Behind The Photo: Hibernian’s 2023/24 Home Kit Launch

Matching the ‘classic meets modern’ theme of the new Joma Hibs home shirt, legends of Easter Road such as Pat Stanton and Keith Wright joined current stars including Joe Newell and Eilidh Adams – as well as Academy products such as Kanayo Megwa – to create an iconic photograph.

Brilliantly captured by Hibs photographer Cameron Allan, the image also includes a number of interesting features, all connected to the Club, including furniture, memorabilia and replica kits, to provide fans with a number of ‘Easter Eggs’ to pick out in the campaign.

In this ‘Behind The Photo’ feature, we’ll detail everything that went into creating this photograph that honours our history and our future…

Players

Pat Stanton
Hibs royalty, Pat Stanton made 617 appearances for the Club in a glittering 14-year Easter Road career during the 1960s and 70s. The commanding and technically-gifted midfielder was the captain of Hibernian’s famous Turnbull’s Tornadoes side that beat Hearts 7-0 at Tynecastle on New Year’s Day, 1973 and lifted the League Cup just months earlier. Pat would later manage the Club and is now a member of both the Hibernian and Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

Keith Wright
Born and bred Hibee Keith Wright is every Hibs fan’s hero of a certain vintage. The Edinburgh-born forward signed for his boyhood club in 1991 after superb spells with Raith Rovers and Dundee, and quickly established himself as a cult hero, scoring crucial goals in that year’s League Cup Semi-Final and Final as Hibs went on to lift the trophy at Hampden. Now a member of the Hibernian Hall of Fame, he will be remembered as one of the finest Hibs strikers of the 20^th century.

Kevin Harper
A fans’ favourite of the 1990s, dreadlocked-haired midfielder Kevin Harper came through Hibs’ Academy before bursting onto the scene with his incredible skills and stunning goals. He also holds the distinction of being Hibernian’s first ever black footballer, and he would continue to break down barriers throughout his career as both an exceptional player and a spokesperson against racism. Kevin left Hibs in 1998 after six seasons in the First Team and had a successful career in England. He can now regularly be heard on Hibs TV, summarising games alongside Cliff Pike in the commentary box.

Lewis Stevenson
One-club man Lewis Stevenson is Hibernian’s record league appearance maker and remains the only player to lift the Scottish Cup and the League Cup for Hibs Men. A player who transcends numerous eras of the Club in the 21^st century, he is often referred to by teammates, fans and staff alike as ‘Mr Hibs’. In 2023, he joined Pat Stanton in being honoured with the Club’s prestigious ‘Special Recognition Award’, celebrating those who have made the greatest contribution to Hibernian during their careers.

Siobhan Hunter
Hibs Women defender Siobhan Hunter has played over 250 games for the Hibees. ‘Shiv’ is a lifelong Hibs fan and Leither who can play anywhere across the back four. Over her illustrious career at Hibs, she has won seven major honours and has represented Hibernian in the Women’s Champions League. A born leader and ferocious competitor, she will be remembered as a true Hibs legend.

Joe Newell
Signed in 2019 from English side Rotherham United, Tamworth-born midfielder Joe Newell has been a key player for the Club during four years at Easter Road. An industrious and tenacious footballer, Joe began his Hibs career as a wide player before finding his feet in the side in a central position. Since cementing his place in the heart of the midfield, he has become a crucial part of the team and a leader in the dressing room. Our 2023 Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year, Joe’s impact is often best felt when he is not available – a rarity – with the team relying on his energy, passing range and organisational abilities.

Eilidh Adams
Eilidh Adams is one of the best products from Hibernian’s Academy system in many years. The 19 year-old striker has the potential to go all the way in the women’s game and has already established herself as a crucial player in the senior Hibs side. A Scotland Under-19 international, she has an incredible eye for goal – including during games at Easter Road in front of record-breaking crowds. One to watch on the big stage.

Rocky Bushiri
Colossal centre-back Rocky Bushiri arrived at Easter Road in 2022, bolstering the Club’s defensive options after impressing in Norwich City’s youth ranks. The 23 year-old is a versatile defender who mixes strength and aggression with impressive passing abilities and aerial prowess. He has become a popular figure among the Hibs support since making his initial loan move a permanent stay last summer. A Belgium Under-21 international, Rocky recently elected to make himself available for Congo DR, through his parents’ heritage, and was called up to the senior squad in summer 2023.

Kanayo Megwa
2023 Academy Player of the Year Kanayo Megwa is a powerful defender who has impressed fans and coaches alike with his displays for both the Hibs Development Squad and Under-18s. Comfortable at right-back or centre-half, he was integral during the wee Hibees’ incredible run in the UEFA Youth League, beating Molde and Nantes before being narrowly beaten by Borussia Dortmund. Kanayo has already been included in a number of matchday squads with the First Team and gained senior experience out on loan at Kelty Hearts during 2022/23. The Club has high hopes for the promising full-back.

Kanayo was also joined by Academy starlets Malik Zaid and Oscar MacIntyre during the shoot, who can be seen in the launch video and other pieces of creative published by Hibernian FC.

Easter Eggs

Lawrie Reilly’s boots
Kindly loaned to the kit shoot by the Hibernian Historical Trust, these boots were worn over 70 years ago by legendary Hibs striker Lawrie Reilly. Lawrie was one of the Club’s greatest-ever players and top goalscorers, he personalised these boots by pressing in small golden studs to create ‘LR9’ on the bottom.

Stool & Wooden Chairs
These pieces of furniture were loaned kindly to the shoot by Malt & Hops, a pub on the bank of Leith Shore. Everyone working on the shoot enjoyed a pint in the sun outside Malt & Hops after a job well done!

Vintage Match-Worn Shirts
On the floor are two Hibs shirts from the 1960s and 1970s, iconic kits from the Club’s history. The 1965-71 shirt shares a similar collar to the new design and also has blood on it from an unknown game – but as it was worn by John Brownlie, it’s fair to assume it was an opponent’s!
The shirt draped over the chair Lewis is sat on is from the 1991 season – a well-liked kit from the Club’s history and one that saw silverware return to Easter Road.

Programmes
The programmes in shot are from two games during the turn of the century. One features Kevin Harper on the cover, while the other is from the Hibees’ famous 6-2 victory over Hearts at Easter Road.

Scarves & Flags
A number of Hibernian scarves feature in the shoot, most notably a vintage scarf worn by Pat Stanton with a Hibs ‘peace’ sign embroidered onto it. This belongs to supporter and father of the photographer, Colin Allan. Keith Wright also sits on a chair adorned with a Hibs flag, again borrowed from the Historical Trust, while in individual shots of Keith fans will notice a giant banner from the 1991 Skol Cup Final.

Added Extras
Freakworks Studios in Leith have hosted a number of kit shoots for Hibernian and are always extremely helpful and resourceful. For this shoot, as well as their brilliant studio, we used props in shot such as the barrel and the arm chair. Thank you again to Freakworks for their support on this campaign. Also seen in this photo is memorabilia from the 1990s, including a large wooden wall piece and a mug with the popular Hibs crest of this era.

Chess

Finally, another piece shot on this day was the ‘Stevenson vs Stanton’ chess image – or ‘The Hibs Grandmasters’ – that fans have enjoyed since the kit launch.

The image replicates Annie Leibovitz’ now iconic Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

Our version has Lewis Stevenson and Pat Stanton, two of Hibernian’s all-time greats, at the table. We like to imagine it as two fans in a pub before a Hibs game – but many people have said it evokes different feelings for them.