer]

The photographer from The Chronicle was away serving in France

[jimbaxters]

The fixtures man couldn't fit it in.

[PRICEY]

Brig O'Lea,that's a stunning picture!!!.I can certainly can confirm that that the picture was taken in Denny....but not at the Hibs School Loan Ground,but at Dunipaces Bridgend Park.For anybody from Denny,the giveaway is the building in the top right hand corner,that's the Jannies house at the back of Denny primary.The houses at the far end are long gone,they sat at at the foot of the Wellstrand Brae.Without ruling it out,considering the relationship between the two clubs,I'd be surprised at Dunipace allowing the Hibs to use their ground.Its not a season I've had a chance to look at yet,but I certainly will find out.Why not try the Dunipace thread maybe someone there can confirm?.Again many thanks for a fantastic piece of Denny history!!!.

Edited February 26, 2016 by PRICEY

[PRICEY]

Brig,could this not be from a Scottish tie v Dunipace in 1927?.This may have been the Paces last season at Bridgend before moving to Carronbank.

[garrellburn]

Why the long delay?

Hitler (aka S***** R********) wouldn't allow it to be played.

[garrellburn]

The present ground dates to 1945 but the team goes back to the 1920s I believe

Yes, we were in abeyance but the pavilion has the date 1945 0n it which may confuse some.

#The present club was founded in 1913 but there are some records of an earlier club of that name in the 1890's. (ref The Boys from Leven's Winding Shore, the history of Vale of Leven FC)

Edited February 27, 2016 by garrellburn

[Glenconner]

Is the park Kilsyth Rangers play in orginally the home ground of Kilsyth Emmett?

Edited February 29, 2016 by Glenconner

[garrellburn]

Is the park Kilsyth Rangers play in orginally the home ground of Kilsyth Emmett?

The grounds of Rangers and Emmett were side by side on the site of the present Sportsfield about a quarter mile further along the road which comes through the industrial estate before you turn right into the road down to Duncansfield. There is a fullsize grass pitch still there used by Kilsyth Amatuers and also a floodlit 3G pitch used by various teams.

[pie n beans]

An absolutely fantastic piece of history and we'll done to everyone who made the effort and it made great reading.