Northern Ireland Hibs Supporters' Club (NI Hibs) - Supporters of Hibernian Football Club in Northern Ireland

Northern Irelands Lucky Few

Archive article by Northern Ireland Hibby

I PULLED MY CAR into a petrol station in County Antrim
earlier this year and asked a young lad in a Rangers
shirt to fill the tank. I also joked with him, as it
was the day after news of the 'deal' came through,
that 'he must have had trouble sleeping last night
after robbing Kenny Miller'. The answer.... 'Eh? who?'
Big deal. So the lad wants to wear a shirt but has no
more commitment to his club other than saying 'Up the Gers'
a lot during any conversation about Scottish football.
No problem? Yes, problem, because in certain areas of
Northern Ireland it is youngsters like this who,
although not football fans, will cause problems for
anyone in their community wishing to support Hibs.

On the Hibs message boards people have joked that they
"bet you don't see many Hibs tops in Northern
Ireland". True - you don't. But there are large chunks
of Northern Ireland where it would not be safe to be
known as a Hibby.

Old Firm supporters are very fond of spreading the
myth that ER is some kind of Republican mecca - I have
spoken to a Ger who had lived on Albion Road and still
tried to peddle this nonsense. This is very irritating
and, again, means that a Scot moving to Northern
Ireland may have to keep their support 'under their
hat' in return for a quiet life.

This wasn't intended to be a whiney article - so I'll
move on, but this is the situation some Hibbys find
themselves in over here. Thanks Old Firm supporters.

On another note, there are a few Rangers supporters
clubs in Northern Ireland who call themselves
'Ballywherever Chosen Few'. Fine. And they're welcome
to whatever this thing is they've been selected for.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to put a supporters club for
Northern Ireland's lucky few who support Hibs!

Yes, Rangers and Celtic have social clubs, cheap
travel, dedicated glossy magazines and the Gers have
two (two!) club shops - but Hibbys are a proud sort
and a wee bus going to games at a reasonable price
would keep us more than happy.

The lucky few, then, can head off to Easter Road at
every opportunity. And we wouldn't trade that for
every glossy magazine and club shop in the world.

NIH

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