Thornton Hibs (Scotland)

Thornton Hibs FC is a Scottish non-league/Junior football club formed in 1935 from the village of Thornton in Fife; originally as a juvenile side, who reached the final of the Scottish under-age Cup in 1930-31, going down to Blairhill at Stark’s Park in Kirkcaldy.

The club converted to adult football as a Junior club for 1935-36; winning the Fife Junior League (East) in 1937-38 as well as the Fife Cup. Further cups were added in 1951-52. However, the club was close to folding before volunteers joined the committee at an emergency meeting.

The club moved forward to become Fife Junior League champions in 1952-53. George Johnstone oversaw the team in 1957-58 as Hibs reached the fifth round of the Junior Cup before adding another league title the following season.

Hibs reached the semi-final of the Junior Cup in 1959-60; bowing out to St Andrews United after a replay after the first game had attracted a crowd of 15,411 to the first game at Stark’s Park.

A fourth Fife Junior Football League was secured in 1968-69 following a 9-1 hammering of Clackmannan. Another Fife Cup triumph were added to the clubs’ trophy haul in the 70’s before Bill Mercer stepped up as manager.

He led Thornton to the Second Division title in 1988-89 for the club to regain it’s top flight Fife status. Archie Wyse was appointed as team boss after a few years of struggle in 1994, leading his side to more Cup wins.

The Junior set up was restructured for the start of the 2002-03 season with all Fife Junior clubs becoming members of the East Region. Hibs were crowned as champions of the third tier Scottish Junior Football Fife District in 2003-04.

Hibs lasted the 2004-05 season in the Superleague before dropping back down to the East Region Central Division. The team came desperately close to securing a place in the Junior Cup final in 2007-08 under manager Stuart Elder.

In the semi-final, opponents Cumnock Juniors were awarded a controversial penalty with the scores at 0-0 in the final minute. The referee sent off keeper Stuart Hall. His replacement, and outfield player, Russell Taylor saved the spot kick before a stunned Hibs side lost in extra time.

Craig Gilbert was appointed as manager in 2008-09 before the Central Division title was clinched in 2009-10. Further restructuring of the league set up saw Thornton placed in the East Region North Division; a title they secured in 2014-15.

‘The Hibees’ finished in sixth place in the Premier Division season of 2017-18 before many Junior clubs defected to join the East of Scotland Football League. Thornton’s performance secured a place in the Superleague for 2018-19; going on to finish in third place.

The East Superleague was split into two regional divisions for 2019-20; with Hibs being placed in the South section.

Thornton Hibs FC will play in the SJFA East Super League South in the 2019-20 season.

My visit

Friday 24th January 2020

I’d had a good exploration of East Fife throughout the day and had anticipated visiting even more football clubs, but by the time I reached Thornton I was starting to flag, and the light was beginning to draw in.

The number 39 bus had taken from outside the Warout Stadium home of Glenrothes FC to Station Road in Thornton, from where it was a short walk along Park Place to the open entrance gates to Thornton Memorial Park.

Inside the large park was the railed off pitch of Hibs, with a dug out down one side and a quaint little brick covered stand opposite with metal structure alongside it. It was certainly more than I anticipated.

Another brick structure stood a way back behind the near goal, while the clubhouse of the Thornton Bowling Club and its green was at the far end. The pitch and surrounds were semi enclosed by a row of trees along the park’s main walkway.

I took a walk all the way around before heading to Thornton for Glenrothes station; foregoing the temptation of a pint in the Station Hotel further up near the ground. My fatigue won and I took the train to Dunfermline Queen Margaret’s in readiness for my evening match.