Hibernian head coach David Gray recalled the “privilege” of delivering the Scottish Cup to Sir Tom Farmer as he paid tribute to the club’s former majority shareholder and saviour.
The Leith-born Kwik-Fit founder’s family announced the death of the 84-year-old businessman ahead of Hibs’ 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Farmer’s financial intervention helped block a hostile takeover from Hearts chairman Wallace Mercer in 1990 and he bought the club and Easter Road from the receivers of the parent company a year later amid serious financial difficulties.
Hibs would soon win the first of two League Cups of Farmer’s 28-year stewardship.
And then captain Gray’s late winner against Rangers eventually brought the Scottish Cup back to Easter Road in 2016 after a 114-year wait.
Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84.
Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/W5hVRDNWSK
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) May 10, 2025
Gray said: “Really sad news. He’s not kept particularly well for a wee while now, but for everything he’s done for the football club, saved the club at a time of need, it’s a sad day for everyone involved in the football club and the thoughts are with his family at this time.
“My relationship with him personally, it wasn’t as if I’ve seen him all the time, not at all, but I did have one real positive meeting and introduction with him, which was straight after the cup final.
“I saw him on the Sunday and it was a nice moment to be able to present the Scottish Cup to him for everything he’s done as a Hibs supporter and everything he’s been through.
“All the times he’s probably seen Hibs not win the Scottish Cup and all the pain he went through with that as well, so that was a real privileged moment for myself to be involved with the club on that day.
“I know how much it meant to absolutely everyone that day who was involved with the club, but no more so than him I’m sure.”
Farmer relinquished ownership of Hibs to the late Ron Gordon in 2019 with a redeveloped Easter Road back in the hands of the club.
His rescue act had come a century after his grandfather had performed a similar deed.
John Farmer and his brother, Philip, were among a group of four men who put money in to resurrect the club in 1891 after the birth of Celtic had led to an exodus of players and staff to Glasgow.
