Hibernian F.C.

Foundation and early history (1875–1939)

The club was founded in 1875 by Irishmen living in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh. The name Hibernian (deriving from Hibernia, an ancient name for Ireland), the colour green, the Celtic harp and the Irish language phrase Erin go bragh (meaning Ireland Forever) were adopted as symbols early on. Founder Fr. Edward Joseph Hannan was the first president of the club and Michael Whelahan its first team captain. James Connolly, the famous socialist and Irish Republican leader, was a Hibs fan, while the club were "closely identified" with the Irish Home Rule movement during the 1880s. There was some sectarian resistance initially to an Irish club participating in Scottish football, but Hibs established themselves as a force in Scottish football in the 1880s. Hibs were the first club from the east coast of Scotland to win a major trophy, the 1887 Scottish Cup. They went on to defeat Preston North End, who had reached the semi-finals of the 1887 FA Cup, in a friendly match described as the Association Football Championship of the World Decider. Despite advertising the match as 'The Association Football Championship of the World', Preston had lost in the FA Cup semi-finals to West Bromwich Albion and were not the 'best' English side that year. Mismanagement over the next few years led to Hibs becoming homeless and the club temporarily ceased operating in 1891. A lease on the Easter Road site was acquired in late 1892 and Hibs played its…

Major honours

Scottish league (tier I) Winners (4): 1902–03, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1951–52 Runners-up (6): 1896–97, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1973–74, 1974–75 Scottish Cup Winners (3): 1886–87, 1901–02, 2015–16 Runners-up (12): 1895–96, 1913–14, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1946–47, 1957–58, 1971–72, 1978–79, 2000–01, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2020–21 Scottish League Cup Winners (3): 1972–73, 1991–92, 2006–07 Runners-up (8): 1950–51, 1968–69, 1974–75, 1985–86, 1993–94, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2021–22

Other honours

Scottish league (tier II): 1893–94, 1894–95, 1932–33, 1980–81, 1998–99, 2016–17 Drybrough Cup: 1972, 1973 Summer Cup: 1941, 1964 Southern League Cup: 1943–44 East of Scotland Shield: 60 times Rosebery Charity Cup: 22 times Wilson Cup: 14 times Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup: 1902 Edinburgh Football League: 1901–02 North-Eastern Cup: 1910–11 Dunedin Cup: 1921, 1929