The Famous Five

This is the remarkable story of, Hibernian FC's talented 'Famous Five' forward line, who dominated Scottish football in the postwar period. Speaking to family members, fellow players, historians, broadcasters and acclaimed author and Hibernian FC’ supporter Irvine Welsh, we hear the influence the quintet had upon the game, leading Hibernian FC to break the stranglehold of the Old Firm in the early 1950s. Alastair Alexander, football commentator, said: “The fact that they won three titles was just unbelievable because up until then, the titles had never really escaped from the clutches of Rangers or Celtic. There were other teams from time to time but it was significant for the dominance of the Old Firm to be broken at that time - and be broken by playing good football. The quality of their play, it really was remarkable and everybody really enjoyed it.” “Every schoolboy in Scotland knew Hibs’ Famous Five: Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull and Ormond. It just tripped of the tongue and no matter what team you supported, you looked to this forward line that was magical. They played in the W formation. With two wingers wide, Lawrie Reilly in the centre and Bobby Johnstone and Eddie Turnbull advancing wing halves or centre forwards. All in all they were a marvellous team!” For Pat Stanton, who watched as a boy from the terraces and went on to become a legend at Easter Road in his own right, their magic left an indelible mark. Pat said: “I stood on the terrace watching these players. I was in awe of them. “Gordon Smith: an outside right, a terrific footballer, very quick, elegant; Bobby Johnstone: my dad’s favourite. A great player and a real thinker. He added the craft. “Lawrie Reilly: centre forward, just an absolute terrier of a man, very quick, strong, great eye for the goal. Inside that you had Eddie Turnbull: a really good player with a terrific shot. He was a great foil for Smith. Outside left: Willie Ormond. Very quick, tremendous left foot and a great goal scorer. They could all score goals.” Copyright: BBC Alba