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Hibs give Juniors ace shot at glory



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Published Date: 16 May 2008
By MARK BONTHRONE
HIBS are monitoring the progress of Newtongrange Star winger Joe Dunbar as they continue to put plans in place for next season.
The 24-year-old spent a few days on trial with the Easter Road outfit at their East Mains training centre recently and impressed sufficiently for boss Mixu Paatelainen to decide to watch him in a competitive match.

The Finn was at Linlithgow Rose
's Prestonfield ground earlier this week and saw Dunbar complete 90 minutes as his Star side went down 2-1 to Rose in the quarter-finals of a junior cup tie.

Dunbar, signed from Bonnyrigg Rose's under-21s, is a pacey right winger who has been a revelation in the junior game over the last couple of seasons although a move to the senior ranks would be a significant step up. He was on trial with Dunfermline Athletic earlier this month and featured in a reserve match for them while the Evening News understands that Raith Rovers are one of a number of other senior clubs monitoring his performances.

Although Paatelainen stressed that no deal was imminent and he was continuing to look at other options, he said: "Joe trained with us for a week a couple of months ago and did well so I went to see how he played for his own club.

"I went to watch the game out of interest. They are two very good junior sides."

Newtongrange boss Graeme Armstrong said: "There are a number of clubs sniffing around Joe. I would love to see him go senior but I'm in no hurry to sell him. Joe has all the athleticism and skill to play senior football but he needs to develop the mentality and hunger you need to be a senior player."

Meanwhile, the Evening News can reveal that Hibs will face Middlesbrough at Easter Road for a second consecutive pre-season.

Gareth Southgate's men will travel north on Saturday, August 2 meaning Hibs will face English Premier League opposition twice in just a matter of days with Wigan Athletic visiting the Capital the following Tuesday.

Hibs beat Boro 1-0 last August in a competitive warm-up game and supporters will be hoping for more of the same in what is turning out to be an attractive pre-season card.

Stewart Downing, Turkish star Tuncay and Luke Young will be among the stars the Riverside outfit take to Easter Road for the clash.

Paatelainen said: "I'm looking forward to the game and we now have two very touch matches against British opposition before the season starts which is good.

"They will be good preparations. They have a lot of good players."





The full article contains 450 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 16 May 2008 9:55 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Hibernian FC
 
1

gods lovechild,

16/05/2008 12:12:46
More Premiership scalps for Hibs
2

Hibby Heapy,

16/05/2008 12:24:23
A 24 year old Junior. Oh dear! He must either be something special, which I doubt because he would have surely be snapped up before now, or is this the start of Mixu towing the Petrie Line? I can't beleive he would be better than McCaffery who we released this week,

The fact that Raith and the Pars have been looking at him surely says it all with regards to Hibs' ambitions!

The jury is out!
3

Eighteen Seventy-Four,

16/05/2008 12:24:27
More quality signings too, Grenta, St Mirren now Nitin Star, saying that if it comes to a bidding war for this boy Ive heard Raith are favourites.
4

The Leith Lothario,

Inter-cogni-toto 16/05/2008 12:24:51
Good to see people learning their trade in the Junior Leagues getting the recognition they deserve.
5

JT fae Cardiff,

Edinburgh 16/05/2008 12:26:21
Remember Ivan Sproule? Bargains to be had in Amatuer leagues.
6

Iain Bhern,

16/05/2008 12:34:01
I recall Hearts once signing a Norwegian press photographer who went on to become a fans hero. You just never know where you might find a gem!
7

Ryan Kelly,

Mussey 16/05/2008 12:37:51
#3 lol i agree! but at least Raith Rovers are watching him regularly not just 1 game - #2 have you seen the lad play? he is very good - as are many players at that level - Motherwell signed a boy from Dundonald who play in the same league, the trouble is that idiots like hibs are signing world class players like gatussi, Antonio Murray, Konde, benji, zamamma, corrier, i could go on, o'brian, malkovski, players that have floped big time - the players in the junior leagues could and will walk into 1st division and premier league sides - there are hundreds more waiting for their chance
8

Private Pike,

16/05/2008 12:43:08
Just been reading more of the Manchester riots. I'm now convinced that it is not the Rangers Supporters fault. The fault lies in the existence of two clubs: Rangers and Celtic, the OF, two sides of the same coin.

Do away with Rangers and Celtic and you do away with the disgrace that is the OF supporters.
9

Hibby Heapy,

16/05/2008 12:45:19
What's this got to do with the Hibs thread?
10

John south of Soutra,

16/05/2008 12:45:49
#2 there are plenty of players who have turned pro in their 20s - Ian Wirght, Vinnie Jones spring to mind, just because he has not been senoir before now doesn't mean to say his is not a good player, it all depends on individual circumstances
11

Hibby Heapy,

16/05/2008 12:49:56
#5, #7 and #10, I stand corrected!

Thank you for pointing out my short-sighted view.

Lets give the boy a chance!
12

Lenny,

16/05/2008 12:49:59
Typical snobbish behaviour, turning your nose up at a player before you have seen him play. Plenty of good players have come from the Juniors or are late developers. No harm in having a look.
13

Dood,

16/05/2008 12:53:00
#12 Lenny - Spot on. All we're doing is having a look at him. That's what happens when you have a player recommended to you - you have a look at him. It'd be fairly negligent not to.
14

The Hallucinist,

16/05/2008 12:54:58
Yep - hibs desperately need to improve the quality of the squad. Signing players from junior leagues will definitely do this!!
15

,

16/05/2008 12:56:45
Comment Removed By Administrator
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16

,

16/05/2008 12:57:06
Comment Removed By Administrator
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17

1875,

16/05/2008 13:05:42
There are a number of good players in the Junior and Senior Leagues. Some lads dont make is with pro teams as they are not 6ft tall at 13 years old etc. These boys end up playing East of Scotland or Junior and turn out to be excellent players! The coaching at a lot of these clubs is better than the pro teams also...I know this first hand as my boy was at Dunfermline and it was hopeless, he is now with lothian Thistle and it is excellent. The boy deserves a chance for sure
18

Dood,

16/05/2008 13:18:23
#14 The Hallucinist

You do understand that there are Hearts threads you could post on? Or are you another one who's developed an obsession for the Hibs?

I appreciate that you're generally on the wind up when you come on here, but you're patter is genuinely becoming tiresome and boring.

On the other hand, perhaps you beLIEve in what you're writing. Now that would be a worry......

Have a wee shotty of the Hearts thread. It's about Stevie Frail and how he thinks he's done really well and deserves a chance. Now that's a CLASSIC WIND UP.
19

The Hallucinist,

16/05/2008 13:25:00
#18 I do post on the Hearts thread, as do numerous hibees. Yourself included.
20

,

16/05/2008 13:33:03
Comment Removed By Administrator
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21

The Hallucinist,

16/05/2008 13:36:11
#21 Another good post Riley/Victor Ian/etc, etc.
22

Hibernia,

16/05/2008 13:40:11
#19 you bang on about Hibs needing to improve the quality of the squad. So what the lad is playing junior football just now, doesnt mean to say he cant make it at the top level. With what is a poor squad in your opinion we have managed to go 37 games with a chance of 3rd spot in the league.

With all the wonderful world cup superstars down at Tynie finishing 8th was the end result of the season. After all lets face it Hearts have signed pure quality from Lithuiana in the past like Beniuseless, Barasa, Kurskis etc etc.

Pot kettle black



23

,

16/05/2008 13:40:36
Comment Removed By Administrator
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24

Hibees forever,

Portobello 16/05/2008 13:42:52
Bit of a surprise that he is looking at this guy but as said previously Ivan Sproule came from amateur football and Hibs somehow missed Danny Swanson, when he was under their noses playing at this level for quite some time. So there is proof there are good players out there.

If he has been on trial and played with the squad and done well then he deserves a chance.
25

angelinas saddle,

Top six 16/05/2008 13:45:27

Give the boy a chance. Rob Jones didn't become a professional until his mid twenties and now he's club captain, scored in a 5-1 Cup Final victory and put the gorgie paupers out with his goal at ER in the 81% game.

Titter ye not, paupers. You have enough problems of your own.

W.O.T.C
26

King Konte,

16/05/2008 14:07:06
Played against this lad Dunbar a few years back. Incredible pace but may be a bit lightweight for the spl.
27

Ayegudyin,

16/05/2008 14:14:56
I went to school with Joe, he's a good player with pace and a great shot, although he was always pretty small. He has got flair though and hes nippy so I have a feeling he will fit in well with Zemmama and Sheils.... If we sign him. He's a gers fan though
28

Iain Bhern,

16/05/2008 14:52:55
Hallucinist, this boy may be good , he may not but he can be seen playing locally. Unlike the unseen, untried Norwegian photographer once signed by Hearts. Nobody scoffed at him when he produced the goods!!
29

Lewis Hamilton,

Silverstone 16/05/2008 15:03:11
Joe is a fantasic player, he has pace to burn and is very skillful give the boy a chance. Oh no hes 24 that means he only has 10 years left as a pro.....idiots!!!
30

Johnny Jambo,

16/05/2008 15:03:46
I don't know the lad but I agree with those posters on here who are saying that the Junior game has a few lads who may make it in the game so it should not be scoffed at. I remember the days when most top league players in Scotland came from the Junior Game and nobody scoffed then. If he makes it well and good and if he doesn't no-one has lost anything.
31

Iain Bhern,

16/05/2008 15:05:21
One of Hearts greatest ever players who went on to great things in England came from Junior football. His name? Dave McKay!
32

Johnny Jambo,

16/05/2008 15:10:02
#31 it was players like Dave Mackay I was referring to in post 30.
33

Iain Bhern,

16/05/2008 15:16:39
#32 JJ, unfortunately some of the Hearts minded correspondants here don't seem to realise that. Here's another by the way. He went to Rangers via Hibs and scored when Rangers won the Cup Winners Cup, Colin Stein who was signed from Linlithgow Rose ! There's plenty players out there who got their chance after playing at lower levels.
34

Iain Bhern,

16/05/2008 15:17:49
Oh and incidentally the Norwegian I referred to in earlier posts? Rene Moller !
35

Lenny,

16/05/2008 15:17:54
Johnny Jambo

Good day to you, again the Jambo voice of reason.

Im sure there are quite a few unfound gems amoung the Junior Leagues. Ian Wright is one name that springs to mind who never made it as a pro til later on.
36

The Hallucinist,

16/05/2008 15:32:54
#33 You're easily wound up.

Many good players have come from junior league football. Another: Steve Bull who scored goals for fun at Wolves.

However, if hibs sign Joe Dunbar, he might find it hard to put Andy O'Brien out hibs 1st team!!
37

Ogs1955,

Edinburgh 16/05/2008 15:43:03
#34 IB. Mollar was Danish if I am not wrong. ought from Randers Freja in 1968. You learn something every day I watched him. First I heard he was a photographer. There you go I bow to your superior knowledge :)
38

Ogs1955,

Edinburgh 16/05/2008 15:43:31
#34 IB. Mollar was Danish if I am not wrong. Bought from Randers Freja in 1968. You learn something every day I watched him. First I heard he was a photographer. There you go I bow to your superior knowledge :)
39

stanton4,

16/05/2008 16:29:34
Joe always had bags of skill but was a wee soulwhen they were 13/14/15 All of a sudden he sprouted got a bit of pace and who knows last time I saw him ( admittedly it was for Bonnyrigg 21s ) he was unrecognisable, but who would have spotted him then ? scouts do not even look at U21 games.
Good luck to him.


40

1two,

16/05/2008 16:51:19
No.33

That 100% correct, it would actually be impossible for him to 'put andy o'brien out our first team', cos we don't have an andy o'brien at our club!

anyway, How many the of the Duds down gorgie could get a game for Star?
41

Neutral Observer,

16/05/2008 16:59:09
Eddie Turnbull signed for Hibs at the age of 23 after being spotted playing a trial match for a junior club. Admittedly he had been in the navy fighting in the 2nd world war up to that point.
42

The Hallucinist,

16/05/2008 17:00:02
#41 Yes you do. Don't know much about your team do you? C0ck!!
43

1two,

16/05/2008 17:11:08
No.42

We do not have an andy obrien at hibs!
FACT!!!

c0ck!
44

Neutral Observer,

16/05/2008 17:12:55
#42 The Druggy

What are you on about you @rsehole? Are you so drugged up that you are mixing up numbers as well as names. Just to help you out in your drug filled haze. Hibs have an O'Brien - ALAN O'Brien (not Andy).
45

Ayegudyin,

16/05/2008 18:20:49
Andy o'brien plays for bolton, you t't! hahaha, and to follow it up with c0cky statements as well... you are an embaracement.

Why do people try and pretend they know something about football, if you don't know, keep it to yourself
46

J80MBo,

16/05/2008 21:30:14
Give joe a chance hibs fans!

bigger picture what have you's got to lose! cheap fee, cheap wages, short term deal - whats the worst that can happen! if it works out - great, if not - let him go! never no could turn out to be a good signing, stranger things have happened!
47

ses,

Pencaitland 16/05/2008 23:06:35
I take it Mixu has checked with Petrie whether this guy will fit into Hibs wage structure. Or maybe he is planning to sell Fletch to finance this move. But seriously, good luck to the guy, it shouldn't matter what age you are if you are good enough.

Mind you, I'm still keeping an eye on that money that Hibs are making, Petrie and Sir Tom, so don't think you'll get away with any more sneaky multi-million pound sales without us wondering where all our best players keep on disappearing to.
48

amfinitten,

midlothian 16/05/2008 23:36:28
All you Hibee fans. If you log on to youtube.com and type in Newtongrange star you'll see Joe in action. My favourite is the Lochore Welfare game in the Scottish Cup where Joe scored a cracker. He's the number 7 by the way.
49

bring them on,

16/05/2008 23:37:46
What will Hibs resort to next.
50

bring them on,

16/05/2008 23:42:40
I see that Rangers will ban all fans who were involved in the troubles.
51

Silence of the Yams,

17/05/2008 01:24:09
No chance...if they banned all the bigots the ground would be empty, and if they banned all the thugs they could demolish two stands. Scotland's Shame is all about turnover, and Murray a profiteer of hate.
52

Dood,

17/05/2008 01:51:47
Interesting that Old Firm fans are starting to find their way onto the Edinburgh threads. Is this because the Scotsman have had to shut down so many Old Firm threads that they have rarely even opened a forum in recent days?

 

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