The life story of the Edinburgh priest who helped found Hibernian FC and who helped the poor and destitute in the city will be released next month

Edinburgh’s First Hibernian is the first biography of Edward Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh.

While parish priest at St Patrick's in the Cowgate, he worked tirelessly in the medieval Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime.

The book has received plaudits from Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers who said: "This book is a moving and meticulously researched tribute to the Club’s founder… Canon Hannan’s lifetime’s work among the impoverished people of Edinburgh’s ‘Little Ireland’ is as good a case of a life well lived as anything I know of."

Pat Nevin, former international footballer and Hibs fan, said: "This is a stunningly researched piece of work that gives an intimate insight into an era as well as the genesis of a great football club.

"Through the deep back story of a founding father, it is a serious historical piece but also a very readable one."

Edinburgh’s First Hibernian is released on 6 August and can be bought online from Thirsty Books. Signed copies will be available from St Patrick's Church in The Cowgate, which will receive proceeds from those sales.