A Tribute to Eddie Turnbull, Belfast 2005

A dream come true - a night to remember

By Hibbyni

“This is the greatest honour we as Hibbys in Northern Ireland have ever known” were the words used by NIH when he introduced Mr Eddie Turnbull to a packed Belfast social club on Friday.

The event was a dream come true for the hosts and the sound of over 100 Hibbys singing Glory Glory at the tops of their voices in Old Firm-infested Belfast is one which will stay with us for ever.

Thanks to excellent support from a range of Hibs groups Eddie was given the celebration and honour he well deserved.

After a few words about the Hibernian Former Players’ Association from Alan Gordon and a introduction from Tommy Preston, Eddie gave a hilarious and interesting short speech about his days at Easter Road. We hope to have CDs of this available soon.

A personal highlight came when we saw a shocked reaction from Mr Turnbull when we surprised him with a large, hand-made mirror with the Hibs and NI Hibs logos printed on with the words “presented in friendship and gratitude by Northern Ireland Hibs”.

Everyone involved with NI Hibs appreciated the lengths Mr Turnbull and all the guests went to thank us for the evening but in reality the privilege was all ours.

I was touched (and a wee bit embarrassed!) by the thanks I was shown by everyone who attended and in particular by the NI Hibs lads; it really did mean a lot. They all worked hard on the event but would accept no credit.

Presentations were also made to Mr Turnbull by Councillor Dougie Kerr and guests of honour the West of Scotland HSC. NI Hibs gave gifts of Irish whisky or a signed, framed event poster to representatives from London Hibs, the Bounce, Hibs Club via St Paul’s HSC, Dublin Hibs and the Westies as well as Scooby, Ryan (PA system supplier), Alan Gordon and Tommy Preston.

Pride of place is now given to the beautiful Highland quaich given to us by the Westies and the pennants given by the Hibs Club.

An auction and raffle - supported by a large number of people with some great prizes for which we were very grateful - raised exactly £800 which we will donate to the Hibernian Former Players’ Association.

The band did an great job for us and even added a few Hibs songs before we finished with the inevitable ‘everyone on the dance floor’ top-of-voice Proccies singalong.

A few of us had a cracking afternoon the next day at Cliftonville’s ground (the coldest place on earth, BTW) and later in The Crown and Jury’s to hear our ‘adopted’ band again.

It was an incredible weekend and we appreciate all the help we were given. There’s a saying that ‘friends are always welcome’ - it’s our pleasure to welcome any fellow Hibby to NI.

Thanks again to your all: it was the experience of a lifetime and one we’ll never forget.

(Please go easy if I’ve forgotten anyone or anything in this post - it's all a bit of a blur!)




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