Anger, outrage, disbelief - the reaction from the Hibs fans runs the whole gamut. Brian Pendreigh reports

SUPPORTERS, footballers and politicians reacted to the news of the proposed take over of Hibs as if they were hearing that a loved one had met with some terrible accident and was now on the danger list.

There was incredulity, shock, anger and outrage. And most of all, they demanded an answer to the question "Why?".

Hector Stratham, 74, said: "I've been supporting Hibernian since I was seven years old. And there's a lot more like me. Losing Hibs would be like cutting off my left arm. It's unthinkable."

Jimmy McManus, 69, a retired Hibernian scout who brought Pat Stanton and John Collins to the club, said: "Hibernian Football Club is part of the very fabric of this city. It's part of the people, it would be a tragedy if it was lost, you just can't throw away all that history."

Lawrie Reilly, one of the "Famous Five" from the golden era of the Fifties, said: "I don't think the supporters will be able to grasp it. It is unbelievable. I think people are stunned. And then there will be a lot of anger.

"Hibs have been in bad hands for a number of years. Each one that has taken them over has-been worse.

"There will always be memories. They will never kill the memories. But it is just going to be memories. It is the club they have killed,"

Reilly, Hibs' most-capped player, added that no true fan would be prepared to transfer allegiance to a new senior club.

Another of the "Famous Five" was Gordon Smith who spent 18 years at Easter Road and won championship medals with Hearts and Dundee. He said the merger seemed unthinkable. "I don't know who is going to be pleased about it. I cannot see Hearts supporters liking the idea, or Hibs supporters come to that. I would rather not talk about it."

The association has 2,000 members, with branches in the United States, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.

Mr Alcorn said that contact, had already been made with the Australian branch, and its organiser had been devasted by the news.

Alex Jones, general secretary of the Federation of Hearts Supporters, said: "It's not a merger it's a takeover."

When asked what he thought about a new name for the team, such as Edinburgh United, he said: "I wouldn't like that in the slightest. A new strip would be okay as long as there was no green in it."

Alan Gordon, who, like Smith, played for both Hibs and Hearts, was one of the few who had anything good to say about the proposals. "I think it's no bad thing that it has happened now. Hopefully it will be done in such a way that you end up with an Edinburgh side, rather than Hearts taking over Hibs."

He mentioned the growing pressure for all-seated stadia and Wallace Mercer's previously- announced proposals to move Hearts to a new ground on the west side of Edinburgh.

Steve Cardownie, secretary of Edinburgh District Council's Labour group, said that the takeover move would make no difference to the council's consideration of the matter, which was going through the normal channels.

He said that the decision on the stadium must be taken on planning grounds and the admin- istration was committed to the preservation of the green belt.

Politics apart, Labour's running of Lothian Regional Council over the last four years was characterised by the rivalry between the erstwhile convener, Jimmy Cook, a keen Hearts fan, and the group

Councillor Cook, whose ward includes Hibs' ground, said: "I think it is bad news for both clubs. To a certain extent both clubs live' off each other." Mr Mulvey said: "It will be the same club, Heart of Midlothian, but they will have an extra ground to play on."

Ron Brown, MP for Leith, said: "I will be writing to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission about Wallace Mercer's plans. Even in Tory terms, it is contrary to market forces.

"Hibs are, regarded as a Leith team and the fans in my constituency are complaining bitterly that this has been arranged behind their backs. Big business is out to make a fast buck at the expense of the fans."

Gavin Strang, MP for Edinburgh East, said:' "As a football supporter, I am not at all enthusiastic about the decision. Putting the two teams together will not necessarily enhance Edinburgh's chances of having a team in Europe."

Hundreds of fans went to Easter Road to protest against the takeover. Among them was David Clark, 20, who said: "I just can't believe it. This club is a people's way of life. They can't just sell it. It's the worst thing that could have ever happened."

Gerry O'Brien, 24, said: "Who do they think they are? Hibs are not just 'another football club. They are one of the biggest. A merger with Hearts - over my dead body. No way."

Graeme Gribble, 24, said: "We've'been conned all along by David Duff. It's not two years since he was saying that this was going to be as big a club as Rangers. Now look at us. Nothing."

Kenny Carruthers, 29, said: "David Duff has a lot to answer for. It looks like we have been sold down the river. But he is the man who is responsible, he's the man that will have to answer to us."

James Blackwell, 19, said: 'There is no way that the fans are going to let this happen. They will be fighting it all the Way. Mercer must be mad to think there could ever be a merger with Hearts."