John Fraser (footballer, born 1936)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 March 1936 | ||
| Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 17 March 2025 (aged 89) | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Outside right | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Edinburgh Thistle[1][2] | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1954–1968 | Hibernian | 195 | (24) |
| 1968–1969 | Stenhousemuir | 7 | (0) |
| Total | 202 | (24) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
John Fraser (2 March 1936 – 17 March 2025) was a Scottish footballer, who played primarily as an outside right for Hibernian in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After a brief spell with Stenhousemuir, Fraser returned to Hibs as a coach, a position he held for 10 years under three different managers.[2]
Biography
[edit]Fraser signed for Hibernian in 1954, but was initially a part-time player while he completed his national service.[2] He had the unenviable task of covering for and eventually replacing Gordon Smith, who Fraser idolised.[2] Fraser played in the 1958 Scottish Cup Final and some of Hibs' famous European nights in the early 1960s, including a friendly match win against Real Madrid and a Fairs Cup win against Barcelona.[2]
After spending a few years as a player-coach in Hibernian's reserve team, Fraser briefly played for Stenhousemuir, before returning to Hibs as a coach. Bob Shankly brought him back initially, and Willie MacFarlane then offered Fraser a full-time coaching position.[2] Fraser continued in this position under Eddie Turnbull, as Hibs enjoyed one of the most successful periods in their history in the early 1970s.[2]
Fraser's death was announced on 17 March 2025, at the age of 88.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Jeffrey, pp57.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hibs veteran John says money talks but the fans suffer". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 6 February 2009.
- ^ "John Fraser, 1936–2025". Hibernian F.C. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- Sources
- Jeffrey, Jim (2005). The Men Who Made Hibernian F.C. since 1946. Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3091-2.
External links
[edit]- John Fraser at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database