Jan Žižka
Well-Known Member
I was just a lad of 10 back then but this is still vivid in the memory bank.
Remember everyone around shaking their head in disbelief at him signing for Hibs, fukin Hibs man.
George was a Hibernian player for 325 days, playing 22 times and scoring three goals. Belter against the Yahoos in the video.
Hibs Chairman Tom Hart contacted Fulham to speak to George and the permission was granted. Many thought this was a publicity stunt, but the tune changed when he was sat in the Director’s Box for a home game against Kilmarnock.
The fans in the 5000 crowd gave him a tremendous reception when he took his seat, and again when he drew the winning ticket in the half time draw.
George hadn't played in five months and needed to lose some weight, and it was agreed that both parties would meet again the following Tuesday when he was due to play in Bobby Robson's testimonial match at Ipswich. 23,000 turned out for the game and afterwards George claimed to be 70% fit.
The next day, George agreed to sign for £2,000 per game which Tom Hart reportedly paid from how own pocket.
He made his debut in the green and white jersey at Love Street against St Mirren on 24 November 1979, and Paisley had never witnessed so many press photographers behind the goal.
It wasn't just the media who took an interest as 13,670 turned up to watch, the majority having travelled along the M8 from the capital.
Alas there was no fairytale start as Hibs lost 2-1, although he did mark his debut with a goal just before the final whistle.
Relegation was looming large for the club with just five points from 15 games, but his arrival also served to lift the spirits in the dressing room and the terracing.
Usually only 5,000 attended matches at that time, but with the chance to see a truly gifted player in action the crowd swelled to 20,622 for the visit of Partick Thistle.
The winger sparked Hibernian into life and the side won 2-1, claiming maximum points from a fixture for the first time in 14 weeks.
Every touch from George was greeted with applause, and it took a sensational save from Alan Rough to prevent a 40-yard free-kick entering the net.
George then played in friendlies against Kilmarnock and Leicester City but failed to appear in the next league game against Morton causing some speculation, despite the club's cover story.
A 2-1 win against Rangers just before Christmas saw George show off his talent once more, as well as his incredible self-deprecating humour with a moment that has since entered folklore.
George was constantly abused by the visiting fans who at one point threw a few beer cans in his direction, taunting him for his well-documented battle against alcoholism. The winger picked the can up and appeared to take a swig from the tin, with laughter coming from fans of both clubs following the moment.
He then contributed a memorable goal in a draw against Celtic a fortnight later in front of 22,000 fans...
Remember everyone around shaking their head in disbelief at him signing for Hibs, fukin Hibs man.
George was a Hibernian player for 325 days, playing 22 times and scoring three goals. Belter against the Yahoos in the video.
Hibs Chairman Tom Hart contacted Fulham to speak to George and the permission was granted. Many thought this was a publicity stunt, but the tune changed when he was sat in the Director’s Box for a home game against Kilmarnock.
The fans in the 5000 crowd gave him a tremendous reception when he took his seat, and again when he drew the winning ticket in the half time draw.
George hadn't played in five months and needed to lose some weight, and it was agreed that both parties would meet again the following Tuesday when he was due to play in Bobby Robson's testimonial match at Ipswich. 23,000 turned out for the game and afterwards George claimed to be 70% fit.
The next day, George agreed to sign for £2,000 per game which Tom Hart reportedly paid from how own pocket.
He made his debut in the green and white jersey at Love Street against St Mirren on 24 November 1979, and Paisley had never witnessed so many press photographers behind the goal.
It wasn't just the media who took an interest as 13,670 turned up to watch, the majority having travelled along the M8 from the capital.
Alas there was no fairytale start as Hibs lost 2-1, although he did mark his debut with a goal just before the final whistle.
Relegation was looming large for the club with just five points from 15 games, but his arrival also served to lift the spirits in the dressing room and the terracing.
Usually only 5,000 attended matches at that time, but with the chance to see a truly gifted player in action the crowd swelled to 20,622 for the visit of Partick Thistle.
The winger sparked Hibernian into life and the side won 2-1, claiming maximum points from a fixture for the first time in 14 weeks.
Every touch from George was greeted with applause, and it took a sensational save from Alan Rough to prevent a 40-yard free-kick entering the net.
George then played in friendlies against Kilmarnock and Leicester City but failed to appear in the next league game against Morton causing some speculation, despite the club's cover story.
A 2-1 win against Rangers just before Christmas saw George show off his talent once more, as well as his incredible self-deprecating humour with a moment that has since entered folklore.
George was constantly abused by the visiting fans who at one point threw a few beer cans in his direction, taunting him for his well-documented battle against alcoholism. The winger picked the can up and appeared to take a swig from the tin, with laughter coming from fans of both clubs following the moment.
He then contributed a memorable goal in a draw against Celtic a fortnight later in front of 22,000 fans...