Potential takeover/new investor?

[truehibernian]

We don't know whether Hibs have submitted the formal application yet.

My understanding is we have CWG

[CropleyWasGod]

My understanding is we have CWG

:aok:

[Mcbizz1998]

I think we’ve got to careful assuming that all these folk who are buying or investing in Hibs want the same thing as us, they probably don’t.

We want sporting success but they’ll want anything from something to make money from to something to use to massage their ego or to launder money through.

I’m afraid I just don’t get romantic about rich people getting involved in Scottish football clubs.

What money is spent on will relate to whatever the person putting the money in wants for their money.

I’d be interested to know how Foley would manage to make money out of Hibs without bringing some form of sporting success? And what exactly makes you think he is a money launderer?

[CropleyWasGod]

I’d be interested to know how Foley would manage to make money out of Hibs without bringing some form of sporting success?

Loans at interest rates above the market

Increasing the value of the assets underpinning his shareholding. (possibly financed by the above)

Neither of these depend on the team being any good.

[Unseen work]

I wish people would see the bigger picture here. Yes, first team investment will happen - but to augment that, bringing in better players will require better sports science, better medical, a fully functioning indoor full size pitch etc. Additionally being progressive the money will be channeled down all age groups and the Academy structure and have a community focus also. Please don’t let one bad defeat cloud judgement and see the far bigger picture here. It sounds a very carefully planned investment to me, which will absolutely focus on first team above all, but also have very progressive future planning. If given the green light of course. It’s very exciting.

People absolutely understand the bigger picture.

Just as they did when we built HTC and had the same idea about it attracting better players, improving players and helping us bring through better young players. Ultimately none of that has happened.

We already have better facilities than the vast majority of the league and it makes no difference.

Recruitment is, and will always be, the most important part of a football club and your success will depend on it.

Bringing better players in will require a bigger wage, not an indoor pitch or a good sports science team.

That’s just to get us ahead of the likes of Kilmarnock etc and actually regularly competing for 3rd which we rarely do.

Once we’re 3rd consistently we can then think what can we do to attract even better players here and try bridge the gap.

[Smartie]

I’d be interested to know how Foley would manage to make money out of Hibs without bringing some form of sporting success? And what exactly makes you think he is a money launderer?

Not saying I think he’s a money launderer but I just find it naive to expect Hibs’ on field success to be the top priority for these guys.

It’s most likely Bournemouth making them cash or the glory when they find themselves on the pitch after the Cherries win the FA cup or the like.

Hibs will fit into that master plan somewhere but I’d be amazed if our sporting success was anything more than a useful by product with other things being their main goals.

[truehibernian]

Loans at interest rates above the market

Increasing the value of the assets underpinning his shareholding. (possibly financed by the above)

Neither of these depend on the team being any good.

You make a good and valid point about assets CWG - I think that’s why there’s a real focus on HTC and further development there - by all accounts the first plan infrastructure wise is building an indoor facility for not only the club but for community use too.

[ScottB]

Not saying I think he’s a money launderer but I just find it naive to expect Hibs’ on field success to be the top priority for these guys.

It’s most likely Bournemouth making them cash or the glory when they find themselves on the pitch after the Cherries win the FA cup or the like.

Hibs will fit into that master plan somewhere but I’d be amazed if our sporting success was anything more than a useful by product with other things being their main goals.

The realistic best things we could achieve;

Cup win
Third place finish
Europa League / Conference Group

These things are worth a couple million quid. Spare change for Foley. That’d be like us being excited at earning a couple hundred quid on the side.

Funnelling players, cheaply, into teams where success could either generate real money, much larger transfers or status are where it’s at.

Of course if that works it should mean we get a decent calibre of player…

[Posh Swanny]

Not saying I think he’s a money launderer but I just find it naive to expect Hibs’ on field success to be the top priority for these guys.

It’s most likely Bournemouth making them cash or the glory when they find themselves on the pitch after the Cherries win the FA cup or the like.

Hibs will fit into that master plan somewhere but I’d be amazed if our sporting success was anything more than a useful by product with other things being their main goals.

That doesn’t tend to be how billionaire brains work. If it was, they’d be millionaires. They’ll want as much fortune AND glory as they can muster, and then go looking for more.

[flash]

Not saying I think he’s a money launderer but I just find it naive to expect Hibs’ on field success to be the top priority for these guys.

It’s most likely Bournemouth making them cash or the glory when they find themselves on the pitch after the Cherries win the FA cup or the like.

Hibs will fit into that master plan somewhere but I’d be amazed if our sporting success was anything more than a useful by product with other things being their main goals.

Jeez that's some first sentence there.

[WhileTheChief..]

If Foley has any sense he would go else where, no stability with us as people already shouting for Montys head, wanting new managers every couple of weeks paying compensation but then wanting to spend money on players , where do they get all this money to do everything.
Look how we treated Sir Tom Farmer who saved our club, we just wanted him to spend more and more, we need to raise more cash as fans if we want better as everyone just wants some one else to pay for it.

I am fed up watching Hibs get beat, and our team has not improved in the last 5 years but i think we need to take our medicine, recover, stop sacking managers and let him do his best, support him and if fails let him see out his contract but dont waste money we need for the recruitment. look at the gordons, they have spent more than most on hibs but buying poor players, more investment does not always mean better product

We need to sign quality, and strong players who can compete in Scottish football

rant over I apologise but hurting....

Yeah? Which cubs offer this stability you talk of?

There's not a fanbase in the country that doesn't want more from their team or more money spent on players.

Hibs are a cracking club for someone to buy into. Thankfully Foley recognises that and isn't looking to go elsewhere. That to me shows that he is sensible and I'm hugely excited at the prospect of his group coming in and fixing the problems that the Gordon's have overseen.

More investment almost always means a better product on the park. To suggest otherwise is bonkers. Just look at any thread discussing the Old Firm on here. We're forever reading that we can't compete because of the financial gap.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Yeah? Which cubs offer this stability you talk of?

There's not a fanbase in the country that doesn't want more from their team or more money spent on players.

Hibs are a cracking club for someone to buy into. Thankfully Foley recognises that and isn't looking to go elsewhere. That to me shows that he is sensible and I'm hugely excited at the prospect of his group coming in and fixing the problems that the Gordon's have overseen.

More investment almost always means a better product on the park. To suggest otherwise is bonkers. Just look at any thread discussing the Old Firm on here. We're forever reading that we can't compete because of the financial gap.

None really is the answer to your first question.

I worked out the amount of managers each team in Scotland has had over a fairly lengthy period and we were pretty much middle of the road. We’re not really any worse than others no matter how many times people declare that we ‘get what we deserve’ or that ‘managers would be crazy to come to Hibs’ etc.

Throw in the facilities and fan base we have and the idea buying Hibs is senseless is just nonsense.

[Alex Trager]

I think we’ve got to careful assuming that all these folk who are buying or investing in Hibs want the same thing as us, they probably don’t.

We want sporting success but they’ll want anything from something to make money from to something to use to massage their ego or to launder money through.

I’m afraid I just don’t get romantic about rich people getting involved in Scottish football clubs.

What money is spent on will relate to whatever the person putting the money in wants for their money.

That *should* free up money for us to spend on players though.

[jakedance]

Investment would be great but the club just needs better run. We have the support and income to be doing better than we are already but in my 30 odds years of going to games we’ve underperformed relative to our budget on all but a handful of seasons. I’ve never known us to punch consistently above our weight.

[Crazyhorse]

I wish people would see the bigger picture here. Yes, first team investment will happen - but to augment that, bringing in better players will require better sports science, better medical, a fully functioning indoor full size pitch etc. Additionally being progressive the money will be channeled down all age groups and the Academy structure and have a community focus also. Please don’t let one bad defeat cloud judgement and see the far bigger picture here. It sounds a very carefully planned investment to me, which will absolutely focus on first team above all, but also have very progressive future planning. If given the green light of course. It’s very exciting.

I hope you are right about all that.
A key requirement for the current team is investment in the right type of players.
We had a sprinkling of players in the team that came back and smashed the Sevco **** to win the cup who were tackling and driving the team on from the first minute until the last. This was epitomised by SDG who completely refused to accept they would lose the game.
If this investment can bring in players who have higher levels of ability and who have the character and commitment to fight to the end to ensure Hibs don’t lose on the pitch then we will rise above the mediocrity we have suffered for most of our lives following our club.
I’m willing to give this project a couple of seasons to see how this develops and then judge it.

[NAE NOOKIE]

When it comes to players, in the system these folk want to run the idea is I presume to take promising players and make them better, with the end game to have a handful of them make EPL standard, or at least to increase their value in the transfer market.

You will not be able to improve any player who has reached first team level by taking him and throwing him into a team packed with players at the same level or stage of their career. You need a stable core of players around any promising youngster in order for them to improve.

Unless you improve the standard of the whole squad, where a promising players mistakes can be covered for, all you do is destroy their confidence through playing in a team that loses more than it wins.

As for a full si2ed training facility: If you want to compete with our nearest rivals who can spend roughly the same on transfer fees and wages as us something like that could be a deal breaker ... better knowing you can train indoors at Hibs whenever you want when the weather is terrible than the thought of free2ing your nads off in Aberdeenshire or waiting for the Scotland women's Hockey team to finish training at Riccarton.

[greenlex]

People absolutely understand the bigger picture.

Just as they did when we built HTC and had the same idea about it attracting better players, improving players and helping us bring through better young players. Ultimately none of that has happened.

We already have better facilities than the vast majority of the league and it makes no difference.

Recruitment is, and will always be, the most important part of a football club and your success will depend on it.

Bringing better players in will require a bigger wage, not an indoor pitch or a good sports science team.

That’s just to get us ahead of the likes of Kilmarnock etc and actually regularly competing for 3rd which we rarely do.

Once we’re 3rd consistently we can then think what can we do to attract even better players here and try bridge the gap.
We hadn’t won the Scottish cup in a very long time pre training ground. We’ve also won a league cup at the same time it was opened. We have been to Hampden umpteen times for semi finals and finals since we opened it. These are our best chance possibly only chances of success. Could it be argued that the training centre had improved this? Our cup runs are as good if not better than anyone else outside the old firm over the time period.
6 cup finals in 16 years winning twice. No idea how many semis.

[Torto7]

Without a doubt the most depressing support in the world. A guy is going to initially invest millions in the club and folk are pissing and moaning about it. Even if he invests all of it in the training ground/stadium which isn't the case but say he does that still benefits us. Any investment is welcome as far as I'm concerned. :flag:
Hopefully Foley is reading the doom posting and wants to reward you guys to cheer you up a bit.:aok:

[Unseen work]

We hadn’t won the Scottish cup in a very long time pre training ground. We’ve also won a league cup at the same time it was opened. We have been to Hampden umpteen times for semi finals and finals since we opened it. These are our best chance possibly only chances of success. Could it be argued that the training centre had improved this? Our cup runs are as good if not better than anyone else outside the old firm over the time period.

All fair points.

St Johnstone have won 2 cups of late, one against us and have nowhere near the facilities.

One of the things HTC was meant to do was develop better players, since then we’ve had Porteous, Campbell and Doig (I know some will argue he came through at hearts).

Probably nowhere near enough, our ‘golden generation’ never had anywhere near the facilities.

Now on the Scottish cup and subsequent teams I would argue that was done through fantastic recruitment - the squad we assembled in the championship and when we were promoted is far better than anything we have now.

Did we get those players because of HTC? Maybe, but why have we not got those calibre of players since?

I honestly believe we have everything in place already to get a squad at least capable of 3/4 every season.

The issue for me, especially since Ross left, has been absolutely awful recruitment - we can have the best facilities in the world but if someone looks at Bojang from Rsinbow FC and thinks he’s a player we’ll never improve.

[truehibernian]

Without a doubt the most depressing support in the world. A guy is going to initially invest millions in the club and folk are pissing and moaning about it. Even if he invests all of it in the training ground/stadium which isn't the case but say he does that still benefits us. Any investment is welcome as far as I'm concerned. :flag:
Hopefully Foley is reading the doom posting and wants to reward you guys to cheer you up a bit.:aok:

If and when it happens Torto it’s exciting for every area of the football club across all levels, men’s, youths, and women’s game included.

[Joe6-2]

Presentation has been made mate and from what I heard it was received positively- no idea on a decision date sadly.

Please tell me this is fact

[Real Emerald]

We hadn’t won the Scottish cup in a very long time pre training ground. We’ve also won a league cup at the same time it was opened. We have been to Hampden umpteen times for semi finals and finals since we opened it. These are our best chance possibly only chances of success. Could it be argued that the training centre had improved this? Our cup runs are as good if not better than anyone else outside the old firm over the time period.
6 cup finals in 16 years winning twice. No idea how many semis.

I agree TBH, I think the bitterness of a derby defeat was clouding my judgement the other night. Any investment in the club is hugely welcomed. 👍🇳🇬

[JohnM1875]

We hadn’t won the Scottish cup in a very long time pre training ground. We’ve also won a league cup at the same time it was opened. We have been to Hampden umpteen times for semi finals and finals since we opened it. These are our best chance possibly only chances of success. Could it be argued that the training centre had improved this? Our cup runs are as good if not better than anyone else outside the old firm over the time period.
6 cup finals in 16 years winning twice. No idea how many semis.

To be fair, that might well be a fair point. We’ve had a ridiculous Hampden trip rate the past 20 or so years. Shame about the ****ty finals we’ve lost, at least two shockers.

But it is a good point about Hampden trips.

[CropleyWasGod]

Please tell me this is fact

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/club-statement-scottish-fa-board-meeting

[greenginger]

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/club-statement-scottish-fa-board-meeting

Can anyone post a copy of said article 13

[scoopyboy]

Can anyone post a copy of said article 13

There you go mate

13. DUAL INTERESTS IN CLUBS
13.1 Except with the prior written consent of the Board:-
(a) no club or nominee of a club; and
(b) no person, whether absolutely or as a trustee, either alone or in conjunction with one or more
associates or solely through an associate or associates (even where such person has no formal
interest), who:-
(i) is a member of a club; or
(ii) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club; or
(iii) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of a club,
may at the same time either directly or indirectly:-
(a) be a member of another club; or
(b) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of another club; or
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION 69
(c) have any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of another club.
13.2 Except with the prior written consent of the Board, any person who (i) is a member of a club, (ii) is involved
in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club or (iii) has any power
whatsoever to influence the management or administration of a club may not take up any such role with
another club until such time as the Scottish FA is reasonably satisfied that such person has ceased to hold
such role in the first club. If this would require the relevant person to transfer his shares in the first club, the
Scottish FA must be reasonably satisfied that the share transfer has been completed and that the shares
have not been transferred to an associate. The criteria for assessing whether the position is satisfactory
or not shall include provision to the Scottish FA of (a) a certified true copy of the register of members
of the first club showing that the relevant person is no longer a member and that the shares have not
been transferred to a person who is an associate and (b) a certificate from the secretary of the first club
confirming that the procedures applied in the transfer of the shares by the person to whom this Article 13.2
applies complies with such club’s constitution in all respects.
The Scottish FA must be reasonably satisfied about the transfer of his shares in the first club before such
person can take up any such role at another club. The relevant person shall only be entitled to take up
any of the aforementioned roles at another club prior to the transfer of his shares in the first club if the
Scottish FA is reasonably satisfied that the shares have been placed into an irrevocable trust of which
neither he nor any of his associates is a beneficiary and that he cannot exercise any rights or be entitled to
any privileges in respect of such shares.
13.3 Without prejudice to the foregoing, (i) any club or nominee of a club and (ii) any person who (a) is a
member of a club, (b) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a
club, or (c) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of a club is required
to notify the Board in writing within 7 days of any event which results, or would result, in it/him being entitled
to hold or own, or its/his acquisition or dealing with, securities or shares in excess of 3% of the issued share
capital of another club or the holding company of such club. This Article 13.3 is not to be construed as
excluding from the ambit of Article 13.1 any holding by a club or a person to whom such Article applies of
shares equal to or less than 3% of the issued share capital of another club or the holding company of such
club.
13.4 The Scottish FA is authorised to request full disclosure of the identity of all of the shareholders of a member
and details of all beneficial interests represented by any such shareholder and all members and other
relevant persons under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA will be required to meet all such requests without
delay. Failure to do so will constitute a breach of these Articles and the Judicial Panel will have jurisdiction
to deal with any such breach and to impose sanctions in relation to it.
13.5 For the purposes of this Article 13:-
(a) “club” means any club in membership of the Scottish FA and any club in membership of an
association in membership of UEFA;
(b) “person” includes any body corporate and a partnership;
(c) “associate” means:-
(i) if the person referred to is an individual, (1) a close relative of that individual, including
that individual’s spouse, common law spouse, civil partner, parent, step parent, child,
stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece, or a child or stepchild of such parent or spouse,
common law spouse or civil partner or anyone else of a close relationship to that
individual who in the opinion of the Board is or is likely to be acting in conjunction with that
individual, (2) any company of which that individual or a close relative of such individual is
a director or over which that individual or a close relative of such individual is able to
exercise control or influence, and (3) any individual who is an employee or partner of that
individual or a close relative of any such employee or partner; and
(ii) if the person referred to or any associate of that person is a body corporate, (1) any
other bodycorporate associated with it either through the holding of shares in it or by
reason of control by contract or other form of agreement, (2) any director or employee of
that body corporate or other associated body corporate or any close relative of any such
70
director or employee, and (3) where any person has an agreement or arrangement,
whether legally binding or not, with any other person in relation to the exercise of his
voting power in a club or in relation to the holding or disposal of his interest in such club,
that other person; and
(d) “member” means involvement directly or indirectly (and whether as principal, trustee, nominee,
beneficiary or in any other capacity) in a club as a shareholder, holder of options over any
share, holder of convertible loans or securities or any like instrument, member of a company
limited by guarantee, the holder of an interest in any unincorporated voluntary association, or as
possessor of any other right of ownership or control in relation to a club.
13.6 In considering whether to give any such consent as may be required by this Article 13, the Board shall have
regard to the need to promote and safeguard the interests and public profile of Association Football, its
players, spectators and others concerned with the game and shall have regard also to these Articles,
the rules and regulations of the Scottish FA and to the constitution and rules of those bodies of which the
Scottish FA is in membership and, accordingly, any such consent shall be subject to such conditions as the
Board shall consider appropriate in all the circumstances.

[greenginger]

All encompassing article ( unlucky for some 13)

[supershotmo]

Mick Ashley owned Newcastle and had a stake in Rangers. Desmond of Celtic has a 25% stake in Shamrock Rovers. If we get knocked back it will just prove how corrupt our game is.

[bod]

What about mad vlad ? Did he nor own Kaunas & some other team ?

[Hibiza]

There you go mate

13. DUAL INTERESTS IN CLUBS
13.1 Except with the prior written consent of the Board:-
(a) no club or nominee of a club; and
(b) no person, whether absolutely or as a trustee, either alone or in conjunction with one or more
associates or solely through an associate or associates (even where such person has no formal
interest), who:-
(i) is a member of a club; or
(ii) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club; or
(iii) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of a club,
may at the same time either directly or indirectly:-
(a) be a member of another club; or
(b) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of another club; or
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION 69
(c) have any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of another club.
13.2 Except with the prior written consent of the Board, any person who (i) is a member of a club, (ii) is involved
in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club or (iii) has any power
whatsoever to influence the management or administration of a club may not take up any such role with
another club until such time as the Scottish FA is reasonably satisfied that such person has ceased to hold
such role in the first club. If this would require the relevant person to transfer his shares in the first club, the
Scottish FA must be reasonably satisfied that the share transfer has been completed and that the shares
have not been transferred to an associate. The criteria for assessing whether the position is satisfactory
or not shall include provision to the Scottish FA of (a) a certified true copy of the register of members
of the first club showing that the relevant person is no longer a member and that the shares have not
been transferred to a person who is an associate and (b) a certificate from the secretary of the first club
confirming that the procedures applied in the transfer of the shares by the person to whom this Article 13.2
applies complies with such club’s constitution in all respects.
The Scottish FA must be reasonably satisfied about the transfer of his shares in the first club before such
person can take up any such role at another club. The relevant person shall only be entitled to take up
any of the aforementioned roles at another club prior to the transfer of his shares in the first club if the
Scottish FA is reasonably satisfied that the shares have been placed into an irrevocable trust of which
neither he nor any of his associates is a beneficiary and that he cannot exercise any rights or be entitled to
any privileges in respect of such shares.
13.3 Without prejudice to the foregoing, (i) any club or nominee of a club and (ii) any person who (a) is a
member of a club, (b) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a
club, or (c) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of a club is required
to notify the Board in writing within 7 days of any event which results, or would result, in it/him being entitled
to hold or own, or its/his acquisition or dealing with, securities or shares in excess of 3% of the issued share
capital of another club or the holding company of such club. This Article 13.3 is not to be construed as
excluding from the ambit of Article 13.1 any holding by a club or a person to whom such Article applies of
shares equal to or less than 3% of the issued share capital of another club or the holding company of such
club.
13.4 The Scottish FA is authorised to request full disclosure of the identity of all of the shareholders of a member
and details of all beneficial interests represented by any such shareholder and all members and other
relevant persons under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA will be required to meet all such requests without
delay. Failure to do so will constitute a breach of these Articles and the Judicial Panel will have jurisdiction
to deal with any such breach and to impose sanctions in relation to it.
13.5 For the purposes of this Article 13:-
(a) “club” means any club in membership of the Scottish FA and any club in membership of an
association in membership of UEFA;
(b) “person” includes any body corporate and a partnership;
(c) “associate” means:-
(i) if the person referred to is an individual, (1) a close relative of that individual, including
that individual’s spouse, common law spouse, civil partner, parent, step parent, child,
stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece, or a child or stepchild of such parent or spouse,
common law spouse or civil partner or anyone else of a close relationship to that
individual who in the opinion of the Board is or is likely to be acting in conjunction with that
individual, (2) any company of which that individual or a close relative of such individual is
a director or over which that individual or a close relative of such individual is able to
exercise control or influence, and (3) any individual who is an employee or partner of that
individual or a close relative of any such employee or partner; and
(ii) if the person referred to or any associate of that person is a body corporate, (1) any
other bodycorporate associated with it either through the holding of shares in it or by
reason of control by contract or other form of agreement, (2) any director or employee of
that body corporate or other associated body corporate or any close relative of any such
70
director or employee, and (3) where any person has an agreement or arrangement,
whether legally binding or not, with any other person in relation to the exercise of his
voting power in a club or in relation to the holding or disposal of his interest in such club,
that other person; and
(d) “member” means involvement directly or indirectly (and whether as principal, trustee, nominee,
beneficiary or in any other capacity) in a club as a shareholder, holder of options over any
share, holder of convertible loans or securities or any like instrument, member of a company
limited by guarantee, the holder of an interest in any unincorporated voluntary association, or as
possessor of any other right of ownership or control in relation to a club.
13.6 In considering whether to give any such consent as may be required by this Article 13, the Board shall have
regard to the need to promote and safeguard the interests and public profile of Association Football, its
players, spectators and others concerned with the game and shall have regard also to these Articles,
the rules and regulations of the Scottish FA and to the constitution and rules of those bodies of which the
Scottish FA is in membership and, accordingly, any such consent shall be subject to such conditions as the
Board shall consider appropriate in all the circumstances.
👍

[greenginger]

What about mad vlad ? Did he nor own Kaunas & some other team ?

And Dynamo Minsk.

Don’t know if this rule was in place back then

[bingo70]

And Dynamo Minsk.

Don’t know if this rule was in place back then

Rule was possibly put in place to protect clubs from people like him?

[Hibs4185]

I posted a few years ago about a promising youngster who lived in Edinburgh. His dad was a mad Jambo. His son had the choice of hearts, Hibs and rangers.

Didn’t want hearts because they were too strict and his son hated it. The choice was between rangers and Hibs.

Hibs had good facilities and his son loved playing for Hibs but eventually they settled for rangers because the kids were treated like pro’s and were given nutritional meals on the players canteen.

They chose to drive through to Glasgow nearly every day.

Last week I was chatting to my joiner who is a youth football coach in the Borders. He’s a rangers supporter and his lad has the choice of who to play for and he is choosing Hibs because just like rangers they now offer the kids meals and the setup is incredible at HTC he said.

My point is, having the best possible setup at HTC and being a higher standard than our rivals, means parents will choose us over the competitors, which in theory should mean more promising talent on the pitch.

The majority of parents put their kids needs first when choosing a club instead of who they support so spending money on HTC and having the best facilities in Scotland is a priority.

[Joe6-2]

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/club-statement-scottish-fa-board-meeting

Thank you, formal request still to be submitted

[Joe6-2]

And Dynamo Minsk.

Don’t know if this rule was in place back then

Or put in place because of him!!

[BoomtownHibees]

Thank you, formal request still to be submitted

That article was from 14th December. We don’t know if the formal request has been submitted yet or not

[CropleyWasGod]

Thank you, formal request still to be submitted

According to another poster on here, it has been now.

[Joe6-2]

That article was from 14th December. We don’t know if the formal request has been submitted yet or not

I know, just quoting from statement

[Ozyhibby]

Rule was possibly put in place to protect clubs from people like him?

The rule was to hold back Ashley when the **** wanted King.


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[Jack]

What about mad vlad ? Did he nor own Kaunas & some other team ?

I'm thinking there was a time when Mad Vlad was told only one club so son of Mad Vlad became their "owner".

[scoopyboy]

According to another poster on here, it has been now.

I would like to think so CWG.

They've had since December 14th to submit it, in all honesty they should really have it pretty much done before the SFA meeting.

I would think speed is of the essence from Hibs point of view.

[GloryGlory]

I would like to think so CWG.

They've had since December 14th to submit it, in all honesty they should really have it pretty much done before the SFA meeting.

I would think speed is of the essence from Hibs point of view.

I would hope the December 14 meeting was about putting the outline details to the SFA and the SFA would then ask for more details in particular areas to be submitted, plus any other information that Hibs hadn't already touched on. So as you say, Hibs should be able to move forward quickly in making a full submission that covers all the areas that the SFA want to know about. The SFA should also have indicated whether they found the broad outline of the proposal acceptable or whether they required any adjustments to particular aspects, again something that Hibs should have already worked up.

[Brightside]

My understanding is we have CWG

There is a lot more to be done post initial meetings. Not expecting a sign off any time soon.

[Not In The Know]

This transfer window they have to act like it has.

[gorgie greens]

There is a lot more to be done post initial meetings. Not expecting a sign off any time soon.

My understanding is that Hibs had met with the beaks the week before in an informal meeting and they were told that in principle the beaks could see no reason to not approve the rule change but it would have to be done formally and from what I was told that was done on the 14th .
Unsure of time scale but due to the time of year or maybe Hibs were told that they may have had to adjust the wording on the request but one thing for sure is we need it done this window

[Brightside]

My understanding is that Hibs had met with the beaks the week before in an informal meeting and they were told that in principle the beaks could see no reason to not approve the rule change but it would have to be done formally and from what I was told that was done on the 14th .
Unsure of time scale but due to the time of year or maybe Hibs were told that they may have had to adjust the wording on the request but one thing for sure is we need it done this window

I wouldt expect anything formal in this window. It’s a lot more than rewording.

[ekhibee]

I posted a few years ago about a promising youngster who lived in Edinburgh. His dad was a mad Jambo. His son had the choice of hearts, Hibs and rangers.

Didn’t want hearts because they were too strict and his son hated it. The choice was between rangers and Hibs.

Hibs had good facilities and his son loved playing for Hibs but eventually they settled for rangers because the kids were treated like pro’s and were given nutritional meals on the players canteen.

They chose to drive through to Glasgow nearly every day.

Last week I was chatting to my joiner who is a youth football coach in the Borders. He’s a rangers supporter and his lad has the choice of who to play for and he is choosing Hibs because just like rangers they now offer the kids meals and the setup is incredible at HTC he said.

My point is, having the best possible setup at HTC and being a higher standard than our rivals, means parents will choose us over the competitors, which in theory should mean more promising talent on the pitch.

The majority of parents put their kids needs first when choosing a club instead of who they support so spending money on HTC and having the best facilities in Scotland is a priority.

I know what you're trying to say, but when the East Mains trainig centre opened the same argument could easily have been made at the time, the only one that arguably came close to it was Murray Park and I don't think Celtic even had one at the time, great new state of the art facility, but it doesn't seem to have had the effect then that you're talking about so not sure why now would be any different? Hope I'm wrong though.

[ancient hibee]

My understanding is that Hibs had met with the beaks the week before in an informal meeting and they were told that in principle the beaks could see no reason to not approve the rule change but it would have to be done formally and from what I was told that was done on the 14th .
Unsure of time scale but due to the time of year or maybe Hibs were told that they may have had to adjust the wording on the request but one thing for sure is we need it done this window

The meeting on the 14th WAs the informal meeting and as the statement says the next step is a formal submission.

[BegbieHSC]

Does the Hearts ******* not have to sign off in it as well at the board meeting?
I don’t think they can justify rejecting it, but if they can delay, they absolutely will

[GloryGlory]

Does the Hearts ******* not have to sign off in it as well at the board meeting?
I don’t think they can justify rejecting it, but if they can delay, they absolutely will

He may have a personal opinion that he doesn't like it, but as an SFA official he is duty bound to apply the rules of the association. So if Hibs application complies with the rules...

[Hibernian Verse]

Does the Hearts ******* not have to sign off in it as well at the board meeting?
I don’t think they can justify rejecting it, but if they can delay, they absolutely will

His interview was taken completely out of context by the BBC and the Twitter mafia, he will sign off on it as he has to. It doesn’t break any rules.

[Hibees1973]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

[greenlex]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.
Barring the odd exception it’s been a revolving door for as long as I’ve been a fan and that’s been the best part of 50 years.

[CapitalGreen]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

It’s how it was before they appeared too.

[Mcbizz1998]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.


Yeah let’s just plod along with the mediocrity we have all become accustomed to.

[RMQ1967]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

Thankfully the people looking after the understand that every club has a revolving door of players. Look no further than selik to see how successful that policy can be with the right players coming and going.

You've no idea what affinity the Gordons & BK have with Hibs but I'd suggest the fact that they're building us into one of the best run clubs in the country means they crave success as much as any fan.

Would you rather we stumbled along as we have for the past 100 years with no big investment and little hope of winning anything?

[Blaster]

Yeah let’s just plod along with the mediocrity we have all become accustomed to.

That’s my view too mate. I’ll take the gamble

[Hibs4185]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

Glass half full and all that, you must be a hoot

[Torto7]

I think football's about to change again. Brighton have shown a way of competing whilst not spending the insane amounts other Prem League clubs do. Also South American players are now available to UK clubs in numbers they haven't been before with the current Immigration laws. Owning a club in Scotland and turning it into a Portugal style league full of prospects owned by Prem League clubs might be a reality soon.

[h1bee89]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

For me having an affinity to Hibs isn't necessarily a pre-requisite for owning Hibs. Whatever Foley wants to achieve he will want a successful Hibs as part of his group. AFAIK, the 2 snippets of concrete information that have come from Foley are that 1) he sees a modest investment getting a team like Hibs to regularly finish third and 2) that we may take on loans to improve players with the aim of them being good enough for Bournemouth in the EPL. Clearly finishing third regularly would be :aok: and I'm sure he would want to send promising youngsters to a club that's doing well with good players around them.

Scepticism is probably normal in this situation but Hibs and Scottish football is a dull place right now. Might go belly up but bring it on, it's something different!

[Jones28]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

The last time we had continuity was under Petrie and STF, a lot of good things happened yes but we were mediocre on the park for long periods.

Even our successful period which climaxed with the league cup in 2007 was only about 2 years long.

We have never been a sustained success under the current model, so what’s next?

[Lago]

:top marks
Thankfully the people looking after the understand that every club has a revolving door of players. Look no further than selik to see how successful that policy can be with the right players coming and going.

You've no idea what affinity the Gordons & BK have with Hibs but I'd suggest the fact that they're building us into one of the best run clubs in the country means they crave success as much as any fan.

Would you rather we stumbled along as we have for the past 100 years with no big investment and little hope of winning anything?

[rowan3633]

the only players that hang around for years are the ones that nobody else wants or have reached their level

having access to one or two players per season that we cannot afford ourselves could be the difference we need to finish 3rd or higher and maybe win a cup or two, why would we turn that down

[Lago]

Yeah let’s just plod along with the mediocrity we have all become accustomed to.
Plod, perfect word to use.

[bingo70]

Yeah let’s just plod along with the mediocrity we have all become accustomed to.

When we go 5 nil up against Hearts at Tynecastle I will care not a jot that the £5m South American wonderkid we’ve got might be replaced with another one in a years time 😃

[GonzoReturns]

When we go 5 nil up against Hearts at Tynecastle I will care not a jot that the £5m South American wonderkid we’ve got might be replaced with another one in a years time 😃

👍👍👍

[Hibs4185]

Hanlon - Hang around for years
McGinn - 2/3 years then sold to EPL

Know how I’d rather watch every week

[HFC93]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

Are there many clubs who aren't a revolving door for players these days?

[LeithMike]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

Good to see this view expressed. I’m not sure but this is definitely a valid concern.

We had been a revolving door of short-term loan players before Dempster and Stubbs came in and they put together a core of young home-based players with a good pedigree and character on contracts for 3-4 years supplemented elsewhere with more experience and limited loans.

The key seemed to be to put in place a core of a team who wanted to be with the club long-term and cared about it. Obviously McGinn outgrew the club but it wasn’t necessarily the case he would have moved on had he not become so damn good.

We’ve moved away from that model under the Gordons to buying in players with a view to selling them on for profit and you don’t get the feeling there is the same passion for the club as before on the playing side.

I’m not sure about Foley and think clubs should really just spend what they generate in income.

I am hoping BM and NM will have control over transfers and get players who want to play for the club and not just view it as a brief stepping stone regardless of the money spent and not too keen on us being some sort of feeder club.


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[Hibbyradge]

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

Since Bosman.

[007]

The more I read about this minority share Foley is taking in Hibs the more I don't like it.

I don't like my club being fitted into Foley's structure.

There should be more concern on here that this deal is being brokered by The Gordon's and Kensell who have no affinity to Hibs and have only been in the door a couple of years. Foley certainly does not have any feeling for Hibs.

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

What owners of Hibs have had any affinity with the club when they took over?

[CentreLine]

What owners of Hibs have had any affinity with the club when they took over?

Probably the last genuine one would be Tom Hart.
Unfortunately Duff and Gray were more recent and had an affinity though.
Tom Farmer had a family history in the club and a philanthropic outlook generally but is well documented as having no personal interest in football

[CentreLine]

*Tom

Fat fingers. I’ll change it now 😖

[Hibbyradge]

Fat fingers. I’ll change it now 😖

I deleted 👍

[matty_f]

From what I gather, Bournemouth are planning on getting a £5-6m "wonderkid" and want to send him here for the rest of the season/year (depending on how you interpret Foley's statement).

Have we ever had a £5m player on our books?

Brown and McGinn both left for less than that and were the best player in our team when they went.

If we're getting one of two of those on loan and funding to bring in another one or two, potentially, and that pushes is into Europe and significantly higher turnover to support us bringing in better players... How is that a bad thing?

[neil7908]

From what I gather, Bournemouth are planning on getting a £5-6m "wonderkid" and want to send him here for the rest of the season/year (depending on how you interpret Foley's statement).

Have we ever had a £5m player on our books?

Brown and McGinn both left for less than that and were the best player in our team when they went.

If we're getting one of two of those on loan and funding to bring in another one or two, potentially, and that pushes is into Europe and significantly higher turnover to support us bringing in better players... How is that a bad thing?

I was (and to some extent, still remain) a sceptical about the Foley deal but the more I hear, the less concerned I am.

Right now Hibs are, according to rumours, looking at a young defender playing for Leeds reserves. This is where we and the rest of Scottish football outwith the OF are on the ladder. If Foley can help us bring in a guy who's worth £5m being linked to some of the biggest clubs in world football then we are clearly looking at a significant upgrade on what we can currently afford.

As long as we maintain our independence, which the mooted 25% stake certainly suggests, I am increasingly being won over. Bournemouth are flying with much larger investment than I realised initially.

I still have reservations about the group structure and keeping our identity but this guy that is being suggested on loan is exactly the kind of player that is going to win me over - someone we'd never have a hope in hell of signing.

[Forza Fred]

As I have pondered often…we can either accept Foley’s investment or decide not to.

Nobody can be sure where it ultimately leads to if we DO accept it.

What we CAN be sure of though, is that if we just continue with the way we operate just now, then we will continue to be a mid table team in a comparative backwater league, where our main ambition will continue to be scraping into the qualifying rounds of the lesser European Competitions….where we will quickly be despatched from.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

[Scotty Leither]

From what I gather, Bournemouth are planning on getting a £5-6m "wonderkid" and want to send him here for the rest of the season/year (depending on how you interpret Foley's statement).

Have we ever had a £5m player on our books?

Brown and McGinn both left for less than that and were the best player in our team when they went.

If we're getting one of two of those on loan and funding to bring in another one or two, potentially, and that pushes is into Europe and significantly higher turnover to support us bringing in better players... How is that a bad thing?

As far as I can gather, the Ecuadorian that’s signing for Bournemouth may be earmarked as going on loan to Hibs, despite (allegedly) being on the radar of the OF.

Hopefully if that’s the model going forward, then anything that pisses them two off is a welcome by-product of the investment in my book.

[CentreLine]

I deleted 👍

Cheers range. I actually don’t mind people see I have fat fingers. It why I find my messages often say “fir” instead of “for”. Somehow the “i” gets in the way of the “o”. Can get me in to trouble sometimes thoug. Simple things like someone “going for a shot” can be badly misinterpreted 🤣😖

[jakeshibs]

Thankfully the people looking after the understand that every club has a revolving door of players. Look no further than selik to see how successful that policy can be with the right players coming and going.

You've no idea what affinity the Gordons & BK have with Hibs but I'd suggest the fact that they're building us into one of the best run clubs in the country means they crave success as much as any fan.

Would you rather we stumbled along as we have for the past 100 years with no big investment and little hope of winning anything?

well said

[Jack]

From what I gather, Bournemouth are planning on getting a £5-6m "wonderkid" and want to send him here for the rest of the season/year (depending on how you interpret Foley's statement).

Have we ever had a £5m player on our books?

Brown and McGinn both left for less than that and were the best player in our team when they went.

If we're getting one of two of those on loan and funding to bring in another one or two, potentially, and that pushes is into Europe and significantly higher turnover to support us bringing in better players... How is that a bad thing?

€3m according to Transfermarkt. Someone is hyping up the valuation in a sevcovian sort of way 😆

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oscar-zambrano/profil/spieler/893658

[Chorley Hibee]

€3m according to Transfermarkt. Someone is hyping up the valuation in a sevcovian sort of way 😆

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oscar-zambrano/profil/spieler/893658

I've no idea why so many people put their faith in that website when, in general, it's just littered with a collection of fantasy figures.

[HIBS NUTS]

It appears that foley has recently created 67 million new £1 shares, in Bournemouth so that they can invest this new money, in the transfer window.
I really don’t know what to make of this, as long as Bournemouth are doing well, it’s great, although they do seem to be carrying a prevous debt over of £182 million.
Can someone with a better knowledge of football debt enlighten me.
I would imagine if one of his teams went bankrupt, it wouldn’t affect the others.
Im not trying to be controversial, just interested.

[CapitalGreen]

It appears that foley has recently created 67 million new £1 shares, in Bournemouth so that they can invest this new money, in the transfer window.
I really don’t know what to make of this, as long as Bournemouth are doing well, it’s great, although they do seem to be carrying a prevous debt over of £182 million.
Can someone with a better knowledge of football debt enlighten me.
I would imagine if one of his teams went bankrupt, it wouldn’t affect the others.
Im not trying to be controversial, just interested.

Has it been confirmed somewhere that this is what it is to be used for?

[CropleyWasGod]

It appears that foley has recently created 67 million new £1 shares, in Bournemouth so that they can invest this new money, in the transfer window.
I really don’t know what to make of this, as long as Bournemouth are doing well, it’s great, although they do seem to be carrying a prevous debt over of £182 million.
Can someone with a better knowledge of football debt enlighten me.
I would imagine if one of his teams went bankrupt, it wouldn’t affect the others.
Im not trying to be controversial, just interested.

On the first highlighted point, not sure that's the reason.

Bournemouth have a loan from Foley's company, for £89m. I reckon this share issue is to partly repay that.

As for the second point, that would depend on how closely the teams were linked, financially. If, for example, AFCB went into liquidation and we owed them £xm, that would be repayable almost immediately. That would sting. However, (and this is just a guess, since no-one on here seems to know), I reckon any loans to Hibs would be from Foley's own company, as it is with AFCB.

[Ralphy C]

Cheers range. I actually don’t mind people see I have fat fingers. It why I find my messages often say “fir” instead of “for”. Somehow the “i” gets in the way of the “o”. Can get me in to trouble sometimes thoug. Simple things like someone “going for a shot” can be badly misinterpreted 🤣😖
Radge to Range, thems fat fingers.:agree:

[Paul1642]

As I have pondered often…we can either accept Foley’s investment or decide not to.

Nobody can be sure where it ultimately leads to if we DO accept it.

What we CAN be sure of though, is that if we just continue with the way we operate just now, then we will continue to be a mid table team in a comparative backwater league, where our main ambition will continue to be scraping into the qualifying rounds of the lesser European Competitions….where we will quickly be despatched from.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Yep. We have been financially cautious for a very long time and won a leauge cup and a a Scottish cup in the last 30 years along with I think 3 or 4 3rd place finishes.

Meanwhile Hearts and Rangers outspent us with money in they didn’t have and had more success as a result, and when it all came crushing down they bounced right back to where they were and continue to outspend us.

Time for us to take a risk rather than sit as the 5th best team in Scotland for another 30 years.

[Silky]

Seems the club is going to be a revolving door of players coming and going with very little continuity. Mind you, this is how it's been since The Gordon's & Kensell appeared at the club.

That's not true, though. According to many on here, the same players have got countless managers sacked. That's not a revolving door. There have also been threads berating the club for signing players on long contracts who we can't get shot of.

The only revolving door imo is installed in the managers office.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I've no idea why so many people put their faith in that website when, in general, it's just littered with a collection of fantasy figures.

I've been thinking that myself over the last few days.

[davhibby]

€3m according to Transfermarkt. Someone is hyping up the valuation in a sevcovian sort of way 😆

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oscar-zambrano/profil/spieler/893658

That’s a valuation on a we. The 5/6 million is the quoted fee that Bournemouth will be paying, therefore that’s what he will be worth

[CentreLine]

Radge to Range, thems fat fingers.:agree:

🫣 just not my day. Think I’m the victim of autocorrect on this occasion. Och well me and my fat fingers will just have to suck it up and be grateful for the understanding of my Hibs.net compatriots. Happy New Year all 🫶🏻

[gorgie greens]

Read somewhere that the deal could be rubber stamped this week in Glasgow, anyone able to shed any light on this .
Been looking for this but can't find it anywhere

[NAE NOOKIE]

On the first highlighted point, not sure that's the reason.

Bournemouth have a loan from Foley's company, for £89m. I reckon this share issue is to partly repay that.

As for the second point, that would depend on how closely the teams were linked, financially. If, for example, AFCB went into liquidation and we owed them £xm, that would be repayable almost immediately. That would sting. However, (and this is just a guess, since no-one on here seems to know), I reckon any loans to Hibs would be from Foley's own company, as it is with AFCB.

This is the scary part of becoming involved with folk like Foley. What is the end game here for him or the Black Knights group?

If his company are loaning massive amounts of money to clubs in the group, how do they expect to make a profit in the end? And if it's not about profit, why not just give the club money rather than loaning it?

For the likes of Hibs if we take loans from the Black Knights group as AFCB have done and say the club ends up £20,000,000 in debt to them, how the hell do we pay that back? We won't get any transfer fees for players loaned to us by Bournemouth, we cant do it with a share issue that's for sure, the existing shares in the club are virtually worthless, unless sold in tens of millions.

The club will have an AGM at some point this year and the first question to be asked has to be looking for an assurance that at some point in the future the Gordons and / or Foley wont simply walk away leaving Hibs with a massive debt that will .... A) prevent the club from operating because it's technically ( or actually ) bankrupt and open to a points deduction .... and B) make it practically unsellable.

No amount of promises about European football, being 3rd or winning a domestic trophy are worth a damn if it puts the clubs existence at risk at any point.

I would argue at this point that the Gordons do have an emotional attachment ... Foley certainly doesn't.

[The Harp Awakes]

This is the scary part of becoming involved with folk like Foley. What is the end game here for him or the Black Knights group?

If his company are loaning massive amounts of money to clubs in the group, how do they expect to make a profit in the end? And if it's not about profit, why not just give the club money rather than loaning it?

For the likes of Hibs if we take loans from the Black Knights group as AFCB have done and say the club ends up £20,000,000 in debt to them, how the hell do we pay that back? We won't get any transfer fees for players loaned to us by Bournemouth, we cant do it with a share issue that's for sure, the existing shares in the club are virtually worthless, unless sold in tens of millions.

The club will have an AGM at some point this year and the first question to be asked has to be looking for an assurance that at some point in the future the Gordons and / or Foley wont simply walk away leaving Hibs with a massive debt that will .... A) prevent the club from operating because it's technically ( or actually ) bankrupt and open to a points deduction .... and B) make it practically unsellable.

No amount of promises about European football, being 3rd or winning a domestic trophy are worth a damn if it puts the clubs existence at risk at any point.

I would argue at this point that the Gordons do have an emotional attachment ... Foley certainly doesn't.

Good post. You've highlighted the risk very well. I think the short answer is that Foley and his associates, including the Ryans, have said that they only make investments in clubs where they believe they can make a difference, enhance and improve that club. They presumably believe they will make a return on their investment as the club grows.

In terms of emotional attachment, if I could ask Foley one question, it would be why Hibs? Both the Foleys and Ryans are rich Irish American families and I wonder if Hibernian's Irish heritage was a factor in their choice of club? Unlikely to be the main reason, but if it was a factor, that could be the emotional attachment.

[Torto7]

Good post. You've highlighted the risk very well. I think the short answer is that Foley and his associates, including the Ryans, have said that they only make investments in clubs where they believe they can make a difference, enhance and improve that club. They presumably believe they will make a return on their investment as the club grows.

In terms of emotional attachment, if I could ask Foley one question, it would be why Hibs? Both the Foleys and Ryans are rich Irish American families and I wonder if Hibernian's Irish heritage was a factor in their choice of club? Unlikely to be the main reason, but if it was a factor, that could be the emotional attachment.

:agree: The Irish Americans despite being mocked by mainly British people as plastic invest a hell of a lot of money in Ireland and Ireland being the mature country that it is welcomes them in. Scotland's establishment doesn't like us doing the same in the US as it annoys the Anglo types. There's nothing more depressing than watching Irish drinking adverts in the states and wondering where the hell the same adverts are for a superior product from Scotland. Too wee too crap no ambitious enough blah blah.
Foley will be well aware of our roots.

[Paul1642]

Good post. You've highlighted the risk very well. I think the short answer is that Foley and his associates, including the Ryans, have said that they only make investments in clubs where they believe they can make a difference, enhance and improve that club. They presumably believe they will make a return on their investment as the club grows.

In terms of emotional attachment, if I could ask Foley one question, it would be why Hibs? Both the Foleys and Ryans are rich Irish American families and I wonder if Hibernian's Irish heritage was a factor in their choice of club? Unlikely to be the main reason, but if it was a factor, that could be the emotional attachment.

I wouldn’t rule out the Irish sentiment however I think it’s more likely because we are

A) Based in Edinburgh
B) Already have good infrastructure in place and the amount of investment needed is lower by a large amount compared to the likes of the Dundee clubs.
C) Have a fan base around 3rd or at least not miles away from 3rd largest in Scotland. A fan base that can and does come out in numbers when the product on the park is good.
D) The other members of the top 5 largest clubs are not affordable or not available.

[worcesterhibby]

This is the scary part of becoming involved with folk like Foley. What is the end game here for him or the Black Knights group?

If his company are loaning massive amounts of money to clubs in the group, how do they expect to make a profit in the end? And if it's not about profit, why not just give the club money rather than loaning it?

For the likes of Hibs if we take loans from the Black Knights group as AFCB have done and say the club ends up £20,000,000 in debt to them, how the hell do we pay that back? We won't get any transfer fees for players loaned to us by Bournemouth, we cant do it with a share issue that's for sure, the existing shares in the club are virtually worthless, unless sold in tens of millions.

The club will have an AGM at some point this year and the first question to be asked has to be looking for an assurance that at some point in the future the Gordons and / or Foley wont simply walk away leaving Hibs with a massive debt that will .... A) prevent the club from operating because it's technically ( or actually ) bankrupt and open to a points deduction .... and B) make it practically unsellable.

No amount of promises about European football, being 3rd or winning a domestic trophy are worth a damn if it puts the clubs existence at risk at any point.

I would argue at this point that the Gordons do have an emotional attachment ... Foley certainly doesn't.

While I take on board what you are saying, Hearts and Rangers and just about everyone else seem to overspend..win stuff..end up with debt which leads to us ridiculing them, but then they comes back just as strong and are better than us again...... so who are the fools ?...I'd quite like that rollercoaster if it involved great players, cup wins and challenging at the top of the league.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

While I take on board what you are saying, Hearts and Rangers and just about everyone else seem to overspend..win stuff..end up with debt which leads to us ridiculing them, but then they comes back just as strong and are better than us again...... so who are the fools ?...I'd quite like that rollercoaster if it involved great players, cup wins and challenging at the top of the league.

Indeed, you can only be patient for so long.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

I've no idea why so many people put their faith in that website when, in general, it's just littered with a collection of fantasy figures.

is it even possible to validate salaries/ transfers?
Is it all just “paper talk”?

Clubs and agents l, players don’t deny, piques the interes, raises the profile of all parties, gets coverage. Makes journos and pundits look like they are in the know. I’m calling it a sham.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

This is the scary part of becoming involved with folk like Foley. What is the end game here for him or the Black Knights group?

If his company are loaning massive amounts of money to clubs in the group, how do they expect to make a profit in the end? And if it's not about profit, why not just give the club money rather than loaning it?

For the likes of Hibs if we take loans from the Black Knights group as AFCB have done and say the club ends up £20,000,000 in debt to them, how the hell do we pay that back? We won't get any transfer fees for players loaned to us by Bournemouth, we cant do it with a share issue that's for sure, the existing shares in the club are virtually worthless, unless sold in tens of millions.

The club will have an AGM at some point this year and the first question to be asked has to be looking for an assurance that at some point in the future the Gordons and / or Foley wont simply walk away leaving Hibs with a massive debt that will .... A) prevent the club from operating because it's technically ( or actually ) bankrupt and open to a points deduction .... and B) make it practically unsellable.

No amount of promises about European football, being 3rd or winning a domestic trophy are worth a damn if it puts the clubs existence at risk at any point.

I would argue at this point that the Gordons do have an emotional attachment ... Foley certainly doesn't.

Which is why the football authorities are asleep at the wheel - first and foremost it should be about sustainabikty - what means in some cases protecting the clubs from themselves!

[Murphys Touch]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

[SteveHFC]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

Jealously.

[flash]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

Do you have a link to this please?

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

It doesn’t matter. This is an SFA decision, not an SPFL one. And there’s precedent anyway with Celtic so the chances of a block are minimal.

[Greencore]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

One guess who the club is.

[flash]

One guess who the club is.

My guess is there isn't one.

[CentreForward]

This is the scary part of becoming involved with folk like Foley. What is the end game here for him or the Black Knights group?

If his company are loaning massive amounts of money to clubs in the group, how do they expect to make a profit in the end? And if it's not about profit, why not just give the club money rather than loaning it?

For the likes of Hibs if we take loans from the Black Knights group as AFCB have done and say the club ends up £20,000,000 in debt to them, how the hell do we pay that back? We won't get any transfer fees for players loaned to us by Bournemouth, we cant do it with a share issue that's for sure, the existing shares in the club are virtually worthless, unless sold in tens of millions.

The club will have an AGM at some point this year and the first question to be asked has to be looking for an assurance that at some point in the future the Gordons and / or Foley wont simply walk away leaving Hibs with a massive debt that will .... A) prevent the club from operating because it's technically ( or actually ) bankrupt and open to a points deduction .... and B) make it practically unsellable.

No amount of promises about European football, being 3rd or winning a domestic trophy are worth a damn if it puts the clubs existence at risk at any point.

I would argue at this point that the Gordons do have an emotional attachment ... Foley certainly doesn't.



excellent post and I share a lot of your concerns about this.

[USA_Hibee]

I'd love to see the reasoning if that's true.

As said above.. I wonder who it could be? 😁

[big gogs]

One guess who the club is.
If it’s them, good,they are afraid very afraid.

[CapitalGreen]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

What’s the difference between a normal objection and a substantial objection?

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

excellent post and I share a lot of your concerns about this.

It’s for a 24.9% minority share. Hibs are still protected.

[Libby Hibby]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

*sniff sniff*

[Ringothedog]

My guess is there isn't one.

Totally agree, made up nonsense by someone who doesn’t know the difference between the SFA who are making the decision and the SPFL who have nothing to do with the decision making

[Gordy M]

This is the scary part of becoming involved with folk like Foley. What is the end game here for him or the Black Knights group?

If his company are loaning massive amounts of money to clubs in the group, how do they expect to make a profit in the end? And if it's not about profit, why not just give the club money rather than loaning it?

For the likes of Hibs if we take loans from the Black Knights group as AFCB have done and say the club ends up £20,000,000 in debt to them, how the hell do we pay that back? We won't get any transfer fees for players loaned to us by Bournemouth, we cant do it with a share issue that's for sure, the existing shares in the club are virtually worthless, unless sold in tens of millions.

The club will have an AGM at some point this year and the first question to be asked has to be looking for an assurance that at some point in the future the Gordons and / or Foley wont simply walk away leaving Hibs with a massive debt that will .... A) prevent the club from operating because it's technically ( or actually ) bankrupt and open to a points deduction .... and B) make it practically unsellable.

No amount of promises about European football, being 3rd or winning a domestic trophy are worth a damn if it puts the clubs existence at risk at any point.

I would argue at this point that the Gordons do have an emotional attachment ... Foley certainly doesn't.

I don't have a huge understanding of how it all works, however, is the propsal not that Bill Foley only buys a share of Hibs? Why would the owners then put themselves/Hibs into 20 million worth of debt? Especially on the "advice" of a guy who owns 25% of the club?

[big gogs]

What’s the difference between a normal objection and a substantial objection?
When you are a huge club(in their own head),and fan owned,they can afford a substantial objection,normal is for the wee teams.

[GloryGlory]

It doesn’t matter. This is an SFA decision, not an SPFL one. And there’s precedent anyway with Celtic so the chances of a block are minimal.

If Hibs proposal complies with the current SFA regulations another club can object all it wants, but it doesn't have a veto.

[Hibernian Verse]

*sniff sniff*

Location "Midlothian"...

[CropleyWasGod]

I don't have a huge understanding of how it all works, however, is the propsal not that Bill Foley only buys a share of Hibs? Why would the owners then put themselves/Hibs into 20 million worth of debt? Especially on the "advice" of a guy who owns 25% of the club?

The money that people are talkng about has to come in somehow. That's either through new shares or some other means. Buying some of the existing shares doesn't result in any money coming to the club.

If it's new shares, there's a whole heap of rings that need jumping through before that happens.

If it's not new shares, it will almost certainly be by way of loans. That's what the concern is.

Another thing about it not being new shares. The Gordons' holding would reduce to about 42%. In other words, they would be minority shareholders. That leaves the possibility of their being outvoted on major issues.

[Hibbyradge]

Totally agree, made up nonsense by someone who doesn’t know the difference between the SFA who are making the decision and the SPFL who have nothing to do with the decision making

They didn't say who the objection was made to.

[Gordy M]

The money that people are talkng about has to come in somehow. That's either through new shares or some other means. Buying some of the existing shares doesn't result in any money coming to the club.

If it's new shares, there's a whole heap of rings that need jumping through before that happens.

If it's not new shares, it will almost certainly be by way of loans. That's what the concern is.

Sorry i dont understand? Im assuming that he is buying some of the Gordons share? So they then pocket that money, in lieu of the shares? Is that right?
So if he then invests money then that would be loan to Hibs? He wont just put money into the club? So really all he is doing is buying a share of what the Gordons own. Why would Hibs then take a loan of 20 million from the guy? They could just do that now without selling shares could they not? Or have i got that wrong!! Lol.

[CropleyWasGod]

Sorry i dont understand? Im assuming that he is buying some of the Gordons share? So they then pocket that money, in lieu of the shares? Is that right?
So if he then invests money then that would be loan to Hibs? He wont just put money into the club? So really all he is doing is buying a share of what the Gordons own. Why would Hibs then take a loan of 20 million from the guy? They could just do that now without selling shares could they not? Or have i got that wrong!! Lol.

You're pretty much there for the most part.

As for the bit in bold, there's 2 main advantages:-

1. the Gordons cash in on part of their holding. Whether that's at a profit or not, we can't know.

2. Foley has more control over his investment than if he just lent us the money. He wants to make more out of us than just interest on a loan, so growth of the club will help to increase the value of his shares for sale down the line.

[Gordy M]

You're pretty much there for the most part.

As for the bit in bold, there's 2 main advantages:-

1. the Gordons cash in on part of their holding. Whether that's at a profit or not, we can't know.

2. Foley has more control over his investment than if he just lent us the money. He wants to make more out of us than just interest on a loan, so growth of the club will help to increase the value of his shares for sale down the line.

Thanks for explaining, appreciate that. Would there ever be a case whereby a condition of sale would be he has to invest in the club without it being a loan?

[CropleyWasGod]

Thanks for explaining, appreciate that. Would there ever be a case whereby a condition of sale would be he has to invest in the club without it being a loan?

You mean a donation? :cb :greengrin

Not sure he'd go for that, tbh. That's why he's a billionaire.

The only way I could see it would be if he agreed to write off any loans when he'd made his millions from us. A bit like STF, but without the last part.......

[Gordy M]

You mean a donation? :cb :greengrin

Not sure he'd go for that, tbh. That's why he's a billionaire.

The only way I could see it would be if he agreed to write off any loans when he'd made his millions from us. A bit like STF, but without the last part.......

Hahaha yeh i suppose it would be a donation. I think i was under the impression that he would invest money in the team.....but not as a loan. I dont really see the advantage otherwise? Is there one?

[Since90+2]

Hahaha yeh i suppose it would be a donation. I think i was under the impression that he would invest money in the team.....but not as a loan. I dont really see the advantage otherwise? Is there one?

He's not going to give us money for nothing I think is what CWG is essentially saying.

[SaulGoodman]

What’s the difference between a normal objection and a substantial objection?

Substance

[sleeping giant]

Substance

😆

[Gordy M]

He's not going to give us money for nothing I think is what CWG is essentially saying.

Yep i get that, so where is the advntage to Hibs? Why not just get a loan from somewhere without selling shares. And if its just for the Gordons to make money, why not just sell the club? I dont get the selling a quarter apart from making some money. Dont see the advatage to the club?
Maybe im missing the whole point. Wouldnt be the first time.:greengrin

[ancient hibee]

Yep i get that, so where is the advntage to Hibs? Why not just get a loan from somewhere without selling shares. And if its just for the Gordons to make money, why not just sell the club? I dont get the selling a quarter apart from making some money. Dont see the advatage to the club?
Maybe im missing the whole point. Wouldnt be the first time.:greengrin

All depends on what the deal is. If it's selling some of their shares the Gordons could choose to loan the proceeds to the club.
A Foley company holding shares means they have some skin in the business and want to see it succeed as they are part owners. A third party loan just means that someone wants their money back in some shape or form. Don't forget that it seems that part of the deal is going to be a business tie up.

[jacomo]

Substance


I believe the champagne is on ice and the spirit of Leslie Deans has assured them that they have a very high chance of success.

[CropleyWasGod]

Yep i get that, so where is the advntage to Hibs? Why not just get a loan from somewhere without selling shares. And if its just for the Gordons to make money, why not just sell the club? I dont get the selling a quarter apart from making some money. Dont see the advatage to the club?
Maybe im missing the whole point. Wouldnt be the first time.:greengrin

It's not just about the money, though.

With the links to other clubs, there is a chance of sustainable growth. Just having money to throw around doesn't always lead to that.

On the Gordons, further growth in the value of the club is good for them as well, long-term.

[007]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

They are slagging off the proposal on social media whilst secretly lobbying McKinlay to block it.

[Bostonhibby]

They are slagging off the proposal on social media whilst secretly lobbying McKinlay to block it.It would be such a disappointment if the lobbyists were the simple fans who welcomed then idolised the fraudster Vladimir Romanov into Scottish football.

Then stood by whilst he fled leaving them to endure the humiliations that went with entering administration to avoid paying substantial debts.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[gorgie greens]

If it’s them, good,they are afraid very afraid.

If any club I would imagine it would be Statement FC ,wouldn't want anyone to upset the weedg dominance

[CropleyWasGod]

Wee muttering that a SPFL rival has submitted a substantial objection to our potential investors

On what grounds?

[Hibees1973]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

[Murphys Touch]

Totally agree, made up nonsense by someone who doesn’t know the difference between the SFA who are making the decision and the SPFL who have nothing to do with the decision making

What up with you mate? Yer Mrs ignoring you? Settle down

I didn’t say where (I did say SPFL club) but my friend in the SFA confirmed that an objection has been received which is around the p pages long.

Take what you want from it - didn’t mean to upset you

[greenginger]

If any club I would imagine it would be Statement FC ,wouldn't want anyone to upset the weedg dominance

That the club that was part owned by the Newcastle united owner

[aljo7-0]

What’s the difference between a normal objection and a substantial objection?
One's made by a normal club and the other is made by a "Big" club I guess

[HoboHarry]

one's made by a normal club and the other is made by a "bigliest" club i guess
ftfy

[ancient hibee]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

So are you saying that Foley and our owners are cheating and being involved in financial malpractice?

[RMQ1967]

What up with you mate? Yer Mrs ignoring you? Settle down

I didn’t say where (I did say SPFL club) but my friend in the SFA confirmed that an objection has been received which is around the p pages long.

Take what you want from it - didn’t mean to upset you

Probably submitted by someone on here going by some of the posts 😁

[matty_f]

I don't see that a loan is viable - Bydand hold security on the club's assets, I think, and so Foley- if lending the money - would need to secure it against the assets as well, and I'm not sure how that work if the club found itself unable to meet its obligations to one or the other, or both.

Additionally, the club's only worth x amount, so you wouldn't lend a significantly high proportion of the value of the club. I think.

[Lago]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.
What would you offer as an alternative scenario?

[Hibbyradge]

What up with you mate? Yer Mrs ignoring you? Settle down

I didn’t say where (I did say SPFL club) but my friend in the SFA confirmed that an objection has been received which is around the p pages long.

Take what you want from it - didn’t mean to upset you

How has it been received?

[CropleyWasGod]

I don't see that a loan is viable - Bidand hold security on the club's assets, I think, and so Foley- if lending the money - would need to secure it against the assets as well, and I'm not sure how that work if the club found itself unable to meet its obligations to one or the other, or both.

Additionally, the club's only worth x amount, so you wouldn't lend a significantly high proportion of the value of the club. I think.

Bydand have a security for the amount they have lent. Depending on how much that is, and how much Foley is putting in, there's probably enough value in our assets (£25m in bricks and mortar) to cover both.

[bingo70]

I don't see that a loan is viable - Bidand hold security on the club's assets, I think, and so Foley- if lending the money - would need to secure it against the assets as well, and I'm not sure how that work if the club found itself unable to meet its obligations to one or the other, or both.

Additionally, the club's only worth x amount, so you wouldn't lend a significantly high proportion of the value of the club. I think.

How do you think the money would go into the club Matty if not a loan?

[flash]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

Some "interesting" views towards the end of this post.

[worcesterhibby]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

People of course are entitled to have "valid concerns" But at the end of the day whether you like it or not (and I assume you don't) The Gordons own the football club and Ben Kensall is the CEO of our club. No amount of "concern" is going to change that.

The Gordons tenure as owners of Hibs so far has been very succesful from an off field point of view and a reasonably succesful on the field. In the Gordons time in charge since 2019/20 season we have made five cup semi finals, two cup finals and have had a 3rd place finish as well as a moderately succesful run in Europe (I assume you didn't expect us to beat Aston Villa ?) By any modern standard, that is "reasonably succesful" for Hibs.

However, it's not been as succesful as they (or we) would have liked........ so.....

A very rich man has suggested he can help...he owns football clubs.. he's a billionaire (that's proper off the scale wealth not the Rnagers type) and he wants Hibs to become a club that produces talent capable of being moved on to much better and more succesful clubs than our own, in leagues that are a much higher standard. He's willing to invest his money and his organisation expertise and pulling power to help make that happen. He's willing to buy players and loan them to us, players who are good at football (so not like Rowan Vine for instance).

"Hang on.. what's in it for you? " say the Gordons and BK. "Well I'll buy a stake in the club, to show that I want the club to grow and improve. When that happens my share will be worth more money and that will make me smile, beacuse I'm a billionaire and I love money" says the man. "we could do with a bit of help on the playing side" says Ben "yes and it's nice that he wants to give us money and help" says the Gordons. "What else will you help us with ?"

"Well I just spoke to a bloke in Greggs" says the man. "and he's suggested I build a full size undercover pitch to stop the Squirrel getting cold nuts in training.. oh and he wants us to make the old behind the goals bar open again and make it less ****...I could pay for that too. Oh and I could buy a super duper South American, with hair like a rapper, who Man Utd want to buy.. and I'll outbid them and let Hibs have him (for a bit) and he will be fab and when their contracts end we can get rid of all the current Hibs players who are nice guys but a bit rubbish and buy better football kickers who will not be crap."

"to be honest that's sounds nice" says the Gordons and BK.. and do you know what.. I agree with them. :greengrin

[Slim Shady]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

Some interesting view points indeed.

Whilst the team on the pitch hasn’t been great during the Gordon’s or Bens tenure.

They’ve certainly turned the club around off the pitch which will in turn produce the good on the pitch.

If you can’t see the amazing work and position Hibs are in off the pitch you need to give your head a wobble.

Why do you think Foley and Black Knights have chosen Hibernian as the best potential to invest in?

We’ve progressed 10 fold compared to the **** hole that was left by Dempster.
Off the field with Dempster the club was a complete shambles.

[matty_f]

Bydand have a security for the amount they have lent. Depending on how much that is, and how much Foley is putting in, there's probably enough value in our assets (£25m in bricks and mortar) to cover both.

There probably is, however I don't think there would be the appetite to have everything on the line for the borrowing, and from what I've heard (which may be baws) £25m will be reached and breached before long.

[greenlex]

There probably is, however I don't think there would be the appetite to have everything on the line for the borrowing, and from what I've heard (which may be baws) £25m will be reached and breached before long.
Now I’m positively moist. :greengrin

[sleeping giant]

There probably is, however I don't think there would be the appetite to have everything on the line for the borrowing, and from what I've heard (which may be baws) £25m will be reached and breached before long.

Aw stop it man.

[CropleyWasGod]

There probably is, however I don't think there would be the appetite to have everything on the line for the borrowing, and from what I've heard (which may be baws) £25m will be reached and breached before long.

If we get to that stage, and things are going well, I could see a Bournemouth scenario where large loans are converted to shares. I can't see it in the short-term , although Bournemouth have just done it after (?) less than a year.

All speculation, of course, but that would make things more secure.

[Just Alf]

There probably is, however I don't think there would be the appetite to have everything on the line for the borrowing, and from what I've heard (which may be baws) £25m will be reached and breached before long.Oh God! ... this is stressing me out, so need end of the week to arrive!

[Smartie]

Some interesting view points indeed.

Whilst the team on the pitch hasn’t been great during the Gordon’s or Bens tenure.

They’ve certainly turned the club around off the pitch which will in turn produce the good on the pitch.

If you can’t see the amazing work and position Hibs are in off the pitch you need to give your head a wobble.

Why do you think Foley and Black Knights have chosen Hibernian as the best potential to invest in?

We’ve progressed 10 fold compared to the **** hole that was left by Dempster.
Off the field with Dempster the club was a complete shambles.

It was in need of improvement, no doubt, but it wasn't a shambles.

It's worth remembering she was working to a vision of Farmer and Petrie, who were naturally risk averse and cautious. They were driven more by avoiding loss than making profit. The new approach has been more cavalier and has paid dividends.

The role of Dempster in prioritising a decent football side that many more thousands of people end up being prepared to stump up season ticket money to watch shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to finance and off field performance.

I'm not going to defend the stuff like the shirt sponsor stuff and the issue with the lady who diverted sponsors towards Glasgow City and I acknowledge there were imperfections.

[HoboHarry]

I've no idea whether to pee myself with excitement or go hide under the bed.

[WeeRussell]

I've no idea whether to pee myself with excitement or go hide under the bed.

I’ve no idea whether to hide my excitement or pee the bed.

[Just Alf]

I've no idea whether to pee myself with excitement or go hide under the bed.Both! :rofl:

[matty_f]

How do you think the money would go into the club Matty if not a loan?

I can't really pretend to know, mate. I would have thought new shares would have been the way to do it - maybe the sort of debt to equity that clubs do, but I guess that at some point, that would cause an issue with the percentage owned by Foley.

There is also the thought, however unlikely it may be, that Foley's not *that* bothered about the formality of his ownership of Hibs due to all the other complications that might arise from it and a multi-club model.

By that, I mean that it might suit Foley to be a benefactor like Anderson is at Hearts. An approved 25% keeps him under the radar in Scotland and is unlikely to prevent Bournemouth and Hibs competing in the same European competitions.

Hibs are a safe club with trustworthy owners, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the pay-off that Foley gets is a club that he can bring players into (directly or indirectly) that can be traded for profit or moved within his group - ideally, for him, to Bournemouth, and the trading that can be done off the back of successful English Premiership transfers would more than cover the spend at Hibs and elsewhere.

Essentially, for him we might be effectively a loss-leader, in that we're not here to make him money directly, but as part of a wider profitable group we're a key part.

I'm not sure if I'm explaining that well, to be honest.

[matty_f]

Both! :rofl:

Be careful in which order you do it...

[Smartie]

I’ve no idea whether to hide my excitement or pee the bed.

:greengrin

[HoboHarry]

I’ve no idea whether to hide my excitement or pee the bed.
:top marks

[sleeping giant]

I can't really pretend to know, mate. I would have thought new shares would have been the way to do it - maybe the sort of debt to equity that clubs do, but I guess that at some point, that would cause an issue with the percentage owned by Foley.

There is also the thought, however unlikely it may be, that Foley's not *that* bothered about the formality of his ownership of Hibs due to all the other complications that might arise from it and a multi-club model.

By that, I mean that it might suit Foley to be a benefactor like Anderson is at Hearts. An approved 25% keeps him under the radar in Scotland and is unlikely to prevent Bournemouth and Hibs competing in the same European competitions.

Hibs are a safe club with trustworthy owners, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the pay-off that Foley gets is a club that he can bring players into (directly or indirectly) that can be traded for profit or moved within his group - ideally, for him, to Bournemouth, and the trading that can be done off the back of successful English Premiership transfers would more than cover the spend at Hibs and elsewhere.

Essentially, for him we might be effectively a loss-leader, in that we're not here to make him money directly, but as part of a wider profitable group we're a key part.

I'm not sure if I'm explaining that well, to be honest.

I don't care if you are explaining it correctly, please just keep talking 😍

[Brightside]

It was in need of improvement, no doubt, but it wasn't a shambles.

It's worth remembering she was working to a vision of Farmer and Petrie, who were naturally risk averse and cautious. They were driven more by avoiding loss than making profit. The new approach has been more cavalier and has paid dividends.

The role of Dempster in prioritising a decent football side that many more thousands of people end up being prepared to stump up season ticket money to watch shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to finance and off field performance.

I'm not going to defend the stuff like the shirt sponsor stuff and the issue with the lady who diverted sponsors towards Glasgow City and I acknowledge there were imperfections.

I think most are talking about the general condition of the properties, the fact that most sponsors hadn't paid anything for the ground sponsorship for years. Things like that were shambolic. Its a tighter run ship commercially now.

[matty_f]

If we get to that stage, and things are going well, I could see a Bournemouth scenario where large loans are converted to shares. I can't see it in the short-term , although Bournemouth have just done it after (?) less than a year.

All speculation, of course, but that would make things more secure.

Yeah, I thought that as well (see reply to Bingo)

It's going to be interesting to see how it's structured. I cannot think that the Gordon's have any real appetite to encumber the club with high levels of debt, though - Ron resisted it and while he was prepared to take advantage of it when it made sense (Govt covid loan, which was interest free, for example) his approach was very much to grow the profit to fund the growth of the club with only modest investment where it was really needed.

The idea of the club suddenly taking on even £6m of debt seems out of step with how we've been run.

[Rumble de Thump]

Whatever the finer details of the deal are, if they don't involve stealing from charities to pay for the upkeep of a submarine then I'm not interested.

[Bostonhibby]

Whatever the finer details of the deal are, if they don't involve stealing from charities to pay for the upkeep of a submarine then I'm not interested.Not even if we owe it to ourselves?

It's what bigly teams do.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[hibeerealist]

There is only one club in the SPFL who would object, however I do not think there is one submitted - MT at it or has a mate who is at it and they are phishing themselves at putting some fear into some Hibbies.

LTYF and breathe ..........

[hhibs]

[QUOTE=Brightside;7545446]I think most are talking about the general condition of the properties, the fact that most sponsors hadn't paid anything for the ground sponsorship for years. Things like that were shambolic. Its a tighter run ship commercially now.[/QUOTe


That is truly unbelievable I always thought things were bad on the commercial side under the former CEO but that ,if true,is a disgrace.

[matty_f]

An objection from a club or clubs wouldn't necessarily stop anything from going through. It's not like the SPFL where there's the 11/1 voting structure - this needs to be ratified by the SFA. They will consider views from other clubs but their priority is to protect the integrity and the health of the game, and realistically speaking, they should be bending over backwards to welcome external investment into a league that is stagnating massively.

They have to consider that multi-club ownership models are going to be the norm over the next however many years. Scotland either gets on board with that or it gets left behind in a race where we're already being lapped by other countries. Knocking back this one sets a precedent that could be disastrous for Scottish football over the next 5-10 years.

Whereas agreeing to it gives Scottish clubs more chance of competing in Europe and boosting the coefficient which then opens more doors to more clubs, allows more investment into youth football etc.. the benefits of allowing the investment far, far outweigh any negatives.

[ancient hibee]

There probably is, however I don't think there would be the appetite to have everything on the line for the borrowing, and from what I've heard (which may be baws) £25m will be reached and breached before long.

I think it is baws.

[Hibbyradge]

I’ve no idea whether to hide my excitement or pee the bed.

I don't know whether to excite my pee or hide the bed.

[Bridge hibs]

I've no idea whether to pee myself with excitement or go hide under the bed.

Ive went for bust and bought an XXL pack of Tena for Men 🫣

[Bridge hibs]

I think it is baws.

Ive just cancelled my order of XXL Tena for Men ☹️

[007]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

If not the owners and the CEO then who do you think should be brokering the deal?

[WeeRussell]

I don't know whether to excite my pee or hide the bed.

Quiet. Silly person.

[Hibbyradge]

Ive just cancelled my order of XXL Tena for Men ☹️

I've just ordered an XXL box of Kleenex.

[Not In The Know]

People of course are entitled to have "valid concerns" But at the end of the day whether you like it or not (and I assume you don't) The Gordons own the football club and Ben Kensall is the CEO of our club. No amount of "concern" is going to change that.

The Gordons tenure as owners of Hibs so far has been very succesful from an off field point of view and a reasonably succesful on the field. In the Gordons time in charge since 2019/20 season we have made five cup semi finals, two cup finals and have had a 3rd place finish as well as a moderately succesful run in Europe (I assume you didn't expect us to beat Aston Villa ?) By any modern standard, that is "reasonably succesful" for Hibs.

However, it's not been as succesful as they (or we) would have liked........ so.....

A very rich man has suggested he can help...he owns football clubs.. he's a billionaire (that's proper off the scale wealth not the Rnagers type) and he wants Hibs to become a club that produces talent capable of being moved on to much better and more succesful clubs than our own, in leagues that are a much higher standard. He's willing to invest his money and his organisation expertise and pulling power to help make that happen. He's willing to buy players and loan them to us, players who are good at football (so not like Rowan Vine for instance).

"Hang on.. what's in it for you? " say the Gordons and BK. "Well I'll buy a stake in the club, to show that I want the club to grow and improve. When that happens my share will be worth more money and that will make me smile, beacuse I'm a billionaire and I love money" says the man. "we could do with a bit of help on the playing side" says Ben "yes and it's nice that he wants to give us money and help" says the Gordons. "What else will you help us with ?"

"Well I just spoke to a bloke in Greggs" says the man. "and he's suggested I build a full size undercover pitch to stop the Squirrel getting cold nuts in training.. oh and he wants us to make the old behind the goals bar open again and make it less ****...I could pay for that too. Oh and I could buy a super duper South American, with hair like a rapper, who Man Utd want to buy.. and I'll outbid them and let Hibs have him (for a bit) and he will be fab and when their contracts end we can get rid of all the current Hibs players who are nice guys but a bit rubbish and buy better football kickers who will not be crap."

"to be honest that's sounds nice" says the Gordons and BK.. and do you know what.. I agree with them. :greengrin


Brilliant!!

[blackpoolhibs]

I've just ordered an XXL box of Kleenex.

I've gone through boxes of them since this news broke a couple of months ago.

[007]

Fingers crossed for 3 announcements in quick succession. Zambrano to Bournemouth, Foley/Hibs deal closely followed by Zambrano to Hibs. 🤞

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

Yeah, I thought that as well (see reply to Bingo)

It's going to be interesting to see how it's structured. I cannot think that the Gordon's have any real appetite to encumber the club with high levels of debt, though - Ron resisted it and while he was prepared to take advantage of it when it made sense (Govt covid loan, which was interest free, for example) his approach was very much to grow the profit to fund the growth of the club with only modest investment where it was really needed.

The idea of the club suddenly taking on even £6m of debt seems out of step with how we've been run.

How else are we going to improve the players/infrastructure without significant funds coming?

[Bridge hibs]

I've just ordered an XXL box of Kleenex.

Im ok on that front, Ive got a small nose

[Iain G]

If not the owners and the CEO then who do you think should be brokering the deal?

Simon Pia and Paul Kane maybe? Or Block 7!

[Jones28]

Pleased to finally see some valid concerns and arguments against Foley taking a 25% share in Hibs.

Really, it's not about taking a short sighted view of hopefully having more cash, buying better players and reaching the utopia of 3rd place every year and guaranteed European football until Christmas.

In reality will we get 3rd every year, even just once in the next 10 years with Foley involved. There is no guarantee of this.

The concerns should be around, are The Gordon's and Kensell the right people to be brokering this deal with Foley. Based on purely football strategy at the club over the last three years, the turnaround in team managers and some embarrassing decisions being made, I think not.

Some on here seem happy to take the risk as they do not want to see us plodding along. Well, be careful what you wish for.

There have been arguments that Rangers & the Yam disgraced themselves by cheating and financial malpractice, but they survived and came back.

That may not always be the case.

God you do love a moan eh?

Are you happy to see us continue doing what we’re doing?

[matty_f]

How else are we going to improve the players/infrastructure without significant funds coming?

You take your time and grow the income?

Money in doesn't necessarily have to be a loan though, I'm not saying it won't be, just that it's out of step with the approach so far - certainly in terms of scale.

[Aldo]

Fingers crossed for 3 announcements in quick succession. Zambrano to Bournemouth, Foley/Hibs deal closely followed by Zambrano to Hibs. [emoji1696]

I would suggest that it would be a double Daffy/Kermit gif if that was announced!

I would also suspect a bit of a meltdown along the road with words like ‘cheating’ ‘integrity’ and possibly ‘unfair’ getting banded about. That followed by a statement of sorts!

[HoboHarry]

If any club I would imagine it would be Statement FC ,wouldn't want anyone to upset the weedg dominance
I wondered out loud at the beginning of this process why Foley et al would choose us over Sevco, in terms of possible revenue generating they are way ahead of us though I suppose the notion that they were a stepping stone to bigger clubs would have the zombie hordes gathering up their pitchforks and flaming torches. Not to mention that their stadium is the worse for wear and would require major cash to renovate.

[scm70nyd1973]

Not even if we owe it to ourselves?

It's what bigly teams do.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Indeed -as long as our potential debt is always less than their whopping £50 Million then they will be delighted 👍

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

You take your time and grow the income?

Money in doesn't necessarily have to be a loan though, I'm not saying it won't be, just that it's out of step with the approach so far - certainly in terms of scale.

In this industry, you would struggle to be successful and keep a decent fan base, whilst your competitors take steps to strive forward.

Our approach so far doesn’t tie in with the ambitions of the club (or supporters) which puts the time to grow your income at risk.

Will this Foley income get us there? I don’t know. But the odds would be more in our favour to do so.

[007]

I wondered out loud at the beginning of this process why Foley et al would choose us over Sevco, in terms of possible revenue generating they are way ahead of us though I suppose the notion that they were a stepping stone to bigger clubs would have the zombie hordes gathering up their pitchforks and flaming torches. Not to mention that their stadium is the worse for wear and would require major cash to renovate.

And they're probably not available plus maybe we're more appealing to Pat Ryan given his Irish roots.

[Greenworld]

I don't care if you are explaining it correctly, please just keep talking [emoji7]Pmsl loving this

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[Greenworld]

Fingers crossed for 3 announcements in quick succession. Zambrano to Bournemouth, Foley/Hibs deal closely followed by Zambrano to Hibs. [emoji1696]Closely followed by he is pish messages what are we getting him for ? Can he play right back ..[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[Greenworld]

In this industry, you would struggle to be successful and keep a decent fan base, whilst your competitors take steps to strive forward.

Our approach so far doesn’t tie in with the ambitions of the club (or supporters) which puts the time to grow your income at risk.

Will this Foley income get us there? I don’t know. But the odds would be more in our favour to do so.I think if Ron Gordon was alive you would be wrong . He was always questioning why the club were not stretching itself with bigger targets. I think Foley and the group see that as well .

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[Hibees1973]

If not the owners and the CEO then who do you think should be brokering the deal?

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.

[HoboHarry]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.
Aye OK then.

[007]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.

So are you saying they shouldn't be entering into the deal at all?

[ancient hibee]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.

So malpractice and untrustworthy.What’s your evidence?

[Hibees1973]

So are you saying they shouldn't be entering into the deal at all?

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.

[greenlex]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.

I think Foleys ultimate goal is quite clear..

[TrinityHFC]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.

So you’re so unhappy with the current leadership that you want nothing to be done to change that. Makes sense.

[ancient hibee]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.
So really,like the rest of us,you know nothing about it but that doesn’t stop you objecting to it or making ridiculous posts about the honesty of people involved with the club either as owners ,employees and potential investors.

[May21/05/216]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.Now that's just silly accusations

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

[truehibernian]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.

No need to feel uneasy, outside investment is always susceptible to scrutiny and caution but it’s really important to understand that this is a top down WHOLE club investment strategy including first team, academy, ladies team, infrastructure and the wider community in and around HTC and the central belt. It’s a good deal for the club moving forward into the future.

[jacomo]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.


It’s a minority view it seems but I’m with you. This apparent incoming investment makes me nervous and I dislike the very idea of multi-club ownership. I don’t like much about the direction football is headed, tbh.

However… Hibs turning down investment on principle won’t change the world - it will just make investors look elsewhere. And I have long believed that Hibs have a lot of unfulfilled potential… maybe this is the way to realise it?

[Joe6-2]

[QUOTE=jacomo;7545626]It’s a minority view it seems but I’m with you. This apparent incoming investment makes me nervous and I dislike the very idea of multi-club ownership. I don’t like much about the direction football is headed, tbh.

However… Hibs turning down investment on principle won’t change the world - it will just make investors look elsewhere. And I have long believed that Hibs have a lot of unfulfilled potential… maybe this is the way to realise it?[/QUOTE

I get all the doubts and fears, but without taking this ‘opportunity’ we are standing still at best

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Now that's just silly accusations

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

And as admins don’t need any telling without foundations or sources and evidence to back it up should be confined to the garbage of the internet that’s brimming to overflowing.

[green day]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.

Can you clarify why you think that? Otherwise people might think you are just like the drunk guy at the end of the bar.

[RMQ1967]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.

That made me laugh out loud 😂

They've developed the profile of the club to the point where it's attracted the interest of billionaire investors who might be about to pile in more cash than you can shake a ****ty stick at.

I know who's not competent or trustworthy on this thread 👍

[McD]

What’s the difference between a normal objection and a substantial objection?



Neither are as impactful as ‘strenuously objecting’





One for fans of A Few Good Men :greengrin

[McD]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.



Are you going to use the phrase ‘ponzi scheme’ as well? Ffs

[Stewboy]

Are you going to use the phrase ‘ponzi scheme’ as well? Ffs

Aye time to get the bingo card out!

[Forza Fred]

A competent owner and a trustworthy CEO should 100% be brokering the deal.

I just think our owners and CEO are neither competent or trustworthy.

Not the first post you have made that I think would appear to most to be one that only seeks to attempt to cause division and negativity.

[CentreLine]

We hear a lot of differing views, even some resistance, on here against taking a different approach. I’d like to think that every option has merit, so here goes mine. We can plod on the way we are and hope we sign the next golden generation some time soon. After all that’s been our outlook for a long time.
Alternatively, we can recognise that doing the same thing, over and over again, whilst expecting a different result, is the height of stupidity.
Me? I’m all in for where the club appears to be going and will be happy to go along for the ride if it comes together.

[adam middlemass]

We hear a lot of differing views, even some resistance, on here against taking a different approach. I’d like to think that every option has merit, so here goes mine. We can plod on the way we are and hope we sign the next golden generation some time soon. After all that’s been our outlook for a long time.
Alternatively, we can recognise that doing the same thing, over and over again, whilst expecting a different result, is the height of stupidity.
Me? I’m all in for where the club appears to be going and will be happy to go along for the ride if it comes together.

Count me in as well ! :flag:

[Forza Fred]

We hear a lot of differing views, even some resistance, on here against taking a different approach. I’d like to think that every option has merit, so here goes mine. We can plod on the way we are and hope we sign the next golden generation some time soon. After all that’s been our outlook for a long time.
Alternatively, we can recognise that doing the same thing, over and over again, whilst expecting a different result, is the height of stupidity.
Me? I’m all in for where the club appears to be going and will be happy to go along for the ride if it comes together.

Exactly!

If nothing changes………nothing changes.

[Scotty Leither]

We hear a lot of differing views, even some resistance, on here against taking a different approach. I’d like to think that every option has merit, so here goes mine. We can plod on the way we are and hope we sign the next golden generation some time soon. After all that’s been our outlook for a long time.
Alternatively, we can recognise that doing the same thing, over and over again, whilst expecting a different result, is the height of stupidity.
Me? I’m all in for where the club appears to be going and will be happy to go along for the ride if it comes together.

Same here...I'm confident the club will do its due diligence thoroughly as far as Foley goes. It's not as if the guy's an unknown quantity like "Mr" Romanov is it?

We go on plodding along underachieving going through permanent transition season after season, or we up the ante and bring in outside investment and finally try to punch our weight consistently with a winning team, a full Easter Road every other week?

Count me in.

[Bridge hibs]

Same here...I'm confident the club will do its due diligence thoroughly as far as Foley goes. It's not as if the guy's an unknown quantity like "Mr" Romanov is it?

We go on plodding along underachieving going through permanent transition season after season, or we up the ante and bring in outside investment and finally try to punch our weight consistently with a winning team, a full Easter Road every other week?

Count me in.Yep same here

[Since452]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.

I agree to an extent. The way Kensell and the Gordons have handed the football side of things with three ultimately crap managerial appointments in a row doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence that this decision will be a good one. They are yet to do anything that has led to success on the park since they arrived. It's a massive step in to the unknown from from a regime with a track record of on the park failure and on the park is the only thing i'm really interested in.

[bingo70]

I agree to an extent. The way Kensell and the Gordons have handed the football side of things with three ultimately crap managerial appointments in a row doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence that this decision will be a good one. They are yet to do anything that has led to success on the park since they arrived. It's a massive step in to the unknown from from a regime with a track record of on the park failure and on the park is the only thing i'm really interested in.

Have we not achieved European football twice since they took over and on one of those occasions finished 3rd? Prior to them taking over we had been relegated a year or two before.

It’s not exactly been a drop off from Champions league football to the depths of the lower leagues since they took over, It’s probably not been the exciting success we’d hoped for but it’s not been a disaster on the pitch and to say they’ve not achieved any success isn’t correct. Also, to label Montgomery as a crap appointment at this stage is just idiotic imo.

[Dmas]

I agree to an extent. The way Kensell and the Gordons have handed the football side of things with three ultimately crap managerial appointments in a row doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence that this decision will be a good one. They are yet to do anything that has led to success on the park since they arrived. It's a massive step in to the unknown from from a regime with a track record of on the park failure and on the park is the only thing i'm really interested in.

The way people go on you’d think we have had a host of successful managerial appointments in the years before the Gordon’s and kensell when in actual fact since Alex millers time we’ve had Mcleish Mowbray stubbs and jack Ross ? only 1 of them actually winning a cup, even those successful managers made terrible signings it’s unfortunately where we are in the football ladder every single decision is a gamble, they’ve done well off field not so well on it and have made a decision with McDermott to try and help that side of things maybe now they’ve realised they need further help and now foley is coming in could still be 2 fantastic decisions to help the part there not getting so right?

[GreenGray]

Whilst I can understand some Hibs fans having questions to ask about the investment I think accusing the Gordon's of anything is well wide of the mark. They haven't done anything so far to suggest that they have ill intentions with Hibs and they fact that they are seeking this is a positive in itself.

Whilst I am for the investment personally I was surprised to see barely any fans against it, I thought for some of the older more traditional fans it might be something they would hate but it seems to be almost wide spread positivity.

Do we think it has came at a perfect time? I think many have become slightly detached from Scottish Football in recent years due to Covid, VAR and terrible refs and Foley is something to get excited about at a time we all need it.

I do wonder if it had came at a time where the club were doing well and fans were generally happy (few years post cup win) if the reaction would have been different.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Whilst I can understand some Hibs fans having questions to ask about the investment I think accusing the Gordon's of anything is well wide of the mark. They haven't done anything so far to suggest that they have ill intentions with Hibs and they fact that they are seeking this is a positive in itself.

Whilst I am for the investment personally I was surprised to see barely any fans against it, I thought for some of the older more traditional fans it might be something they would hate but it seems to be almost wide spread positivity.

Do we think it has came at a perfect time? I think many have become slightly detached from Scottish Football in recent years due to Covid, VAR and terrible refs and Foley is something to get excited about at a time we all need it.

I do wonder if it had came at a time where the club were doing well and fans were generally happy (few years post cup win) if the reaction would have been different.

Agree.

I expected a lot more opposition to it. I’m probably one of the detached fans you talk about. This is my first season in my living memory that I’ve not had a season ticket. At this point in time I’d say there’s absolutely nothing that’s made me want to get another one. On that basis, I’m quite happy to take the plunge, if it goes tits up then it goes tits up, but the status quo is doing absolutely nothing for me and in terms of my own enjoyment of Scottish football and Hibs, it’s absolutely dying on its arse.

I do think a lot of the concerns being raised though have a lot of validity to them and the way they’re shouted down reminds me very much of the way Hearts fans wouldn’t hear a bad word said about Romanov to begin with. That’s not me comparing Foley to Romanov before someone loses their ****.

[jacomo]

Whilst I can understand some Hibs fans having questions to ask about the investment I think accusing the Gordon's of anything is well wide of the mark. They haven't done anything so far to suggest that they have ill intentions with Hibs and they fact that they are seeking this is a positive in itself.

Whilst I am for the investment personally I was surprised to see barely any fans against it, I thought for some of the older more traditional fans it might be something they would hate but it seems to be almost wide spread positivity.

Do we think it has came at a perfect time? I think many have become slightly detached from Scottish Football in recent years due to Covid, VAR and terrible refs and Foley is something to get excited about at a time we all need it.

I do wonder if it had came at a time where the club were doing well and fans were generally happy (few years post cup win) if the reaction would have been different.


If it was a full takeover I think there would be more objections.

A ‘minority stake’ investment sounds like the best of all worlds… Hibs remain independent but able to call on greater resources.

In practice, I worry that future plans will based on what is good for Bournemouth rather than what is good for Hibs, but we shall see.

[stuart-farquhar]

Can you clarify why you think that? Otherwise people might think you are just like the drunk guy at the end of the bar.

Hey I heard that!

[NAE NOOKIE]

If it was a full takeover I think there would be more objections.

A ‘minority stake’ investment sounds like the best of all worlds… Hibs remain independent but able to call on greater resources.

In practice, I worry that future plans will based on what is good for Bournemouth rather than what is good for Hibs, but we shall see.

Which ( financial implications aside ) is the main concern here and why either Foley himself, or someone representing the Black Knights group, would be a useful addition to the top table at the next AGM if this goes ahead.

What needs to be understood here is the emotional side, something anybody getting involved with a football club fails to take into account at their peril.
Of all the clubs in the UK this one is practically the poster boy for what happens when some idiot fails to understand that football isn't just a business and thinks they can fu ck with it.

In the end these people have to understand that this club has a long proud history and a healthy fanbase that when push comes to shove is passionate about it.
Foley and the Black Knights might see AFC Bournemouth as the jewel in their crown, but In the end we as Hibs fans couldn't give a rats arse about their fortunes and if it gets to the point that it becomes clear what's good for AFC Bournemouth isn't good for Hibs they will live to rue the day they heard the name Hibernian Football Club.

Obviously nobody would want to see things come to that ... but IMO anybody looking to get involved with this club needs to look at it's history between 1989 and 1991 and then pop the name Wallace Mercer into Wikipedia to see what happens when it's treated as a commodity or an afterthought to a bigger plan.

[TrinityHFC]

Which ( financial implications aside ) is the main concern here and why either Foley himself, or someone representing the Black Knights group, would be a useful addition to the top table at the next AGM if this goes ahead.

What needs to be understood here is the emotional side, something anybody getting involved with a football club fails to take into account at their peril.
Of all the clubs in the UK this one is practically the poster boy for what happens when some idiot fails to understand that football isn't just a business and thinks they can fu ck with it.

In the end these people have to understand that this club has a long proud history and a healthy fanbase that when push comes to shove is passionate about it.
Foley and the Black Knights might see AFC Bournemouth as the jewel in their crown, but In the end we as Hibs fans couldn't give a rats arse about their fortunes and if it gets to the point that it becomes clear what's good for AFC Bournemouth isn't good for Hibs they will live to rue the day they heard the name Hibernian Football Club.

Obviously nobody would want to see things come to that ... but IMO anybody looking to get involved with this club needs to look at it's history between 1989 and 1991 and then pop the name Wallace Mercer into Wikipedia to see what happens when it's treated as a commodity or an afterthought to a bigger plan.

Don’t really see that as a big worry.

The Mercer situation has very little in common with the scenario of being a club in a group. The implications are nowhere near the same.

I also don’t see a big downside in not being the ‘top’ team in the pecking order. The markets are so massively different now. If we aren’t the ultimate priority then who cares really? If we are getting all the benefits of being part of the group, access to better players and all that than we are surely better off than being someone’s top priority but without the resources to move us forward.

I don’t know what the bad things are that happen when you’re not the top team in the structure? You don’t get the £30m player in their prime? You don’t get market rate for all the EPL quality players we produce ourselves?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Don’t really see that as a big worry.

The Mercer situation has very little in common with the scenario of being a club in a group. The implications are nowhere near the same.

I also don’t see a big downside in not being the ‘top’ team in the pecking order. The markets are so massively different now. If we aren’t the ultimate priority then who cares really? If we are getting all the benefits of being part of the group, access to better players and all that than we are surely better off than being someone’s top priority but without the resources to move us forward.

I don’t know what the bad things are that happen when you’re not the top team in the structure? You don’t get the £30m player in their prime? You don’t get market rate for all the EPL quality players we produce ourselves?

I suppose our success could hinge on Bournemouth’s success which could be an issue with not being the top team in the group.

As a side who aren’t one of the big hitters in the EPL, what happens when they get relegated? Are our expectations/finances adjusted in line with theirs? What if Foley turns round and decides since they’ve been relegated that we’re now only getting League One standard players rather than potentially Championship standard? Bournemouth are a small enough club that’s it’s not inconceivable that if they fall out the top flight they might settle into being a mid table team in the Championship. I wouldn’t fancy our success being dictated by a team like Milwall currently for example.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Don’t really see that as a big worry.

The Mercer situation has very little in common with the scenario of being a club in a group. The implications are nowhere near the same.

I also don’t see a big downside in not being the ‘top’ team in the pecking order. The markets are so massively different now. If we aren’t the ultimate priority then who cares really? If we are getting all the benefits of being part of the group, access to better players and all that than we are surely better off than being someone’s top priority but without the resources to move us forward.

I don’t know what the bad things are that happen when you’re not the top team in the structure? You don’t get the £30m player in their prime? You don’t get market rate for all the EPL quality players we produce ourselves?

At the moment no it doesn't. But if it transpires later on down the line that we gain nothing from this partnership and AFC Bournemouth are going from strength to strength and little or nothing happens to improve our situation then it starts to enter the same ball park. Whether true or not, the perception will be that Hibs don't matter so long as AFC Bournemouth are doing well.

EG ... Currently FC Lorient occupy 17th place in an 18 team league:

P ...... 17
W ......2
D....... 6
L .......9
G for .... 21
G against 35

Knocked out of the French cup at home in the round of 16 by Lens.

That might not be something you can fully lay at the door of their tie in with the Black Knights group .... but it's hardly a ringing endorsement for it either, is it?

[Hibbyradge]

Know I'm going against the grain here. No one yet knows the fine detail and also what Foley's ultimate goal is.

But I feel uneasy about where this is going, particularly with Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell calling the shots.

Maybe I should blindly go along with everything. The owners don't really care what I and the support think. We are unlikely to be told anything until, and if the deal is done.

Attention seeking pish.

[SickBoy32]

At the moment no it doesn't. But if it transpires later on down the line that we gain nothing from this partnership and AFC Bournemouth are going from strength to strength and little or nothing happens to improve our situation then it starts to enter the same ball park. Whether true or not, the perception will be that Hibs don't matter so long as AFC Bournemouth are doing well.

EG ... Currently FC Lorient occupy 17th place in an 18 team league:

P ...... 17
W ......2
D....... 6
L .......9
G for .... 21
G against 35

Knocked out of the French cup at home in the round of 16 by Lens.

That might not be something you can fully lay at the door of their tie in with the Black Knights group .... but it's hardly a ringing endorsement for it either, is it?

Share your concerns, think some folk may be being blinded by the 'billionaire' tag.

The age of Foley, the downturn in fortunes for Lorient since their change of ownership, and the fact that our potential future success will hinge on the ability of Bournemouth to survive in the top flight long-term, are all valid reasons for concern IMO.

I've read most of this thread, and am still unsure as to what the benefits are for us.

We get first dibs on promising loan players? Or is their destination at the discretion of Bournemouth?

The ultra vague - 'access to better resources' - not sure that really means anything in reality?

I'd prefer to see the club grow sustainably, ideally under a CEO who can produce a decent side on the park. Everything else is just noise.

[SickBoy32]

Attention seeking pish.

Not the most constructive post. FWIW I agree with every word.

[TrinityHFC]

Share your concerns, think some folk may be being blinded by the 'billionaire' tag.

The age of Foley, the downturn in fortunes for Lorient since their change of ownership, and the fact that our potential future success will hinge on the ability of Bournemouth to survive in the top flight long-term, are all valid reasons for concern IMO.

I've read most of this thread, and am still unsure as to what the benefits are for us.

We get first dibs on promising loan players? Or is their destination at the discretion of Bournemouth?

The ultra vague - 'access to better resources' - not sure that really means anything in reality?

I'd prefer to see the club grow sustainably, ideally under a CEO who can produce a decent side on the park. Everything else is just noise.

You are accusing people of being blinded but you don’t appear to have looked very far into who the group are, how they operate or how other multi club groups work. Do you know much about Lorient’s recent history?

Plugging away at the same model is fine but so long as there’s reality that we are pretty much at the limit of where we can go on that.

[WhileTheChief..]

Attention seeking pish.

Added more to the discussion than your post to be fair.

Have you ever posted stuff just for attention? Does anyone actually do that or are you simply having a dig at him because you don’t like what you read?

[Hibbyradge]

Added more to the discussion than your post to be fair.

Have you ever posted stuff just for attention? Does anyone actually do that or are you simply having a dig at him because you don’t like what you read?

I don't think alleging that our owner and our CEO are incompetent, untrustworthy and uncaring is adding anything to the discussion.

[Lago]

The way people go on you’d think we have had a host of successful managerial appointments in the years before the Gordon’s and kensell when in actual fact since Alex millers time we’ve had Mcleish Mowbray stubbs and jack Ross ? only 1 of them actually winning a cup, even those successful managers made terrible signings it’s unfortunately where we are in the football ladder every single decision is a gamble, they’ve done well off field not so well on it and have made a decision with McDermott to try and help that side of things maybe now they’ve realised they need further help and now foley is coming in could still be 2 fantastic decisions to help the part there not getting so right?
Yes over the years various owners have appointed some of the following managers, Auld, Duffy, Williamson, Fenlon, Butcher, Calderwood, Paatalean, Yogi. Also both Stanton and Blackley had a shot, Hibs legends, how much success have we had over a long period, not a great deal, time to try something new, may work, may not only time will tell.

[HFC93]

Good to see ‘it’s a ponzi scheme’ gang are alive and well.

[SickBoy32]

You are accusing people of being blinded but you don’t appear to have looked very far into who the group are, how they operate or how other multi club groups work. Do you know much about Lorient’s recent history?

Plugging away at the same model is fine but so long as there’s reality that we are pretty much at the limit of where we can go on that.

I'd posted a while back in this thread some analysis of the performance of Lorient in the last 5-10 years, this season is below their usual standard (quite significantly).

As for us being at the limit of what we can achieve - totally disagree. We're currently wasting a decent chunk (and have done for years) of our playing budget on players who don't contribute to our first team. Bin the current strategy of player trading / moneyball, get back to a lean squad of good quality players and drive up revenue by achieving success on the park and bringing in increased prize monies.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I'd posted a while back in this thread some analysis of the performance of Lorient in the last 5-10 years, this season is below their usual standard (quite significantly).

As for us being at the limit of what we can achieve - totally disagree. We're currently wasting a decent chunk (and have done for years) of our playing budget on players who don't contribute to our first team. Bin the current strategy of player trading / moneyball, get back to a lean squad of good quality players and drive up revenue by achieving success on the park and bringing in increased prize monies.

Agree with all that.

I know folk are determined to convince themselves that there’s no concerns to be had here but it’s simply not the case. There’s far too many factors that are currently unknown, it’s absolutely fair to question how certain aspects will work and whether they are good or bad for Hibs.

[Smartie]

Good to see ‘it’s a ponzi scheme’ gang are alive and well.

On the other side of that argument...

Good to see the "what could possibly go wrong with owning a bunch of wine bars in the Avon area" crew are still alive and well...

[greenlex]

I’m in the we have nothing to lose camp. Without it we at best stand still. With it………………….

[HoboHarry]

I’m in the we have nothing to lose camp. Without it we at best stand still. With it………………….
Complete galactic domination......

[May21/05/216]

Good to see ‘it’s a ponzi scheme’ gang are alive and well.[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

[greenlex]

Complete galactic domination......

Obviously. 😉

[Hibbyradge]

On the other side of that argument...

Good to see the "what could possibly go wrong with owning a bunch of wine bars in the Avon area" crew are still alive and well...

It's happy clappers versus the bedwetters as usual, with the occasional negative agenda thrown in.

I can't influence anything so I'm in the "let's wait and see what happens while hoping for the best" camp.

A sort of hibs.net conscientious objector, if you will.

[Heisenberg]

I'd posted a while back in this thread some analysis of the performance of Lorient in the last 5-10 years, this season is below their usual standard (quite significantly).

As for us being at the limit of what we can achieve - totally disagree. We're currently wasting a decent chunk (and have done for years) of our playing budget on players who don't contribute to our first team. Bin the current strategy of player trading / moneyball, get back to a lean squad of good quality players and drive up revenue by achieving success on the park and bringing in increased prize monies.

Is it that below their usual standard really? Looks like 3 finishes of 8th, 8th and 10th since 2012/13 but those aside they’ve been floating about the bottom of the league and spent a few seasons in Ligue 2. Doesn’t look like there’s been any immediate improvement in them since Foley arrived though.

[TrinityHFC]

I'd posted a while back in this thread some analysis of the performance of Lorient in the last 5-10 years, this season is below their usual standard (quite significantly).

As for us being at the limit of what we can achieve - totally disagree. We're currently wasting a decent chunk (and have done for years) of our playing budget on players who don't contribute to our first team. Bin the current strategy of player trading / moneyball, get back to a lean squad of good quality players and drive up revenue by achieving success on the park and bringing in increased prize monies.

Well below their usual standard?

Since 2016 they have had the following finishes from what I can see:

15th
18th and relegated

7th in second tier
6th in second tier
1st in second tier and promoted

16th
16th
10th

Currently sitting in 17th.

I've no doubt that the aim is to do much better than that. I notice Bournemouth did purchase a player for about about €12m and loaned him to them - they also bought a player from Lorient for about €20m.

I think it will take time, if done properly, and the same would apply here - although we are quite well positioned against where Lorient usually sit.

[Hibs90]

I've heard from a friend at the SFA that there has been no objections.

:cb

[green day]

On the other side of that argument...

Good to see the "what could possibly go wrong with owning a bunch of wine bars in the Avon area" crew are still alive and well...

As it happens, I have family down Wiltshire way, and when the Duff/Gray Avon inns was happening, my cousins said "this is doomed, they are the worst pubs in the local area" :greengrin:greengrin

[Hibbyradge]

I've heard from a friend at the SFA that there has been no objections.

:cb

That's made up, isn't it. :hilarious