by Stuart Crowther

Date: 19th June 2002

Overseas Hibees find a way to help! Another first in Scottish football for big-hearted Hibees HIBS.NET TODAY OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES a scheme that we believe is unique in Scottish football, another first for Hibernian perhaps, and is aimed to help some home-based young or old Hibs fans get to Easter Road on a regular basis who might not be able to afford to do so under normal circumstances.  The internet has provided overseas based Hibs fans with a direct and regular link home not only to their favourite football club, but with thousands of fellow fans, friends and family.  Now a few of them are seeking to put something back to the club and the fans, and who better than the leading Hibs resource on the internet to help! The idea was brought to Hibs fans around the world via the Hibs.net Message Board, and last night the Edinburgh Evening News published the following story which explains things perfectly! "BIG-HEARTED Hibs fans from around the world are clubbing together to help supporters less well off than themselves to get along to Easter Road.  The fans, unable to make Hibs’ home matches because they live abroad, are snapping up season tickets nonetheless to allow others to see Bobby Williamson’s players in action.  And today Hibs, who have appealed to supporters to buy season tickets as soon as possible to help ease the financial problems created by the demise of the proposed SPL television channel, welcomed the generous initiative, believed to be a first in Scotland. Already fans in Spain, the United States and New Zealand, who keep up-to-date on what’s going on at Easter Road through the internet, have pledged to buy season tickets while the unofficial website, Hibs.Net, have also promised to chip in.  Hibs.Net editor Stuart Crowther said: "I think it is extremely generous of these guys, an offer which will benefit everyone. What impresses me about these supporters is the fact that they have insisted on total anonymity, they don’t want any publicity, only the knowledge they’ve helped a fellow Hibee cheer the team on.  They love Hibs to bits but obviously, because of where they live, they cannot get along to see the team play every week. However, they are well aware of the financial difficulties facing Scottish football at present and the problems some fans have in being able to afford a ticket. Free seat for a lucky few fans, courtesy of big-hearted overseas Hibees "The idea is that a ticket will then be passed on to a deserving cause, either to a youngster aged under 18 or a pensioner, to let them to go to Easter Road in place of the supporter living overseas. The offer came from one guy who is living in Spain and he was quickly joined by others in America and New Zealand while Hibs.Net will also buy a season ticket.  And there could be one or two more in the pipeline. The numbers may be small but who knows, it may lead to something bigger in future.  We’ve actually had others saying that while they couldn’t afford to buy a season ticket they’d like to perhaps put a fixed sum each month towards helping others get to Hibs matches. "Unfortunately, we’ve had to knock back such a suggestion as the administration involved would make it too unwieldy."  With the promise of season tickets in place, Crowther is now searching for suitable recipients to take up the generous offers from abroad.  He said: "We are seeking nominations with the stipulation being that you can’t nominate yourself.  We recognise the fact we are relying on the integrity of fans not to abuse what we believe is the first scheme of its kind but we’ll look very closely at every nomination and the fans who are putting the money up for the tickets will also have a say as to whom they think should go." Crowther accepted that some may be loathe to accept "charity" but he insisted it shouldn’t be viewed in such a light, saying: "It’s very much a case of Hibs fans helping each other. "Everyone benefits, the fans living abroad get to support the club in a tangible way by buying season tickets and supporters who can’t afford to go to games will get the chance to do so. "Today a Hibs spokesman applauded the initiative. He said: "It’s an admirable and generous move by these supporters to help their fellow fans."" Fans who believe they know someone who might benefit from the scheme should e-mail the Editor (editor@hibs.net) with the details, or telephone the Editor on 0131 664 5194.  And any overseas (or indeed home-based) Hibs fans who cannot attend Easter Road and would like to help by purchasing a season ticket (or share the cost with others) should also contact the Editor. Meanwhile Alan Smart, whom Hibs had on loan for 3-months at the start of last season, has returned to Scotland and signed for Dundee United.  Smart was signed from Oldham, who had paid Watford £225,000 for his services after Hibs knocked back extending his stay at Easter Road.