Hibs legend Eddie Turnbull 'killed off' by award organisers' gaffe

Published on Friday 23 January 2009 08:59

THE audience bowed their heads to remember deceased legends who had made a telling contribution to the community of Leith.

But as they remembered figures who were no longer with them, one of the highest profile posthumous recipients sat unwittingly at home listening to the radio.

As a result of a research blip, the inaugural event by South Leith Parish Church listed Hibs legend Eddie Turnbull as "deceased" during an awards ceremony.

Minister Rev Ian Gilmour, after being notified of the gaffe, dashed round to Mr Turnbull's Comely Bank home to present the medal and apologise for killing him off.

Fortunately for the minister, who was the organiser of the Pillars of Leith event which saw people vote for their favourite Leithers, the fiery-tempered Turnbull took the error in good humour.

"I've got a long way to go yet," said the 85-year-old. "It was rather funny – I would have been there but, because I was dead, obviously no-one told me about it."

On being presented with the silver medal, he enquired as to why it wasn't a gold one, and almost choked when he was told fellow Hibee Pat Stanton was given a gold.

"Who's he?" he joked. "Obviously a lot of the younger ones just don't remember me."

Other famous Leithers honoured include former swimmer Sir Peter Heatly, pub landlady Mary Moriarty, MSP Malcolm Chisholm and Sir Tom Farmer.

Rev Gilmour, keen to atone for the error, said to the former Hibs and Aberdeen manager: "We want to rectify this by presenting you with the medal today.

"I was worried; I do a lot of running and I thought from now on Eddie Turnbull would be chasing me.

"Congratulations on being elected by the people of Leith for this award. They knew you were still alive and kicking and that's why they voted for you."

And he quipped: "We have resurrected you and there's not many people who make that journey."

Turnbull played for and managed the Easter Road club, masterminding the famous 7-0 victory over Hearts in 1973. He played for the club in the late 1940s and 1950s, and along with Lawrie Reilly, Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone and Willie Ormond was one of the Famous Five. A Scotland international, he still attends every Hibs home game.

He said: "Leithers are something else, they're a different class. It is surprising to see my name in there beside Gordon Smith's (who died in 2004] when he's up there and I'm still down here."

Stanton added: "Ned couldn't have been dead because we'd all have been at his funeral. I see him at Easter Road for all the home games and Lawrie's there too. We're the lads of the old brigade, all pillars of Leith, and we'll all be flaunting our South Leith Church medals from here on."