Bobby Combe
Encyclopedia
James Robert "Bobby" Combe (29 January 1924 — 19 January 1991) was a Scottish
international
association football player, who spent his entire senior career with Hibernian
.
A schoolboy internationalist, Combe joined his local club Hibernian at the age of 17 from Inveresk Athletic. He was originally an inside right but dropped back to the half back line upon the formation of Hibs' "Famous Five" forward line, his position taken by Bobby Johnstone
. Despite operating largely in the shadows of the "Five", he enjoyed a long and successful career. Combe won League
winners medals in 1948
, 1951
and 1952
. He also won one Scottish League Cup
runners-up medal.
Combe was also a Scotland
internationalist, earning three caps in 1948. He made his debut in a 2–0 defeat by England
and also appeared against Switzerland
and Belgium that year, scoring against the latter. He was selected in Scotland's 22 man squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup
but the Scottish Football Association
only budgeted to take 13 players (including only one goalkeeper) to the finals in Switzerland
. Combe was one of the nine who did not travel with the likes of Ernie Copland
and Jimmy Binning
. Inside forward George Hamilton
was also on reserve but travelled after Bobby Johnstone
withdrew through injury.
In 1957 Combe retired from playing and was appointed Hibernian's trainer. He held the role for two years before briefly becoming player-manager of Dumbarton
. In his later years, Combe worked as a shopkeeper in his native Leith, then in the marketing department of Scottish Gas
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
international
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
association football player, who spent his entire senior career with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
.
A schoolboy internationalist, Combe joined his local club Hibernian at the age of 17 from Inveresk Athletic. He was originally an inside right but dropped back to the half back line upon the formation of Hibs' "Famous Five" forward line, his position taken by Bobby Johnstone
Bobby Johnstone
Robert "Bobby" Johnstone was a Scottish association football player, mainly remembered as one of the Famous Five forward line of Hibernian....
. Despite operating largely in the shadows of the "Five", he enjoyed a long and successful career. Combe won League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
winners medals in 1948
1947-48 in Scottish football
The 1947–48 season was the 51st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: Hibernian Relegated: Airdrie, Queen's Park-Scottish League Division B:Champions: East Fife, Albion Rovers...
, 1951
1950-51 in Scottish football
The 1950–51 season was the 54th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: HibernianRelegated: Clyde, Falkirk-Scottish League Division B:Promoted: Queen of the South, Stirling Albion...
and 1952
1951-52 in Scottish football
The 1951–52 season was the 55th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: HibernianRelegated: Greenock Morton, Stirling Albion-Scottish League Division B:Promoted: Clyde, Falkirk...
. He also won one Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
runners-up medal.
Combe was also a Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
internationalist, earning three caps in 1948. He made his debut in a 2–0 defeat by England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and also appeared against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
and Belgium that year, scoring against the latter. He was selected in Scotland's 22 man squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
but the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
only budgeted to take 13 players (including only one goalkeeper) to the finals in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Combe was one of the nine who did not travel with the likes of Ernie Copland
Ernie Copland
Ernie Copland was a Scottish footballer who played for Arbroath, Dundee and Raith Rovers. He was selected for Scotland's 1954 FIFA World Cup squad, but did not travel to the finals and never actually played for the national side....
and Jimmy Binning
Jimmy Binning
Ian "Jimmy" Binning was a Scottish footballer who played for Arbroath and Dumfries side Queen of the South.-Arbroath:From season 1948-49 until his departure Jimmy Binning scored six goals in his 84 league games for Arbroath....
. Inside forward George Hamilton
George Hamilton (footballer)
-External links:* *...
was also on reserve but travelled after Bobby Johnstone
Bobby Johnstone
Robert "Bobby" Johnstone was a Scottish association football player, mainly remembered as one of the Famous Five forward line of Hibernian....
withdrew through injury.
In 1957 Combe retired from playing and was appointed Hibernian's trainer. He held the role for two years before briefly becoming player-manager of Dumbarton
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
. In his later years, Combe worked as a shopkeeper in his native Leith, then in the marketing department of Scottish Gas
Scottish Gas
Scottish Gas is the trading name of British Gas in Scotland.-See also:* British Gas* Centrica* Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom* List of power stations in Scotland-External links:* *...
.