Everyone at The Hibs Club was saddened to hear of the death of Lawrie Reilly earlier this week. We thought it would be fitting to give our members and fans a place to share their tributes.
Together with Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Eddie Turnbull and Willie Ormond, Lawrie was part of our Famous Five – the best forward line in Scottish football and the inspiration behind our most successful team.
Leave your tributes to Lawrie in the comments section
Lawrie’s record for Hibs included 187 league goals in 233 appearances and another 47 competitive goals.
He also scored 22 goals for Scotland in just 38 caps – leaving him fourth on the all time goalscorers list and behind only Wembley Wizard Hughie Gallacher on a goals to games ratio for players with 10 or more caps.
Of course Lawrie was more than just a great player – he was great friend of The Hibs Club and a great hero to many of our members. He also remained incredibly modest about his achievements but was always happy to relive the golden era with supporters of all ages.
And Lawrie had the chance to live the dream of playing for his boyhood heroes. As he said himself: “I was born a Hibby and I’ll die a Hibby.”
We’ve had some fantastic comments and tributes on our Facebook page so we thought it would be a great idea to encourage fans to leave their own personal tributes and messages on our website.
We’ll collate all your comments and ensure that Lawrie’s wife Iris and his family get to see them.
“Gie the ba’ tae Reilly.”
25th July 2013
Janette Campbell
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So sad to hear of Lawrie’s passing he will leave a big hole in the hearts of the Hibernian family.
A great player i never saw in action, a real gentlement and ambassador for his club.
He wore the green and white of Hibs with pride and passion and showed his worth to the club on and off the field.
So humble a man in life as he will be in death, he will be greatly remembered by all of us for his love of his club.
He was born a Hibby and died a Hibby as he said but he was also my wee pal.
RIP Lawrie, thats some team now is God’s Chosen Eleven. XX
25th July 2013
gael
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Wasnt old enough to ever see lawrie play, but my mum was and she allways spoke highly off him, gone but never forgotten RIP Lawrie Reilly
25th July 2013
Diane Laird
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Like many Hibs fans I have had the pleasure of meeting Lawrie on more than one occasion; every one of them an honour and a privilege.
My heartfelt condolences to Iris and the rest of Lawrie’s family. May you all find comfort in your own memories of a genuinely lovely man.
Diane Laird & family x
25th July 2013
chez
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I am to young to have had the honour and privilege to watch these great men play I have read two great books of these great players and it would have been amazing to see them play what I have heard and read from people who played with or talked to this great man they would say he was a gentlemen, a great man ,a great hibee and a great friend to all. hibs and Scottish football has lost one of the best to his wife and children I am sorry for your loss and for football have lost a great man no one can ever replace any of these men but now heaven is complete with the best football all five are now reunited for all time. they are by fare the best GGTTH Gie the ba’ tae Reilly.”
25th July 2013
Geoff and Anne Sampson
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Lawrie and Iris became dear friends 25 years ago, through inviting them to the Famous Fife Branch player of the year dances. Both Iris and Lawrie came to all our dances, My 50th Birthday party in the house and my daughter’s wedding. He was like a father figure to me and it was great listening to him and sharing stories. You will be missed by my family and many.
25th July 2013
David Spence
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A sad loss but a permanent source of pride for all Hibs fans.