McPherson Quits
Hibs Chairman resigns after differences of opinion
MALCOLM MCPHERSON HAS QUIT AS CHAIRMAN OF HIBERNIAN.
In a brief press release this morning, McPherson cited the fact that he
had become increasingly at odds with the rest of the Hibernian board
over a number of issues, and accordingly has decided to step down after
three years as Chairman of the club he has supported all his life.
While no details are yet know on just what issues
McPherson was at odds with his colleagues on the Easter Road board
about, it would seem that decisions such as the sale of Ulrik Laursen
may not have received the support and approval of everyone in the Easter
Road boardroom. And the announcement today is also likely to spark
speculation over other major issues at the club in recent months,
including the sacking of Franck Sauzee although
McPherson sternly
defended that decision when it was made in January, the Chairman taking
most of the flak from Hibernian fans at the time.
Malcolm McPherson (sns)
While
McPherson
openly admitted that differences in opinion between himself and other
board members has led to his decision, the leading Edinburgh solicitor
insisted that he left the club on good terms, saying:
“There has been no big fall out, but it is important at this time of
challenge and change that the team acts and thinks as one. Therefore I
have decided that it is right for everyone that I withdraw. I will
continue to support the Club in any way that I can."
McPherson has also resigned as a Director of the club.
Malcolm
McPherson
took over after extremely difficult times for Hibernian. He came
to the club as a non-executive director having been a lifetime supporter
of Hibernian, and after a year in the boardroom he was appointed
Chairman just as Hibernian were promoted back to the Scottish Premier
League. Also the Chairman of a leading Edinburgh firm of
solicitors, McPherson was extremely highly thought of by Hibernian fans,
in particular with his style of replying personally to any fan who took
the trouble to write to him. The former Chairman was always
willing to talk to the supporters he believed he had a kinship with,
providing a link between the fans and boardroom that will be difficult
to replace.
McPherson will be
replaced by Ken
Lewandowski, a director of whom little is known by the Hibernian support
at least. The new Chairman paid tribute to his predecessor today:
"Malcolm
has put in tremendous service during his time as Chairman, and he has an
open invitation to the boardroom and we all look forward to seeing him
on a very regular basis at Easter Road.” Hibs.net
understands that McPherson tendered his resignation on Monday, but the
announcement was delayed until today to ensure that Hibs preparations
for last nights CIS Cup tie at Alloa was not hindered in any way.
In many ways this was a typical gesture from a man who has always put
the interests of the club before his own.
Editors
Comment
From the first
day I met Malcolm McPherson, I felt that Hibernian were in good hands.
The nagging doubt however was always that while Malcolm was very much a
Hibs man, he lacked any real power in the Easter Road boardroom and that
would one day lead to his going the way of many other such men in the
last decade. The title 'non-executive' is one that is read by most
fans as being, simply, 'no teeth'. For all that, Malcolm worked
very, very hard on behalf of the club with little or no personal reward.
He did so because he was proud to be Chairman of Hibernian, he did so
because Hibernian was a every bit a family tradition for Malcolm as it
was for most life-long Hibs fans.
I don't know the
new Chairman and likely few Hibs fan do. I know this however, he
will have to work very hard indeed if he is to emulate the passion that
Malcolm McPherson brought to the task of leading Hibernian. My
personal message to Malcolm then is I hope he enjoys a quieter life, and
look forward to seeing the big man celebrating goals from among his ain
folk at Easter Road again in future.
