Cambuslang Hibernian F.C.

Cambuslang Hibernian (established in 1884, some years after Cambuslang F.C.) were one of several teams formed in the late 19th century to represent, or raise funds for, the local Irish immigrant communities in Scotland;[2] the main survivors of these early outfits are the major clubs Celtic F.C. from Glasgow and Hibernian F.C. of Edinburgh, while Dundee United F.C. changed their name from 'Dundee Hibernian' in the 1920s aiming to broaden their appeal.

Cambuslang Hibernian played at Westburn Park, situated to the north of the railway lines and main road through the town, which is now occupied by housing in the Circuit neighbourhood.[3] They shared the ground with Cambuslang F.C. until the older club decamped to Whitefield Park, and Cambuslang Rangers also played at Westburn before their move to Somervell Park in 1904.

For most of their history, the Cambuslang Hibs colours were green shirts with navy shorts.

Cambuslang Hibernian entered the (senior) Scottish Cup four times between 1886 and 1889 (there was no national league competition in place at the time of their formation). Their best result was in 1886-87 when they defeated Cowdenbeath and Hamilton Academical before losing to Vale of Leven.[4] Their final participation was in 1893-94 when they were knocked out by Clyde, although by that time they had also registered in the Junior setup.

Due to Cambuslang's location just outside Glasgow within Lanarkshire, the club could enter both the Glasgow Cup and the Lanarkshire Cup. They reached the semi-finals of the Lanarkshire competition three times in a row between 1885-86 and 1887-88, losing the first two ties to Airdrieonians and the third to Motherwell.[5] Their only attempt at the Glasgow version was the following season, 1888-89, where they were drawn against the leading club of the era, Queen's Park, in the second round and went down 4-0 at home.[6]

Having competed in local district competitions in the preceding years (winning the Lanarkshire Junior Cup in 1895),[7] Cambuslang Hibernian entered the Glasgow Junior League (GJL) for its inaugural season in 1895–96 and won it. The same season they also won the Scottish Junior Cup, beating Strathclyde in the semi-finals and Parkhead in the final.[8]

The 1896 success was to prove the pinnacle of the club's achievements. They never won the GJL again, although they were runners-up in 1897 and 1899.[9] After finishing bottom of the league in 1904 they were not re-elected (Clydebank Juniors were picked instead) and although the number of teams was increased for the next season, Hibs were overlooked again in favour of emerging neighbours Cambuslang Rangers (as well as Shettleston).[10]

Cambuslang Hibs played for one season in the second division of the GJL, but that was then was disbanded and they moved with the other rejected teams to the Glasgow District League. They completed one season, but failed to complete a second in 1906–07 and were 'suspended'. Many of the District teams were then re-absorbed by the GJL, but Cambuslang Hibs were not among them and the club folded altogether soon after.[11]

Hibs also failed to recreate their 1896 success in the Scottish Junior Cup, their best attempt being in 1900 when they reached the semi-finals only to be beaten by Kilmarnock's Rugby XI club.[8] They did manage to win the less prestigious Glasgow Junior Challenge Cup in 1897 and the Glasgow North Eastern Cup in 1901.[12][13]

Other teams who completed the 'double' of Scottish Junior Cup and Glasgow Junior League were Strathclyde (1897), Rutherglen Glencairn (1902 and 1919),[14] Parkhead (1903) and Ashfield (1910).

In their short history, Cambuslang Hibernian acted as a stepping stone for several players who went on to play for senior clubs:

• Jimmy Conlin played with Bradford City and Manchester City, capped once for England, died in the First World War
• James Cunningham was a regular with St Mirren for seven years[15]
• Patrick Gilhooley played for Celtic, the Scottish Football League XI and English teams including Tottenham Hotspur[16][17]
• Davie Hamilton won six Scottish League titles and four Scottish Cups with Celtic.[18]
• William McAulay played at several clubs in Scotland and England and was Aberdeen's first official goalscorer.[19]
• Andrew McCowie was part of the Liverpool team that were runners-up in the 1898–99 Football League.[20]
• Tommy McDermott played for Dundee, Celtic, Chelsea, Kilmarnock.[21][22]
• Willie McLaughlin played for Hamilton Accies, Everton, Plymouth Argyle.[23]
• Jimmy McMenemy won eleven Scottish Football League titles and six Scottish Cups with Celtic.[13]
• Edward Mount turned out for Grimsby Town.
• Edward Goldie also played for Grimsby, as well as Motherwell.
• James Sheridan played for Everton, Stoke and the Irish national team.

• Photo of Junior cup-winning squad, 1896 (Ed Boyle Cambuslang Photos)