Obituary – Death – Cause of death News : Peter Cormack, the Edinburgh-born footballer, had a successful career playing for clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, and Liverpool. He also ventured into management with various teams and had coaching stints at St Mirren and Hibs. Cormack was known for his skillful and tenacious playing style, often being deployed in multiple positions on the field.
Liverpool confirmed the passing of Peter Cormack, expressing deep sadness at the loss of the former midfielder at the age of 78. During his time at Liverpool between 1972 and 1976, Cormack was part of the team that won the league, UEFA Cup, and FA Cup. The club paid tribute to his contributions and expressed condolences to his family and friends.
Hibs, where Cormack started his career, also honored him on social media, remembering him as a former player and inductee into the Hall of Fame. Cormack began his football journey with Hibs after a brief spell at Hearts, showcasing his skills as a midfielder with a knack for scoring diving headers and displaying versatility across different positions.
After successful spells with Liverpool and Bristol City, Cormack returned to Hibs before eventually retiring from professional football. His impactful career left a lasting legacy on the teams he played for and the fans who admired his fiery playing style. Peter Cormack will be remembered as a talented footballer who made significant contributions to the sport during his time on and off the field. Peter Cormack, a football legend, made a triumphant return to Hibernian for a second spell as a player in 1980. Despite being 33 years old, Cormack’s skills were still sharp as he scored the winning goal in the first leg of the Anglo-Scottish Cup final, securing a 2-1 victory against Alex Ferguson’s St Mirren. The following 1-1 draw in the second leg sealed the deal, adding more silverware to Cormack’s illustrious career.
However, even with Cormack’s return and the presence of George Best on the team, Hibernian suffered relegation that season. Cormack played 20 games for Hibs in his second stint, including a memorable goal in a 2-0 win over Stirling Albion. His final game for Hibs came in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ayr United in the League Cup quarter-finals.
After leaving Hibs in December, Cormack transitioned to a managerial role at Partick Thistle, where he faced challenges leading the team. Despite a sixth-place finish in his first season, the team suffered relegation the following year. Cormack even had to step in as a player in a match due to injuries and suspensions.
His managerial career took him to various teams, including Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus and the Botswana national team. Cormack eventually returned to Scotland as an assistant manager at St Mirren before embarking on his final coaching role at Greenock Morton.
Throughout his career, Cormack also represented Scotland at various levels, earning caps and playing alongside football legends like Pelé and Eusebio. Despite being part of the 1974 World Cup squad, he did not get any playing time in the tournament.
In summary, Peter Cormack’s impact on Scottish football, both as a player and a manager, is undeniable. His contributions to the sport and his experiences playing against some of the greatest players in history have solidified his legacy in the football world.
Hibs great and ex-Liverpool star Peter Cormack dies at 78
Following his time at Bristol City, Cormack returned to Hibs in 1979, where he spent two seasons before retiring as a player. He made 51 appearances and scored 10 goals during his second spell with the club. After hanging up his boots, Cormack went on to have a successful managerial career, as mentioned earlier.
Peter Cormack will be remembered as a talented and versatile player who made significant contributions to the clubs he represented, both on and off the field. His passing is a loss to the footballing community, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
How did Peter Cormack contribute to Hibs’ success in the Anglo-Scottish Cup final?
He scored the winner in the first leg of the Anglo-Scottish Cup final, a 2-1 win against Alex Ferguson’s St Mirren, and a 1-1 draw in the second leg meant more silverware for Cormack.
Peter Cormack returned to Hibs for a second spell as a player in 1980 (Image: SNS Group) At the age of 33, Cormack returned north to Hibs in February 1980, joining a Hibs team that already had George Best in its ranks, but not even the return of Cormack and the presence of Best could prevent Hibs from suffering relegation. He played 20 times for Hibs in his second spell, scoring once in a 2-0 Division One victory over Stirling Albion in August 1980. He played his final game for Hibs in October 1980, a 2-0 extra-time home defeat by Ayr United in the second leg of the League Cup quarter-finals that knocked Hibs out of the competition after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
What was Peter Cormack’s management career like after leaving Hibs?
Cormack would leave Hibs in the December, in a swap of sorts with Bertie Auld, to become manager of Partick Thistle, with the former Celtic defender taking the reins at Easter Road and leading the team back to the top flight. The Jags finished sixth in the Premier Division at the end of Cormack’s first season but suffered relegation the following season, finishing ninth, and they missed out on promotion in the following two seasons as they finished fourth and third respectively. Cormack pulled his boots back on for one game in the 1983/84 season, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat by Brechin City at Glebe Park as Partick struggled with injuries and suspensions.
How did Peter Cormack’s international football career unfold?
Selected by Scotland at under-23 level for games against Wales and England, Cormack won his first senior cap while at Hibs – and still eligible for the under-23s – lining up against a Brazil side containing the likes of Gilmar, Pelé, Jairzinho, and Gérson in a warm-up game for the 1966 World Cup at Hampden. Celtic’s Stevie Chalmers scored in the first minute before Servilio equalised on the quarter-hour mark, and Cormack swapped jerseys with Gérson at full-time. He won a further eight caps while at Hibs and Nottingham Forest but despite winning a place in the 1974 World Cup squad, he got no game time in West Germany with Davie Hay picked ahead of him for all three games that the Scots played.
Peter Cormack attempts to get the better of Bobby Moore during a Home Championship International between England and Scotland at Wembley in 1971 (Image: Getty Images) In an interview with The Scotsman in 2015, Cormack revealed that he been ‘fortunate enough to have played with and against some of the greats – Pelé, Eusebio, Puskas, Di Stefano, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and Georgie Best – but Willie [Hamilton] was some player, too’.
How did Peter Cormack’s management career progress after leaving Partick Thistle?
He left Firhill at the end of the 1983/84 season but quickly found a new job as manager of Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus until 1986. A brief spell as manager of the Botswana national team followed before he returned to Scotland as assistant manager to Alex Miller at St Mirren. Miller of course quickly moved to Hibs with Cormack taking charge of two Buddies matches as interim manager before following Miller to Easter Road for his third spell in Leith. In late 2000 he was appointed manager of Cowdenbeath, replacing Craig Levein who had taken the reins at Hearts, but he lasted just ten days without taking charge of a match amid reports of a player revolt, and was sacked at a burger bar near the Forth Road Bridge. His final stint in the dugout came at Cappielow, as he took charge of Greenock Morton in the summer of 2001 with the club in disarray.
How did Peter Cormack’s clubs and fans pay tribute to him after his passing?
In a statement confirming Cormack’s passing, Liverpool wrote that the club was, ‘Deeply saddened by the passing of former midfielder Peter Cormack, aged 78. The Scot – a league, UEFA Cup and FA Cup winner during a four-year spell with the club between 1972 and 1976 – died on Thursday night. Hibs also paid tribute to Cormack, a Hall of Fame inductee in 2017, on social media, posting: “Everyone at Hibernian FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former Hibee Peter Cormack at the age of 78. Rest in peace, Peter.”
After leaving Partick Thistle, Cormack managed several other clubs including Cowdenbeath, Airdrieonians, and East Fife. He also had a spell in the United States as head coach of the Albany Capitals in the American Soccer League. Despite his success as a player, Cormack’s managerial career did not reach the same heights, but he continued to be involved in the game he loved.
Early Years at Hibs and Brief Spell with Hearts
Peter Cormack began his football career with Tynecastle Boys Club and signed with Hearts at the young age of 15. However, a dispute led to a swift exit from Hearts, and Hibs quickly snapped him up in 1962. Cormack was known for his skill and tenacity as a midfielder, with a knack for scoring diving headers. Despite his primary position, he was also versatile enough to be deployed in other roles, including as a stand-in goalkeeper when needed. One memorable moment was when he kept a clean sheet against St Mirren for 75 minutes in a League Cup game after the goalkeeper was injured early on.
Given his chance in the first team by manager Walter Galbraith, Cormack scored a header on his debut in a 2-1 defeat by Airdrie during the 1962/63 season. He continued to make appearances under Galbraith, with one of his notable games being a 1-0 home win against St Mirren in March 1964. When Jock Stein took over as manager, Cormack retained his place in the team.
Cormack’s contributions in the 1963/64 season included scoring a goal in a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen in the replayed Summer Cup final, showcasing his importance to the team at a young age.
Managerial Career
After his playing career, Peter Cormack ventured into management, starting with Partick Thistle in the 1983/84 season. Despite limited playing time, he made a brief appearance as a substitute in a match against Brechin City due to the team’s injuries and suspensions. He then moved on to manage Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus until 1986, followed by a stint with the Botswana national team.
Cormack later returned to Scotland as assistant manager to Alex Miller at St Mirren, eventually following Miller to Hibs for his third spell in Leith. In 2000, he took over as manager of Cowdenbeath but was sacked after just ten days without overseeing a match, reportedly due to a player revolt. This abrupt ending to his tenure was a challenging experience for Cormack, as he expressed feeling blindsided by the decision.
His final managerial role was at Greenock Morton in 2001, where he faced significant challenges with limited resources and a struggling team. Cormack stepped down as manager the following March, with the club facing the possibility of relegation to the third division.
International Football Career
Peter Cormack represented Scotland at the under-23 level before earning his first senior cap while playing for Hibs. His international debut was against a formidable Brazil side in a warm-up game for the 1966 World Cup, where he had the opportunity to play against legendary players like Pelé.
Throughout his career, Cormack won a total of eight caps while playing for Hibs and Nottingham Forest. Despite being selected for the 1974 World Cup squad, he did not see any game time in West Germany, with Davie Hay chosen ahead of him for all three matches.
In a 2015 interview, Cormack reflected on his career, highlighting the privilege of playing alongside and against some of the greatest footballers of his time, including legends like Pelé, Eusébio, and Johan Cruyff. He also mentioned his appreciation for his teammate Willie Hamilton’s skills on the field.
Legacy and Tributes
Peter Cormack’s passing was mourned by both Liverpool FC and Hibernian FC, where he had a significant impact during his playing career. Liverpool acknowledged his contributions as a key player during Bill Shankly’s tenure, winning several titles with the club. Hibs honored Cormack as a Hall of Fame inductee in 2017, recognizing his lasting influence on the team.
Cormack’s versatility, skill, and dedication to the sport have left a lasting legacy in the football community. His journey from a young player at Hibs to a respected manager showcases his passion for the game and his ability to adapt to different roles within the sport.
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Overall, Peter Cormack had a successful playing career, featuring for clubs like Hibs, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, and Bristol City. He won multiple league titles, the UEFA Cup, and the FA Cup during his time with Liverpool. After retiring as a player, he ventured into coaching and management, with stints at Partick Thistle, Anorthosis Famagusta, and the Botswana national team, among others. Despite some ups and downs in his managerial career, Cormack’s legacy as a talented and competitive player remains intact. Peter Cormack, a former football manager, found himself in a challenging situation during his time at Greenock Morton in 2001. With the club in disarray, he took charge with no players on the books and limited funds to sign a new team. As a result, the Ton struggled under his leadership, and Cormack made the difficult decision to step down the following March, with the team facing relegation to the third division. It was a tough time for him, and he was left wondering how they could justify getting rid of him while he was away watching a game, feeling like a football equivalent of a coup d’état had taken place.
Despite the challenges he faced at Morton, Cormack had a successful playing career, representing Scotland at the under-23 level before earning his first senior cap while at Hibernian. His international career saw him line up against a star-studded Brazil side in a warm-up game for the 1966 World Cup, swapping jerseys with the legendary Gérson at full-time. Cormack went on to win a total of eight caps while at Hibs and Nottingham Forest, but despite being selected for the 1974 World Cup squad, he did not get any game time in West Germany.
In a 2015 interview with The Scotsman, Cormack reflected on his playing days and the privilege of facing some of the greatest players in football history, including Pelé, Eusébio, Puskás, Di Stefano, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and George Best. He also spoke highly of his former teammate Willie Hamilton, acknowledging him as a great player as well. Despite not getting the chance to play in the World Cup, Cormack cherished his time representing Scotland on the international stage and the memories he made throughout his career.
Cormack’s journey in football had its highs and lows, from facing off against football legends to navigating the challenges of managing a struggling team. Through it all, he remained passionate about the game and grateful for the opportunities he had to make his mark in the world of football. As he reflected on his experiences, Cormack’s love for the beautiful game shone through, showcasing the resilience and determination that defined his career both on and off the pitch.
In conclusion, Peter Cormack’s story is a testament to the highs and lows of a career in football. From the thrill of representing his country on the international stage to the challenges of managing a struggling team, he faced it all with passion and determination. As he looks back on his journey, Cormack’s love for the game remains unwavering, a reminder of the enduring spirit of those who dedicate their lives to the beautiful game.