by Stuart Crowther

Date: 18th May 2002

Hibs finally confirm Everton visit Zitelli returns to France HIBERNIAN LAST NIGHT finally confirmed that Everton will visit Easter Road on 29th July - a week after the game was first revealed on Hibs.net! The visit by the Premiership side breaks a recent habit by the club of not playing pre-season matches in Edinburgh.  The glamour warm-up game against the English Premiership side will come just 24 hours after the club return from their 8-day visit to Finland, where they will play the last of four games two days before the Easter Road clash.  But to the disappointment of many Hibs fans, season tickets will not be valid for the friendly, the club spurning an opportunity to boost early sales of season briefs and encourage fans to dig deep at a time when cash is badly needed by every SPL club. "We know that the decision to ask Season Ticket Holders to make a small additional payment for this match will disappoint some.  However, it is widely acknowledged that this is a difficult time for all clubs and the extra revenue will help the Manager in planning his squad for next season," managing director Rod Petrie said in a statement announcing the Everton game.  It is difficult to argue that the club needs to maximise income using every means available, however there is was a clear opportunity in this case to encourage higher season ticket sales.  Fans will recognise that by purchasing a season ticket they will receive a discounted rate for the Everton game, what the club perhaps needs to do now is announce as soon as possible exactly what that discount will be - with perhaps the option of gaining free entry if a season ticket is purchased before the middle of June. Rod Petrie - difficult time Everton will also take on Aberdeen during their visit to Scotland, and the Merseyside outfit are sure to be a massive attraction for fans of both SPL Clubs.  "The players and coaching staff will return from their pre-season tour of Finland at the weekend, and will be raring to get the season underway.  This match, against one of the most famous clubs in English football, and should provide an entertaining curtain-raiser for our supporters," Petrie said of the match, which has a 7.45pm kick off time. Meanwhile former Hibs striker David Zitelli looks set to start next season in the French first division.  Zitelli has offers from three clubs in his homeland, and has promised each that he will discuss terms and make a decision before the end of the month.  Zitelli, who has continued to train at Easter Road since negotiating the end of his contract two months early, said: "The French first division is a good level and I'll be happy to go there until I stop playing."  Some Hibs fans might wonder that Zitelli had not already stopped playing. As regular visitors to Hibs.net will have noted, the site updates have not been as regular in the last week as you have come to expect from the leading Hibernian resource on the internet!  This has been due in part to the restructuring of the site following our move from the Rivals network, and partly due to the Editor moving home and all the hassle that brings!  Both moves are now nearing completion, and from Monday Hibs.net will return to regular daily news and views on Hibernian and the world of football in general.  Looking ahead we will as always be represented at Hibs pre-season tour, this time in Finland, and will bring news, views and pictures by Hibs fans and for Hibs fans.