John Fraser (footballer, born 1936)

John Fraser
Personal information
Date of birth (1936-03-02)2 March 1936
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Date of death 17 March 2025(2025-03-17) (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

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

  1. ^ a b Jeffrey, pp57.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "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.
  • John Fraser at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
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