Clubs confirm Straiton moves
Shared stadium officially on the agenda

HIBS AND HEARTS HAVE THIS MORNING moved quickly to confirm that talks are indeed taking place over a new shared stadium at Straiton.  As revealed by Hibs.net this morning, early discussions with council officials have already taken place with a view to the old rivals selling up their traditional homes at Easter Road and Tynecastle to move into a purpose-built super-stadium on the outskirts of the city.

In a joint statement released this morning, the clubs have said that following on from close cooperation between the clubs at SPL and SFA level, and more recently with the announcement of a new 'Festival Cup' competition between Hibs and Hearts plus invited guests, the possibility of a new shared stadium was raised.  When both the City of Edinburgh and Midlothian councils made it clear that they would assist the clubs in any such plans then the idea took on real possibilities, and that is what led to the high-level meeting last Tuesday between council officials, Chris Robinson and Rod Petrie.

In their joint statement this morning the clubs said: "A shared stadium could help both Hearts and Hibernian unlock significant capital values from their existing city centre sites and reduce on-going running costs thereby making both sides better able to compete year in, year out at the highest level.  However a number of hurdles remain and detailed discussions will require to take place to satisfy all parties that any move away from the clubs’ traditional homes at Easter Road and Tynecastle is the correct step."

Rod Petrie - taking part in talks over move (sns)

Hearts boss Robinson has been looking around the outskirts of Edinburgh for a new home for some time, it already having been made clear by the Hearts board that they would need to move away from Tynecastle.  Robinson said today: "Our need to move is well known.  Apart from the potential financial benefits a move would bring, Tynecastle does not meet UEFA requirements. We are able to operate under derogation at present but Tynecastle is too enclosed ever to meet UEFA’s requirements.  We have looked systematically at sites in conjunction with City of Edinburgh Council.   One by one these have been ruled out.   The site at Straiton is the site which best meets our needs.  It makes perfect sense to work in partnership on this with Hibernian and with both local authorities, who are keen to be involved."

Rod Petrie meanwhile pointed out that Hibs needs are very different from those of their city rivals, however Hibs welcomed the initiative as they had their own reasons for considering a move from their spiritual home.  Petrie said: "Our position is different from that of Hearts. Our ground complies with the standards set down by UEFA.  We are only prepared to consider a move if it puts us in a much stronger financial position.  If we can exchange Easter Road and the Mortgages associated with the Stadium for access to another modern stadium and have no debt, reduced running costs, greater opportunities to generate revenues and have cash in the bank, I think it is an option well worth exploring.”