Hibs get the brothers backing
Celebrity fans urge fans to Stand Up And Be Counted…

CELEBRITY HIBS FANS GRANT STOTT AND JOHN LESLIE HAVE publicly backed the club's Stand Up And Be Counted campaign ahead of Sunday's derby at Tynecastle.  Grant has been involved already with the campaign, having sat in on the last meeting only last week.  This, however, is John's first mention in the campaign and having a more nationally recognised fan backing it, Hibs Director of Marketing and Communications is sure that it will lead to the right message starting to get across.

“I am pleased that well-known fans are coming forward to lend their support to the campaign, it is very encouraging that we have their continued support. The campaigns aim is to mobilise the 6000 Hibernian Season Ticket Holders and 2000 regulars who turn up week in week out, to bring along a lapsed or occasional supporter - It's about one fan appealing to another's pride and loyalty.”  Representatives from the major Hibs fans groups including Hibs.net, Hibees Bounce, Supporters Association and ERIN Trust have now split into smaller focus groups alongside Club representatives, Listening Groups/Forums members and former Hibs greats Pat Stanton and Lawrie Reilly to deal with the many individual areas that ideas have been linked to, a move which will allow a greater degree of focus to be placed on them.

Grant Stott and John Leslie at Easter Road yesterday to back the campaign (sns)

Whilst a lot of the original ideas came from the Listening Groups that were set up in the aftermath of the Straiton announcement back in June, the start of the campaign is by no means the closing of the door to new ones as Grant Stott was keen to point out.  “The Campaign Steering Group made up of die hard fans, including myself, gives us, the supporters, the chance to voice opinions and make suggestions directly to board to help bring back fans to Easter Road. There are a lot of positives at Easter Road at the moment and the future looks bright. We have a youthful talented team on the park and they deserve our encouragement every week.”   The initial reaction to the campaign has been generally positive and with the current Hibs side being a little 'heavy' on youth, the need for the fans to be behind them is slightly greater.

“All Hibernian fans need to play their part from the outset to ensure this ongoing campaign is a success. The Manager and Coaching staff are doing their bit to put a winning team on the park and we the Hibs support, can play our part, by standing up and being counted and backing the Club." added John Leslie.  The television presenter has had his fair share of backing himself over the last year or so and although for most of the last few years he's lived in England, he still likes to get back to Easter Road whenever he can to give out his own backing to the current wearers of the Hibs jersey.  "I have been a Hibernian supporter since a young lad and I support the initiative 100%. It’s good to learn that supporters are being given the chance to work together with the board to develop initiatives to help bring those Hibs supporters back to Easter Road who have lapsed.  Since moving down south, I don’t get to as many fixtures as I can, but every time I am back in the Capital, I make sure I am in the stand, supporting Scotland’s brightest new stars.”

The Behind the Goals bar will be open from 12.30 on Sunday, allowing fans heading to Tynecastle to enjoy the facilities beforehand while those not heading for Gorgie can remain in the bar and watch the game in the company of other Hibees.  Ahead of the main event, the famous 6-2 win over Hearts will also be shown on the big screen.

Entry is Free, and offers available include 4 pint pitchers from £6.00, 3 bottles of Carlsberg for the price of 2, Carlsberg Lager for only £1.50 a pint and "a whiskey nip and a half" only £1.50. Food is also available for purchase both before during and after the game.