On June 5 1990, the day after the merger bid was announced by the media, hundreds of fans gathered outside Easter Road demanding to know what on earth was going on.
It would be the first of numerous rallies over the next six weeks in a movement that would be branded Hands Off Hibs and ultimately lead to Mercer withdrawing his bid and the club being saved from almost certain oblivion.
We’ve had a deep dig through the archives at the Evening News that tell the story of that merger and how it threatened to tear a then 115-year-old Edinburgh institution.
9. Kenny McLean
Graham Jenkins and Kenny McLean (right). Mr McLean was chosen to lead the Hands Off Hibs campaign and is credited with convincing Tom Farmer to take control of the club. | JPIMedia Photo: George Smith
10. Hands Off Hibs rally
Thousands of fans attended a rally at Easter Road in support of the Hands Off Hibs campaign. | JPIMedia Photo: Crawford Tait
11. Hibs kids
Young fans at the Hands Off Hibs rally at Easter Road on 9 June 1990. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL
12. Famous three
The Leith Festival was attended by key supporters of the 'Hand Off Hibs' campaign. Proclaimers Craig Reid and Charlie Reid on the open top bus with footballer Gordon Strachan. | JPIMedia Photo: Calum McKenzie