Tragic tale of Hibs' James Main, who died of Christmas Day injury

On Christmas Day 1909, during a game between Partick Thistle and Hibernian at the recently-opened Firhill, 23-year-old Main received injuries after an accidental clash with an opponent that would ultimately prove fatal.

Main was born in West Calder on 29 May 1886. His early playing days were spent with juvenile side Mossend before signing as an amateur with Motherwell. At that time a centre half, he failed to make the breakthrough into the Fir Park first team and was released at the end of season 1903-04.

Main was signed by Hibs the following season and developed into one of the best defenders in the league. Popular with team-mates and fans, it is said that although strong and robust in the tackle he never once resorted to questionable tactics and he was held in high esteem even by his opponents.

His form was recognised at international level when he was selected to play for the Scottish League against the Football League in 1908, and he won the first of what would have been many more full caps for his country in Scotland's 5-0 defeat of Ireland at Ibrox on 15 March, 1909.

Hibs' form had been indifferent in 1909 and with the year's end approaching they lay sixth in the table.

Their visit to Firhill that fateful Christmas Day to face Partick, in what was their first-ever appearance at the new Glasgow ground, started badly. On the way to the match by train, captain Willie Duguid complained of feeling unwell and was not considered for selection. On arriving it was apparent the heavily-sanded pitch was ice-bound and treacherous. But at that time it was the directors of both sides who decided if the ground was unplayable or not, not the referee, and with several thousand spectators already inside the stadium, both sets of officials were keen that the game should go ahead.

It is reported that, after the players had inspected the pitch, Main was overheard telling trainer Dan McMichael: "You are risking life and limb asking anyone to play out there." Vice-captain Sam Allan led the side out but he, too, would miss the match when he twisted his knee during the pre-match warm up. Ominously, things were about to get much worse.

With the absence of first Duguid, and now Allan, McMichael appointed Main captain for the day, his first such honour. Hibs started the match with only ten men but managed to open the scoring through John Sharp after five minutes. After ten minutes the numbers were level when Callaghan came on as a replacement for the injured vice-captain, but he had only been on the field a matter of seconds when the home side equalised. As half-time approached, the freak accident that was to prove so costly to Main occurred.

The Hibs defender and his immediate opponent, outside-left Frank Branscombe clashed in a fierce tackle and it was the visiting player who came off worse. After receiving attention on the field, Main was in no fit state to continue and he was assisted to the changing room. Although at the time his injury was not thought to be serious, Main did not reappear after the break and Partick went on to win 3-1 against depleted Hibs.

In the dressing room after the game Main appeared to have recovered and he was able to take tea with the rest of his team-mates. The injured player felt fit enough to travel to his home at West Calder by rail and after arriving at the station was capable of walking the half mile or so to his home. Later that night, however, his condition took a turn for the worse and he was attended on two separate occasions by doctors, who diagnosed severe bruising, the imprint of Branscombe's studs clearly visible on Main's stomach. In the morning his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh where an emergency operation was required. It was discovered that the player's bowel had been ruptured in the collision, and his life was in severe danger. The following day, his condition took a turn for the worse and he died at 10.40pm. It was reported that on the evening of his death, although still in severe pain, Main could be heard singing from his bed in ward 16, the hymn He Died of a Broken Heart, leaving everyone present close to tears.

A week after the tragedy at Firhill, Hearts and Hibs took the field at Tynecastle for the Edinburgh New Year's Day Derby wearing black armbands. Hearts won the game 1-0, but in truth the result mattered little to most of those present. That same afternoon in Glasgow, Queen's Park defeated Partick Thistle 2-0 at Hampden. Although initially listed in the Thistle line-up, the unfortunate Branscombe did not take any part in the game.

On the following Monday, 3 January, 1910, Hibs game against Morton at Easter Road had been earmarked for an 11am start. Main's funeral at West Calder Cemetery was timed for 2.30pm to allow the Hibs players and staff time to attend the ceremony, but Morton claimed that the early start did not allow them sufficient time to travel through to Edinburgh, and on the day the Greenock side did not arrive until 11.40, the kick-off taking place shortly before noon. After the game, a 2-1 victory for Hibs, the directors, players and fans of the Easter Road side made a mad dash for the station and they were just in time to attend the service at West Calder.

The Hibs contingent were joined by representatives from most of the leading clubs in the country, including a large contingent from Partick Thistle, although it is not known if Branscombe was among those present.

In just five seasons at Easter Road, Main made 133 league appearances, scoring four goals. At the start of the following season Hibs played Hearts in a benefit game at Easter Road, the proceeds from the game going to the player's family.

Interviewed years after the event, John Sharp, Hibs' goalscorer that day, was firm in his belief that it was a simple but freak accident, recalling that: "Branscombe slipped on the treacherous surface, his foot catching Jamie in the groin as he fell." The unfortunate Branscombe joined Rangers in 1915 after a short spell with Vale of Leven, before returning to Firhill the following year. He died some time during the Second World War.

Today, a slightly weather-beaten but impressive 9ft granite memorial in West Calder cemetery marks the last resting place of James Main. The memorial was originally surrounded by a small enclosure of granite posts, but all that remains today of this enclosure is a solitary pillar bearing the legend: "This enclosure was subscribed for by a few friends and supporters of the Hibernian Football Club as a token of respect to the late Jimmy Main."

Tom Wright is Hibs' club historian and curator of the Hibernian Historical Trust. For more information contact 0131 556 6820 or visit hibshistoricaltrust.org.uk