|
Hibernian offer
fans a
cheap return
Club subsidise a trip back to Athens for unlucky Hibs fans -
STUART CROWTHER
HIBERNIAN FANS WHO MADE THE trip to Athens
last week only to find that there was no football on show are being
offered a return trip to the Greek Capital on Thursday, heavily subsidised
by the club and the official travel agents Skye Travel.
Hibs fans who travelled to Athens with the official
flight on Wednesday morning will this weekend receive calls from Skye
Travel representatives outlining a deal that could take them back to
Greece for the game which is now scheduled to kick off at 9.30pm on
Thursday. Hibs.net has been in touch with the club from the
moment fans heard the news on landing in Athens on Wednesday that the game
was to be postponed by UEFA as a mark of respect for the victims of the
terrorist attacks in the United States, and last night a spokesman told
us: "Following extensive discussions with Skye Travel, Hibernian
have decided to offer fans who travelled to Greece last week an
opportunity to return on Thursday when the game has been re-scheduled by
UEFA.
Hibees in Athens - an opportunity to return, sadly Pat won't make it!
(hibs.net)
"Two packages are
being offered to fans. One will involve flying out to the game on
Thursday morning, and returning immediately afterwards. We have been
told by a number of fans already that this is their favoured option, as
for most getting more time away from work is the main problem. Seats
on that flight will be offered at £199 to those who travelled on the
official package last week. There are also a limited number of seats
on the same flight that the Hibernian squad and club officials will travel
on. This involves a one-night stay in Athens and based on two
sharing will cost £399, with a £30 supplement for a single room.
"Seats may also
be available for other fans who purchased a ticket for the game, and these
are priced at £239 for the one-day trip and £449 for the overnight stay in
a 3-star hotel."
The club are however making it clear that availability of these seats are
limited, and supporters seeking places should call the Skye Travel booking
line, 0870 7 280280, as soon as possible to reserve a place. Skye
Travel director Frank Wilson took time out from preparing the deal last
night to tell Hibs.net:
"We are delighted to be able to help
as many Hibs fans who still wish to see this game as possible. It
has been a very difficult week for us all, but along with Hibernian we
were determined to come up with some way of helping the Hibs supporters."
Hibs.net's John Campbell will be returning with Hibs next week (hibs.net)
Hibs managing director Rod Petrie had already made it clear that the club
would be seeking compensation via UEFA for all fans who travelled to
Athens last week, asking fans to get in touch with the club before the end
of next week to write to the club detailing what their expenditure was.
Petrie stressed last night that the subsidised flights offer being made
was at the expense of Hibernian and their travel company, and in no way
will have a bearing on any possible compensation, promising that any money
that was gained from the claim with UEFA would be passed on immediately to
the fans. Petrie also said last night:
"Our offer of subsidised flights is
being made as a good-will gesture to our fans who were naturally very
disappointed at missing out on the return of the club to European
football.
"We only have a
limited number of seats however and I urge those fans who can return to
Greece next week to get in touch as soon as possible, we have only a few
days to organise things but we will get as many fans to the game as we
possibly can. All enquiries about these places should be put to our
agents Skye Travel."
Meanwhile this morning Hibs fans are awakening to the loss of another
Hibernian legend. Alex Scott, who was with the club for three years
in the 1960's, died yesterday at the age of 64. Scott won four
league titles with Rangers before moving south to Everton in 1963.
He returned to Scotland to join Hibs in September 1967, before ending his
playing career at Falkirk. When he finished playing Alex went into
business with his brother Jim, another former Hibs player.
Hibs.net
assistant editor John
Campbell will return to Athens next week to report back on the game when
it does eventually take place! The Editor meanwhile is being left at
home!
|
