A dream come true
Rachel Sproule rounds off the week with a vote of thanks while older Hibbies could get their own 'club'....

THIS ARTICLE COMES IN A WEEK WHICH HAS SEEN THE TWO MOST PROMINENT PEOPLE ON HIBS.NET, Stuart Crowther and John Campbell leave the site to begin the editorship for the official Hibernian Football Club website.  This is in itself a fantastic opportunity for both and my article this week is a dedication to the work that these guys have done and maybe the odd a bit of football thrown in as well – just maybe!

I’m not sure how long Stuart has been running hibs.net but I’m sure it’s quite a while now.  The site of course began on the old rivals network before having to set up on its own when the Scottish sites were dropped by Rivals.net.  I started using hibs.net when it was still with Rivals.net and that was when I got my opening opportunity to write for the site.  That was nearly two and a half years ago, Cup Final day to be exact.  Then I didn’t get the chance to write regularly for a wee while.  But the piece on Cup Final Day was the stepping-stone I needed and it would help me in the future.

John and Stuart are the two people who made my dream about writing about the club I love come true.  It was John who I had my first encounter with in the old Rivals.net chat room.  I was getting a bit of trouble from someone and he stepped in.  Then we just started talking and it got round to talking about the site and I said that I had written for the site before.  When he remembered the piece he said he would speak to Stuart and see if I could write something once in a while.  I was thrilled to bits and it was to be the start of a great friendship between John and me.

Zambernardi - another month before he'll play again (sns)

I first met them both at the Franck Sauzee Appreciation Society do in June 2002.  I had started writing on and off for the site by this point but still had never met John or Stuart.  So when I went there with the intention of finding them I found them all right but it was not the introduction I had expected.  John asked me “Are you Rachel?” I said that I was and he thrust a microphone in my face asking me loads of questions.  Not a hello or anything! Typical!! But I had now put faces to names which were brilliant for me.  Then not long after that I was asked to start writing regularly on a Friday for the site.  That was an absolutely fantastic opportunity for me and I was really grateful to Stuart for giving me the chance and to John for asking him to give me the chance.  I was at that time aiming to be a sports journalist so I thought it would be great experience for me in that field.  And it has proved to be just that although my aims have changed.

Now that the guys are moving on and leaving the editorship of the site in the capable hands of Trevor I just wanted to say good luck to you guys and all the best.  You can do it both of you and the official site is lucky to get you.  Oh and a special and personal message – thank you so so much for making my dreams come true and allowing me the chance to get involved with the site and giving me the chance to write about the club that I love so much.  All the best and well done!

At Tuesday's AGM, Hibs Managing Director Rod Petrie spoke of his wish to change the way that football is shown on television in Scotland.  It's widely known that several clubs are struggling financially due to the massive reduction in income from the deal that is due to expire at the end of the current season.  "The Club has said on many occasions that the existing deal is costing us money. Some clubs agree with us, others say it is revenue neutral. This is not an attack on the BBC. However there is no denying that live football on terrestrial TV has a much more fundamental impact on attendances than matches on Sky or cable TV."  He continued, "The Club will seek to persuade other clubs that if the SPL cannot get an improved TV deal, then we should look at radical options, such as far fewer live SPL matches on TV, but balanced by an extensive highlights package so that supporters can attend matches and then see the goals scored in their match and keep up with the rest of Scottish football."

Hibs Kids will not only get into this Saturday's match free but they will also receive details of a Christmas Carnival through the post in the next few days.  To be held in the Famous Five Stand concourse on Sunday 14th December, members, and their families will be able to take part in games, competitions and other activities with members of the first team squad on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos.  The success of the Hibs Kids programme over the years is also set to be extended.  Colin McNeill, who will appear on RadioHibs.net's Saturday Live show this week, has revealed his desire to see ALL Hibs fans get the chance to be part of the club.  "We want to open up a membership scheme to all supporters. A new membership programme is currently being designed which will enable everyone to join the club to one level or another irrespective of income."

Meanwhile Bobby Williamson should get the services of Roland Edge back for the second derby of the season at Tynecastle in a fortnight’s time but the player has been ruled out of this Saturday’s clash with Dundee United.  With Yannick Zambernardi still rated as being a month or so away from being fit, Gary Smith looks likely to fill in at left back again.

Hibs will announce details this afternoon of the campaign that it will run in conjunction with celebrities and fans groups to retain and grow the Easter Road support.  The campaign 'team' will include staff from both major unofficial websites, the Hibs Supporters Association and ERIN Trust.  Although some ideas will be muted this afternoon, most of the detail of the campaign is likely to follow over the next few weeks as the group starts to meet regularly to formulate the way forward.