HIBS Hall of Fame hero Alex Edwards has died aged 78.
The Easter Road club announced the former winger’s passing this morning, calling him a “true Hibs legend.”
Edwards started off at the Pars in 1961, being handed his debut by the legendary manager Jock Stein.
His first game came just after he turned 16, which made him the second-youngest player at the time to have played in the Scottish Football League.
He played for Dunfermline for ten years, playing in the Scottish Cup final in both 1965 and 1968, lifting the trophy in the latter.
In 1971, Hibs manager Eddie Turnbull signed Edwards for a reported £13,000 fee as they made the Scottish Cup final the following year.
The year after that, the team who would go down as “Turnbull’s Tornadoes” after beating Celtic 2-1 in front of a crowd of over 70,000 at Hampden to lift the club’s first League Cup.
Edwards helped set up both goals in the famous win.
He went on to feature in his side’s 7-0 New Year’s Day win over Hearts months later as well as a 6-1 win over Sporting Lisbon as they reached the quarter finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup.
And he also scored against Liverpool at Anfield in a 3-1 UEFA Cup defeat in 1975.
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Edwards went on to make 215 appearances, scoring 12 goals, before finishing his career with Arbroath.
Edwards was inducted into the Hibs Hall of Fame just a few months ago alongside fellow modern and classic Leith heroes.
A Hibs statement read: “Hibernian FC is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a true Hibs legend, Alex Edwards.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Alex’s family and loved ones.
“Rest in peace, Mickey.”
Dunfermline Athletic have also paid tribute, saying: “Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic is hugely saddened to hear of the passing of Pars legend, Alex Edwards.
“A star in our 6-2 win over Valencia in December 1962, Alex mesmerised defences helping the club to their highest ever league position. European success and two Scottish Cup Finals, the second of which Dunfermline won in 1968, were followed by further glory with Hibernian, before finishing his career at Arbroath.
“Our thoughts are with Alex’s family, friends and team mates at this difficult time.
“A full tribute to Alex will follow in due course.”
Fans of his past clubs have offered their tributes online.
One Hibs supporter said: “A favourite of my dad and my uncles who all grew up watching the Tornadoes. He will be sadly missed.”
A Pars fan added: “Very sad news. A legend and Hall of Fame member for both Hibs and Dunfermline.
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“Before my time but my dad thought he was the greatest ever Dunfermline player in what was a golden period for the club.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
