From Leeann

[OfficialHFC]

After reading some of the posts and some of the emails and tweets I received from yesterday, I thought it probably time that I come on to .net and answer a few things and perhaps put right or at least give you my perspective on some of the accusations that are out there.

I did ask for a membership on net and bounce as I thought it would be a decent way to keep in contact with supporters but more over to get a sense check of the issues and opportunities that exist. I should probably have resisted doing so and resisted the temptation to use the boards in a positive way. If the truth were told, I find the constant criticism of the club, the general picking to pieces of everything we do quite counter productive and demotivating in a way. It is the same with the torrent or emails, some time text message and twitter messages received post match – you would think that we collectively come to work every day and say ‘what could we possibly do today that will upset and annoy the support at large?’

I’m not looking for you to feel sorry for us but there has to be recognition that the constant negativity can’t be productive for anyone. The club is going through a period of major change – and yet again I am sure that will be jumped on as same old, same old but I know differently. Almost every element of the club is being shaped, changed and reengineered and because those at the club are involved and can see the changes taking effect, the opps these will bring and ultimately where I believe we can achieve, we are excited and motivated to work on, work hard and make the sacrifices needed to give supporters what they want.

I understand that what supporters mainly see is the performances on the pitch and therefore because ours have been stop start this season, the obvious fall back of people when they are frustrated and disappointed is to lash out and to claim that nothing has changed and that it is business as usual. Well it is not.

We are as frustrated as any of you when we don’t manage the win, we all are and I mean every person who works at the club and who is dedicating above and beyond to try and make you all happy and proud of the club and our contributions. I see the progress of the club day by day but even so, a defeat or a draw has the same effect on me / us as it does on you as a support and sometimes it can be very difficult. I can give you my word that we have changed, we are changing and we are planning to change a great deal more – I also understand though that your benchmark for this won’t be when the ticketing system works they way it should, or the comms coming out of the club are improved, when there are a 1000 more youngsters in the stadium being converted to supporters for the future or when the foundation starts to properly change the community and those who live within it and when income moves positively to allow us to do more blah blah blah. Your benchmark is the results on the pitch .

I have absolute faith in our football people and the team that sits behind all of them and who are supporting them which is why I will continue to do the same and why we need to keep our ‘cool’, keep our commitment and shape of the club and make sure Alan and the team know that they have my backing and the backing of everyone else to turn our season around and importantly to give us a platform to make the seasons beyond even better.

Again, I understand though that you guys only see us once a week, maybe a one off U20’s game or come to a meeting so you only have those things to judge the current progress on. We are not immune to criticism and I am happy to have a take it when it is due, not every decision we make is perfect but there is at least always thought and consideration on the ones we make.

Onto a few things that others have reported to me have been doing the rounds on the boards. Apparently I am tentatively sounding people out to become board members of the club. Absolute rubbish, it is not true and in fact I have contacted the Electoral Reform Society to ascertain if they can help and advise on the up coming elections for supporter board members. I feel that strongly about this and the independence of the process that I won’t allow anyone to claim anyone at the club is ‘fixing’ or trying to fix the result.

Sales and Marketing and the fact that I am ignoring a certain ‘Hibby’ – I have not had numerous calls, contacts, texts or emails from anyone – I don’t even know who you are but I have not been ignoring numerous emails or texts from anyone on this subject. I have had 3 texts from one individual that falls into this category and I’ve responded to 2 of them……not sure if related but then I can only guess! If there were emails then its fair to say they never reached me but the easiest thing to do then is perhaps speak to one of the team at the club, leave details, perhaps even drop in on a non match day and I’d have been happy to see meet.

The Drum yesterday – we did not ask for this to be stopped, we did ask for flags to be searched as there have been numerous complaints from supporters who don’t like the effects of the smoke bombs etc so we’ve significantly stepped up security to try and eliminate these. You may like the colour but others don’t and others don’t enjoy the experience, they find it frightening and dangerous, these are also not allowed under any rules and cause the club constant issues. I’d ask that those involved with section 43 get in touch with me and we can come up with a plan that makes the match day experience better, that makes those who want to get involved happier with the outcome. I am all for match day noise, colour and atmosphere and I will help you as much as possible, home and away to achieve this but we need to do it in a way that works for everyone.

Two seats sold as ST and then removed – complete own goal from us, should have ben easy to fix and totally unnecessary. A classic example of people not speaking to each other and things falling through the gaps.

Hibs TV – again another own goal, we invested heavily in every aspect to deliver a better TV product alongside a new website. On the face of both, they should have delivered significantly more than they have. It’s not a supplier thing or issue, it was planning at our end – again an own goal that requires to be fixed quickly but to be fair to all concerned, it was a curve ball that derailed it right at the last minute – even so, still majorly disappointing but if it is any consolation, the whole exec team including myself and Jamie are involved to fix this.

Website and emails – look better, good functionality but needs constant attention, communications on every front is changing from staff and kit to plans and delivery. We have a strong volunteer team who want to do more and who can help us – we will be accepting their offer but more importantly, we will be offering new ways to get the messages out there.

Complaints/customer service/ supporter files are all being reengineered with the introduction of a new supporter dynamic system, in short, we should and will stop asking you to continually prove your details, DOB etc and we will all have access onscreen to a new system which hopefully means we are able to speak to you in a more personal and relevant way. It will mean a better service and a more productive executive team - has to be good.

Emails – I can’t answer every email that comes into the club addressed to me, there are too many. If you have a complaint about the stadium, tickets, smoke bomb etc etc then please use the contact us part of the website. Every department is now listed and available. Is it helpful to offload after a game directly to my email or twitter or is it better to get involved and speak directly – again, with respect, I won’t answer these emails as they usually don’t request a response.

I am sure there is a good deal more that I’ve missed and many more questions that you have not only for me but for Alan, George and the rest of the team. I am really happy to hear suggestions as to how we can make this whole transition more positive – I know it comes back to football on the day and I am under no illusions as to the power of this but in order to be a good CEO, I also need to future proof the club and that means I need to worry about the whole package, the football is my number 1 but I also have another 100 considerations that all feed into the overall success of our Club.

I will sign off with a few last thought, I won’t be on this board constantly and I won’t be replying to every angry tweet or every angry text or post – that does not mean however that I am oblivious to the issues but it also does not make me a poor CEO or one who is not interested in opinion. It means that I need to focus my time and energy into the bigger plan, I have the benefit of seeing the direction of travel and the changes first hand and I am confident that we will build a club together.

I am also keen to meet you rather than have my character given to me online so if you can think of ways that this can happen, I’m all ears. Maybe we have a social night in the FF – perhaps on the euro nights, we could have a chat / debate with myself and the team and then we could watch a match together.

We have the building blocks of some something quite wonderful – I’m convinced of it and I’m convinced that I am the person who can help facilitate it and deliver it for you. Tin hat on.

LD

[AngusHibby]

Brilliant post

[SaulGoodman]

I'll come to the social night if you're buying the pints :greengrin

[Jonnyboy]

Brilliant post

:agree: Certainly calls into question some of the stuff posted on here!

[Jonnyboy]

:blah:

:yawn:

Sorry hen...

Unsurprising post number one

[HoboHarry]

If this really did come from Leeann then good on you Leeann. It has all the markings of someone who knows she is re-building from ground zero and that it will take a while. The message will still sail way above the heads of the idiots who stalk this website though.

[bingo70]

Appreciate taking the time to post that. As somebody who emailed in with a bit of a rant not long ago, I feel a bit silly now.

I do think the role of rod petrie at the club still needs to be clarified though so if you're still there Leanne, not sure if this is something that could be cleared up?

[jodjam]

:blah:

:yawn:

Sorry hen...

Stupid post

[marinello59]

:blah:

:yawn:

Sorry hen...

Just so everybody is aware. No flaming or personal abuse of another poster is tolerated here no matter who it is. Anybody who wants to go down that route will find their posts deleted. Keep it respectful.

[21.05.2016]

A very good statement Leann. The clubs mess is to great to be fixed over night, I absolutly agree that it's going to be a lengthy process if we are going to get back to where we should be and I have every faith that you and your colleagues are doing everything possible to do that. We as supporters are just frustrated at the current state of affairs, nobody is meaning to try and bring the club down with negativity.


Fair play to you for your strong engagement with the supporters. The supporters are the heart and soul of this football club so communications with us are very important and you seem to be very eager to do that, unlike Mr Petrie ever was. You have my full backing, I believe you have the right vision for this club and are prepared to make the big changes that this club so desperatly needs.

In Leann I trust :aok:

[Real Emerald]

It's good to hear all of this so very well done.

[I'm_cabbaged]

:agree: Certainly calls into question some of the stuff posted on here!

Certainly does. I wonder if he'll reply to this?
I'll only go to a social night if the pipes have been cleaned and I get a glass pint though. 😉

[Pete]

:blah:

:yawn:

Sorry hen...

If we want to maintain a line of mature communication then crap like this needs nipping in the bud. GTF.

[21.05.2016]

:blah:

:yawn:

Sorry hen...

Aww give it a rest eh. Pathetic.

[HoboHarry]

Just so everybody is aware. No flaming or personal abuse of another poster is tolerated here no matter who it is. Anybody who wants to go down that route will find their posts deleted. Keep it respectful.
Quite right and you should begin with the post Hibernian-0762

[Phil D. Rolls]

I call this progress. Over to those who think nothing's happening.

[greenpaper55]

Measure her words compared to what we have had in the last ten years from Rod ! you just have to believe that they know what they are doing and give them our backing even though i said the opposite last week !.

[Lucius Apuleius]

Thank you Leeann. Gratefully received. A few points put to bed in my opinion. Personally I have faith that things are going in the right direction. Obviously not happy with results but then again neither do you by the sound of it. Unfortunately this will also add fire to those who feel we are still going backwards and I certainly envisage a few posts saying this. We used to have a saying in Nigeria that no good deed went unpunished. I think you are in the same boat, make a statement and it will be micromanaged to death, don't make a statement and you don't care. Hopefully Admins will keep the posts decent!

[Davy Mac]

A bit of a corporate response but brave.

It certainly doesn't do RP any favours and I hope Leeann has the full support of the board.

I've been there many times when you think you are making progress and making the right noises but eventually to be undermined by someone higher up.

Leeann - cover your ass IMHO.

[Golden Bear]

Excellent communication which admits the failings and puts to rest some of the accusations levelled against the Club and its employees.

Improved performances on the park is a goal we're all aiming for and the sooner that happens the better.

[Eyrie]

Appreciate you taking the time to clarify so many matters and concerns that have been raised.

[HH81]

All we need is to get things right on the pitch and most of the points covered in your post will not matter.

Thanks for taking the time to post though good to see.

[harry-hibee]

Yes a good post, we are where we are now and it took several seasons to reach this low, now we have a new regime we should all work together to climb back to where we should be, it may take a bit of time but it will happen sooner if we all work together.

[Beefster]

The OP is good to read but I've never really doubted that the new CEO will be good for the club.

Just one more thing, anyone that watches us and then feels the need to tweet, text or email the club to whine and bitch needs to seriously have a word with themselves. Eight year old kids deal with disappointment better than that.

[IWasThere2016]

Excellent communication which admits the failings and puts to rest some of the accusations levelled against the Club and its employees.

Improved performances on the park is a goal we're all aiming for and the sooner that happens the better.

It is the only goal - as a change in ownership looks unlikely..

[smurf]

Credit to Leeann for the post. Ultimately as she acknowledged it is all about the results on the park. Great to hear that there's transformation in a positive sense off the park. However, until we see likewise on the park the anger, resentment and disappointment isn't going to dissipate. We simply must improve our football performances and results.

[Mr White]

Thanks for coming on here to clarify a few things. Until there's real and sustained improvement on the pitch the anger frustration from some and apathy from a lot of others will continue unfortunately. Communication from yourself is a big step forward though so once again, thanks for posting.

[Pretty Boy]

:blah:

:yawn:

Sorry hen...

Absolutely no need.

She's taken the time to come on here and answer a few of the criticisms aimed at the club, amd I've been one of the biggest critics. A bit respect for that at least wouldn't go amiss.

Have a word eh.

[silverhibee]

Will you be speaking with G4S regards there heavy handed approach to a bunch of kids in the East stand yesterday, they done nothing wrong but stewards were trying to snatch young kids from the crowd at the back, this is no way to be treating the Hibernian support who have been great through these difficult times, as you will no there was no smoke bombs set off at the game yesterday so why were the stewards acting like thugs towards Hibs supporters up in section 43.

I spoke to security guard who i no as i left the club, and asked him about what took place, he said that it came from the club to not allow the drummer and flag wavers anywhere near section 43 yesterday.

[whiskyhibby]

Well said Leeann; you have my 100% backing and confidence

[Nutmegged]

What a superb post, really appreciate Leeann taking the time to come on here and let us here her take on things, we fans are a simple bunch, we all want every asoect of our club to be a success but the main priority is and always will be winning football matches, if and when we start doing that more consistently then they can take as long as they like fixing our infrastructure

[Jonnyboy]

Well said Leeann; you have my 100% banking and confidence

:greengrin

[WestStandMoaner]

Brilliant post
Sorry don't agree it's a brilliant post, LD has at least had the good grace to come on this forum and put her side over. However, the club is sliding down the leagues of Scottish football and that cannot be acceptable to the support. I have know doubt LD is hurting but the support have been hurting for years. Bad planning at the beginning of the season has cost us. There are many clubs that turn things around a lot quicker than hibs ever do, why should we be patient, we spend our money and should expect a lot more than we have received, LD I believe could be the answer to our problems but Farmer and Petrie must go, If we are having to change so many things behind the scenes we must have been mismanaged. I wish LD all the best and hope the support can at least get behind her and stop sending abusive emails and texts but her post does not answer the real issues at the club

[Chuck Rhoades]

Fair play. We'll be in touch.

[Real Emerald]

Credit to Leeann for the post. Ultimately as she acknowledged it is all about the results on the park. Great to hear that there's transformation in a positive sense off the park. However, until we see likewise on the park the anger, resentment and disappointment isn't going to dissipate. We simply must improve our football performances and results.

Totally agree with this. We really have no excuse in this league for doing so badly and the anger will be there until the team improves. I have full faith that her long term strategy will work but season tickets were purchased for 2014/15 not for the future. Its great she is communicating though so I hope her work will see some return soon. Good luck to her.

[Hibs90]

At the end of the day none of that would matter if the team was winning games which we are not doing.

[whiskyhibby]

:greengrin
A freudian slip ☺

[Forza Fred]

Leann is definitely right when she says results on the park are the supporters no 1 priority.

No disrespect at a ll, but when I pick the paper up the first thing I do is look at the football results.

The other work that may be going on behind the scenes is secondary.

We'll all be a happier lot if we could consistently get decent results in a division comprising of teams, most of whom we would have expected to beat comfortably only a short few seasons ago.

I guess, and again this is not aimed at Leann, many of us have been living in hope for a while now that things will be 'turned around'.....but we don't see many clear signs of that, hence our frustration.

[S4uzee]

That was refreshing. Well done Leeann :aok:

[andrew70]

Thanks to Leeann for this. Much appreciated by all I am sure. I hope that this stops the constant bitching towards the club. The fact we have not progressed properly since 2007 and relegation set us back maybe another 3/4 yrs means we are approx 10 yrs behind where we should be. To expect Leeann, Alan etc to turn this around in less than 6 months is virtually impossible.

Patience is the key and also some fans need to take a reality check and see where we actually are as a club.

[Frazerbob]

Good to hear much of that however it doesn't take away from the fact that we are struggling in the Championship. That is total failure. Even in the midst of the rebuilding we should be doing far better than we are.

[emerald green]

Thank you Leeann for taking the time to share this information and your thoughts. What a refreshing change.

The Drum yesterday - I got really angry at some of the stuff I was hearing, and I think judging from what has been reported the stewarding needs to be looked at closely and reviewed. It seems to me it was badly handled. The club cannot afford to alienate its own supporters. You know that already of course so I'm not trying to teach my grannie to suck eggs if you'll pardon the expression.

A lot of stuff posted on these threads comes out of sheer anger and frustration at the position this great club finds itself in. The huge majority of these posters still love this club, and only want to see it doing well. It goes without saying you are not to blame for the club being relegated, and I wish you well in trying to turn things around. I'm realistic enough to know that will not be easy. Good luck.

[Bronson]

This thread in itself is progress IMO. The fact Leeann has made that kind of effort to communicate with the fans makes me more hopeful of the direction of the club at boardroom level. Would never have seen the like a couple years ago, top marks Leeann.:top marks

[The_Exile]

Although results are what it's all about, I think the behind the scenes stuff is of equal importance. Times change and so must the football club, and for that I feel Leeann has a fantastic approach. We all stood shoulder to shoulder 20 years ago to save our club, given we've been through that heartbreaking but ultimately successful campaign together, I feel the Hibs fans stand together in strength and in numbers, it's one of the reasons I chose Hibs as my team, solidarity. Fair to say recently that solidarity has been tested to it's limit. But we're still here, we'll always be here.

We took 40k to Hampden a couple of times recently, this club is widely acknowledged to be the very definition of a sleeping giant, I for one am positive about the direction we're heading, results are crushing at the moment but we've got 3 rounds of games left to set the record straight.

Huge respect to Leeann for posting her heartfelt thoughts on business so far, this club gets under your skin, it's somewhat of an addiction for many. From reading Leeanns thoughts I'd say the club is starting to get under her skin, in a positive fashion. That's something that I'm sure a lot of people will agree that's been missing for far too long.

Apologies for no doubt plentiful spelling mistakes, using my tablet and the keyboards a nightmare! !

[One Day Soon]

I simply cannot believe that no one has responded to this new poster with a straightforward LTYF.

Neverless an interesting first post and it raises lots of issues, both positive and negative which I guess is to be expected.

Here's my initial suggestion. Why don't you post like this monthly? I think it would be welcomed, would allow you to communicate directly, allow you to see the responses even if you don't wish to reply and would make a lot of supporters feel that they are being considered in the broader scheme of things.

[Ozyhibby]

It's a good communication and at least lets the support know that people at the club understand they are under performing on the pitch.
I think she will be a good CEO for us and she has impressed me the couple of times I've came across her. I was glad when she was appointed.
And at least she recognises that things won't really appear to be getting better until results improve.
Hopefully things turn round quickly now, for Alan Stubbs sake. There are only a limited amount of times your boss will publicly go into bat for you with the customers. He has to start delivering. Let's hope it now.

[Ricky Bobby]

A very good post and very much appreciated. Its great to have some straight talking from the top, but with all due respect Leeann you say that a defeat or a draw affects you as much as anyone else on here. Im sorry but you have not had the frustration of watching this garbage year on year.
That said onwards and upwards.

[WHUHibs]

I am sure the rest of it is accurate LD but we did promise to meet, you also have quite a number of messages on your phone where you and I were meeting for SALES AND MARKETING RESTRUCTURE.

I am dissapointed that you made that statement as we both spoke face to face and you and I were getting togther after the WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM.

You have my number.

[Geo_1875]

Glad to hear major changes are happening. However, these changes should have been happening years ago. In any business there is a need for constant performance measurement and progressive improvement. The current need for change and "re engineering" only proves the poor stewardship of the past few years. At the moment it looks like we've stopped production in the hope of coming back later with an improved product. Unfortunately, I don't see how that can work for a football club. Taking a sabbatical from the top league could be a long, slow suicide.

[Hibby D]

Short of telling all the pointless whingers to STFU, that is a pretty clear message from LD to the support. It doesn't lessen the hurt we're all feeling at the results, but surely it should reassure the doubters that the club is in a time of change and the aim is, that with change will come results.

[Forza Fred]

Good to hear much of that however it doesn't take away from the fact that we are struggling in the Championship. That is total failure. Even in the midst of the rebuilding we should be doing far better than we are.

Spot on.

Convincing victories in our next two games would do wonders for the mood of nearly everybody on here, but confidence is low that we will achieve this.

Please prove me 100 per cent wrong.

[Winston Ingram]

Brilliant Post:agree:

[Real Emerald]

I simply cannot believe that no one has responded to this new poster with a straightforward LTYF.

Neverless an interesting first post and it raises lots of issues, both positive and negative which I guess is to be expected.

Here's my initial suggestion. Why don't you post like this monthly? I think it would be welcomed, would allow you to communicate directly, allow you to see the responses even if you don't wish to reply and would make a lot of supporters feel that they are being considered in the broader scheme of things.

I think that is a brilliant suggestion.

[JimBHibees]

The OP is good to read but I've never really doubted that the new CEO will be good for the club.

Just one more thing, anyone that watches us and then feels the need to tweet, text or email the club to whine and bitch needs to seriously have a word with themselves. Eight year old kids deal with disappointment better than that.

Tend to agree, people doing that really need to get a life.

[B.H.F.C]

Feel kind of sorry for her because she is trying to pick up the pieces of the years of mismanagement. And there is a lot of things behind the scenes that she is quite right in trying to address.

But she is right when she says it's all about results. And until we are consistently getting acceptable results there is still going to be negativity aimed at the club. The start to the season has been completely unacceptable and anybody who wishes to express a negative opinion is perfectly entitled to do so IMO. And some nice words from the Chief Exec doesn't change that.

[Weir7]

After reading some of the posts and some of the emails and tweets I received from yesterday, I thought it probably time that I come on to .net and answer a few things and perhaps put right or at least give you my perspective on some of the accusations that are out there.

I did ask for a membership on net and bounce as I thought it would be a decent way to keep in contact with supporters but more over to get a sense check of the issues and opportunities that exist. I should probably have resisted doing so and resisted the temptation to use the boards in a positive way. If the truth were told, I find the constant criticism of the club, the general picking toy pieces of everything we do quite counter productive and demotivating in a way. It is the same with the torrent or emails, some time text message and twitter messages received post match – you would think that we collectively come to work every day and say ‘what could we possibly do today that will upset and annoy the support at large?’

I’m not looking for you to feel sorry for us but there has to be recognition that the constant negativity can’t be productive for anyone. The club is going through a period of major change – and yet again I am sure that will be jumped on as same old, same old but I know differently. Almost every element of the club is being shaped, changed and reengineered and because those at the club are involved and can see the changes taking effect, the opps these will bring and ultimately where I believe we can achieve, we are excited and motivated to work on, work hard and make the sacrifices needed to give supporters what they want.

I understand that what supporters mainly see is the performances on the pitch and therefore because ours have been stop start this season, the obvious fall back of people when they are frustrated and disappointed is to lash out and to claim that nothing has changed and that it is business as usual. Well it is not.

We are as frustrated as any of you when we don’t manage the win, we all are and I mean every person who works at the club and who is dedicating above and beyond to try and make you all happy and proud of the club and our contributions. I see the progress of the club day by day but even so, a defeat or a draw has the same effect on me / us as it does on you as a support and sometimes it can be very difficult. I can give you my word that we have changed, we are changing and we are planning to change a great deal more – I also understand though that your benchmark for this won’t be when the ticketing system works they way it should, or the comms coming out of the club are improved, when there are a 1000 more youngsters in the stadium being converted to supporters for the future or when the foundation starts to properly change the community and those who live within it and when income moves positively to allow us to do more blah blah blah. Your benchmark is the results on the pitch .

I have absolute faith in our football people and the team that sits behind all of them and who are supporting them which is why I will continue to do the same and why we need to keep our ‘cool’, keep our commitment and shape of the club and make sure Alan and the team know that they have my backing and the backing of everyone else to turn our season around and importantly to give us a platform to make the seasons beyond even better.

Again, I understand though that you guys only see us once a week, maybe a one off U20’s game or come to a meeting so you only have those things to judge the current progress on. We are not immune to criticism and I am happy to have a take it when it is due, not every decision we make is perfect but there is at least always thought and consideration on the ones we make.

Onto a few things that others have reported to me have been doing the rounds on the boards. Apparently I am tentatively sounding people out to become board members of the club. Absolute rubbish, it is not true and in fact I have contacted the Electoral Reform Society to ascertain if they can help and advise on the up coming elections for supporter board members. I feel that strongly about this and the independence of the process that I won’t allow anyone to claim anyone at the club is ‘fixing’ or trying to fix the result.

Sales and Marketing and the fact that I am ignoring a certain ‘Hibby’ – I have not had numerous calls, contacts, texts or emails from anyone – I don’t even know who you are but I have not been ignoring numerous emails or texts from anyone on this subject. I have had 3 texts from one individual that falls into this category and I’ve responded to 2 of them……not sure if related but then I can only guess! If there were emails then its fair to say they never reached me but the easiest thing to do then is perhaps speak to one of the team at the club, leave details, perhaps even drop in on a non match day and I’d have been happy to see meet.

The Drum yesterday – we did not ask for this to be stopped, we did ask for flags to be searched as there have been numerous complaints from supporters who don’t like the effects of the smoke bombs etc so we’ve significantly stepped up security to try and eliminate these. You may like the colour but others don’t and others don’t enjoy the experience, they find it frightening and dangerous, these are also not allowed under any rules and cause the club constant issues. I’d ask that those involved with section 43 get in touch with me and we can come up with a plan that makes the match day experience better, that makes those who want to get involved happier with the outcome. I am all for match day noise, colour and atmosphere and I will help you as much as possible, home and away to achieve this but we need to do it in a way that works for everyone.

Two seats sold as ST and then removed – complete own goal from us, should have ben easy to fix and totally unnecessary. A classic example of people not speaking to each other and things falling through the gaps.

Hibs TV – again another own goal, we invested heavily in every aspect to deliver a better TV product alongside a new website. On the face of both, they should have delivered significantly more than they have. It’s not a supplier thing or issue, it was planning at our end – again an own goal that requires to be fixed quickly but to be fair to all concerned, it was a curve ball that derailed it right at the last minute – even so, still majorly disappointing but if it is any consolation, the whole exec team including myself and Jamie are involved to fix this.

Website and emails – look better, good functionality but needs constant attention, communications on every front is changing from staff and kit to plans and delivery. We have a strong volunteer team who want to do more and who can help us – we will be accepting their offer but more importantly, we will be offering new ways to get the messages out there.

Complaints/customer service/ supporter files are all being reengineered with the introduction of a new supporter dynamic system, in short, we should and will stop asking you to continually prove your details, DOB etc and we will all have access onscreen to a new system which hopefully means we are able to speak to you in a more personal and relevant way. It will mean a better service and a more productive executive team - has to be good.

Emails – I can’t answer every email that comes into the club addressed to me, there are too many. If you have a complaint about the stadium, tickets, smoke bomb etc etc then please use the contact us part of the website. Every department is now listed and available. Is it helpful to offload after a game directly to my email or twitter or is it better to get involved and speak directly – again, with respect, I won’t answer these emails as they usually don’t request a response.

I am sure there is a good deal more that I’ve missed and many more questions that you have not only for me but for Alan, George and the rest of the team. I am really happy to hear suggestions as to how we can make this whole transition more positive – I know it comes back to football on the day and I am under no illusions as to the power of this but in order to be a good CEO, I also need to future proof the club and that means I need to worry about the whole package, the football is my number 1 but I also have another 100 considerations that all feed into the overall success of our Club.

I will sign off with a few last thought, I won’t be on this board constantly and I won’t be replying to every angry tweet or every angry text or post – that does not mean however that I am oblivious to the issues but it also does not make me a poor CEO or one who is not interested in opinion. It means that I need to focus my time and energy into the bigger plan, I have the benefit of seeing the direction of travel and the changes first hand and I am confident that we will build a club together.

I am also keen to meet you rather than have my character given to me online so if you can think of ways that this can happen, I’m all ears. Maybe we have a social night in the FF – perhaps on the euro nights, we could have a chat / debate with myself and the team and then we could watch a match together.

We have the building blocks of some something quite wonderful – I’m convinced of it and I’m convinced that I am the person who can help facilitate it and deliver it for you. Tin hat on.

LD

Heard this so many times. A team on the park is all that matters. Then many of your problems go away.

Please don't claim you and your staff are hurting like the fans. People that dedicate their lives to hibs.

If the club is in a bad state as you portray how has no exec or non exec director lost their job?

[CallumLaidlaw]

Excellent post. Can feel the frustration in it. Hibs.net had been the birthplace of many a myth over the years, and it's good to see a few recent ones nipped in the bud.

[21.05.2016]

So refreshing to have something like this come from the board. She made it clear from the start that she wanted better lines of communication between the club and the fans and she has certainly delivered that.

She's not a miracle worker, she was never going to make our problems go away over night. Full respect to her for this. I believe she has the right vision and idea for the club and I think she's the right person to take us back to where we should be.

[BroxburnHibee]

Any chance we could all stop quoting the OP please?

Got to scroll for miles in the phone to read the thread :greengrin

[Ronniekirk]

Fair Play to Leeann for putting that statement out .It clearly indicates that she is aware of our concerns and yes our moans and I hold my hand up i know I use the forum to get things of my chest when frustrated ,but i then go back to watch hibs .
No one is suggesting there hasn't been change and there have been several interesting threads about the direction we have been taken in ,and acceptance that building blocks are being put in place .None of us has a crystal ball so we don't know what the future will bring and I have no doubt people are working hard behind the scenes .I understand that there are lots of work streams ongoing to make things better in all facets of the club,and it's refreshing to hear Leeann accept there have been a few own goals but they are working to fix these .

the only thing I would ask Leeann to take on board is that this is not a personal attack on her competency as chief executive its loyal fans like myself that have spent lots of money over the years watching the team I love .I will still be here long after Chief Executives players etc have moved on .

I know she can't come in and turn everything around in a few months , but as a support we have suffered for too long we want to see our proud club returned to where it should be To that end some of us think we need new owners or new investment .That issue for me won't go away unless of course we get a team on the park winning week in week out .
However her idea of a night out at the Social Club to watch Euopean game and have a beer is something I would drive through from Paisley to attend Especially if we are t getting an A G M to attend .
So yes fair play , but a few key themes still to be explored . The Tache would never of engaged with fans on a fans forum .

[Davy Mac]

Heard this so many times. A team on the park is all that matters. Then many of your problems go away.

Please don't claim you and your staff are hurting like the fans. People that dedicate their lives to hibs.

If the club is in a bad state as you portray how has no exec or non exec director lost their job?

Correct.

Not enough heads have rolled IMO and certainly agree with the hurt part of your statement.

The current people involved with Hibs are not Hibs people but have my respect.

[AlbertK86]

Leeann

Well done for coming on and addressing some issues

As previously mentioned the fact you actually communicate with us is a massive improvement on what Mr Petrie has done over the years of decline in ignoring us.

I have to admit after the last two Saturdays I have left the ground totally bewildered as to how we played with such a lack of intensity and failed to beat such poor opposition.

Glad to hear that the foundations are being built in the background but what probably irks myself and many others is that our cheating neighbours have emerged from much more turmoil than we had to quickly rebuild and take the division by storm.

It shows that it can be done in a very short space of time but its exacerbates the situation because it is them.

Lets hope you can convince the board to speculate to accumulate in January and give us a fighting chance for the play off positions.

The first place we need to sort is the central midfield by signing a real winner and leader to compliment the undoubted ability of McGeough, Allan, Kennedy and Stanton

[Kaiserclem]

Really appreciate Leeann taking the time to post and speak about a lot of issues. Honesty regarding how she feels own goals with Hibs tv etc. says a lot. Let's all be honest though, if anyone thinks Leeann is doing a bad job then they need their heads looked at. We were relegated in May, only 5 months ago, and on top of that our club was in one hell of a mess. Football side of things and also a lot of other issues regarding PR, the set up with shop, pie stands etc. Can anyone really expect this to be perfectly fixed over night. No chance, I for one can see the realistic picture. We all can if we dig deep enough and are honest with each other. We are struggling, football wise, but is it achievable to get promoted this season? Definitely not by winning the league, that's gone now so we need to accept it and move on. We need to stick with the club, stop getting on the teams back at home games so quickly and ensure we get top 4 this season. If we do, then see what happens in the play offs. Miracles do happen lol if we manage to win them then we have done better than the realistic fans expected, if not then we MUST ensure that the support we knuckle down and give this season is rewarded next season. Hearts done it, they knew last season that they were going down, so they had a horrendous 3/4 of a season nurturing and being in younger players. Letting them grow and strengthened this is the close season with some really good signings (Gomis & Bauben). That's what we realistically have to do. If we do not we are finished.

All negativity does have to stop and we have to continue to support the club and team this season, we are Hibs fans so let's be just that, fans, and support change, team etc. and the rewards will come. If not, what have we lost?

[21.05.2016]

I agree with the poster who said the board are not hurting as much as the fans. Nobody can hurt more than fans do. The fans dedicate so so much to this football club. Me and my family have supported hibs all our lives and in doing so put thousands of pounds into this club because we absolutely love hibs so seeing the club in this state really has been so hard to take. However, I do believe Leann when she says shes disappointed - I really feel she strongly wants this club to be a success and is frustrated at our recent results.

[GORDONSMITH7]

Disappointed that you havenae posted same on the Bounce L. I'm a wee bit slow with this new technology stuff, being a Bus Pass holder and whilst taken to my first Hibs game at Hampden in 1958, guess it was possible to send to both simultaneously. For you amigo (folk on here willnae have a clue what the F I am on about, though you will amigo) Big job,all the best.

GGTTH

BIG G


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8T45wL4eJs

[Real Emerald]

Really appreciate Leeann taking the time to post and speak about a lot of issues. Honesty regarding how she feels own goals with Hibs tv etc. says a lot. Let's all be honest though, if anyone thinks Leeann is doing a bad job then they need their heads looked at. We were relegated in May, only 5 months ago, and on top of that our club was in one hell of a mess. Football side of things and also a lot of other issues regarding PR, the set up with shop, pie stands etc. Can anyone really expect this to be perfectly fixed over night. No chance, I for one can see the realistic picture. We all can if we dig deep enough and are honest with each other. We are struggling, football wise, but is it achievable to get promoted this season? Definitely not by winning the league, that's gone now so we need to accept it and move on. We need to stick with the club, stop getting on the teams back at home games so quickly and ensure we get top 4 this season. If we do, then see what happens in the play offs. Miracles do happen lol if we manage to win them then we have done better than the realistic fans expected, if not then we MUST ensure that the support we knuckle down and give this season is rewarded next season. Hearts done it, they knew last season that they were going down, so they had a horrendous 3/4 of a season nurturing and being in younger players. Letting them grow and strengthened this is the close season with some really good signings (Gomis & Bauben). That's what we realistically have to do. If we do not we are finished.

All negativity does have to stop and we have to continue to support the club and team this season, we are Hibs fans so let's be just that, fans, and support change, team etc. and the rewards will come. If not, what have we lost?
I think we do support the club and I always turn up without negativity before a game, I always think today is the day it all clicks into place. BUT this is the Championship and we are toiling to win games, that's what breeds the negativity not the fans that turn up week in week out hoping today is the day. NOHING will stop the negativity until we start to punch our weight especially in this league.

[Ronniekirk]

Fair play. We'll be in touch.
And don't give up the Drumming it's been catalyst to better atmosphere in the East Even my wife warned to it at second game she attended :wink:

[matty_f]

Disappointed that you havenae posted same on the Bounce L. I'm a wee bit slow with this new technology stuff, being a Bus Pass holder and whilst taken to my first Hibs game at Hampden in 1958, guess it was possible to send to both simultaneously. For you amigo (folk on here willnae have a clue what the F I am on about, though will) Big job,all the best.

GGTTH

BIG G


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8T45wL4eJs

Just stick a link to the post on the Bounce. Job done. Sure we'll cope with the extra users. :aok:

[hibees 7062]

LTWF :greengrin . She's said more in that one post than Petrie has in 20 years

[Ricky Bobby]

I think we do support the club and I always turn up without negativity before a game, I always think today is the day it all clicks into place. BUT this is the Championship and we are toiling to win games, that's what breeds the negativity not the fans that turn up week in week out hoping today is the day. NOHING will stop the negativity until we start to punch our weight especially in this league.

Saved me posting the same thing.

:top marks

[jacomo]

Hi Leeann,

Fair play for coming on here to post your views, and for admitting mistakes. I don't doubt the size of the task that faces you, and hopefully you have taken some comfort from most of the responses so far. The supporters are not all out to get you, and while the volume of criticism must be be hard to cope with at times remember that the vast majority of us want you and Alan to succeed.

But also remember that people angry because:

1) We got relegated
2) The chairman refuses to go

The 'stop start' season so far certainly hasn't helped - never mind competing with Hearts, Hibs should be up at the top of the SPFL this season. We may have blown a potential tilt at being Scottish Champions in 2014/15, with Celtc misfiring and clubs like Hamilton having a real go. I am not sure I can very forgive Petrie for that, because it was only our own incompetence that got us into this mess.

[Scouse Hibee]

Thanks for a frank and honest summary, It won't make me feel any better when I sit in my seat at Easter Road and watch the dross on show, all I can do is hope and pray that the significant changes you talk of will pay dividends on the pitch sooner rather than later.

[Peevemor]

A good OP from Leeann and, as has been suggested, something similar once a month will go a long way to reassuring the fans, especially considering the amount of unfounded stuff that is repeated ad infinitum on here.

It's also refreshing that she put her hand up for the mistakes that have been made.

I would also have been happier had she responded to all the "Petrie" stuff that's still being posted. Maybe the posts are too close to the truth or it could be that Leeann's sick to the back teeth of repeating her position.

[BroxburnHibee]

Just stick a link to the post on the Bounce. Job done. Sure we'll cope with the extra users. :aok:

It's ok matty someone already has. :aok:

[bingo70]

A good OP from Leeann and, as has been suggested, something similar once a month will go a long way to reassuring the fans, especially considering the amount of unfounded stuff that is repeated ad infinitum on here.

It's also refreshing that she put her hand up for the mistakes that have been made.

I would also have been happier had she responded to all the "Petrie" stuff that's still being posted. Maybe the posts are too close to the truth or it could be that Leeann's sick to the back teeth of repeating her position.

What is the official line regarding petries role at the club?

[Baldy Foghorn]

Heard this so many times. A team on the park is all that matters. Then many of your problems go away.

Please don't claim you and your staff are hurting like the fans. People that dedicate their lives to hibs.

If the club is in a bad state as you portray how has no exec or non exec director lost their job?


Correct.

Not enough heads have rolled IMO and certainly agree with the hurt part of your statement.

The current people involved with Hibs are not Hibs people but have my respect.

Agree with these posts....LD is only in door a matter of months, so how can she possibly feel the same hurt as the fans who have followed the Club year upon year....

Why have none of the Board members been removed after relegation, it was coming for Seasons, but nothing was done to arrest that slide. For me the Board Members are equally as culpable as Butcher and the Player's who were simply not good enough.

What exactly do we pay Benchmark PR for, and how much is the yearly charge? DF was the person that spoke to the supporter re Board as fans rep.....(As per the person involved, unless he is totally lying)

[GORDONSMITH7]

Just stick a link to the post on the Bounce. Job done. Sure we'll cope with the extra users. :aok:

Disnae take away from the All inclusive contact /communication with fans thang Matty.

GGTTH

BIG G

[matty_f]

I think it's refreshing to read the post and get some first hand response to some of the complaints - many of which were absolutely justified.


The biggest thing I take from the post though is a huge sense of frustration at having to battle against an overwhelming tide of negativity and abuse from a vocal section of the support.

The problem is that the support is vocal and negative at the moment. We have had a horrendous time of if, and continue to be regularly disappointed. One of the biggest factors in that feeling is the continued presence of Rod Petrie.

It's not necessarily my personal opinion, but it's clear that the ill-feeling will continue from a section of the support until either results improve or Rod goes. The sooner either event transpires, the better.

The post also does beg the question about the intent of some of the posts that have made claims, notably the approach to someone to join the board. I completely trust Baldy Foghorn believed it to be true before posting on here, and I trust Leeann's first hand account also, so somebody is lying to us somewhere - so what's their motivation and what do they hope to achieve by further destabilising the club?

I think we need a bit of an amnesty for a bit, to agree to take a step back and not fire off abusive texts, tweets, emails in the aftermath of disappointments, and to maybe think twice before laying into the club on the basis of a rumour posted on here that may not have any foundation in reality.

[Torto7062]

After reading some of the posts and some of the emails and tweets I received from yesterday............

LD

congratulations on this post Leeann.

Rome wasn't built in a day

[givescotlandfreedom]

Thanks for posting Leeann. If everyone including our owner had the drive and determination to succeed like yourself we might not be in this position. Please don't let the dafties hound you out.

[Peevemor]

What is the official line regarding petries role at the club?

LD has said countless times that she's not RP's puppet and that she has full control over the day to day running of the club. RP is officially the "conduit" between STF and the board.

[Mikey09]

The OP is good to read but I've never really doubted that the new CEO will be good for the club.

Just one more thing, anyone that watches us and then feels the need to tweet, text or email the club to whine and bitch needs to seriously have a word with themselves. Eight year old kids deal with disappointment better than that.


Ive had arguements and disagreed with you on a few things recently (Independence debate!) but on this I totally agree with you. Absolutely bang on the money....l :aok:

[KingFranck]

Really impressed that LD has posted this but would question the board being are as frustrated as the fans about results try buying a ST or paying £22 to watch it then you'll know how we feel

[matty_f]

Disnae take away from the All inclusive contact /communication with fans thang Matty.

GGTTH

BIG G

Think you've missed some of the sentiment of the OP, if I'm honest. There's a clear theme of having to deal with a huge workload and having to take time away from that work to make unnecessary replies etc to emails/calls/tweets whatever.
Surely one post is enough and someone can take the initiative to stick a link on.

[Pretty Boy]

LD has said countless times that she's not RP's puppet and that she has full control over the day to day running of the club. RP is officially the "conduit" between STF and the board.

And the size of the task she is hinting she has been left with, and which is blindingly obvious to anyone with even the slightest grasp of our situation, is why many want RP nowhere near the board as 'conduit' or otherwise.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

Heard this so many times. A team on the park is all that matters. Then many of your problems go away.

Please don't claim you and your staff are hurting like the fans. People that dedicate their lives to hibs.

If the club is in a bad state as you portray how has no exec or non exec director lost their job?

Well this is what I was saying with my 2 smileys but got slapped down, but hey ho opinions eh?

FWIW I don't really see what was disrespectful about my post, words words and more words, appreciate she took time to post but it's just idle talk to me, we have waited what? 7/8 years and this board have done nothing and as far as I'm concerned they never will with the current owner.

[Pretty Boy]

Well this is what I was saying with my 2 smileys but got slapped down, but hey ho opinions eh?

FWIW I don't really see what was disrespectful about my post, words words and more words, appreciate she took time to post but it's just idle talk to me, we have waited what? 7/8 years and this board have done nothing and as far as I'm concerned they never will with the current owner.

You don't think referring to the CEO of the football club as 'hen' was disrespectful?

[Joe6-2]

Thanks for a frank and honest summary, It won't make me feel any better when I sit in my seat at Easter Road and watch the dross on show, all I can do is hope and pray that the significant changes you talk of will pay dividends on the pitch sooner rather than later.

I'm sick to the back teeth waiting for dividends at ER!!! Talks all good and well, this agony has gone on too long!!!!

[Ricky Bobby]

Thanks for posting Leeann. If everyone including our owner had the drive and determination to succeed like yourself we might not be in this position. Please don't let the dafties hound you out.


Who are the dafties that you talk about trying to drive LD out of the club?

[HibbyKeith]

My other half who has no interest in football really, Was looking over my shoulder while reading the OP. Her response was "Didn't get that from Petrie" This is progress in itself.

Fair play Leeann, It's much appreciated that you have taken the time to reach out.

I really do think we are heading in the right direction as a club. Its just so hard to resist impatience when we have all been suffering for so long.

The disappointment I have felt over results this season if I'm honest have been intensified by the successful start to the season across the city and I'm sure I'm not alone with this feeling.

The rebuild wont happen overnight, But the training centre and facilities are all there for the current playing staff, there is nothing more the club can provide them. Its up to them to get it right on match day and start putting the ball in the back of the net. Our inability to produce results at Easter Road is a major concern.

The negativity from the support at home is understandable, We really need to change our mindset as a support and not be too impatient and on the players backs when things don't go our way but...Its a two way street the players need to meet the fans halfway. They NEED to give us something to shout about.

I've been a season ticket holder as long as I can remember, Hibs are my first and last internet port of call everyday. but as much as they are a huge part of my life my dedication is being tested.

I want to be a proud Hibby again. I want to see smiles on the faces of fellow fans as we leave the ground. I want to see Hibs challenge, be feared by other teams and get back to where we belong in scottish football.

All of this is obtainable. Its all at the feet of the current squad they just have to believe, succeed and then watch the crowds come back to support them.

We have overcome worse times in the past, We WILL over come the challenges ahead.

WE ARE HIBERNIAN FC!

[Mikey09]

Heard this so many times. A team on the park is all that matters. Then many of your problems go away.

Please don't claim you and your staff are hurting like the fans. People that dedicate their lives to hibs.

If the club is in a bad state as you portray how has no exec or non exec director lost their job?


Where did she say they are hurting like the fans?? I read they are frustrated as well which is completely different..... If you are accusing Leanne of patronising the fans come out and say it.... To me it's an honest and good post. She also talks about the need for less negativity..... The irony eh??

[givescotlandfreedom]

Who are the dafties that you talk about trying to drive LD out of the club?

People bombarding her with bile, abuse and threats. Nothing wrong with constructive criticism but abuse is out of order.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

You don't think referring to the CEO of the football club as 'hen' was disrespectful?

In Scotland It's a well know affectionate name for a woman, get over your PC.

[Hibeesforever]

Good for you Leeann,
Courageous post and does reassure me that all employees are trying to pull together.
Unfortunately, as my two kids accompany me to matches and have got to the point of ridiculing many of the current Hibernian playing incumbents.....the only solution that I can see to the fans disconnect from the club is if the current owner, Sir Tom Farmer and his yes man, Mr Rod Petrie, are removed from the club. I don't think the fans can rally around the faceless ownership structure anymore.
Good luck in your role but success will only be piecemeal unless they move on.

[Feed McGraw]

Appreciate LD posting, but just how much has to change at the club to allow us to beat Alloa, Dumbarton, QOS etc. ? You know what I mean though ? Surely it doesn`t take too much change to allow Hibs to be taking these teams on and beating them - FFS its not the champions league we`re trying to win !!!

[givescotlandfreedom]

You don't think referring to the CEO of the football club as 'hen' was disrespectful?

Sexist and condescending nonsense to talk to LD like that IMO.

[Ozyhibby]

Who are the dafties that you talk about trying to drive LD out of the club?

I presume he means the people who feel the need to email her every time we drop points that she referred to in the OP.

[One Day Soon]

You don't think referring to the CEO of the football club as 'hen' was disrespectful?

Patronising and sexist in my opinion.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

Sexist and condescending nonsense to talk to LD like that IMO.

Deary me...

[Mikey]

Let's keep it on topic folks.

[Hiber-nation]

Good to hear from Leeann at last.

Even though watching Hibs will probably still be frustrating and downright depressing over the coming weeks & months, I am going to bite my tongue and chill out a bit after reading that. Looking forward to (briefer) monthly updates if possible.

[cmcd]

Although results are what it's all about, I think the behind the scenes stuff is of equal importance. Times change and so must the football club, and for that I feel Leeann has a fantastic approach. We all stood shoulder to shoulder 20 years ago to save our club, given we've been through that heartbreaking but ultimately successful campaign together, I feel the Hibs fans stand together in strength and in numbers, it's one of the reasons I chose Hibs as my team, solidarity. Fair to say recently that solidarity has been tested to it's limit. But we're still here, we'll always be here.

We took 40k to Hampden a couple of times recently, this club is widely acknowledged to be the very definition of a sleeping giant, I for one am positive about the direction we're heading, results are crushing at the moment but we've got 3 rounds of games left to set the record straight.

Huge respect to Leeann for posting her heartfelt thoughts on business so far, this club gets under your skin, it's somewhat of an addiction for many. From reading Leeanns thoughts I'd say the club is starting to get under her skin, in a positive fashion. That's something that I'm sure a lot of people will agree that's been missing for far too long.

Apologies for no doubt plentiful spelling mistakes, using my tablet and the keyboards a nightmare! ! Agree with all of this post

[Pretty Boy]

In Scotland It's a well know affectionate name for a woman, get over your PC.

I'd much rather be PC than a condescending relic but each to their own.

[21.05.2016]

My other half who has no interest in football really, Was looking over my shoulder while reading the OP. Her response was "Didn't get that from Petrie" This is progress in itself.

Fair play Leeann, It's much appreciated that you have taken the time to reach out.

I really do think we are heading in the right direction as a club. Its just so hard to resist impatience when we have all been suffering for so long.

The disappointment I have felt over results this season if I'm honest have been intensified by the successful start to the season across the city and I'm sure I'm not alone with this feeling.

The rebuild wont happen overnight, But the training centre and facilities are all there for the current playing staff, there is nothing more the club can provide them. Its up to them to get it right on match day and start putting the ball in the back of the net. Our inability to produce results at Easter Road is a major concern.

The negativity from the support at home is understandable, We really need to change our mindset as a support and not be too impatient and on the players backs when things don't go our way but...Its a two way street the players need to meet the fans halfway. They NEED to give us something to shout about.

I've been a season ticket holder as long as I can remember, Hibs are my first and last internet port of call everyday. but as much as they are a huge part of my life my dedication is being tested.

I want to be a proud Hibby again. I want to see smiles on the faces of fellow fans as we leave the ground. I want to see Hibs challenge, be feared by other teams and get back to where we belong in scottish football.

All of this is obtainable. Its all at the feet of the current squad they just have to believe, succeed and then watch the crowds come back to support them.

We have overcome worse times in the past, We WILL over come the challenges ahead.

WE ARE HIBERNIAN FC!

Brilliant post Keith - agree with everything there :top marks

[jakeshibs]

After reading some of the posts and some of the emails and tweets I received from yesterday, I thought it probably time that I come on to .net and answer a few things and perhaps put right or at least give you my perspective on some of the accusations that are out there.

I did ask for a membership on net and bounce as I thought it would be a decent way to keep in contact with supporters but more over to get a sense check of the issues and opportunities that exist. I should probably have resisted doing so and resisted the temptation to use the boards in a positive way. If the truth were told, I find the constant criticism of the club, the general picking to pieces of everything we do quite counter productive and demotivating in a way. It is the same with the torrent or emails, some time text message and twitter messages received post match – you would think that we collectively come to work every day and say ‘what could we possibly do today that will upset and annoy the support at large?’

I’m not looking for you to feel sorry for us but there has to be recognition that the constant negativity can’t be productive for anyone. The club is going through a period of major change – and yet again I am sure that will be jumped on as same old, same old but I know differently. Almost every element of the club is being shaped, changed and reengineered and because those at the club are involved and can see the changes taking effect, the opps these will bring and ultimately where I believe we can achieve, we are excited and motivated to work on, work hard and make the sacrifices needed to give supporters what they want.

I understand that what supporters mainly see is the performances on the pitch and therefore because ours have been stop start this season, the obvious fall back of people when they are frustrated and disappointed is to lash out and to claim that nothing has changed and that it is business as usual. Well it is not.

We are as frustrated as any of you when we don’t manage the win, we all are and I mean every person who works at the club and who is dedicating above and beyond to try and make you all happy and proud of the club and our contributions. I see the progress of the club day by day but even so, a defeat or a draw has the same effect on me / us as it does on you as a support and sometimes it can be very difficult. I can give you my word that we have changed, we are changing and we are planning to change a great deal more – I also understand though that your benchmark for this won’t be when the ticketing system works they way it should, or the comms coming out of the club are improved, when there are a 1000 more youngsters in the stadium being converted to supporters for the future or when the foundation starts to properly change the community and those who live within it and when income moves positively to allow us to do more blah blah blah. Your benchmark is the results on the pitch .

I have absolute faith in our football people and the team that sits behind all of them and who are supporting them which is why I will continue to do the same and why we need to keep our ‘cool’, keep our commitment and shape of the club and make sure Alan and the team know that they have my backing and the backing of everyone else to turn our season around and importantly to give us a platform to make the seasons beyond even better.

Again, I understand though that you guys only see us once a week, maybe a one off U20’s game or come to a meeting so you only have those things to judge the current progress on. We are not immune to criticism and I am happy to have a take it when it is due, not every decision we make is perfect but there is at least always thought and consideration on the ones we make.

Onto a few things that others have reported to me have been doing the rounds on the boards. Apparently I am tentatively sounding people out to become board members of the club. Absolute rubbish, it is not true and in fact I have contacted the Electoral Reform Society to ascertain if they can help and advise on the up coming elections for supporter board members. I feel that strongly about this and the independence of the process that I won’t allow anyone to claim anyone at the club is ‘fixing’ or trying to fix the result.

Sales and Marketing and the fact that I am ignoring a certain ‘Hibby’ – I have not had numerous calls, contacts, texts or emails from anyone – I don’t even know who you are but I have not been ignoring numerous emails or texts from anyone on this subject. I have had 3 texts from one individual that falls into this category and I’ve responded to 2 of them……not sure if related but then I can only guess! If there were emails then its fair to say they never reached me but the easiest thing to do then is perhaps speak to one of the team at the club, leave details, perhaps even drop in on a non match day and I’d have been happy to see meet.

The Drum yesterday – we did not ask for this to be stopped, we did ask for flags to be searched as there have been numerous complaints from supporters who don’t like the effects of the smoke bombs etc so we’ve significantly stepped up security to try and eliminate these. You may like the colour but others don’t and others don’t enjoy the experience, they find it frightening and dangerous, these are also not allowed under any rules and cause the club constant issues. I’d ask that those involved with section 43 get in touch with me and we can come up with a plan that makes the match day experience better, that makes those who want to get involved happier with the outcome. I am all for match day noise, colour and atmosphere and I will help you as much as possible, home and away to achieve this but we need to do it in a way that works for everyone.

Two seats sold as ST and then removed – complete own goal from us, should have ben easy to fix and totally unnecessary. A classic example of people not speaking to each other and things falling through the gaps.

Hibs TV – again another own goal, we invested heavily in every aspect to deliver a better TV product alongside a new website. On the face of both, they should have delivered significantly more than they have. It’s not a supplier thing or issue, it was planning at our end – again an own goal that requires to be fixed quickly but to be fair to all concerned, it was a curve ball that derailed it right at the last minute – even so, still majorly disappointing but if it is any consolation, the whole exec team including myself and Jamie are involved to fix this.

Website and emails – look better, good functionality but needs constant attention, communications on every front is changing from staff and kit to plans and delivery. We have a strong volunteer team who want to do more and who can help us – we will be accepting their offer but more importantly, we will be offering new ways to get the messages out there.

Complaints/customer service/ supporter files are all being reengineered with the introduction of a new supporter dynamic system, in short, we should and will stop asking you to continually prove your details, DOB etc and we will all have access onscreen to a new system which hopefully means we are able to speak to you in a more personal and relevant way. It will mean a better service and a more productive executive team - has to be good.

Emails – I can’t answer every email that comes into the club addressed to me, there are too many. If you have a complaint about the stadium, tickets, smoke bomb etc etc then please use the contact us part of the website. Every department is now listed and available. Is it helpful to offload after a game directly to my email or twitter or is it better to get involved and speak directly – again, with respect, I won’t answer these emails as they usually don’t request a response.

I am sure there is a good deal more that I’ve missed and many more questions that you have not only for me but for Alan, George and the rest of the team. I am really happy to hear suggestions as to how we can make this whole transition more positive – I know it comes back to football on the day and I am under no illusions as to the power of this but in order to be a good CEO, I also need to future proof the club and that means I need to worry about the whole package, the football is my number 1 but I also have another 100 considerations that all feed into the overall success of our Club.

I will sign off with a few last thought, I won’t be on this board constantly and I won’t be replying to every angry tweet or every angry text or post – that does not mean however that I am oblivious to the issues but it also does not make me a poor CEO or one who is not interested in opinion. It means that I need to focus my time and energy into the bigger plan, I have the benefit of seeing the direction of travel and the changes first hand and I am confident that we will build a club together.

I am also keen to meet you rather than have my character given to me online so if you can think of ways that this can happen, I’m all ears. Maybe we have a social night in the FF – perhaps on the euro nights, we could have a chat / debate with myself and the team and then we could watch a match together.

We have the building blocks of some something quite wonderful – I’m convinced of it and I’m convinced that I am the person who can help facilitate it and deliver it for you. Tin hat on.

LD

Brilliant post, Thank you for taking the time to address us all.

[WHUHibs]

Agree with these posts....LD is only in door a matter of months, so how can she possibly feel the same hurt as the fans who have followed the Club year upon year....

Why have none of the Board members been removed after relegation, it was coming for Seasons, but nothing was done to arrest that slide. For me the Board Members are equally as culpable as Butcher and the Player's who were simply not good enough.

What exactly do we pay Benchmark PR for, and how much is the yearly charge? DF was the person that spoke to the supporter re Board as fans rep.....(As per the person involved, unless he is totally lying)

DF where does he get his instructions from ? If it's LD then the facts would appear different from what she has posted! However, if it didn't come from her then it must have been RP as I don't think DF would act on his own would he?

[Devine]

Leeann, posting on hibs.net & engaging with the fans is a welcome and positive change but after witnessing yet another woeful performance against part time opposition yesterday im surprised that you come on to such a forum bemoaning the negativity around the place.

This is not 3 months or short term frustration, this has built up to boiling point over a long long period where I can put it in no other way than Hibs fans have been deceived and shafted by the board. We have been promised change so many times it has NEVER materialised. If you feel demotivated I think you need to realise even the most ardent Hibs fans are either frustrated beyond belief or as the sub 8k crowd showed yesterday don't actually bother going anymore. The primary objective above any other this season was to put a team on the park that could compete at the top end of the league. Unfortunately that has been a complete failure and I think describing the season as stop start is rather generous I would describe it as a complete disaster. We are not even at Xmas and already have no chance of automatic promotion, the players that have been kept and brought in are again looking sub standard. Now if we were all to accept a period of major change (sorry yes I have heard this all before) why were the ticket prices kept as ludicrously high & the promises that went with it??

I'm sure there are many changes going on behind the scenes but the ONLY way to get fans to keep their 'cool' and stop the negativity is to start winning games. Games I may add a club the size and stature of Hibernian should be easily winning & I certainly don't think that is expecting too much. I'm sure you do have faith in your football people but the league table and performances so far suggest there has been little to no progress. I fail to see how not getting out of the division will help your other plans for the club and the sustainability of Hjbs long term. Therefore I find the recruitment policy compared to our closest rivals totally bizarre for today and tomorrow and a sign of no real change in this regard.

In short the board haven't done enough so far to support 'on the pitch' the first team, manager & show the support they mean business. Until this happens & the team start showing a bit of quality along with winning games I'm personally going to be sceptical of anything that comes out of the club if that makes me negative or not helping the club then so be it. However ill still be there paying my money it's the thousands who have become so apathetic and disconnected IMO you really need to worry about.

[Ozyhibby]

Good for you Leanne,
Courageous post and does reassure me that all employees are trying to pull together.


Not sure it reassures me of that. While this post does appear to be communicating with the fans, especially the type who emails the club after every defeat, I suspect that she may also be communicating with her staff. It may be her way of letting them know things need to improve.

[woody0-7]

My other half who has no interest in football really, Was looking over my shoulder while reading the OP. Her response was "Didn't get that from Petrie" This is progress in itself.

Fair play Leeann, It's much appreciated that you have taken the time to reach out.

I really do think we are heading in the right direction as a club. Its just so hard to resist impatience when we have all been suffering for so long.

The disappointment I have felt over results this season if I'm honest have been intensified by the successful start to the season across the city and I'm sure I'm not alone with this feeling.

The rebuild wont happen overnight, But the training centre and facilities are all there for the current playing staff, there is nothing more the club can provide them. Its up to them to get it right on match day and start putting the ball in the back of the net. Our inability to produce results at Easter Road is a major concern.

The negativity from the support at home is understandable, We really need to change our mindset as a support and not be too impatient and on the players backs when things don't go our way but...Its a two way street the players need to meet the fans halfway. They NEED to give us something to shout about.

I've been a season ticket holder as long as I can remember, Hibs are my first and last internet port of call everyday. but as much as they are a huge part of my life my dedication is being tested.

I want to be a proud Hibby again. I want to see smiles on the faces of fellow fans as we leave the ground. I want to see Hibs challenge, be feared by other teams and get back to where we belong in scottish football.

All of this is obtainable. Its all at the feet of the current squad they just have to believe, succeed and then watch the crowds come back to support them.

We have overcome worse times in the past, We WILL over come the challenges ahead.

WE ARE HIBERNIAN FC!

Well said couldn't have put my own thoughts better!:-)

[AngusHibby]

Best thing about the post is she didn't come on grovelling saying she was ridiculously sorry about our form. She backed the players and the management which is something a lot of us could learn from, me included. I believe that she cares about this club and its fans

[Baldy Foghorn]

DF where does he get his instructions from ? If it's LD then the facts would appear different from what she has posted! However, if it didn't come from her then it must have been RP as I don't think DF would act on his own would he?

Indeed, either the person was not asked, and is telling people he was, or someone is telling porkies at Hibs......I hope to god, it's the former.....

[EastCalderHibby]

I call this progress. Over to those who think nothing's happening.

totally :agree: hopefully if said folk would stop bombarding her with criticism every time things dont go as we want / expect
maybe she could spend her busy schedule doing more of what she is trying to achieve at this club
:flag::flag::flag:

[Hibernia&Alba]

I can only concur that it's good to hear from the CEO on the forums. There's a long way to go before we can say the club has been turned around, but if the fans know they are being listened to and engaged with, it can only be a positive during the process. I know Leanne used to do the same on Motherwell forums, and it's good she's continuing with dialogue now. An appearance at regular intervals appearance would be very welcome.

[WHUHibs]

Indeed, either the person was not asked, and is telling people he was, or someone is telling porkies at Hibs......I hope to god, it's the former.....

Me too but I also know there are inaccuracies regarding sales and marketing,,happy I have it all on my phone! However, that's a mute point now as I have to move on.

What was worrying was the fan representation which has to be fair and transparent.

It's good that LD felt the need to respond to everything but negativity is something that they all need to deal with. We forget sometimes that everyone that is being paid at the club is to do a job not like you and I who support it as entertainment and part of our life. We will all support out team when employees leave and that's where we differ.

I want the employees who are paid by our wonderful club to stop feeling hurt by critisism and upset on how we feel. Take the heat and turn it around and get results in the park that all we want to happen. However, with a lot of loan signings again it's hard to see the progress on the playing side and I hate to say this but our neighbours got that part right !

[over the line]

Fair play Leeann, I think you've covered most issues there. Refreshing to see tbh, this kind of openness and honesty is as rare as hens teeth. :)

[Danderhall Hibs]

No mention in there about why we were scrapping about after the transfer window closed trying to sign a player (I assume we've stopped looking now?).

Wind of change yet same old crap in terms of signing policy.

[The_Horde]

Marry me dumpster. Xxx

[gillythehibby]

Leeann, posting on hibs.net & engaging with the fans is a welcome and positive change but after witnessing yet another woeful performance against part time opposition yesterday im surprised that you come on to such a forum bemoaning the negativity around the place.

This is not 3 months or short term frustration, this has built up to boiling point over a long long period where I can put it in no other way than Hibs fans have been deceived and shafted by the board. We have been promised change so many times it has NEVER materialised. If you feel demotivated I think you need to realise even the most ardent Hibs fans are either frustrated beyond belief or as the sub 8k crowd showed yesterday don't actually bother going anymore. The primary objective above any other this season was to put a team on the park that could compete at the top end of the league. Unfortunately that has been a complete failure and I think describing the season as stop start is rather generous I would describe it as a complete disaster. We are not even at Xmas and already have no chance of automatic promotion, the players that have been kept and brought in are again looking sub standard. Now if we were all to accept a period of major change (sorry yes I have heard this all before) why were the ticket prices kept as ludicrously high & the promises that went with it??

I'm sure there are many changes going on behind the scenes but the ONLY way to get fans to keep their 'cool' and stop the negativity is to start winning games. Games I may add a club the size and stature of Hibernian should be easily winning & I certainly don't think that is expecting too much. I'm sure you do have faith in your football people but the league table and performances so far suggest there has been little to no progress. I fail to see how not getting out of the division will help your other plans for the club and the sustainability of Hjbs long term. Therefore I find the recruitment policy compared to our closest rivals totally bizarre for today and tomorrow and a sign of no real change in this regard.

In short the board haven't done enough so far to support 'on the pitch' the first team, manager & show the support they mean business. Until this happens & the team start showing a bit of quality along with winning games I'm personally going to be sceptical of anything that comes out of the club if that makes me negative or not helping the club then so be it. However ill still be there paying my money it's the thousands who have become so apathetic and disconnected IMO you really need to worry about.

This is bang on. Great post. We as a club seemed to have slipped into an accepted mediocrity year on year. We seemed to have joined the vast percentage of clubs who stutter along just getting by. That is our biggest crime and that problem lies with the Owner and chairman. For a CEO however to come onto a fan's forum to clarify and explain the club's plans and progress deserves great credit. Your honesty and obvious commitment Leanne is much appreciated. I would think you and the whole team are indeed doing your utmost to fix the club behind the scenes and will continue to run the club with honesty and integrity unlike some we could mention. However, as this post points out, the main purpose of any football club is to get a team on the park worthy of it's support. This club is not some run of the mill pub team like so many in the current SPL or championship. This club is one of the biggest clubs in Scotland and indeed one of the most famous to come out of Britain !! We seemed to have an acceptance that it's ok to just compete with clubs like Ross County or Inverness or Hamilton. These clubs are provincial clubs. We should never accept defeat from the likes of these clubs but we have found it acceptable to coast along with them as the norm. Now we find ourselves relegated and are struggling to beat part-time clubs as well. Maybe as the CEO you can tell us fans how is it a club like Hearts can go about the business against these other minnows as they should do and we cannot? Hearts have no major superstars in their ranks and suspect now have a comparable wage structure, so why the big difference? Like the man says, get the personnel on the park and your other problems would lessen. My only wish is that HIbernian find some kind of swagger soon or I win the euro Millions and put an end to this on-going nightmare. GBTH

[macca70]

Leeann, posting on hibs.net & engaging with the fans is a welcome and positive change but after witnessing yet another woeful performance against part time opposition yesterday im surprised that you come on to such a forum bemoaning the negativity around the place.

This is not 3 months or short term frustration, this has built up to boiling point over a long long period where I can put it in no other way than Hibs fans have been deceived and shafted by the board. We have been promised change so many times it has NEVER materialised. If you feel demotivated I think you need to realise even the most ardent Hibs fans are either frustrated beyond belief or as the sub 8k crowd showed yesterday don't actually bother going anymore. The primary objective above any other this season was to put a team on the park that could compete at the top end of the league. Unfortunately that has been a complete failure and I think describing the season as stop start is rather generous I would describe it as a complete disaster. We are not even at Xmas and already have no chance of automatic promotion, the players that have been kept and brought in are again looking sub standard. Now if we were all to accept a period of major change (sorry yes I have heard this all before) why were the ticket prices kept as ludicrously high & the promises that went with it??

I'm sure there are many changes going on behind the scenes but the ONLY way to get fans to keep their 'cool' and stop the negativity is to start winning games. Games I may add a club the size and stature of Hibernian should be easily winning & I certainly don't think that is expecting too much. I'm sure you do have faith in your football people but the league table and performances so far suggest there has been little to no progress. I fail to see how not getting out of the division will help your other plans for the club and the sustainability of Hjbs long term. Therefore I find the recruitment policy compared to our closest rivals totally bizarre for today and tomorrow and a sign of no real change in this regard.

In short the board haven't done enough so far to support 'on the pitch' the first team, manager & show the support they mean business. Until this happens & the team start showing a bit of quality along with winning games I'm personally going to be sceptical of anything that comes out of the club if that makes me negative or not helping the club then so be it. However ill still be there paying my money it's the thousands who have become so apathetic and disconnected IMO you really need to worry about.

Absolutely spot on.

At the end of the day we are a football club and it's the product on the park that is priority rather than all these off field projects.

Start winning games and as someone said, all this negativity and off the field issues will soon dissappear.

There is absolutely no issues with the infrastructure of the club, we have a superb stadium, fantastic training facilities, brilliant youth set up and no issues with finances but all our problems are with regards to the performances and results of the team.

The disappointment on the pitch has been ongoing far too long, fans are paying top dollar ticket prices to fund a full time team that are being out performed by part timers being run on significantly smaller budgets.

I do find it extremely ironic that the OP is stating that all the negativity surrounding the club is not helping but in the same post having to apologise for the shambles of Hibs TV and dreadful treatment of our own fans by stewards acting on instructions given to them by the club.

Can't believe we have gone 4 pages without any reference to Griffithsgate. I think the fans are entitled to have an insight into what has went on in the Griffiths saga? Clearly the player felt he was on his way to Hibs. Did Celtic pull the plug or were we not willing to meet there demands with regards to contributing to his wages? Our priority in the transfer windows should have been not all this off field stuff but getting deals done to get quality on the park.

[Swedish hibee]

Well done Leanne. Great post :aok:

[weonlywon6-2]

Firstly it takes guts to come onto a football club forum and post what you have,well done.

We are all with the club,just frustrated that things arent going as well as we hoped.

Most fans on this forum are decent and honest folk and we need to keep things sensible with no abuse at anyone,we are after all better than that lot over the road.

European night in famous five,what a tremendous idea

GGTTH

[ggth]

I hear you LD but the negativity has been built up by the chairman and the tyre kicker over a period of years.
that is why we have a every dwindling support. I hope you can turn it around, but I think it will take time to sort it out TBH I can not see it improving with the tyre kicker and Tache still there, in any other business, they would have been forced out.





After reading some of the posts and some of the emails and tweets I received from yesterday, I thought it probably time that I come on to .net and answer a few things and perhaps put right or at least give you my perspective on some of the accusations that are out there.

I did ask for a membership on net and bounce as I thought it would be a decent way to keep in contact with supporters but more over to get a sense check of the issues and opportunities that exist. I should probably have resisted doing so and resisted the temptation to use the boards in a positive way. If the truth were told, I find the constant criticism of the club, the general picking to pieces of everything we do quite counter productive and demotivating in a way. It is the same with the torrent or emails, some time text message and twitter messages received post match – you would think that we collectively come to work every day and say ‘what could we possibly do today that will upset and annoy the support at large?’

I’m not looking for you to feel sorry for us but there has to be recognition that the constant negativity can’t be productive for anyone. The club is going through a period of major change – and yet again I am sure that will be jumped on as same old, same old but I know differently. Almost every element of the club is being shaped, changed and reengineered and because those at the club are involved and can see the changes taking effect, the opps these will bring and ultimately where I believe we can achieve, we are excited and motivated to work on, work hard and make the sacrifices needed to give supporters what they want.

I understand that what supporters mainly see is the performances on the pitch and therefore because ours have been stop start this season, the obvious fall back of people when they are frustrated and disappointed is to lash out and to claim that nothing has changed and that it is business as usual. Well it is not.

We are as frustrated as any of you when we don’t manage the win, we all are and I mean every person who works at the club and who is dedicating above and beyond to try and make you all happy and proud of the club and our contributions. I see the progress of the club day by day but even so, a defeat or a draw has the same effect on me / us as it does on you as a support and sometimes it can be very difficult. I can give you my word that we have changed, we are changing and we are planning to change a great deal more – I also understand though that your benchmark for this won’t be when the ticketing system works they way it should, or the comms coming out of the club are improved, when there are a 1000 more youngsters in the stadium being converted to supporters for the future or when the foundation starts to properly change the community and those who live within it and when income moves positively to allow us to do more blah blah blah. Your benchmark is the results on the pitch .

I have absolute faith in our football people and the team that sits behind all of them and who are supporting them which is why I will continue to do the same and why we need to keep our ‘cool’, keep our commitment and shape of the club and make sure Alan and the team know that they have my backing and the backing of everyone else to turn our season around and importantly to give us a platform to make the seasons beyond even better.

Again, I understand though that you guys only see us once a week, maybe a one off U20’s game or come to a meeting so you only have those things to judge the current progress on. We are not immune to criticism and I am happy to have a take it when it is due, not every decision we make is perfect but there is at least always thought and consideration on the ones we make.

Onto a few things that others have reported to me have been doing the rounds on the boards. Apparently I am tentatively sounding people out to become board members of the club. Absolute rubbish, it is not true and in fact I have contacted the Electoral Reform Society to ascertain if they can help and advise on the up coming elections for supporter board members. I feel that strongly about this and the independence of the process that I won’t allow anyone to claim anyone at the club is ‘fixing’ or trying to fix the result.

Sales and Marketing and the fact that I am ignoring a certain ‘Hibby’ – I have not had numerous calls, contacts, texts or emails from anyone – I don’t even know who you are but I have not been ignoring numerous emails or texts from anyone on this subject. I have had 3 texts from one individual that falls into this category and I’ve responded to 2 of them……not sure if related but then I can only guess! If there were emails then its fair to say they never reached me but the easiest thing to do then is perhaps speak to one of the team at the club, leave details, perhaps even drop in on a non match day and I’d have been happy to see meet.

The Drum yesterday – we did not ask for this to be stopped, we did ask for flags to be searched as there have been numerous complaints from supporters who don’t like the effects of the smoke bombs etc so we’ve significantly stepped up security to try and eliminate these. You may like the colour but others don’t and others don’t enjoy the experience, they find it frightening and dangerous, these are also not allowed under any rules and cause the club constant issues. I’d ask that those involved with section 43 get in touch with me and we can come up with a plan that makes the match day experience better, that makes those who want to get involved happier with the outcome. I am all for match day noise, colour and atmosphere and I will help you as much as possible, home and away to achieve this but we need to do it in a way that works for everyone.

Two seats sold as ST and then removed – complete own goal from us, should have ben easy to fix and totally unnecessary. A classic example of people not speaking to each other and things falling through the gaps.

Hibs TV – again another own goal, we invested heavily in every aspect to deliver a better TV product alongside a new website. On the face of both, they should have delivered significantly more than they have. It’s not a supplier thing or issue, it was planning at our end – again an own goal that requires to be fixed quickly but to be fair to all concerned, it was a curve ball that derailed it right at the last minute – even so, still majorly disappointing but if it is any consolation, the whole exec team including myself and Jamie are involved to fix this.

Website and emails – look better, good functionality but needs constant attention, communications on every front is changing from staff and kit to plans and delivery. We have a strong volunteer team who want to do more and who can help us – we will be accepting their offer but more importantly, we will be offering new ways to get the messages out there.

Complaints/customer service/ supporter files are all being reengineered with the introduction of a new supporter dynamic system, in short, we should and will stop asking you to continually prove your details, DOB etc and we will all have access onscreen to a new system which hopefully means we are able to speak to you in a more personal and relevant way. It will mean a better service and a more productive executive team - has to be good.

Emails – I can’t answer every email that comes into the club addressed to me, there are too many. If you have a complaint about the stadium, tickets, smoke bomb etc etc then please use the contact us part of the website. Every department is now listed and available. Is it helpful to offload after a game directly to my email or twitter or is it better to get involved and speak directly – again, with respect, I won’t answer these emails as they usually don’t request a response.

I am sure there is a good deal more that I’ve missed and many more questions that you have not only for me but for Alan, George and the rest of the team. I am really happy to hear suggestions as to how we can make this whole transition more positive – I know it comes back to football on the day and I am under no illusions as to the power of this but in order to be a good CEO, I also need to future proof the club and that means I need to worry about the whole package, the football is my number 1 but I also have another 100 considerations that all feed into the overall success of our Club.

I will sign off with a few last thought, I won’t be on this board constantly and I won’t be replying to every angry tweet or every angry text or post – that does not mean however that I am oblivious to the issues but it also does not make me a poor CEO or one who is not interested in opinion. It means that I need to focus my time and energy into the bigger plan, I have the benefit of seeing the direction of travel and the changes first hand and I am confident that we will build a club together.

I am also keen to meet you rather than have my character given to me online so if you can think of ways that this can happen, I’m all ears. Maybe we have a social night in the FF – perhaps on the euro nights, we could have a chat / debate with myself and the team and then we could watch a match together.

We have the building blocks of some something quite wonderful – I’m convinced of it and I’m convinced that I am the person who can help facilitate it and deliver it for you. Tin hat on.

LD

[Peevemor]

I hear you LD but the negativity has been built up by the chairman and the tyre kicker over a period of years.
that is why we have a every dwindling support. I hope you can turn it around, but I think it will take time to sort it out TBH I can not see it improving with the tyre kicker and Tache still there, in any other business, they would have been forced out.

The tyre kicker? :wtf:

[weonlywon6-2]

I hear you LD but the negativity has been built up by the chairman and the tyre kicker over a period of years.
that is why we have a every dwindling support. I hope you can turn it around, but I think it will take time to sort it out TBH I can not see it improving with the tyre kicker and Tache still there, in any other business, they would have been forced out.
If it wasnt for the tyre kicker we wouldnt be posting on this forum
Farmer does not kick the ball on the park and has dug deep into his own pocket to keep hibs afloat over the years,sometimes we just need to remember this

[gillythehibby]

If it wasnt for the tyre kicker we wouldnt be posting on this forum
Farmer does not kick the ball on the park and has dug deep into his own pocket to keep hibs afloat over the years,sometimes we just need to remember this

Is that not what you're supposed to do when you own the club ?

[WHUHibs]

If it wasnt for the tyre kicker we wouldnt be posting on this forum
Farmer does not kick the ball on the park and has dug deep into his own pocket to keep hibs afloat over the years,sometimes we just need to remember this

True he did save us but now he is presiding over a dramatic decline.

[21.05.2016]

The main message of this is - unity and patience. She understands the frustration of the fans but shes trying to emphasis that change IS happening, it's not gonna happen over night but IT IS happening. Stick together and the turn around will happen sooner.

[Pretty Boy]

The main message of this is - unity and patience. She understands the frustration of the fans but shes trying to emphasis that change IS happening, it's not gonna happen over night but IT IS happening. Stick together and the turn around will happen sooner.

My big concern is what happens to the pace of this change if we have another year in the 2nd tier with the reduced income that goes with that?

And why is the man who oversaw the decline into a state where such dramatic change is needed still hanging about like a bad smell?

[Baldy Foghorn]

The main message of this is - unity and patience. She understands the frustration of the fans but shes trying to emphasis that change IS happening, it's not gonna happen over night but IT IS happening. Stick together and the turn around will happen sooner.

Patience and transition......Regurgitated every season

[Baldy Foghorn]

My big concern is what happens to the pace of this change if we have another year in the 2nd tier with the reduced income that goes with that?

And why is the man who oversaw the decline into a state where such dramatic change is needed still hanging about like a bad smell?

:agree::agree:

[The_Horde]

Leeann. On the flip side to your post. Once the players show they really care, really bust a gut and show bravery, commitment, passion and desire and once they truly understand what it means to play for this fine club (even if they're pish) then you can do whatever you want behind the scenes.

I feel to achieve this we need to strip back to basics. Forget sports science and amazing facilities and start to use people like Riordan, O'Connor, John Hughes, Mixu Paatelainen, John Burridge, Pat Stanton, Paul Kane etc to really drum it
Into the current players what it means. Because at the moment they're lacking the intensity required to truly connect with the support.

Unite the players with the support and regardless of the result you're into a winner.

At the moment I feel like I'm at the cinema watching the match behind a screen.

Example: Gray clearly fouled by opposition players yesterday

What should've happened - players hound ref, hound player who made the challenge and start dishing it back.

What actually happened - one or two half complaints and they get on with the game. Where's the passion?

[StokePogesHibs]

I am really encouraged by your candour, heart, and direct communication. Personally, I think you would benefit from laying out your short and long term plan for the club. All the changes can then be assessed within the context of this game plan. Also, if the club need more money to deliver this change faster, you can be upfront with what you need for this to accelerate. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the response. We are all desperate for Hibs to be back at the forefront of the game in Scotland. I've not lived in Edinburgh for 25 years. Home is 4000 miles and 6 time zones from Easter Road but what happens with Hibs still makes or breaks the weekend.

[JCHibby]

Absolutely spot on.

At the end of the day we are a football club and it's the product on the park that is priority rather than all these off field projects.

Start winning games and as someone said, all this negativity and off the field issues will soon dissappear.

There is absolutely no issues with the infrastructure of the club, we have a superb stadium, fantastic training facilities, brilliant youth set up and no issues with finances but all our problems are with regards to the performances and results of the team.

The disappointment on the pitch has been ongoing far too long, fans are paying top dollar ticket prices to fund a full time team that are being out performed by part timers being run on significantly smaller budgets.

I do find it extremely ironic that the OP is stating that all the negativity surrounding the club is not helping but in the same post having to apologise for the shambles of Hibs TV and dreadful treatment of our own fans by stewards acting on instructions given to them by the club.

Can't believe we have gone 4 pages without any reference to Griffithsgate. I think the fans are entitled to have an insight into what has went on in the Griffiths saga? Clearly the player felt he was on his way to Hibs. Did Celtic pull the plug or were we not willing to meet there demands with regards to contributing to his wages? Our priority in the transfer windows should have been not all this off field stuff but getting deals done to get quality on the park.

Petrie got involved in the deal and did his usual. Fair play to LD for coming on and giving her views, I would really like to understand how hard the team are pushed each week in training? So far it looks like East Mains is a holiday camp and these guys are not fit enough. Double sessions, proper application and professionalism must be installed

[Real Emerald]

The main message of this is - unity and patience. She understands the frustration of the fans but shes trying to emphasis that change IS happening, it's not gonna happen over night but IT IS happening. Stick together and the turn around will happen sooner.

That is very true and it will take time to change the club but the issue is that we have a full time team, training centre, loads of coaches but we are struggling to beat a bunch of players who have spent their week working in Tesco's and the like. It is a problem that should not take a club like Hibs so long to sort out, it should be a given. We were complaining that we weren't punching our weight against the likes of St Mirren, Ross County, Killie etc. in the last few years and now we have the same problem with Alloa, Dumbarton, Raith Rovers etc. These are not problems at the board room level or club structure, these are problems that for a club like Hibs in this division could and should be sorted NOW.

[Hedlund12]

Well done Leeann, I met you outside the main stand pre season, we had a brief chat and I joked with you about how difficult a job you'd face in trying to please the Hibs faithful!
It doesn't matter what you try to do but to quote (part of) an old saying "...you can't please all of the people all of the time"
It doesn't matter what you say or do... there will still be some doubting Thomas out there willing to have a pop!
Fair play to you in putting your Communication out there.
Thanks from one hopefully Hibby that believes better things are on the way.

[RedHibby]

Leeann, posting on hibs.net & engaging with the fans is a welcome and positive change but after witnessing yet another woeful performance against part time opposition yesterday im surprised that you come on to such a forum bemoaning the negativity around the place.

This is not 3 months or short term frustration, this has built up to boiling point over a long long period where I can put it in no other way than Hibs fans have been deceived and shafted by the board. We have been promised change so many times it has NEVER materialised. If you feel demotivated I think you need to realise even the most ardent Hibs fans are either frustrated beyond belief or as the sub 8k crowd showed yesterday don't actually bother going anymore. The primary objective above any other this season was to put a team on the park that could compete at the top end of the league. Unfortunately that has been a complete failure and I think describing the season as stop start is rather generous I would describe it as a complete disaster. We are not even at Xmas and already have no chance of automatic promotion, the players that have been kept and brought in are again looking sub standard. Now if we were all to accept a period of major change (sorry yes I have heard this all before) why were the ticket prices kept as ludicrously high & the promises that went with it??

I'm sure there are many changes going on behind the scenes but the ONLY way to get fans to keep their 'cool' and stop the negativity is to start winning games. Games I may add a club the size and stature of Hibernian should be easily winning & I certainly don't think that is expecting too much. I'm sure you do have faith in your football people but the league table and performances so far suggest there has been little to no progress. I fail to see how not getting out of the division will help your other plans for the club and the sustainability of Hjbs long term. Therefore I find the recruitment policy compared to our closest rivals totally bizarre for today and tomorrow and a sign of no real change in this regard.

In short the board haven't done enough so far to support 'on the pitch' the first team, manager & show the support they mean business. Until this happens & the team start showing a bit of quality along with winning games I'm personally going to be sceptical of anything that comes out of the club if that makes me negative or not helping the club then so be it. However ill still be there paying my money it's the thousands who have become so apathetic and disconnected IMO you really need to worry about.

I hope Leanne reads this. Good post

[Peevemor]

My big concern is what happens to the pace of this change if we have another year in the 2nd tier with the reduced income that goes with that?


Do you honestly think that's not budgeted for?

[Spike Mandela]

11 points out of 27 in the Scottish Championship is simply unacceptable Leeann.

You assured us if we kept season ticket prices at Premiership prices we would attract better quality players and that our aim as a club was to win the league outright. Hollow sounding words now.

I understand positivity breeds positivity but get the team to at least 'throw us long suffering fans a bone'. They could start with a decent run of wins , including a must win game in the derby.

Your job would be a whole lot easier if the players just did theirs.

[Pretty Boy]

Do you honestly think that's not budgeted for?

I'm sure it is but it's not going to be an easy division to get out of next year either.

2 seasons is best case scenario in my eyes at the moment.

[Jim44]

If it wasnt for the tyre kicker we wouldnt be posting on this forum
Farmer does not kick the ball on the park and has dug deep into his own pocket to keep hibs afloat over the years,sometimes we just need to remember this

Most of us are well aware of the debt we owe TF but this gratitude is surely wafer thin while he backs the person many of us see as one of the biggest catalysts in our demise.

[macca70]

Petrie got involved in the deal and did his usual. Fair play to LD for coming on and giving her views, I would really like to understand how hard the team are pushed each week in training? So far it looks like East Mains is a holiday camp and these guys are not fit enough. Double sessions, proper application and professionalism must be installed

Yeah, fair play for coming on here and being open/honest with the fans.

As the head of a business that has significantly under performed for years, LD is going to have to accept that there will be negativity and disgruntled fans until things start to improve.

Folk saying we're making progress, I find that bizarre, we're going backwards at a significant rate, that's evident in yesterday's attendance and the fact we have been relegated and struggling to maintain mid table in the championship.

I have not a clue what the issue with playing staff is, maybe it is culture at East mains, maybe it's the quality of our playing staff. But players seem to be dreadful at Hibs then move on and excel at other clubs eg Eoin Doyle

[CraigHibee]

bang on the button Leeann, negativity can only produce one thing... negativity!

rome wasn't built overnight but i know important and positive changes have already have been made already.

GGTTH

[J-C]

Good post Leeann, we all know this club had hit rock bottom and unfortunately it seems it's a bigger job than even you anticipated. Nice to also see you and Hibs in general acknowledging mistakes and understand that performances on the park are unltimately our number one goal. I'd also hope that anyone who posts vile e mails,texts and tweets towards yourself and any other Hibs staff should be outed and banned immediately from the club, we don't need or want this kind of thing to be happening, we also don't want to be associated to these people.

Rome wasn't built in a day and unfortuantely the same goes for our club, small steps are fine but the majority want us to be striding proudly asap, that in itself is our problem.

[Baldy Foghorn]

bang on the button Leeann, negativity can only produce one thing... negativity!

rome wasn't built overnight but i know important and positive changes have already have been made already.

GGTTH

Aye, we couldn't beat part-timers yesterday, but at least some got out for a half time fag....Positive changes indeed:greengrin

[c31]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

[SaulGoodman]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

Oh dear

[Peevemor]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

What utter nonsense! What's she not getting about Hibs? Can you explain yourself?

[R11Loaded]

Forget a lot of things that are going on inside the club

I am sick to death on Match days, going to Easter Road and hearing fans complain when we retain possession then start shouting abuse that we aren't getting it forward quicker, then I get more annoyed when the players try to punt it into Malonga and get abuse aswell.

Every single game.


There is a poisoned atmosphere at Easter road, in my opinion there is far to many fans who haven't ever played football who have become tactical geniuses.

If we have the ball they can't score. Simple. Support the team don't make them feel intimidated by their own fans.


Class doesn't show on a maroon jersey

[Jonnyboy]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

Jeezus

[Mikey09]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.


Did you take the time to read her post?? This kind of pish is probably what she gets e mailed after defeats or draws..... Pathetic.... :rolleyes:

[Hibernia&Alba]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

IMO, that's harsh, C31. Aye, we're all fed up, but give the woman the chance. The club has been sleepwalking towards its current state for years and the problems can't be solved in a few months. It hasn't been good enough on the pitch this season, but let's be realistic about the size of the task and LD's level of culpability regarding those results.

[RedHibby]

Has anyone every heard the saying that "overnight change takes years"?

[21.05.2016]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

Go on then, if she is "out of her depth" who do you propose is a better option? Give her a ****ing chance FFS.

[Bronson]

Forget a lot of things that are going on inside the club

I am sick to death on Match days, going to Easter Road and hearing fans complain when we retain possession then start shouting abuse that we aren't getting it forward quicker, then I get more annoyed when the players try to punt it into Malonga and get abuse aswell.

Every single game.


There is a poisoned atmosphere at Easter road, in my opinion there is far to many fans who haven't ever played football who have become tactical geniuses.

If we have the ball they can't score. Simple. Support the team don't make them feel intimidated by their own fans.


Class doesn't show on a maroon jersey

This.

[R11Loaded]

Also as an extension to my post.

I used to be a season ticket holder growing up and now I work so can't always make it but I do go along when I'm free, and all I want to know is this...

Why on earth is there always some middle aged bloke begging Fontaine to shoot when he's 35 yards from goal?!


Class doesn't show on a maroon jersey

[erskine-hibby]

Blah,blah,blah.
Yet ANOTHER who wants to start blaming the fans. Remember WE pay YOUR wage, and expect to see improvements on the park. So far, it has been the opposite. Until this changes you are just another wage thief.

[Just Alf]

In the main a good post, hopefully we WILL see progress. Could do with it being a bit more obvious to us long suffering fans tho.

PS .... AND Leeann, you even managed to spell your name right! :thumbsup:

[Dalkeith Hibee]

I stopped reading after the 2nd paragraph. Its bad patter starting her big speal by having a go at the fans.

She stated we would be challenging for promotion and is charging us SPL prices but wont back the manager with the funds he needs.

Time to put up or shut up Leeann. We are paying SPL prices to watch midtable championship *****

[Northernhibee]

Blah,blah,blah.
Yet ANOTHER who wants to start blaming the fans. Remember WE pay YOUR wage, and expect to see improvements on the park. So far, it has been the opposite. Until this changes you are just another wage thief.

So the club are saying that there is a negative atmosphere, more and more fans saying the same, other managers, ex managers and your head is still in the sand?

Please do not use the word "we" in your message as you sure as hell don't speak for me.

[HFC 0-7]

Fair play for posting, however, it changes nothing IMO. Acknowledging errors is one thing, fixing them is another. We have heard this all before but now it's worse, now we are in the championship with someone new trying to make us believe that change is happening.

You also mention the amount of things you are trying to fix, this might be the problem, trying to fix too many things all at once. I doubt people would care about the website, verifying ourselves more than once, smoke bombs, hibs tv, 2 missing seats, paying premiership st prices etc if we were winning on the pitch!

What actually has been fixed? How long before we actually see the results on the park?

Fix the team and don't look at anything else until that's fixed, that should be the plan! Honestly, fourth largest budget in Scottish football and struggling in the championship whilst our biggest rivals who have also had a major rebuilding job to do seem to have found a way!

[Eyrie]

Blah,blah,blah.
Yet ANOTHER who wants to start blaming the fans. Remember WE pay YOUR wage, and expect to see improvements on the park. So far, it has been the opposite. Until this changes you are just another wage thief.
Out of order.

[kevinc]

If it wasnt for the tyre kicker we wouldnt be posting on this forum
Farmer does not kick the ball on the park and has dug deep into his own pocket to keep hibs afloat over the years,sometimes we just need to remember this

How deep has he dug? STF saved us, I suspect he has also gained financially.

[HFC 0-7]

IMO, that's harsh, C31. Aye, we're all fed up, but give the woman the chance. The club has been sleepwalking towards its current state for years and the problems can't be solved in a few months. It hasn't been good enough on the pitch this season, but let's be realistic about the size of the task and LD's level of culpability regarding those results.

Was it not Leann herself that said the goal was to get promoted and win the league? Either she underestimated the task, she misled us or the team is not performing as it should, I would say it's either underestimated or the team isn't doing well.

[flash]

There are some incredibly graceless replies on this thread. There's a shock.

[erskine-hibby]

Out of order.

Why?
For stating how I feel?

You are obviously happy with where we are, I'm not.

[Stantons Angel]

This is a good communication from Leanne and one everyone should understand.

The kind of response from the other poster is typical of what goes on on this board.

People with their own agendas bawling and shouting down others does no good and bullies wont be tolerated. Its taken some nerve and pure frustration for her to come on here and write what she did.

Sometimes people get angry for the least wee thing and take it out on the wrong people. She has now shown us all that she is strong and she will change things for the better.

For goodness sake lets give her time and space to make this happen. I for one have repeatedly said it will take time and it will need us to be patient!

It was begining to get too personal and no one likes being talked down to and called a liar do they?

The main thing for us all the calibre of player wearing the green and white jersey of Hibs, the results they manufacture and the position we will finish in at the end of the season.

The other things she mentions are all part and parcel of running a successful football club and also need to be addressed just as importantly, so lets leave her to get on with that and to do her job.

section 43 will have to learn to abide by the rules the club has to appreciate what the club is trying to give to them and not abuse the trust its given.

As for the stewards................ the least i say about them the better!!!!

[Northernhibee]

My head is well out of the sand, it is sycophants, like yourself, that perpetuate and accept this nonsense.

You know something? The likes of you don't deserve to see a winning football team. Sick of people picking every little thing our club do apart. You lot moan about a lack of communication, we get communication and you moan. Pathetic.

[blackpoolhibs]

Results Leeanne, thats all i care about and a little bit of entertainment.

Words are the easy part, promises we hear all the time.

[erskine-hibby]

You know something? The likes of you don't deserve to see a winning football team. Sick of people picking every little thing our club do apart. You lot moan about a lack of communication, we get communication and you moan. Pathetic.

Talk is cheap, the only thing I want to hear, or see, is a winning team on the park. But you are correct what we have now is definitely pathetic.

[Ronniekirk]

;4196632']Leeann. On the flip side to your post. Once the players show they really care, really bust a gut and show bravery, commitment, passion and desire and once they truly understand what it means to play for this fine club (even if they're pish) then you can do whatever you want behind the scenes.

I feel to achieve this we need to strip back to basics. Forget sports science and amazing facilities and start to use people like Riordan, O'Connor, John Hughes, Mixu Paatelainen, John Burridge, Pat Stanton, Paul Kane etc to really drum it
Into the current players what it means. Because at the moment they're lacking the intensity required to truly connect with the support.

Unite the players with the support and regardless of the result you're into a winner.

At the moment I feel like I'm at the cinema watching the match behind a screen.

Example: Gray clearly fouled by opposition players yesterday

What should've happened - players hound ref, hound player who made the challenge and start dishing it back.

What actually happened - one or two half complaints and they get on with the game. Where's the passion?

I take it she knocked back your marriage proposal:wink:

[Pete]

Talk is cheap, the only thing I want to hear, or see, is a winning team on the park. But you are correct what we have now is definitely pathetic.

Maybe you should have said something like this instead of your "blah blahs" and personally insulting her by calling her a wage thief.

[erskine-hibby]

Maybe you should have said something like this instead of your "blah blahs" and personally insulting her by calling her a wage thief.

Well has she earned a wage?
Not to my mind. Premiership prices, third division football.

[Chuck Rhoades]

Most fickle support ever.

[Turkish Green]

Fine words butter no parsnips. As my granny would say.





**** knows what she was talking about.

[ancient hibee]

The situation at Hibs in business terms is simple.For a number of years appreciating assets have been sold and replaced by inferior or depreciating assets.Any business that does this will only travel in one direction.Had STF run Kwik Fit on this basis he would still be Mr Farmer and changing tyres at Buccleuch Street.But he didn't.What he did was to give the public what it wanted-good products and service at a reasonable price and non stop communication with his customers.At the same time staff were trained well and incentivised to improve.Those that didn't were shipped out PDQ.What I would like to know is why the Kwik Fit approach has never been brought in at Hibs FC.

[Pete]

Most fickle support ever.

Disagree Ross. If the cheats across the road had been forced to put up with half the crap that we've had to endure for the last seven years they would have about 100 season ticket holders. I'd say that we've been unbelievably loyal and we've shown that we can turn out on the big occasion.

What we do have is a lot of Internet loudmouths.

[Thecat23]

All the reshuffling won't change the fact the club made a huge mistake in not sacking Butcher straight away. That was the biggest own goal! We left it too late bringing in a manager and then were also left with much of the same team that got us relegated.

You have just came in and I along with what I could see most Hibs fans were happy and I am sure most still are that you are trying to change things around. Sadly Leeann the only part that actually matters is the 11 players who cross that white line on match day. Hibs to me were a proud club who yes, let the fans down now and then but that was part of being a hibs fan. If we expected to win everything we'd support one of the old firm.

But these days kids growing up don't know us as a once proud club. The performance of Hibs teams over the past 7 years has been dropping like the titanic. We flirted with going down and eventually did. This was all after Mr Petrie said and I quote "we will get things right on the park".

We have gone so far back that I don't recognise this as the Hibs I grew up to love. It's some sort of imposter that stands before me. The love is gone the excitement has gone and frankly I don't trust or believe our current board on anything they say because of the empty promises that has been said before.

Again I'm not sure you are aware but we were promised better standard of football, we were promised to be competing at the right end of the table yet we are on Scotland's second tier for gods sake.

What ever my thoughts are on the board really is irrelevant because no matter what we all think on Hibs net about Farmer or Petrie or anyone else we all want one thing.

We want to see a team with heart and one that can win matches. Not all matches but in this league a lot more than we draw or lose so we can get out it and finally start to build a team worth supporting. We have lost thousands of fans Leeann since that 1-5 cup final and we have done nothing to get them back. Dropping down finished off a few die hards as well and that's worrying.

Thanks for coming on and good luck with the mountain you face, but please respect us as fans who just want to see the club back were we belong and that's in Scotland's top flight, not struggling mid table in the Championship.

GGTTH.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Thecat23]

Disagree Ross. If the cheats across the road had been forced to put up with half the crap that we've had to endure for the last seven years they would have about 100 season ticket holders. I'd say that we've been unbelievably loyal and we've shown that we can turn out on the big occasion.

What we do have is a lot of Internet loudmouths.

Agree.

As fans I think we have done all we can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[keep the faith]

Most fickle support ever.

This. As I have said on the progress thread, things won't happen overnight. We can agree the club was terribly managed from all angles for the last few years but a rebuild is certainly underway or we can keep banging on about the past on here in an endless loop.
I'm absolutely certain this team will come good and in turn results will improve. Needs a couple of ins and outs yet but surely anyone can see the change in the club.

[Just Alf]

You know something? The likes of you don't deserve to see a winning football team. Sick of people picking every little thing our club do apart. You lot moan about a lack of communication, we get communication and you moan. Pathetic.

:thumbsup:

[lucky]

What's gets me is that she is admitting Hibs has have been badly run for years both on and of the park yet the man who has overseen it all is still the chairman of the club. Petrie should leave give the club the chance to change

[Real Emerald]

I'm just thinking what a sad state of affairs things have got to when the CEO feels she need to come onto a fans forum to try and explain what the club at board level are trying to do because the fans are so fed up. We are playing in the Scottish Championship and are still having the same problems against championship part time teams that we were having in the Premiership, this is really a new low for us.

Don't get me wrong I think it's great she is communicating and it's worth doing and I hope things work out but I really hope there is no need for a CEO of HIbs to feel they need to do this in the future. Get the team sorted and all of this will end, please!

[Just Alf]

This. As I have said on the progress thread, things won't happen overnight. We can agree the club was terribly managed from all angles for the last few years but a rebuild is certainly underway or we can keep banging on about the past on here in an endless loop.
I'm absolutely certain this team will come good and in turn results will improve. Needs a couple of ins and outs yet but surely anyone can see the change in the club.

Another post I pretty much agree with...... I really do worry about the timescales though, and what sort of support will be left after it all.

[SteveHFC]

All the reshuffling won't change the fact the club made a huge mistake in not sacking Butcher straight away. That was the biggest own goal! We left it too late bringing in a manager and then were also left with much of the same team that got us relegated.

You have just came in and I along with what I could see most Hibs fans were happy and I am sure most still are that you are trying to change things around. Sadly Leeann the only part that actually matters is the 11 players who cross that white line on match day. Hibs to me were a proud club who yes, let the fans down now and then but that was part of being a hibs fan. If we expected to win everything we'd support one of the old firm.

But these days kids growing up don't know us as a once proud club. The performance of Hibs teams over the past 7 years has been dropping like the titanic. We flirted with going down and eventually did. This was all after Mr Petrie said and I quote "we will get things right on the park".

We have gone so far back that I don't recognise this as the Hibs I grew up to love. It's some sort of imposter that stands before me. The love is gone the excitement has gone and frankly I don't trust or believe our current board on anything they say because of the empty promises that has been said before.

Again I'm not sure you are aware but we were promised better standard of football, we were promised to be competing at the right end of the table yet we are on Scotland's second tier for gods sake.

What ever my thoughts are on the board really is irrelevant because no matter what we all think on Hibs net about Farmer or Petrie or anyone else we all want one thing.

We want to see a team with heart and one that can win matches. Not all matches but in this league a lot more than we draw or lose so we can get out it and finally start to build a team worth supporting. We have lost thousands of fans Leeann since that 1-5 cup final and we have done nothing to get them back. Dropping down finished off a few die hards as well and that's worrying.

Thanks for coming on and good luck with the mountain you face, but please respect us as fans who just want to see the club back were we belong and that's in Scotland's top flight, not struggling mid table in the Championship.

GGTTH.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great post :top marks

[Diclonius]

I appreciate Leeann's attempts at communicating directly with fans and trying to address problems behind the scenes. The fact still remains though that this is statistically the worst Hibs team for over a century (if not the worst Hibs team ever), and until results improve drastically the support will not have belief in the current administration.

I have faith in Leeann but I still worry she is being undermined at board level by her employer. This will not aid the club, nor will it aid Leeann professionally. I hope I am wrong, and that our current state of affairs no longer has anything to do with Rod Petrie and his board. Until either 1. he leaves or 2. results improve, I cannot see any reason to think otherwise.

For the sake of everyone involved I really hope we start winning some games soon. Otherwise, when I finally leave University and have to start paying full price for my season ticket I will have to seriously consider whether it is a worthwhile investment, and it deeply pains me to say so.

[MWHIBBIES]

Forget a lot of things that are going on inside the club

I am sick to death on Match days, going to Easter Road and hearing fans complain when we retain possession then start shouting abuse that we aren't getting it forward quicker, then I get more annoyed when the players try to punt it into Malonga and get abuse aswell.

Every single game.


There is a poisoned atmosphere at Easter road, in my opinion there is far to many fans who haven't ever played football who have become tactical geniuses.

If we have the ball they can't score. Simple. Support the team don't make them feel intimidated by their own fans.


Class doesn't show on a maroon jersey

This is absolutely spot on. Far too many people at Easter Roar expect us to win every game comfortably and get restless when it isn't happening after 20 mins and it really doesn't help one damn bit. They literally make those around them, the ones who actually know the first thing about football and enjoy following Hibs miserable because of the negative pish coming out of their mouth. We have been awful for the last few years and no one has enjoyed it aside from those poppy thief's across the city, we have lost huge games including 2 Scottish cup finals and of course the relegation playoff but honestly those matches aren't matches I look back at and feel sad/angry about. It is games like a 1-1 draw against high flying Motherwell in 2012, at the time in which we were struggling big time and in a relegation fight with Dunfermline. We were actually 1-0 up with about 10 minutes to go through O'Connor scoring a FK IIRC but were being pushed back big time by Motherwell who were looking for an equalizer. The guy who sits to my right was screaming at the players and honestly was giving them dogs abuse because they weren't going for a second but Motherwell were a much better team than us at that time and had a lot more confidence about them. Que them scoring with a good finish from the edge of the box and the bloke getting up and just raging than we deserved it and giving the players/manager more abuse for what was honestly still a good result.

This is only one example and I doubt he is the only person at Easter Road who is like this. Moaning all game (99% of it just utter rubbish) about things like us passing the ball backwards, like do these people actually watch football? Get X player off for misplacing a pass? Shouting at defenders for not diving in when no one is behind them? I just despair when these things are said because they don't help and just add to the already edgy atmosphere and players lacking confidence.

[R11Loaded]

I love this club, I went for years and have played football since I was 6. My sister plays and is currently in the first team at Hibs ladies (albeit warming the bench she's only just breaking through)

My dad even pulled on the maroon Jersey (die hard HIBS fan) and played in goals for them lot, to the standard that he was offered a trial at Man United that included a free flat and nanny but my grandad (a hearts fan) wouldn't allow him to move.

All I'm saying in some of my posts is that some fans just don't seem to grasp that shouting "*****ing hit the thing" to Paul Hanlon from 25 yards is total nonsense


Class doesn't show on a maroon jersey

[FromTheCapital]

Great stuff, Leann. We're all behind you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FitbaFolkKen]

Came on expecting more negativity about the club. This however has cheered me up a bit, cracking post. What I really liked is that a real sense of pride comes across in the way it is written and what is said.

Doesn't make the current situation any better but it is still early days.

[Hermit Crab]

First of all thanks for coming on here to face the music, most of us appreciate it.

A few things. What's happened to the extra season ticket money you've taken from 7000 of us at premier league prices? Iirc you went on the record saying it would go straight to managers budget! It doesn't appear to be the case. What about moving away from loan deals? We have several players in on loan. A situation you didn't want. Do you make these decisions or does roderick still stick his nose in? We as fans need to know this because until this point is clarified and proven either way the fans will stay away.

Its been pointed out many times on this thread that bringing fans back will only be achieved by putting a team on the park that's prepared to fight for every ball, go in for every tackle, show pride and passion and who are prepared to fight for the badge. Until this happens you can forget 10,000+ crowds at home except when hearts and rangers play us. You couldn't give tickets away to see Hibs just now. Saturday was a hibs kids and the crowd was a shocker.

What's very concerning is that clubs around us seem to be well run both on and off the park and they seem be able to put good teams on the pitch week in week out, indeed our friendly neighbours have just recovered for years of financial mismanagement and they look like strolling the league, a league we should never have been in if it wasn't for the incompetency of the previous management team installed by the same board minus yourself of course. The pattern has been the same. Board put a management team in that are a failure then the board sacks the management team. It's been like a record stuck on repeat for the best part of a decade now.

I know you can only focus on the future, but our future for our club has to be one without rod petrie and Tom farmer. If we keep going the way we are then future generations will not want to come and support hibs, a team with biggest stadium in the 2/3rd division because lack of investment sees us plummet down the divisions. Our fall from grace is still ongoing unless investment from the board in the team happens it won't stop. Perhaps the season ticket money could be used as promised, but use it wisely as there won't be many season tickets bought next season if this club doesn't start to improve on and off the field.

You have came onto the message board and responded to us, for that i applaude you and you get respect from me however, you are ceo of Hibernian football club and with that responsibility comes the flack. Personal abuse is well out of order, that goes without say but you have to take the stick as petrie is now hiding from us but don't forget when things go well you'll get all the praise you deserve for it!!

I really hope you succeed in what you're trying to do to make our club better for all of us.

[Centre Hawf]

First of all, well done on posting on Hibs.net in an attempt to communicate with us and I apologise on behalf of supporters who have behaved inappropriately in giving abuse and general aggression towards you, no one should have to put up with that.

I am delighted you have agreed that the most important aspect of a football club is the results and what happens on the pitch, sadly however this has not improved since your arrival and the reality of the situation is that you are going to come under scrutiny for this. This club has been in the downward spiral long before your arrival and the negativity that is emanating from the support is one that has been bred out of years of false promises and downright disgraceful acts of footballing practise. We the paying fans have supported this club for a long time and will continue to do so, but please do not compare your frustration with our own, you couldn't even begin to fathom what shame we have felt with the way this club has declined and continues to do so.

However the post has, for me at least, came across as ramblings of someone who has found the gravity and the pressure of the current situation over whelming. Just by simply reading your choice of words it seems this has been written and posted in an emotional reaction, A CEO using "blah blah blah" seems rather unprofessional but not only that your placement of it in the paragraph regarding ticketing, communications, young fans and more, has actually undermined almost everything you have previously said about these points in previous months, and either suggests you have misread the situation and are now placing your focus elsewhere or that you're indecisive in what approach will in fact save this club.

[Septimus]

Thank you CEO for clarifying the Hibs TV a little.

With regard to the future are we actively scouting players for the January window? Are there funds in place to bring in players? We have, in recent years, always scrabbled around at the end of the window and it shows.

The predicament in which the club finds itself is no fault of yours Ms. Dempster. It is what happens between the start of the January window and the end of the season that really matters.

[Hibs7]

Leeann, posting on hibs.net & engaging with the fans is a welcome and positive change but after witnessing yet another woeful performance against part time opposition yesterday im surprised that you come on to such a forum bemoaning the negativity around the place.

This is not 3 months or short term frustration, this has built up to boiling point over a long long period where I can put it in no other way than Hibs fans have been deceived and shafted by the board. We have been promised change so many times it has NEVER materialised. If you feel demotivated I think you need to realise even the most ardent Hibs fans are either frustrated beyond belief or as the sub 8k crowd showed yesterday don't actually bother going anymore. The primary objective above any other this season was to put a team on the park that could compete at the top end of the league. Unfortunately that has been a complete failure and I think describing the season as stop start is rather generous I would describe it as a complete disaster. We are not even at Xmas and already have no chance of automatic promotion, the players that have been kept and brought in are again looking sub standard. Now if we were all to accept a period of major change (sorry yes I have heard this all before) why were the ticket prices kept as ludicrously high & the promises that went with it??

I'm sure there are many changes going on behind the scenes but the ONLY way to get fans to keep their 'cool' and stop the negativity is to start winning games. Games I may add a club the size and stature of Hibernian should be easily winning & I certainly don't think that is expecting too much. I'm sure you do have faith in your football people but the league table and performances so far suggest there has been little to no progress. I fail to see how not getting out of the division will help your other plans for the club and the sustainability of Hjbs long term. Therefore I find the recruitment policy compared to our closest rivals totally bizarre for today and tomorrow and a sign of no real change in this regard.

In short the board haven't done enough so far to support 'on the pitch' the first team, manager & show the support they mean business. Until this happens & the team start showing a bit of quality along with winning games I'm personally going to be sceptical of anything that comes out of the club if that makes me negative or not helping the club then so be it. However ill still be there paying my money it's the thousands who have become so apathetic and disconnected IMO you really need to worry about.

To the point and accurate .... No explanation from the board, Leanne or Alan Stubbs as to why we are so poor ..!

[Baker9]

Thanks for posting that, Leanne. I remember a game towards the end of last season where our stats included zero shots on target. I know it is a lower league but things are definitely on the up on the field as well. Thanks for everything you are doing.

[ALF TUPPER]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.


Good grief !

c31 .... Fancy expanding the "doesn't get Hibs" comment ? Cheers

[andrew70]

Forget a lot of things that are going on inside the club

I am sick to death on Match days, going to Easter Road and hearing fans complain when we retain possession then start shouting abuse that we aren't getting it forward quicker, then I get more annoyed when the players try to punt it into Malonga and get abuse aswell.

Every single game.


There is a poisoned atmosphere at Easter road, in my opinion there is far to many fans who haven't ever played football who have become tactical geniuses.

If we have the ball they can't score. Simple. Support the team don't make them feel intimidated by their own fans.


Class doesn't show on a maroon jersey

Sorry just catching up wi th this thread. 100% agree with what you have wrote. The stats from Saturdays game and previous ones show that whilst it's not always been good Stubbs et al are getting us to play the game in the right way. We cant't score every time we have the ball but as you say neither can the opposition. It's frustrating because we don't transfer our quality possession football in to goals at the moment but that will come. I am convinced had we not lost Farid that we would be in a far better position.

[bingo70]

Good grief !

c31 .... Fancy expanding the "doesn't get Hibs" comment ? Cheers

She seems surprised by the negativity for a start, I've been going to the games for 20+ years abd we've always been a bunch of moaning *******s.

That's a half tongue in cheek comment by the way, I understand why she is fed up of the negativity but I do think it's a bit cheeky having a go at the fans for it considering our current state on the park.

She's pissed off at it while getting paid a tidy salary I'm sure, we're having to pay for the privilege.

[Gatecrasher]

Thanks for posting, it means a lot that the club are trying to engage with the support on more levels, please see a few of my thoughts below.

After reading some of the posts and some of the emails and tweets I received from yesterday, I thought it probably time that I come on to .net and answer a few things and perhaps put right or at least give you my perspective on some of the accusations that are out there.

I did ask for a membership on net and bounce as I thought it would be a decent way to keep in contact with supporters but more over to get a sense check of the issues and opportunities that exist. I should probably have resisted doing so and resisted the temptation to use the boards in a positive way. If the truth were told, I find the constant criticism of the club, the general picking to pieces of everything we do quite counter productive and demotivating in a way. It is the same with the torrent or emails, some time text message and twitter messages received post match – you would think that we collectively come to work every day and say ‘what could we possibly do today that will upset and annoy the support at large?’
I don't think you should have to put up with people texting and tweeting you all the time, IMO this is beyond what anyone should expect to have to put up with and if I were you I would block them and tell them to contact the club through official channels.

I’m not looking for you to feel sorry for us but there has to be recognition that the constant negativity can’t be productive for anyone. The club is going through a period of major change – and yet again I am sure that will be jumped on as same old, same old but I know differently. Almost every element of the club is being shaped, changed and reengineered and because those at the club are involved and can see the changes taking effect, the opps these will bring and ultimately where I believe we can achieve, we are excited and motivated to work on, work hard and make the sacrifices needed to give supporters what they want.
A lot of us understand there is a massive change happening at the club and that is appreciated, however there will be large number of the support sceptical of the change while the results on the park remain poor and Mr Petrie is involved.

I understand that what supporters mainly see is the performances on the pitch and therefore because ours have been stop start this season, the obvious fall back of people when they are frustrated and disappointed is to lash out and to claim that nothing has changed and that it is business as usual. Well it is not.

We are as frustrated as any of you when we don’t manage the win, we all are and I mean every person who works at the club and who is dedicating above and beyond to try and make you all happy and proud of the club and our contributions. I see the progress of the club day by day but even so, a defeat or a draw has the same effect on me / us as it does on you as a support and sometimes it can be very difficult. I can give you my word that we have changed, we are changing and we are planning to change a great deal more – I also understand though that your benchmark for this won’t be when the ticketing system works they way it should, or the comms coming out of the club are improved, when there are a 1000 more youngsters in the stadium being converted to supporters for the future or when the foundation starts to properly change the community and those who live within it and when income moves positively to allow us to do more blah blah blah. Your benchmark is the results on the pitch .
Again whilst we probably all agree change is required and we want to move on from the negitivity a lot of the change will appear to be superficial until we start winning football matches on a regular basis.

I have absolute faith in our football people and the team that sits behind all of them and who are supporting them which is why I will continue to do the same and why we need to keep our ‘cool’, keep our commitment and shape of the club and make sure Alan and the team know that they have my backing and the backing of everyone else to turn our season around and importantly to give us a platform to make the seasons beyond even better.

Again, I understand though that you guys only see us once a week, maybe a one off U20’s game or come to a meeting so you only have those things to judge the current progress on. We are not immune to criticism and I am happy to have a take it when it is due, not every decision we make is perfect but there is at least always thought and consideration on the ones we make.

Onto a few things that others have reported to me have been doing the rounds on the boards. Apparently I am tentatively sounding people out to become board members of the club. Absolute rubbish, it is not true and in fact I have contacted the Electoral Reform Society to ascertain if they can help and advise on the up coming elections for supporter board members. I feel that strongly about this and the independence of the process that I won’t allow anyone to claim anyone at the club is ‘fixing’ or trying to fix the result.

Sales and Marketing and the fact that I am ignoring a certain ‘Hibby’ – I have not had numerous calls, contacts, texts or emails from anyone – I don’t even know who you are but I have not been ignoring numerous emails or texts from anyone on this subject. I have had 3 texts from one individual that falls into this category and I’ve responded to 2 of them……not sure if related but then I can only guess! If there were emails then its fair to say they never reached me but the easiest thing to do then is perhaps speak to one of the team at the club, leave details, perhaps even drop in on a non match day and I’d have been happy to see meet.

The Drum yesterday – we did not ask for this to be stopped, we did ask for flags to be searched as there have been numerous complaints from supporters who don’t like the effects of the smoke bombs etc so we’ve significantly stepped up security to try and eliminate these. You may like the colour but others don’t and others don’t enjoy the experience, they find it frightening and dangerous, these are also not allowed under any rules and cause the club constant issues. I’d ask that those involved with section 43 get in touch with me and we can come up with a plan that makes the match day experience better, that makes those who want to get involved happier with the outcome. I am all for match day noise, colour and atmosphere and I will help you as much as possible, home and away to achieve this but we need to do it in a way that works for everyone. The stewarding at Easter Road is a joke, There are times when you feel like an away fan in your own stadium, what makes it even worse is when the likes of Hearts, Rangers and Celtic visit you see them get away with everything that Hibs fans are being pulled up for on a regular basis. Smoke Bombs, Banners, Flags, Standing. If Hearts score against us in a couple of weeks you can almost guarantee a pitch invasion, it happens nearly every time. It's these types of things that get piss me off anyway.

------

Website and emails – look better, good functionality but needs constant attention, communications on every front is changing from staff and kit to plans and delivery. We have a strong volunteer team who want to do more and who can help us – we will be accepting their offer but more importantly, we will be offering new ways to get the messages out there.

Complaints/customer service/ supporter files are all being reengineered with the introduction of a new supporter dynamic system, in short, we should and will stop asking you to continually prove your details, DOB etc and we will all have access onscreen to a new system which hopefully means we are able to speak to you in a more personal and relevant way. It will mean a better service and a more productive executive team - has to be good.

I am sure there is a good deal more that I’ve missed and many more questions that you have not only for me but for Alan, George and the rest of the team. I am really happy to hear suggestions as to how we can make this whole transition more positive – I know it comes back to football on the day and I am under no illusions as to the power of this but in order to be a good CEO, I also need to future proof the club and that means I need to worry about the whole package, the football is my number 1 but I also have another 100 considerations that all feed into the overall success of our Club.

I will sign off with a few last thought, I won’t be on this board constantly and I won’t be replying to every angry tweet or every angry text or post – that does not mean however that I am oblivious to the issues but it also does not make me a poor CEO or one who is not interested in opinion. It means that I need to focus my time and energy into the bigger plan, I have the benefit of seeing the direction of travel and the changes first hand and I am confident that we will build a club together.

I am also keen to meet you rather than have my character given to me online so if you can think of ways that this can happen, I’m all ears. Maybe we have a social night in the FF – perhaps on the euro nights, we could have a chat / debate with myself and the team and then we could watch a match together.

We have the building blocks of some something quite wonderful – I’m convinced of it and I’m convinced that I am the person who can help facilitate it and deliver it for you. Tin hat on.

LD
Thanks again for joining us, As others have said a lot of the moans and nitpicking will probably go away when the results on the park improve.

a 1000 word limit, WTF

[aunty joyce]

This is absolutely spot on. Far too many people at Easter Roar expect us to win every game comfortably and get restless when it isn't happening after 20 mins and it really doesn't help one damn bit. They literally make those around them, the ones who actually know the first thing about football and enjoy following Hibs miserable because of the negative pish coming out of their mouth. We have been awful for the last few years and no one has enjoyed it aside from those poppy thief's across the city, we have lost huge games including 2 Scottish cup finals and of course the relegation playoff but honestly those matches aren't matches I look back at and feel sad/angry about. It is games like a 1-1 draw against high flying Motherwell in 2012, at the time in which we were struggling big time and in a relegation fight with Dunfermline. We were actually 1-0 up with about 10 minutes to go through O'Connor scoring a FK IIRC but were being pushed back big time by Motherwell who were looking for an equalizer. The guy who sits to my right was screaming at the players and honestly was giving them dogs abuse because they weren't going for a second but Motherwell were a much better team than us at that time and had a lot more confidence about them. Que them scoring with a good finish from the edge of the box and the bloke getting up and just raging than we deserved it and giving the players/manager more abuse for what was honestly still a good result.

This is only one example and I doubt he is the only person at Easter Road who is like this. Moaning all game (99% of it just utter rubbish) about things like us passing the ball backwards, like do these people actually watch football? Get X player off for misplacing a pass? Shouting at defenders for not diving in when no one is behind them? I just despair when these things are said because they don't help and just add to the already edgy atmosphere and players lacking confidence.

You don't happen to sit in section 39 of the East Stand do you as we have one too and the vile abuse he shouts at the management & players is absolutely disgusting and what makes it more disgusting is the fact that he has young kids with him who in all fairness seem to be embarrassed by his behaviour.

He is spoiling mine & my family's enjoyment week in and week out so much so I am considering moving seat but unfortunately there is no guarantee that I won't end up sitting next to another 'supporter' with the same attitude 😕

[GreenArmyyy!]

Too little too late we've been telling her months we have **** players but nothing was done before August 31st, that along with this pathetic community club and 'fan on the board' **** she's out of her depth and would be better staying at Motherwell with that pish than belittling a big city team. She honest and hard working but just doesn't get Hibs.

Never heard so much rubbish in my entire life.

[PeeJay]

No way this is anything other than a poor-quality Internet spoof.

[spike220]

First of all, well done on posting on Hibs.net in an attempt to communicate with us and I apologise on behalf of supporters who have behaved inappropriately in giving abuse and general aggression towards you, no one should have to put up with that.

I am delighted you have agreed that the most important aspect of a football club is the results and what happens on the pitch, sadly however this has not improved since your arrival and the reality of the situation is that you are going to come under scrutiny for this. This club has been in the downward spiral long before your arrival and the negativity that is emanating from the support is one that has been bred out of years of false promises and downright disgraceful acts of footballing practise. We the paying fans have supported this club for a long time and will continue to do so, but please do not compare your frustration with our own, you couldn't even begin to fathom what shame we have felt with the way this club has declined and continues to do so.

However the post has, for me at least, came across as ramblings of someone who has found the gravity and the pressure of the current situation over whelming. Just by simply reading your choice of words it seems this has been written and posted in an emotional reaction, A CEO using "blah blah blah" seems rather unprofessional but not only that your placement of it in the paragraph regarding ticketing, communications, young fans and more, has actually undermined almost everything you have previously said about these points in previous months, and either suggests you have misread the situation and are now placing your focus elsewhere or that you're indecisive in what approach will in fact save this club.

1. Why not, it is her lively hood and personal reputation on the line.
2. Pot, kettle, black!

[matty_f]

No way this is anything other than a poor-quality Internet spoof.

Quite the opposite.

[truehibernian]

Firstly I think you have to concede that it's a big step forward, in a positive way, seeing someone very senior at Hibs coming onto the battleground of fans forums and giving not only an insight into what is happening at the club, but being allowed to challenge certain reports/allegations etc - so fair play to LD.

I wish I could dig out old posts, but the whole club needed changed, not just the main issue the football team.

For me it really is quite simple and it 'ain't rocket science' - football clubs have decided to really over complicate things now that money has turned us into a corporate entity - but you really don't need to do that. You simply listen to the fans, give them what they want as a collective.

Football team - my thoughts are always directed at youth. Hibernian has a rich history in producing our own talent and this is exactly the route we should be going down. We totally neglected it and are suffering because of it. Journeyman footballers, foreign 'talent', the laughable 'goalkeeping school'.......revolving managerial door. Had to stop, has to stop - investment in youth football is fundamental to a club our size. Models such as Crewe should be looked at, at a Scottish level.

Off the field - Hibs media - they work hard and the product is a lot better than folk give credit for. But it needs an injection of 2014, it needs youth, it needs vibrancy - interviews with players have to be far more upbeat and insightful. Again, old ground, but I'd love our wee Irish guy (wish I could remember his name as I often feel very ignorant calling him that) to do interviews........he is upbeat, asks decent questions, shows a lot of football knowledge......and he connects with younger fans.

Catering - we have such wonderful eatieries in and around Leith yet we are left with a quite uninspired half time menu of limp pizza and a pie which after consumption makes me as mobile as Malonga was on Saturday. Come on Hibs..........Valvona and Crolla, La Favorita, Crombies.......all on the doorstep........eating a Crombies steak pie may lighten my mood after watching yet more sideways passes from Liam, which in truth, would cause more heart problems than the pie (they are only just over a quid too )! We are also in an area of good old fashioned breweries from yesteryear.......craft beers are the new thing......could we not look at someone like Brewdog (or indeed Crabbies) to magic up a lovely ensemble of Hibernian beers, maybe 'The Famous 5' range.........each beer having a little bit of the player's character in them - and not all bitter :greengrin

Work in schools - in my field it's clear Hibernian are still doing absolutely nothing of any note in getting players into primary, secondary and colleges - crying shame as this is the 'breeding ground' for fans and cultivating a fan base. We also need to do more to attract young Asians and other ethnic groups - there is a large Asian and Eastern European population now in Edinburgh and indeed the 'Hibs side' of the city. Do Hibs even visit local mosques ? I very very much doubt it.

Lots and lots of ideas run about my head at times, many are perhaps unachievable, but if you don't ask you don't get as they say.

And lastly.......Hibs fans each season want a purple strip, and also a return to the green and white. Next season can we at least have a fans input ? This years strips are just awful. May sound petty, but it's very important - look the part to play the part :aok:

[Kato]

No way this is anything other than a poor-quality Internet spoof.

Yes, your post does seem to be just that.

[Seveno]

My thanks to Leeann for taking the time to try to explain the situation to us and for being so brave.

If we were winning then most of the criticism would not be there. I do think though that any business that had failed so calamitiously as Hibs would have seen a number of resignations at Board level.

Perhaps the next post on .net should come from the Manager to explain why our results are so appalling. He might also explain why Liam Craig is unable to pass the ball forward.

[Big Frank]

Just brutal its come to this.

[erin-go-bragh87]

Fair play for a good post but it really pains me that she admits we view our results on the park as our benchmark then writes a huge post completely avoiding the biggest question IMO, where are our "quality over quantity" players we were promised?? Just more smoke and mirrors avoiding the fact we have a really weak squad compared to the other 2 in our league.

[Keith_M]

Well done in daring to come on here and face the Idiotic Mob.

I suggested previously that it would actually be counter-productive for Ms Dempster to read the constant stream of jibes and negativity on this baord and it looks like I was right.

I for one would be happy for her to stick to doing her job and leave her post count on here at 1. Please don't pay too much attention to the large number of idiots on here that are nothing but a constant background noise of negativity about everything Hibs.


To everybody in bold that I just mentioned, well done, you've achieved your stupid objective of bringing down everything and everybody related to Hibs. You've even managed to negatively affect the mood of our CEO, who is only trying to do the best for our Club. I hope you're all proud of yourselves this morning!!!!!

[blackpoolhibs]

Well done in daring to come on here and face the Idiotic Mob.

I suggested previously that it would actually be counter-productive for Ms Dempster to read the constant stream of jibes and negativity on this baord and it looks like I was right.

I for one would be happy for her to stick to doing her job and leave her post count on here at 1. Please don't pay too much attention to the large number of idiots on here that are nothing but a constant background noise of negativity about everything Hibs.


To everybody in bold that I just mentioned, well done, you've achieved your stupid objective of bringing down everything and everybody related to Hibs. You've even managed to negatively affect the mood of our CEO, who is only trying to do the best for our Club. I hope you're all proud of yourselves this morning!!!!!

Aye and well done to LD and the rest of her board players and owner for producing a football team as poor as the club has ever witnessed in its history.

[Keith_M]

Aye and well done to LD and the rest of her board players and owner for producing a football team as poor as the club has ever witnessed in its history.


And thanks to you for so quickly proving my point


:aok:

[blackpoolhibs]

And thanks to you for so quickly proving my point


:aok:

No problem.

[truehibernian]

And thanks to you for so quickly proving my point


:aok:

Can't remember which historical figure said it keekaboo however it went along the lines of revolution is not the fault of the people but those that govern.......classic state of affairs at Hibs for me. The discontent, the apathy, the anger and frustration has been 5 years in the making yet those that are the reason for it remain in post/charge of our great club.

Again, it's quite fundamental - if Rod were to go, a very dark and seemingly immobile cloud would lift. It's in our fans' subconscious that he is a large large part of where we are today. Other companies recognise this and act swiftly. Hibernian have not and STF has allowed this to carry on. Recipe for disaster and you cannot blame the fans for being largely negative.

[WHUHibs]

Can't remember which historical figure said it keekaboo however it went along the lines of revolution is not the fault of the people but those that govern.......classic state of affairs at Hibs for me. The discontent, the apathy, the anger and frustration has been 5 years in the making yet those that are the reason for it remain in post/charge of our great club.

Again, it's quite fundamental - if Rod were to go, a very dark and seemingly immobile cloud would lift. It's in our fans' subconscious that he is a large large part of where we are today. Other companies recognise this and act swiftly. Hibernian have not and STF has allowed this to carry on. Recipe for disaster and you cannot blame the fans for being largely negative.

Negativity is systematic of the feelings we have had based on many years of unusual activity in changing managers, recruiting players who were not good enough to do the job.

Removing the cataalyst many feel as negative for the club will only happen with ownership change.

[blackpoolhibs]

Can't remember which historical figure said it keekaboo however it went along the lines of revolution is not the fault of the people but those that govern.......classic state of affairs at Hibs for me. The discontent, the apathy, the anger and frustration has been 5 years in the making yet those that are the reason for it remain in post/charge of our great club.

Again, it's quite fundamental - if Rod were to go, a very dark and seemingly immobile cloud would lift. It's in our fans' subconscious that he is a large large part of where we are today. Other companies recognise this and act swiftly. Hibernian have not and STF has allowed this to carry on. Recipe for disaster and you cannot blame the fans for being largely negative.

:agree: You'd think everything was rosy in the garden with the way some folk go on. This negativity that surrounds the club is not a new thing, its taken quite a while for the clubs owners and directors to take us to where we are right now.

There's been fans off their own backs protesting outside the main stand, and also organised protests too. We've been fighting relegation year after year until it eventually happened, and we have had to pay top dollar for that privilege,

Yet the support are not supposed to be unhappy or be negative? :rolleyes:

I personally think we as a support have not protested enough, and those in charge have got off lightly.

I'd bet my last penny that nobody that posts on this message board or goes to the games every week wants to be negative or boo the team off every week.

[Andy74]

Well, its very sad that it has come to this. I think as a support we now have to decide whether we can draw a line and move on on whether we want to continually discuss what has gone wrong, who is to blame and use that to cast a shadow on what is currently happening at the club and all those involved.

There are two simple things the club needs to do now though to allow this to happen:

1. Accept that the rights and wrongs of the Rod Petrie situation don't matter and that for the good of the club Rod should be stepping down as Chair and from the board. He can be 10 per cent shareholder all he likes - that's not important. To be accepted as a new start a new start actually has to take place at the highest level. It might just be perception but its very important just now.

2. Just let us know Sir Tom's long term plan for ownership. The club isn't openly for sale and any offer to change that has to be right. We get that and also that the recent meetings were as a resut of lots of approaches being made and the protests taking place. I, along with what lloks like the majority of people aren't bothered about owning a club, we want to watch one - but do we need to do something about it or will the club be safe in Sir Tom's family for example if he goes? Just let us know.


As fans we know we have an element of people who will want to noise up whatever we do - we have it even when we are doing well, but this obviously gets worse when the team isn't doing so well. I worry a wee bit about the fans representatives plan (of course you can't represent anyhting except the compnay once you get on) because I really dislike all this supportes association and fan rep thing - I think it creates a certain type of confrontational thing when rweally isn't it just a group of people who want to go and watch football? I can't be bothered with the politics but it seems a way for certain people to be able to get involved in that.

As for the football - Leeann, it's great that you are support the current set up and all seems to be getting put into place but you would have to admit that we've got things a bit wrong for this league. We've had years of getting lots of nice footballers who were too soft and that needed to change for this league. The young players we bring through ourselves are largely soft and have the wrong mentality. The players we have brought in haven't changed that very much. It takes time I know to change the squad when we have a lot of poor players still under contract. Still, one or two rugged players with character and heart were surely achievable?

That needs to be addressed in January and beyond. There has to be something made available to bring in a couple of experienced, tough professionals.

I've no doubt things are changing and there is lots to be worked on. I hope people stand back and let the club get on with it - but are we all willing to draw the line now?? At least where the off field work and the new staff are concerned?

[Gettin' Auld]

Her name's in the friggin title, but many posters still manage to spell it wrongly.

[blackpoolhibs]

Well, its very sad that it has come to this. I think as a support we now have to decide whether we can draw a line and move on on whether we want to continually discuss what has gone wrong, who is to blame and use that to cast a shadow on what is currently happening at the club and all those involved.

There are two simple things the club needs to do now though to allow this to happen:

1. Accept that the rights and wrongs of the Rod Petrie situation don't matter and that for the good of the club Rod should be stepping down as Chair and from the board. He can be 10 per cent shareholder all he likes - that's not important. To be accepted as a new start a new start actually has to take place at the highest level. It might just be perception but its very important just now.

2. Just let us know Sir Tom's long term plan for ownership. The club isn't openly for sale and any offer to change that has to be right. We get that and also that the recent meetings were as a resut of lots of approaches being made and the protests taking place. I, along with what lloks like the majority of people aren't bothered about owning a club, we want to watch one - but do we need to do something about it or will the club be safe in Sir Tom's family for example if he goes? Just let us know.


As fans we know we have an element of people who will want to noise up whatever we do - we have it even when we are doing well, but this obviously gets worse when the team isn't doing so well. I worry a wee bit about the fans representatives plan (of course you can't represent anyhting except the compnay once you get on) because I really dislike all this supportes association and fan rep thing - I think it creates a certain type of confrontational thing when rweally isn't it just a group of people who want to go and watch football? I can't be bothered with the politics but it seems a way for certain people to be able to get involved in that.

As for the football - Leeann, it's great that you are support the current set up and all seems to be getting put into place but you would have to admit that we've got things a bit wrong for this league. We've had years of getting lots of nice footballers who were too soft and that needed to change for this league. The young players we bring through ourselves are largely soft and have the wrong mentality. The players we have brought in haven't changed that very much. It takes time I know to change the squad when we have a lot of poor players still under contract. Still, one or two rugged players with character and heart were surely achievable?

That needs to be addressed in January and beyond. There has to be something made available to bring in a couple of experienced, tough professionals.

I've no doubt things are changing and there is lots to be worked on. I hope people stand back and let the club get on with it - but are we all willing to draw the line now?? At least where the off field work and the new staff are concerned?

Welcome back. :aok:

[Golden Bear]

Well, its very sad that it has come to this. I think as a support we now have to decide whether we can draw a line and move on on whether we want to continually discuss what has gone wrong, who is to blame and use that to cast a shadow on what is currently happening at the club and all those involved.

There are two simple things the club needs to do now though to allow this to happen:

1. Accept that the rights and wrongs of the Rod Petrie situation don't matter and that for the good of the club Rod should be stepping down as Chair and from the board. He can be 10 per cent shareholder all he likes - that's not important. To be accepted as a new start a new start actually has to take place at the highest level. It might just be perception but its very important just now.

2. Just let us know Sir Tom's long term plan for ownership. The club isn't openly for sale and any offer to change that has to be right. We get that and also that the recent meetings were as a resut of lots of approaches being made and the protests taking place. I, along with what lloks like the majority of people aren't bothered about owning a club, we want to watch one - but do we need to do something about it or will the club be safe in Sir Tom's family for example if he goes? Just let us know.


As fans we know we have an element of people who will want to noise up whatever we do - we have it even when we are doing well, but this obviously gets worse when the team isn't doing so well. I worry a wee bit about the fans representatives plan (of course you can't represent anyhting except the compnay once you get on) because I really dislike all this supportes association and fan rep thing - I think it creates a certain type of confrontational thing when rweally isn't it just a group of people who want to go and watch football? I can't be bothered with the politics but it seems a way for certain people to be able to get involved in that.

As for the football - Leeann, it's great that you are support the current set up and all seems to be getting put into place but you would have to admit that we've got things a bit wrong for this league. We've had years of getting lots of nice footballers who were too soft and that needed to change for this league. The young players we bring through ourselves are largely soft and have the wrong mentality. The players we have brought in haven't changed that very much. It takes time I know to change the squad when we have a lot of poor players still under contract. Still, one or two rugged players with character and heart were surely achievable?

That needs to be addressed in January and beyond. There has to be something made available to bring in a couple of experienced, tough professionals.

I've no doubt things are changing and there is lots to be worked on. I hope people stand back and let the club get on with it - but are we all willing to draw the line now?? At least where the off field work and the new staff are concerned?

Welcome back to the fray Andy! You've been conspicuous by your absence.

:aok:

[bingo70]

Well, its very sad that it has come to this. I think as a support we now have to decide whether we can draw a line and move on on whether we want to continually discuss what has gone wrong, who is to blame and use that to cast a shadow on what is currently happening at the club and all those involved.

There are two simple things the club needs to do now though to allow this to happen:

1. Accept that the rights and wrongs of the Rod Petrie situation don't matter and that for the good of the club Rod should be stepping down as Chair and from the board. He can be 10 per cent shareholder all he likes - that's not important. To be accepted as a new start a new start actually has to take place at the highest level. It might just be perception but its very important just now.

2. Just let us know Sir Tom's long term plan for ownership. The club isn't openly for sale and any offer to change that has to be right. We get that and also that the recent meetings were as a resut of lots of approaches being made and the protests taking place. I, along with what lloks like the majority of people aren't bothered about owning a club, we want to watch one - but do we need to do something about it or will the club be safe in Sir Tom's family for example if he goes? Just let us know.


As fans we know we have an element of people who will want to noise up whatever we do - we have it even when we are doing well, but this obviously gets worse when the team isn't doing so well. I worry a wee bit about the fans representatives plan (of course you can't represent anyhting except the compnay once you get on) because I really dislike all this supportes association and fan rep thing - I think it creates a certain type of confrontational thing when rweally isn't it just a group of people who want to go and watch football? I can't be bothered with the politics but it seems a way for certain people to be able to get involved in that.

As for the football - Leeann, it's great that you are support the current set up and all seems to be getting put into place but you would have to admit that we've got things a bit wrong for this league. We've had years of getting lots of nice footballers who were too soft and that needed to change for this league. The young players we bring through ourselves are largely soft and have the wrong mentality. The players we have brought in haven't changed that very much. It takes time I know to change the squad when we have a lot of poor players still under contract. Still, one or two rugged players with character and heart were surely achievable?

That needs to be addressed in January and beyond. There has to be something made available to bring in a couple of experienced, tough professionals.

I've no doubt things are changing and there is lots to be worked on. I hope people stand back and let the club get on with it - but are we all willing to draw the line now?? At least where the off field work and the new staff are concerned?

All very sensible Andy but I think petrie needs to go before any line in the sand can be drawn. Until they've done that or at least given us the honest reason why he needs to be involved I don't think they can say they're truly listening to the fans.

They say no man is bigger than the club, right now it appears that the club believe petrie remaining involved is more important than the wellbeing of the club.

[Kato]

Aye and well done to LD and the rest of her board players and owner for producing a football team as poor as the club has ever witnessed in its history.

Did you think the improvement required at Hibs would happen immediately she and Stubbs came through the door?

[weonlywon6-2]

How deep has he dug? STF saved us, I suspect he has also gained financially.

The clue is the bit,stf saved us,without that we wouldnt be here,its that simle.
Petrie is the issue with the club,not farmer

[Keith_M]

Aye and well done to LD and the rest of her board players and owner for producing a football team as poor as the club has ever witnessed in its history.


And thanks to you for so quickly proving my point




Sorry BH, that was uncalled for.


Gonnae forgive me?

:dunno:

[keep the faith]

Well done in daring to come on here and face the Idiotic Mob.

I suggested previously that it would actually be counter-productive for Ms Dempster to read the constant stream of jibes and negativity on this baord and it looks like I was right.

I for one would be happy for her to stick to doing her job and leave her post count on here at 1. Please don't pay too much attention to the large number of idiots on here that are nothing but a constant background noise of negativity about everything Hibs.


To everybody in bold that I just mentioned, well done, you've achieved your stupid objective of bringing down everything and everybody related to Hibs. You've even managed to negatively affect the mood of our CEO, who is only trying to do the best for our Club. I hope you're all proud of yourselves this morning!!!!!

Brave post. I notice someone else on this thread quitting this board and I'm about to do the same. It's in danger of imploding due to the monopoly of posts by the same posters making the same negative points. I will be there on Saturdays but not on this forum. It's not representative, is a mouth piece for the few and is a component to the bad vibe at the moment. I get the feeling that it's not just me feeling this way.

[Peevemor]

Did you think the improvement required at Hibs would happen immediately she and Stubbs came through the door?

Good point. I think people forget that she's only been in the job for just over 4 months. Leeann started at ER at the beginning of June (Monday 2nd IIRC), Stubbs was appointed on the 24th - ie. 3 weeks later. The entire playing, coaching and scouting structure has been totally changed during this period, hopefully setting a good foundation for the years to come.

It may seem like an eternity in internet forum land, but in the real world it's nothing at all.

[One Day Soon]

Brave post. I notice someone else on this thread quitting this board and I'm about to do the same. It's in danger of imploding due to the monopoly of posts by the same posters making the same negative points. I will be there on Saturdays but not on this forum. It's not representative, is a mouth piece for the few and is a component to the bad vibe at the moment. I get the feeling that it's not just me feeling this way.

Hah! If you think this is bad you should see the Referendum threads.

[Andy74]

Brave post. I notice someone else on this thread quitting this board and I'm about to do the same. It's in danger of imploding due to the monopoly of posts by the same posters making the same negative points. I will be there on Saturdays but not on this forum. It's not representative, is a mouth piece for the few and is a component to the bad vibe at the moment. I get the feeling that it's not just me feeling this way.

I haven't posted on here for that reason - this sort of forum can be great but also very dangerous. People can laugh at that and the influence it can have, but I think it's true.

I've been on here arguing about stuff for years and its all been interesting, but, I think things have changed and it's not only because we aren't doing very well. Hibs have rarely done very well.

It's moved on to being an active campaign by some to be as damaging as possible. There's been the rise of the ITK stuff and people believing all of it. The vast majoirty of it is plain wrong or an incredibly one sided slant - it is breeding continuing negativity.

The Griffiths stuff is classic. All this chat about medicals and deals being done but changed - Petire getting involved. All total nonsense. Hibs made some enquiries - none were given any time of day at all, no deals were done, nothing was agreed, Petie didn't step in and ruin an agree deal. Still, it gave a large number of people something else to have a go at Hibs about when actually trying to get him back in the first place was an admirable thing to do.

There's also too much going on just now with groups and movements and buy out plans, none of which from what I can see offer anything but are quite obviously getting in the way of us all being able to get together and support the club.

As I said above though Hibs can sort that some of that now by taking a couple of quick and easy steps.

I'd much prefer not to be wasting all the fans money by funding a purchase of the club for no particular gain - much better to be provided comfort that we don't need to change the owership and maybe we can plough that cash if people have it available into improving the stuff that matters on the pitch.

[ancient hibee]

Another sensible posts.I suppose it's the nature of the internet that people like to make up stories to feel important.Sad really.Real life is difficult enough:greengrin

[bingo70]

I haven't posted on here for that reason - this sort of forum can be great but also very dangerous. People can laugh at that and the influence it can have, but I think it's true.

I've been on here arguing about stuff for years and its all been interesting, but, I think things have changed and it's not only because we aren't doing very well. Hibs have rarely done very well.

It's moved on to being an active campaign by some to be as damaging as possible. There's been the rise of the ITK stuff and people believing all of it. The vast majoirty of it is plain wrong or an incredibly one sided slant - it is breeding continuing negativity.

The Griffiths stuff is classic. All this chat about medicals and deals being done but changed - Petire getting involved. All total nonsense. Hibs made some enquiries - none were given any time of day at all, no deals were done, nothing was agreed, Petie didn't step in and ruin an agree deal. Still, it gave a large number of people something else to have a go at Hibs about when actually trying to get him back in the first place was an admirable thing to do.

There's also too much going on just now with groups and movements and buy out plans, none of which from what I can see offer anything but are quite obviously getting in the way of us all being able to get together and support the club.

As I said above though Hibs can sort that some of that now by taking a couple of quick and easy steps.

I'd much prefer not to be wasting all the fans money by funding a purchase of the club for no particular gain - much better to be provided comfort that we don't need to change the owership and maybe we can plough that cash if people have it available into improving the stuff that matters on the pitch.

You only need to look at Liam Miller being booed when he played for us as he'd apparently signed for hearts.

Stubbs coming under pressure already is making me consider binning my account on here, in truth though, as frustrating as hibs.net can get, its still better than doing real work so I'm sure I won't. Totally understand why people would get sick of it on here though.

[Scottie]

Hah! If you think this is bad you should see the Referendum threads.

And if my memory serves me right you were one of the main reasons why the referendum threads went the way they did. :na na:

[Kato]

Good point. I think people forget that she's only been in the job for just over 4 months. Leeann started at ER at the beginning of June (Monday 2nd IIRC), Stubbs was appointed on the 24th - ie. 3 weeks later. The entire playing, coaching and scouting structure has been totally changed during this period, hopefully setting a good foundation for the years to come.

It may seem like an eternity in internet forum land, but in the real world it's nothing at all.

Personally I'm not expecting Hibs to really turn the corner on the park until the summer. The damage and sheer willful neglect of the playing side has gone on too long to be repaired in a flash. The biggest danger for me is that people's lack of patience, which is a short commodity given the last few years.

The glee with which people promote negativity on here never fails to amaze me though.

[Paloschi]

This has prompted me to post for the very last time.

Appreciate LD communicating with us. Petrie never did.

However, I felt the post was a bit negative towards the very people (the fans) who fund, support and care deeply about the club. Just my thoughts. I did not feel inspired reading that.

LD has only been here 4 months, granted. Things take time. Hibs have been under 'transition' since around 2006. We have been garbage since. Take Hearts for example, new owner, new director of football, new manager and new players. Strolling the league. Us, well we are still in a period of 'change'. It is bulls**t and we have been hearing that for years. We started this season on the same points as Hearts and we find ourselves 14 points behind :rolleyes: ALREADY!

We are struggling to gain any momentum in the championship and are struggling to beat part timers. Why? The same players continue to play, that is why The same bargain basement signing policy still exists, that is why. Some of the losers are still here and still failing to win games. We should have invested in the team FIRST then focused on infrastructure, menu's, appointing staff and ******ing about with surveys. Major mistake. That along with not picking up the phone to Terry Butcher, despite being on holiday and telling him not to come back in her first week as CEO. We are still paying him!! only Hibs. Soft touches. We are walked all over.

The club I love is going so far backwards I don't even recognise it any more. For me that slide has continued into the new regime.

Cheers.

Paloschi.

[khib70]

I haven't posted on here for that reason - this sort of forum can be great but also very dangerous. People can laugh at that and the influence it can have, but I think it's true.

I've been on here arguing about stuff for years and its all been interesting, but, I think things have changed and it's not only because we aren't doing very well. Hibs have rarely done very well.

It's moved on to being an active campaign by some to be as damaging as possible. There's been the rise of the ITK stuff and people believing all of it. The vast majoirty of it is plain wrong or an incredibly one sided slant - it is breeding continuing negativity.

The Griffiths stuff is classic. All this chat about medicals and deals being done but changed - Petire getting involved. All total nonsense. Hibs made some enquiries - none were given any time of day at all, no deals were done, nothing was agreed, Petie didn't step in and ruin an agree deal. Still, it gave a large number of people something else to have a go at Hibs about when actually trying to get him back in the first place was an admirable thing to do.

There's also too much going on just now with groups and movements and buy out plans, none of which from what I can see offer anything but are quite obviously getting in the way of us all being able to get together and support the club.

As I said above though Hibs can sort that some of that now by taking a couple of quick and easy steps.

I'd much prefer not to be wasting all the fans money by funding a purchase of the club for no particular gain - much better to be provided comfort that we don't need to change the owership and maybe we can plough that cash if people have it available into improving the stuff that matters on the pitch.
Well, I've had some fairly feisty disagreements with you in the past, Andy, so I'll make a point of saying
:top marks to this post. The forum is close to being hijacked by ITK posers, ranting uberfans and attention seeking trolls.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Results Leeanne, thats all i care about and a little bit of entertainment.

Words are the easy part, promises we hear all the time.

Indeed. I couldnae give a flying one about smoke bombs, smokers getting out at ht for a fag and all the rest of the window dressing, performances on the pitch is all I'm interested in. Show a little patience just doesnae cut it any longer.

[silverhibee]

Well done in daring to come on here and face the Idiotic Mob.

I suggested previously that it would actually be counter-productive for Ms Dempster to read the constant stream of jibes and negativity on this baord and it looks like I was right.

I for one would be happy for her to stick to doing her job and leave her post count on here at 1. Please don't pay too much attention to the large number of idiots on here that are nothing but a constant background noise of negativity about everything Hibs.


To everybody in bold that I just mentioned, well done, you've achieved your stupid objective of bringing down everything and everybody related to Hibs. You've even managed to negatively affect the mood of our CEO, who is only trying to do the best for our Club. I hope you're all proud of yourselves this morning!!!!!

Idiot. :aok:

[WHUHibs]

Well, I've had some fairly feisty disagreements with you in the past, Andy, so I'll make a point of saying
:top marks to this post. The forum is close to being hijacked by ITK posers, ranting uberfans and attention seeking trolls.

A little unfair as you can choose to ignore the people you feel do that.

It's certainly a tough time to be a Hibby but it's something we are getting used to.. Wouldn't it be nice to have something to shout about..

[silverhibee]

Well, its very sad that it has come to this. I think as a support we now have to decide whether we can draw a line and move on on whether we want to continually discuss what has gone wrong, who is to blame and use that to cast a shadow on what is currently happening at the club and all those involved.

There are two simple things the club needs to do now though to allow this to happen:

1. Accept that the rights and wrongs of the Rod Petrie situation don't matter and that for the good of the club Rod should be stepping down as Chair and from the board. He can be 10 per cent shareholder all he likes - that's not important. To be accepted as a new start a new start actually has to take place at the highest level. It might just be perception but its very important just now.

2. Just let us know Sir Tom's long term plan for ownership. The club isn't openly for sale and any offer to change that has to be right. We get that and also that the recent meetings were as a resut of lots of approaches being made and the protests taking place. I, along with what lloks like the majority of people aren't bothered about owning a club, we want to watch one - but do we need to do something about it or will the club be safe in Sir Tom's family for example if he goes? Just let us know.


As fans we know we have an element of people who will want to noise up whatever we do - we have it even when we are doing well, but this obviously gets worse when the team isn't doing so well. I worry a wee bit about the fans representatives plan (of course you can't represent anyhting except the compnay once you get on) because I really dislike all this supportes association and fan rep thing - I think it creates a certain type of confrontational thing when rweally isn't it just a group of people who want to go and watch football? I can't be bothered with the politics but it seems a way for certain people to be able to get involved in that.

As for the football - Leeann, it's great that you are support the current set up and all seems to be getting put into place but you would have to admit that we've got things a bit wrong for this league. We've had years of getting lots of nice footballers who were too soft and that needed to change for this league. The young players we bring through ourselves are largely soft and have the wrong mentality. The players we have brought in haven't changed that very much. It takes time I know to change the squad when we have a lot of poor players still under contract. Still, one or two rugged players with character and heart were surely achievable?

That needs to be addressed in January and beyond. There has to be something made available to bring in a couple of experienced, tough professionals.

I've no doubt things are changing and there is lots to be worked on. I hope people stand back and let the club get on with it - but are we all willing to draw the line now?? At least where the off field work and the new staff are concerned?

Good to hear from you Andy. :aok:

[marinello59]

Brave post. I notice someone else on this thread quitting this board and I'm about to do the same. It's in danger of imploding due to the monopoly of posts by the same posters making the same negative points. I will be there on Saturdays but not on this forum. It's not representative, is a mouth piece for the few and is a component to the bad vibe at the moment. I get the feeling that it's not just me feeling this way.

Unfortunately a handful of loudmouths can make this place a pretty miserable experience for the majority at times. Why leave them to it though, better to keep posting and drown the irritating background noise out.

[Geo_1875]

Good point. I think people forget that she's only been in the job for just over 4 months. Leeann started at ER at the beginning of June (Monday 2nd IIRC), Stubbs was appointed on the 24th - ie. 3 weeks later. The entire playing, coaching and scouting structure has been totally changed during this period, hopefully setting a good foundation for the years to come.

It may seem like an eternity in internet forum land, but in the real world it's nothing at all.

That's all very well but we had a disastrous time last season in the premier league. We've shown no improvement on the park this season and are stuck in the middle of the championship. I'd have hoped that at least we would the best of the rest and easily looking at a play-off place for a quick return. We could be looking at long-term damage to the club if they don't concentrate on the football side. It is a football clubs only selling point after all.

[Bad Martini]

I think the OP deserves some credit for taking the time to come on and post here. Irrespective of whether you agree or disagree and/or like or dislike what was said, it's 100% more than Petrie has done in the last 10 years/ever.

We also need to avoid shooting the messenger and new incumbent for the last one's mistakes. At least for now.

Consider all those who wanted to ditch Ferguson at Man Utd in his first season. Bet they are glad they waited now?

That said, results do need to improve. Stubbs said as much and so has LD.

Now it NEEDS to happen.

:agree:

[bingo70]

I think the OP deserves some credit for taking the time to come on and post here. Irrespective of whether you agree or disagree and/or like or dislike what was said, it's 100% more than Petrie has done in the last 10 years/ever.

We also need to avoid shooting the messenger and new incumbent for the last one's mistakes. At least for now.

Consider all those who wanted to ditch Ferguson at Man Utd in his first season. Bet they are glad they waited now?

That said, results do need to improve. Stubbs said as much and so has LD.

Now it NEEDS to happen.

:agree:

It needed to happen after that semi final. It had to happen after that final. It had to happen after the malmo shambles and it had to happen in the summer.

Its NEEDED to happen for years so I think LD needs to appreciate although she thinks it's only been 4 months, it's actually been a lot more than that.

[Waxy]

Good to see this post. Seems to me now it's been too much to ask for promotion straight away(even though it could still happen).there just simply wasn't enough time to get it all together. Reckon we must bite the bullet and give the club some slack for a time.

[Beefster]

Her name's in the friggin title, but many posters still manage to spell it wrongly.

Says the man that can't even spell "ing" properly...!


I haven't posted on here for that reason - this sort of forum can be great but also very dangerous. People can laugh at that and the influence it can have, but I think it's true.

I've been on here arguing about stuff for years and its all been interesting, but, I think things have changed and it's not only because we aren't doing very well. Hibs have rarely done very well.

It's moved on to being an active campaign by some to be as damaging as possible. There's been the rise of the ITK stuff and people believing all of it. The vast majoirty of it is plain wrong or an incredibly one sided slant - it is breeding continuing negativity.

The Griffiths stuff is classic. All this chat about medicals and deals being done but changed - Petire getting involved. All total nonsense. Hibs made some enquiries - none were given any time of day at all, no deals were done, nothing was agreed, Petie didn't step in and ruin an agree deal. Still, it gave a large number of people something else to have a go at Hibs about when actually trying to get him back in the first place was an admirable thing to do.

There's also too much going on just now with groups and movements and buy out plans, none of which from what I can see offer anything but are quite obviously getting in the way of us all being able to get together and support the club.

As I said above though Hibs can sort that some of that now by taking a couple of quick and easy steps.

I'd much prefer not to be wasting all the fans money by funding a purchase of the club for no particular gain - much better to be provided comfort that we don't need to change the owership and maybe we can plough that cash if people have it available into improving the stuff that matters on the pitch.

Welcome back, Andy. I used to disagree with you every now and then. Not this time though. The amount of bull**** posted on here as fact is staggering. Folk are only too eager to believe it though.

[Greenblood70]

Fair play to LD for that - there are parts I agree and disagree with but they've been mostly covered elsewhere so I won't labour the points. I look forward to seeing the improvements take shape. I'm the same as most on here, I just want to see us winning football matches and the Boards outlook to be a lot more positive in getting us out of this terrible league...

[Sudds_1]

:agree: You'd think everything was rosy in the garden with the way some folk go on. This negativity that surrounds the club is not a new thing, its taken quite a while for the clubs owners and directors to take us to where we are right now.

There's been fans off their own backs protesting outside the main stand, and also organised protests too. We've been fighting relegation year after year until it eventually happened, and we have had to pay top dollar for that privilege,

Yet the support are not supposed to be unhappy or be negative? :rolleyes:

I personally think we as a support have not protested enough, and those in charge have got off lightly.

I'd bet my last penny that nobody that posts on this message board or goes to the games every week wants to be negative or boo the team off every week.

Indeed.......for the first time on Saturday I actually heard a few booing the team ON to the pitch........largely aimed at Robertson and Craig.

What chance do we have when folks go to a game with the sole intention of being negative before a ball is even kicked!
:confused:

[Pretty Boy]

Just a few points from me having had a chance to digest the post.

The number one aim at any football club has to be footballing success. Whatever is deemed success for any individual club has to be the goal. Given Hibs relative size to other teams in Scotland I would say top 6 pushing top 4 in the Preniership and conepting in the cups until quarter finals or beyond is pretty realistic. We've always been a club to throw up the odd brilliant high tempered with the inevitable lows.

From reading the statement and observing, from an outside viewpoint, what has gone on since preseason I can't help but wonder if there has perhaps been a stubborn refusal on the part of the board to deviate from a plan that was initiated when we were a Preniership club. I absolutely understand the need for various background changes that have taken place but I can't help feel some of them could perhaps have waited and the funds directed into improving the 1st team squad to get us back up asap. At the moment it seems we have a top class training facility, an expanding and exciting community football network, excellent player recruitment infastructure, an extensive and top level backroom team and a mediocre at best football team. That doesn't work for many fans; you can't gloat to fans of other clubs about an improved website and you don't toast the superb new under 9s team with a pint post game. Every scheme or initiative the club comes up with lives or dies by the results on the park. Get that right and all, or much of, the negativity disappears, little irritants such as flat lager in Behind the Goals remain little irritants rather than becoming festering sores.

No one would decry the CEO or board for trying to sort out the mess the club is in, although many of them are responsible fot making that mess in the 1st place. However the football team has to be the priority. The club has been a bit of a basket case for years yet we have still produced decent teams in that time, the key to those decent teams? Good managers and/or good players. Good players would thrive with our facilities, as it stands you could send many of our 1st team squad to train at the best facilities in the world and they would still not be good enough. We have a, imo, promising young manager. It's time to help him put a team on the park that the fans who have stuck with the club through thin and thinner lately deserve.

[matty_f]

I haven't posted on here for that reason - this sort of forum can be great but also very dangerous. People can laugh at that and the influence it can have, but I think it's true.

I've been on here arguing about stuff for years and its all been interesting, but, I think things have changed and it's not only because we aren't doing very well. Hibs have rarely done very well.

It's moved on to being an active campaign by some to be as damaging as possible. There's been the rise of the ITK stuff and people believing all of it. The vast majoirty of it is plain wrong or an incredibly one sided slant - it is breeding continuing negativity.

The Griffiths stuff is classic. All this chat about medicals and deals being done but changed - Petire getting involved. All total nonsense. Hibs made some enquiries - none were given any time of day at all, no deals were done, nothing was agreed, Petie didn't step in and ruin an agree deal. Still, it gave a large number of people something else to have a go at Hibs about when actually trying to get him back in the first place was an admirable thing to do.

There's also too much going on just now with groups and movements and buy out plans, none of which from what I can see offer anything but are quite obviously getting in the way of us all being able to get together and support the club.

As I said above though Hibs can sort that some of that now by taking a couple of quick and easy steps.

I'd much prefer not to be wasting all the fans money by funding a purchase of the club for no particular gain - much better to be provided comfort that we don't need to change the owership and maybe we can plough that cash if people have it available into improving the stuff that matters on the pitch.

First of all, welcome back Andy.

Secondly, that's a really good post (as was your first on this thread).

Watching and supporting Hibs is not fun at the moment, neither is discussing watching and supporting Hibs. I have become increasingly negative and disillusioned with what's going on - at least, what I see going on - and the frustrating thing is that the most compelling argument at the moment is the one that is highly critical of the club at this point in time.

It's been a long time coming, and I as much as anyone really, have given the benefit of the doubt and resisted the urge to only see the bleakest outcomes for the club, and it's not helped at all. It is increasingly difficult to find the positives and I guess other people posting on here feel the same.

That said, I completely agree with your assertion that at some point we as a support are going to have to take steps to stem the flow of abuse getting flung at the club - somebody posted (Meh, maybe?) a thread the other day pointing out that if you took the start of the season out of the equation, we're actually doing alright. Not good by any stretch of the imagination, but getting there. In fact, Stubbs' Manager of the Month award is testament to that theory. We need to be winning our home games but it won't just happen for us. Dumbarton gave us a good game in the cup, and got a 0-0 with the Yams (who have had a fantastic start).

We actually did enough to win the game if the ref gives the goal that we scored. As bad as Malonga's penalty was (and it was bad!) it crossed the line. That's all he needed to do. If you get the luck you deserve, he should have got a goal. Had the keeper been lucky enough for the ball to stay the right side of the line for him, he'd have deserved that. He didn't. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not after several years of decline), we'd probably cut the team a bit of slack for that. Instead folk are saying that we shouldn't even take it into consideration.

There is absolutely no quarter being given to the club at the moment. Nothing at all. In fact, going from Leeann's post, it would appear that even when we've not lost the game at the weekend, there are staff at the club (Leeann included) got it tight from a section of the support. I saw several offensive and abusive tweets aimed at the club's official twitter account after the result. And that's from its fans. The people who are supposed to back it.

I get the over-riding sense of frustration from Leeann's post at this negativity. As a result of the length of time it's taken to fall this low, very few fans are interested in the background stuff, or the fact that a decision and action taken now will improve things over the next however long. Most of us want that improvement now, on the pitch and tangibly evident with a regular 3 points. Leeann can't influence that now, she's got a manager in that she believes in, he's brought in the staff that he wants, the resources are there to train the players. That's Stubbs' job now.

The problem is that with every two step forwards, the one step back becomes a giant leap back because of the reaction to bad results etc. For each bad result there's an outpouring of anger and frustration. Then there's a willingness to only see the negatives because of that anger and frustration, so when someone says it's Petrie's fault that Griffiths never signed (it wasn't), or a fan had been approached to join the board, people believe it because why wouldn't they?

As a collective, we need to question and sense-check stories more before accepting them as fact. I also think we need to lay off abusing the club and especially the staff. We need to give them the time and backing to get it right. I'm not saying this is the fans' fault. We do have a role to play in getting the club back on an even keel again though.

That doesn't mean we need to accept things like Petrie remaining at the club, that situation needs to change asap as far as I'm concerned because that's a huge factor in the lack of willingness to give any concessions to the club when things go wrong, however we need to approach that in a coherent and constructive way. Flinging mud a the club and trying to derail things is counter-productive. We are better than that, we have to be.

[blackpoolhibs]

Did you think the improvement required at Hibs would happen immediately she and Stubbs came through the door?

I expect Hibs to be in the top division, now we find ourselves in the 2nd division i expect us to challenge for the title.

[Baldy Foghorn]

The clue is the bit,stf saved us,without that we wouldnt be here,its that simle.
Petrie is the issue with the club,not farmer

Farmer is allowing Petrie to be the issue at our Club....He is blindly loyal and that is detrimental at the moment....

[MrSmith]

Thanks for taking the time to post a response Leanne however, I will not accept mediocrity nor will I accept our position in the championship as some sort of start-stop season - it is nothing short of abysmal and is the reason I and probably a large percentage of fans will not return.

The state of the club, as a whole, is ridiculous and a laughing stock amongst all other Scottish teams again, I cannot accept this and if it is not stopped and put right instantly, then the absent fans will not return. I have better things to do a Saturday than waste nearly £125 on a Hibs game for my three kids and I.

So thanks but the reality is well and truly absent - delusional springs to mind - amongst those in charge at our once proud club.