John Gibson: Too late to get into the book

What’s odd about a Hibernian History Handbook, a slim volume but jam-packed with stats, is that it has no author. I’ve tracked down the publicity-shy gent.

He’s Maurice Dougan, 60 this week and brother of one of the best-kent Hibbies, Frank, who’s been everywhere and done everything as a supporter of the club.

The handbook painstakingly details all the club’s major events, from the arrival of its founders until the start of this season.

Says Maurice: “It wasn’t a conscious decision not to put my name to it, it just sort of happened. It took me six months. Call it a labour of love if you must.’’

So it’s a labour of love and it’s selling at seven quid at John Frost’s newsagents at the foot of the Walk and the programmes shop among other outlets.

Maurice, I’m sure Frank is proud of you. Glory, glory . . . .

And, last kick at the ball, doubtless you witnessed the derby on Monday, possibly just as well a stat that never made it.

Pizza gossip

Spotted seeing out the old year at Gordon’s Trattoria in the High Street at the weekend, dinner guests of Edinburgh businessman and Easter Road regular Willie McEwan, Father Denis and Father John.

Says Willie: “We just had a good old natter over the pizzas about life in general. Denis has no great interest in football. John’s a Celtic man, so we didn’t dwell on that.’’

Afterwords . .

I well know how Clarence Darrow felt when he owned up: “I have never killed a man. But I have read many obituaries with a lot of pleasure.” Darrow in the distant past was an American civil liberties lawyer and sharp wit.