Impact of Black Knight Investment

[KeithWright9]

Does anyone else think this has been vaporous so far? I’ve seen nothing to suggest we’re in a stronger position than we were previously…

[SaulGoodman]

I’d suggest we never would have got Marcondes or, more importantly, Maolida who probably stopped us from being dragged into a relegation battle last season without the investment.

[bingo70]

Does anyone else think this has been vaporous so far? I’ve seen nothing to suggest we’re in a stronger position than we were previously…

Yeah, I’m quite surprised/disappointed so far to be honest.

I know we have spent money on infrastructure like the shop but I was there at the weekend and can’t say I was impressed, seemed to have even less products than we had before. Other infrastructure improvements like the bar behind the goals won’t be cheap but it’s not something I’m likely to see much benefit of.

As it stands it looks like we’ve attracted investment to allow us to stand still. Hopefully we get some signings soon that reflect the investment that’s been put in.

[JohnM1875]

I’d suggest we never would have got Marcondes or, more importantly, Maolida who probably stopped us from being dragged into a relegation battle last season without the investment.

Add Moriah-Welsh into that. Think he keeps improving he’ll make us a few million.

[green day]

Its far too early to say.

Hearts were relegated while getting £5m a year from their sugardaddy.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Early days.

[hibee-boys]

Yeah, shouldn’t have bothered accepting it🙄 Any investment into a football club will be as much medium term strategy e.g. infrastructure improvements to increase future revenue streams as it will be blowing a large transfer fee for a short term fix. I would imagine the 2 new centre halves will be on bigger contracts vs the likes of Hanlon/Stevenson, surely that’s an example?

[B.H.F.C]

It’s obviously hypothetical but I wonder where we’d be without the investment? Bearing in mind the loss shown on the last accounts and the subsequent 8th place finish in the league.

We’ll be able to spend a lot more this summer than we would have been without it, obviously.

[MWHIBBIES]

Seriously :faf:

It was said at the time, anyone expecting us to suddenly spent millions was daft. It will lead to a gradual increase in wages, fees, and the quality of our facilities. It was never ever going to lead to us spending millions on transfers.

[easty]

Seriously :faf:

It was said at the time, anyone expecting us to suddenly spent millions was daft. It will lead to a gradual increase in wages, fees, and the quality of our facilities. It was never ever going to lead to us spending millions on transfers.

:agree:

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Shortfalling another disaster of a season

Marcondes
Maolida
Moriah-Welsh

And that's just a start. I still think there'll be a marquee signing

[superfurryhibby]

I’d suggest we never would have got Marcondes or, more importantly, Maolida who probably stopped us from being dragged into a relegation battle last season without the investment.

Whilst this is true, it's also probably fair to say that with the money spent on players over the past three years or so, we should never have been in that position.

[04Sauzee]

Transfer window has been open about 2 weeks, work to be done on moving players on. League season starts in a few weeks. I wouldn't say we are standing still at all. I'm still quite excited about the season ahead.

[JohnM1875]

Transfer window has been open about 2 weeks, work to be done on moving players on. League season starts in a few weeks. I wouldn't say we are standing still at all. I'm still quite excited about the season ahead.

Same, buzzing for it. I lost my **** the first week or so because we hadn’t signed anyone, but I honestly believe the three we’ve made so far will really improve the starting XI.

Clear we’re not finished in this window either and I’m confident we’ll make a few more signings to further strengthen the team. Glad we seem to be using the money wisely and not just *****ing it cause it’s there.

[Hibernian Verse]

Save this for when the window closes. We will have a far larger sample time to look back on.

2 weeks into the window, there is still so much work to do.

[matty_f]

Seriously :faf:

It was said at the time, anyone expecting us to suddenly spent millions was daft. It will lead to a gradual increase in wages, fees, and the quality of our facilities. It was never ever going to lead to us spending millions on transfers.

While I agree that we shouldn’t expect to see millions in fees, it’s worth noting that Foley himself said that thanks to the investment, Hibs would have a few million to spend.

I think they'll have a few million pounds to help them with the transfer window next summer.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/bill-foley-reveals-hibs-transfer-pot-and-says-long-term-ambition-is-to-challenge-celtic-and-rangers-its-going-to-be-a-fun-investment-4498994


So I think it’s perfectly reasonable for people to equate that to us having a few million to spend this window.

[Waxy]

Very early days.
Way too early to say anything apart from some signings last season which were really good.
A small hint of positivity if anything.

[Hibiza]

Decent players and decent priced Pie and Bovril. I'm a man of simple pleasures.

[Alex Trager]

Shortfalling another disaster of a season

Marcondes
Maolida
Moriah-Welsh

And that's just a start. I still think there'll be a marquee signing
I wonder if we should be looking at other players with the letter M at the start of their name.

[ChuckNor]

While I agree that we shouldn’t expect to see millions in fees, it’s worth noting that Foley himself said that thanks to the investment, Hibs would have a few million to spend.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/bill-foley-reveals-hibs-transfer-pot-and-says-long-term-ambition-is-to-challenge-celtic-and-rangers-its-going-to-be-a-fun-investment-4498994


So I think it’s perfectly reasonable for people to equate that to us having a few million to spend this window.

I have long had concerns that these noises made about and by Black Knights before and shortly after the deal got approved were part of a PR push to get the fans on board. I am not entirely convinced this will end with Hibs with a better team that "pushes Rangers and Celtic". I hope to be proven completely wrong, of course.

[MrSmith]

Noticed today when passing ER. That there is a lot of proprietary work going on n the North stand.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

I wonder if we should be looking at other players with the letter M at the start of their name.

There's a wee guy playing in miami that might do a job. Probably too small for the Scottish game...

[04Sauzee]

Noticed today when passing ER. That there is a lot of proprietary work going on n the North stand.

Sorry, what kind of work?

[MrSmith]

Sorry that was meant to be preparatory work. All the windows were out at the back, scaffolding up, I guess it has something to do with the safe standing area or new social areas?

[hibee-boys]

I wonder if we should be looking at other players with the letter M at the start of their name.

We have, that’s why Simon Murray is on our radar.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Noticed today when passing ER. That there is a lot of proprietary work going on n the North stand.

Any sign of the permanent TV studio and the link connecting the West with the FF that was talked about?

[matty_f]

I have long had concerns that these noises made about and by Black Knights before and shortly after the deal got approved were part of a PR push to get the fans on board. I am not entirely convinced this will end with Hibs with a better team that "pushes Rangers and Celtic". I hope to be proven completely wrong, of course.

I don't think they are anything to be concerned about, tbh.

If anything, I'm more concerned that the club goes too far in keeping them at arm's length.

From what I've heard, this was never intended to be an overnight "take a load of money and get an immediate improvement" set up. The initial money was to put into things that offer long term and sustainable growth as well as some money to bolster the transfer kitty in the short term.

Hibs and Foley have consistently maintained that Black Knight FC are not in it to run the club, and perhaps counter-intuitively, Lorient's relegation gives some reassurance that they're not looking to run over the top of the owners - their owner oversaw decisions and day to day management.

Hibs stressed at the AGM that the investment was there to make the budget go further through utilising the network, where there would be staff and player opportunities. I think we've already seen that evidenced with NMW and Marcondes (and Bevan, had it not been for injury).

The money was paid as advised and so things have so far panned out much as was described, albeit we don't yet know what we will spend this summer - the transfer window has weeks still to go and if we get to the end of it with either no noticeable improvement in the level of players were have signed or any money being spent, then that would be the time to question it.

[Moulin Yarns]

Sorry that was meant to be preparatory work. All the windows were out at the back, scaffolding up, I guess it has something to do with the safe standing area or new social areas?

Have we got a big orange crane on the pitch? If not I want to know why! All the best clubs do it 🤣

[.Sean.]

Noticed today when passing ER. That there is a lot of proprietary work going on n the North stand.
Whats all happening mate?

[Hibees1973]

I have long had concerns that these noises made about and by Black Knights before and shortly after the deal got approved were part of a PR push to get the fans on board. I am not entirely convinced this will end with Hibs with a better team that "pushes Rangers and Celtic". I hope to be proven completely wrong, of course.

What does 'push Rangers & Celtic' mean. Consistently challenging them for the league title?

If that's the case then I'm convinced we will never do this.

[J-C]

Our 3 new signings will be on pretty decent wages, MK Dons wanted O'Hora to stay and League 1 don't pay pennies, Ekpiteta came from Blackpool in the Championship, again would have been on a decent wedge there and Bursik from Brugge, again decent wages. What the BK money will do is allow us to up our wage bill, maybe the odd decent transfer but will also allow us to get better loan players by offering a higher wage percentage to the club loaning the player(Maolida, Marcondes).

[Bridge hibs]

Our 3 new signings will be on pretty decent wages, MK Dons wanted O'Hora to stay and League 1 don't pay pennies, Ekpiteta came from Blackpool in the Championship, again would have been on a decent wedge there and Bursik from Brugge, again decent wages. What the BK money will do is allow us to up our wage bill, maybe the odd decent transfer but will also allow us to get better loan players by offering a higher wage percentage to the club loaning the player(Maolida, Marcondes).Blackpool are league 1 mate

[J-C]

Blackpool are league 1 mate

True but were a championship team in 2020 when he signed, relegated in 22/23.

[superfurryhibby]

Our 3 new signings will be on pretty decent wages, MK Dons wanted O'Hora to stay and League 1 don't pay pennies, Ekpiteta came from Blackpool in the Championship, again would have been on a decent wedge there and Bursik from Brugge, again decent wages. What the BK money will do is allow us to up our wage bill, maybe the odd decent transfer but will also allow us to get better loan players by offering a higher wage percentage to the club loaning the player(Maolida, Marcondes).

MK Dons were in League 2 last season and Blackpool were in League 1. Not convinced these any of these guys will be on greater wages than the outgoing Hanlon and Stevenson (which is a moot point as know one knows what wages any of them were /are on anyway). Possibly not the best example of how the BK's investment will allow us to up our wage bill really.

[Smartie]

Call me a happy clapper but I’m prepared to let them have at least one competitive match before losing my mind completely.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Yeah, I’m quite surprised/disappointed so far to be honest.

I know we have spent money on infrastructure like the shop but I was there at the weekend and can’t say I was impressed, seemed to have even less products than we had before. Other infrastructure improvements like the bar behind the goals won’t be cheap but it’s not something I’m likely to see much benefit of.

As it stands it looks like we’ve attracted investment to allow us to stand still. Hopefully we get some signings soon that reflect the investment that’s been put in.

does the safe standing count as infrastructure?

[J-C]

MK Dons were in League 2 last season and Blackpool were in League 1. Not convinced these any of these guys will be on greater wages than the outgoing Hanlon and Stevenson (which is a moot point as know one knows what wages any of them were /are on anyway). Possibly not the best example of how the BK's investment will allow us to up our wage bill really.

MK Dons were league 1 the season before, they pay good wages down there compared to up here, hence why so many stay down there like Greg Docherty and Jason Kerr.

[blackpoolhibs]

MK Dons were league 1 the season before, they pay good wages down there compared to up here, hence why so many stay down there like Greg Docherty and Jason Kerr.
Blackpool dont pay big wages, even in the championship.

Dont know anything about MK Dons.

[MagicSwirlingShip]

Whats all happening mate?

I’d imagine it’s the redevelopment of Behind the goals. The club posted footage of the old suites being totally ripped out.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Dont know anything about MK Dons.

A lot of people on this forum don't go to watch MK Dons. 🤭

[blackpoolhibs]

A lot of people on this forum don't go to watch MK Dons. ��
:tee hee:

I plan not to go watch them 3 times next season.

[Dmas]

Early days for the link up, early days in BKFC itself and early days for SDG in the window maybe he will spend some cash, not to concerned if he doesn’t, hearts, Dundee, killie and st.mirren havent spent big cash on players and brought them in from similar levels of the game we are, don’t see why we can’t do the same

[J-C]

Early days for the link up, early days in BKFC itself and early days for SDG in the window maybe he will spend some cash, not to concerned if he doesn’t, hearts, Dundee, killie and st.mirren havent spent big cash on players and brought them in from similar levels of the game we are, don’t see why we can’t do the same

It looks like Gray is getting the spine of the team sorted 1st with good solid hard working players, I'd assume better quality additions will come in for the creative positions, particularly if Youan goes, that's when we might see the BK money coming into it's own, probably through higher wages for better players.

[Paul1642]

Our 3 new signings will be on pretty decent wages, MK Dons wanted O'Hora to stay and League 1 don't pay pennies, Ekpiteta came from Blackpool in the Championship, again would have been on a decent wedge there and Bursik from Brugge, again decent wages. What the BK money will do is allow us to up our wage bill, maybe the odd decent transfer but will also allow us to get better loan players by offering a higher wage percentage to the club loaning the player(Maolida, Marcondes).

Hanlon, Stevenson, ALF, Henderson, Makay, Marshall and Tait have all left and some for these would have been on similar wages to the our two new CBs. On Tait and Makay wouldn’t have been among our higher earners out these guys. Marshall is still at the club but wages won’t be the same as his playing contact.

Fish, Maolida, Marcondes, Mayenda and Triantis will have all been on decent loan wages so Bursik’s wages probably only account for one of these leaving.

The way I see it we are 4 loan player wages and 5 first team player wages better off than we were at the start of the window, and even if you assume the fee received for Henderson covers the CBs signing on fees we haven’t touched a penny of the transfer budget.

Based on this I’m still expecting a couple of exciting signings up the top end of the park.

[Jones28]

Plenty time yet.

[Pretty Boy]

Too early to say really.

I'm not all that excited about the Black Knights thing. We'll spend a bit more in terms of wages and whatever but Aberdeen have their own billionaire in the background financing Cormack and Hearts still have their benefactor and fans millions every year. I'm not believing we are suddenly going to race away from the pack and in fairness I don't think Hibs or Foley ever really promised as much.

The whole multi club thing will either be a fad that will pass or will become so common that everyone will find their place in the new pecking order. Arguably at the outset it's better to be in and ahead of the curve than out.

I'm not judging it now though. Whether it ends up as a roaring success or an abject failure is not to be determined now.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Too early to say really.

I'm not all that excited about the Black Knights thing. We'll spend a bit more in terms of wages and whatever but Aberdeen have their own billionaire in the background financing Cormack and Hearts still have their benefactor and fans millions every year. I'm not believing we are suddenly going to race away from the pack and in fairness I don't think Hibs or Foley ever really promised as much.

The whole multi club thing will either be a fad that will pass or will become so common that everyone will find their place in the new pecking order. Arguably at the outset it's better to be in and ahead of the curve than out.

I'm not judging it now though. Whether it ends up as a roaring success or an abject failure is not to be determined now.


yup Hearts and Aberdeen along without ourselves to a perhaps lesser extent just underlines it’s not always about the money…

[ekhibee]

I don't think they are anything to be concerned about, tbh.

If anything, I'm more concerned that the club goes too far in keeping them at arm's length.

From what I've heard, this was never intended to be an overnight "take a load of money and get an immediate improvement" set up. The initial money was to put into things that offer long term and sustainable growth as well as some money to bolster the transfer kitty in the short term.

Hibs and Foley have consistently maintained that Black Knight FC are not in it to run the club, and perhaps counter-intuitively, Lorient's relegation gives some reassurance that they're not looking to run over the top of the owners - their owner oversaw decisions and day to day management.

Hibs stressed at the AGM that the investment was there to make the budget go further through utilising the network, where there would be staff and player opportunities. I think we've already seen that evidenced with NMW and Marcondes (and Bevan, had it not been for injury).

The money was paid as advised and so things have so far panned out much as was described, albeit we don't yet know what we will spend this summer - the transfer window has weeks still to go and if we get to the end of it with either no noticeable improvement in the level of players were have signed or any money being spent, then that would be the time to question it.
Thanks for keeping us informed, I wasn't aware of some of what you were saying. But just out of curiosity, what do Black Knight/Bill Foley get out of this? Surely they're not just there to prop us up financially? Not having a go at you at all, really just curious.

[Paul1642]

yup Hearts and Aberdeen along without ourselves to a perhaps lesser extent just underlines it’s not always about the money…

But then you could ask where would Hearts and Aberdeen be without this money? They have underachieved yet both generally been above us more often than not.

Without the BK we were eventually going to be left behind. We might not pull away form them but at least it’s now a level playing field. Previously we had to spend well and hope that they spend poorly just to compete with them.

[TrinityHFC]

But then you could ask where would Hearts and Aberdeen be without this money? They have underachieved yet both generally been above us more often than not.

Without the BK we were eventually going to be left behind. We might not pull away form them but at least it’s now a level playing field. Previously we had to spend well and hope that they spend poorly just to compete with them.

The difference should be that we don’t just have access to some extra money, we also have access to a successful sport set up with more opportunities to source players and expertise.

[matty_f]

Thanks for keeping us informed, I wasn't aware of some of what you were saying. But just out of curiosity, what do Black Knight/Bill Foley get out of this? Surely they're not just there to prop us up financially? Not having a go at you at all, really just curious.

Long term it's clear that Black Knight FC want a portfolio of successful clubs -if you go to their website or read up on the announcements they made with appointments, there's a mix of this being a nice thing to get involved with for Foley (he's said as much himself) and there being a lot of commercial opportunities in having a high performing portfolio of football clubs.

There's also numerous player trading advantages of being able to buy players in certain countries (Scotland, for example, had a lower work permit threshold than England, so we can sign a player who doesn't qualify for a Permit in England, they play enough games here that they qualify for one a year later so Foley keeps them within the group).

[Mrimbetween]

But then you could ask where would Hearts and Aberdeen be without this money? They have underachieved yet both generally been above us more often than not.

Without the BK we were eventually going to be left behind. We might not pull away form them but at least it’s now a level playing field. Previously we had to spend well and hope that they spend poorly just to compete with them.
I dont see a level playing field with Hibs Aberdeen and hearts. I think the other two clubs are way ahead of us right now and especially one.. Its amazing what 3rd can achieve and that has to be the goal from the off because we all know the rewards these days are fantastic and a game changer

[Bristolhibby]

Would very much like to see how linkups with Bournemouth will work. Talent moving in both directions.

Would have been nice to play them in a friendly in Bournemouth. Only an hour and a bit for me in Wiltshire.

J

[King Cosell]

Does anyone else think this has been vaporous so far? I’ve seen nothing to suggest we’re in a stronger position than we were previously…

The wage bill will increase massively. We didn't get Big Marv for free, he'll be on 7-10k, and would have got a signing-on fee. He had plenty of options. I don't think you'll spending a lot on transfer fees.

[Chuck Rhoades]

Far too early to judge.

Is this a wind up?

[easty]

The wage bill will increase massively. We didn't get Big Marv for free, he'll be on 7-10k, and would have got a signing-on fee. He had plenty of options. I don't think you'll spending a lot on transfer fees.

I’ve no idea what his contract is at Hibs, but I’d be really surprised to see us offering a League 1 player £10k a week for 3 years. Even £7k would surprise me.

[Aldo]

The wage bill will increase massively. We didn't get Big Marv for free, he'll be on 7-10k, and would have got a signing-on fee. He had plenty of options. I don't think you'll spending a lot on transfer fees.

Where you getting these figures from?
Pure speculation and guesswork?
7k a week is more than £360k a year

[GreenCastle]

Would like to know what’s going on with indoor pitch. Lots of chat about the money being used elsewhere but when it comes to infrastructure you would think something like an full size pitch at a windy (plus winter Scottish weather) East Mains would be a real sign of intent.

At the end of the day the fans are fed up though of the team doing badly so understand that has to be priority but adding that to east mains will really take it up a level.

You could even say making the gym and other areas of east mains would improve it - there is a lot of land and so much potential to improve the space.

[superfurryhibby]

Where you getting these figures from?
Pure speculation and guesswork?
7k a week is more than £360k a year

Same website that had us paying ALF 15k/week :dunno:

[cocteautwin]

I dont see a level playing field with Hibs Aberdeen and hearts. I think the other two clubs are way ahead of us right now and especially one.. Its amazing what 3rd can achieve and that has to be the goal from the off because we all know the rewards these days are fantastic and a game changer

Yes, I think most Hibs supporters don’t realise just how far ahead of us Hearts are financially.

They have Anderson financial doping of £4-5m a year and also the FoH cash of around £1.5m pa. This year they’ll have an extra c£4m from their Euro run so call it a round £10m better off than Hibs. That’s £10m profit they can spend. Not sales, clear profit. No amount of pies sold or shirts shifted is going to bridge that gap. Even a large chunk of a few £m from BK group isn’t going to bridge it.

One interesting statistic this year is that Hearts will have crossed over the £50m mark for recent donations spent.

They must have the financial equivalent of about 30,000 season ticket holders and really should be some distance ahead of everyone outside the OF. It’s quite astonishing they’ve ploughed their way through £50m+ of donations and have nothing to show for it aside from a couple of third places and a championship flag from their relegation season.

What Hibs really need from BK Group is just better players.

[Smartie]

Yes, I think most Hibs supporters don’t realise just how far ahead of us Hearts are financially.

They have Anderson financial doping of £4-5m a year and also the FoH cash of around £1.5m pa. This year they’ll have an extra c£4m from their Euro run so call it a round £10m better off than Hibs. That’s £10m profit they can spend. Not sales, clear profit. No amount of pies sold or shirts shifted is going to bridge that gap. Even a large chunk of a few £m from BK group isn’t going to bridge it.

One interesting statistic this year is that Hearts will have crossed over the £50m mark for recent donations spent.

They must have the financial equivalent of about 30,000 season ticket holders and really should be some distance ahead of everyone outside the OF. It’s quite astonishing they’ve ploughed their way through £50m+ of donations and have nothing to show for it aside from a couple of third places and a championship flag from their relegation season.

What Hibs really need from BK Group is just better players.

Yes, mainly that.

But given the rest of the content of your post, tapping into the nous of a group who can have the likes of Bournemouth and the Vegas Golden Knights punching with richer competitors is definitely of interest too.

We've been at the mercy of Hearts getting their act together for a while. TBH - the time it's taken and the amount of money they've wasted along the way for no return is really quite staggering.

[Aldo]

Same website that had us paying ALF 15k/week :dunno:

Says it all.

[Hibernian Verse]

Average salary in League 1 is £4,750 according to MansionBet in 2023.

Not inconceivable that a player dropping down from the Championship would command 2-3k above the average.

[blackpoolhibs]

Average salary in League 1 is £4,750 according to MansionBet in 2023.

Not inconceivable that a player dropping down from the Championship would command 2-3k above the average.

We are talking about Blackpool here, when they were in the Premiership no player was paid more than 10k a week, many much less.

3k tops

[Hibernian Verse]

We are talking about Blackpool here, when they were in the Premiership no player was paid more than 10k a week, many much less.

3k tops

That was 14 years ago, a lot more money has filtered down the leagues since.

[blackpoolhibs]

That was 14 years ago, a lot more money has filtered down the leagues since.

I know it was a long time ago, but nobody at Blackpool is on 7k a week now, they are skint.

[B.H.F.C]

No idea what the likes of Blackpool pay but I think boys like Ekpiteta will be on decent money by our standards. Even going back to signing the likes of Newell, I don’t think boys playing down south that have options down south, are coming up here if it’s not a good deal financially.

[easty]

No idea what the likes of Blackpool pay but I think boys like Ekpiteta will be on decent money by our standards. Even going back to signing the likes of Newell, I don’t think boys playing down south that have options down south, are coming up here if it’s not a good deal financially.

If you're getting an offer in League 1 at roughly the same as you're getting at Hibs, I think you'd be mad not to pick Hibs.

[The Modfather]

If you're getting an offer in League 1 at roughly the same as you're getting at Hibs, I think you'd be mad not to pick Hibs.

Would we be all that appealing if money is similar? Uproot your family for as good a chance at playing in a couple of euro qualifiers as there is at playing in the bottom 6 and churning through managers, the next one who might not fancy you?

Think it will take time to shake off a well earned reputation as a basket case club. Though offering good money will never see us short of players willing to sign for us.

[Hibernian Verse]

Would we be all that appealing if money is similar? Uproot your family for as good a chance at playing in a couple of euro qualifiers as there is at playing in the bottom 6 and churning through managers, the next one who might not fancy you?

Think it will take time to shake off a well earned reputation as a basket case club. Though offering good money will never see us short of players willing to sign for us.

Is this not the same at any club?

[Brightside]

If you're getting an offer in League 1 at roughly the same as you're getting at Hibs, I think you'd be mad not to pick Hibs.

I think we under estimate how little most people think of Scottish football.

[The Modfather]

Is this not the same at any club?

It is, and generally over the long term we don’t sack managers more frequently than anyone else. However in two of the last 3 seasons we’ve sacked two managers in a single season. I was just using it in the scenario of offering a guy in England similar money to English clubs. Offer enough money and most players wont care who the manager is.

[Smartie]

I think we under estimate how little most people think of Scottish football.

Rightly or wrongly, I think a huge number of people down South have a low opinion of Scotland in general.

[matty_f]

Yes, mainly that.

But given the rest of the content of your post, tapping into the nous of a group who can have the likes of Bournemouth and the Vegas Golden Knights punching with richer competitors is definitely of interest too.

We've been at the mercy of Hearts getting their act together for a while. TBH - the time it's taken and the amount of money they've wasted along the way for no return is really quite staggering.

Agreed.

We really should be trying to squeeze every last bit of value out of the group of clubs to see if there's an available upgrade on any positions -if we can't outspend others then this is a way to bring in players who are far outside of our budget.

[easty]

Would we be all that appealing if money is similar? Uproot your family for as good a chance at playing in a couple of euro qualifiers as there is at playing in the bottom 6 and churning through managers, the next one who might not fancy you?

Think it will take time to shake off a well earned reputation as a basket case club. Though offering good money will never see us short of players willing to sign for us.

You’d be uprooting your family to move to most clubs, whether you’re staying in England or not.

Chance to play at the top level in Scotland, better chance of a trophy than with a league 1 team. You can call it a couple of qualifying rounds, but Hearts and Aberdeen have played group stage football recently. The opportunity to play in front of 50k people at Rangers and Celtc.

I’m biased of course, but it’s a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. A move to Hibs, and Edinburgh, is better than the same money at any league 1 team.

[Baader]

You also have the very realistic possibility of playing in Europe. Which is what we should be making every season. Unless you're playing top end Premier League football that's something that none of these players will ever get down there. Guys like Obita just never would have any chance of playing in UEFA tournaments. He's now scored a goal in European competition. That's a pretty big deal.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

You’d be uprooting your family to move to most clubs, whether you’re staying in England or not.

Chance to play at the top level in Scotland, better chance of a trophy than with a league 1 team. You can call it a couple of qualifying rounds, but Hearts and Aberdeen have played group stage football recently. The opportunity to play in front of 50k people at Rangers and Celtc.

I’m biased of course, but it’s a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. A move to Hibs, and Edinburgh, is better than the same money at any league 1 team.

As someone mentioned, most people down south don't have a high regard for Scotland, are usually very ignorant of even basic geography and literally we could be on the far side of tge moon. This all feeds into the 'farmers league' bull, mind you pitches like Livi's don't help.

[ancient hibee]

As someone mentioned, most people down south don't have a high regard for Scotland, are usually very ignorant of even basic geography and literally we could be on the far side of tge moon. This all feeds into the 'farmers league' bull, mind you pitches like Livi's don't help.



A sweeping statement.Know many people in England do you?
As far as football is concerned do you think the standard of teams in our league is high? Evidence seems to prove the opposite.

[Iain G]

Rightly or wrongly, I think a huge number of people down South have a low opinion of Scotland in general.

Brexit voting, little Englander, sink the small boats, Farage loving, nimby, small minded bunch of Sassenachs the lot of them! 😁

[McD]

Would like to know what’s going on with indoor pitch. Lots of chat about the money being used elsewhere but when it comes to infrastructure you would think something like an full size pitch at a windy (plus winter Scottish weather) East Mains would be a real sign of intent.

At the end of the day the fans are fed up though of the team doing badly so understand that has to be priority but adding that to east mains will really take it up a level.

You could even say making the gym and other areas of east mains would improve it - there is a lot of land and so much potential to improve the space.



I’m maybe misunderstanding your last point, there’s already a gym at East Mains, which I believe is of pretty high quality as it stands. Afaik the facilities at EM are very good, though I agree the indoor pitch would be an excellent addition.

[AngloHibs]

Brexit voting, little Englander, sink the small boats, Farage loving, nimby, small minded bunch of Sassenachs the lot of them! 😁
I voted remain, and I believe that we should cooperate with other countries to provide legal routes for migrants. Bash on with generalising 60 million people though.
Scottish top level football is particularly poor ATM, I don't really think there's an argument.

[Alfred E Newman]

As someone mentioned, most people down south don't have a high regard for Scotland, are usually very ignorant of even basic geography and literally we could be on the far side of tge moon. This all feeds into the 'farmers league' bull, mind you pitches like Livi's don't help.

You are right about Livi’s pitch but the rest is a load of rubbish.

[Smartie]

I voted remain, and I believe that we should cooperate with other countries to provide legal routes for migrants. Bash on with generalising 60 million people though.
Scottish top level football is particularly poor ATM, I don't really think there's an argument.

I actually think it's a brilliant place for players to develop. There aren't many leagues that offer the variety that can include local derbies, trips to Ibrox and Parkhead and having to find ways to grind down not particularly rich but gritty wee teams.

Further to my point about folk in England having a low opinion of Scotland - most will never set foot in the place, have no intention of setting foot in the place and are happy to maintain their low opinion from a safe distance. Fair enough. There is another cohort who come here, fall in love with the place, are heartily welcomed, contribute bucketloads to life here and either settle here or spend a lot of time here - including many posters on this forum. And very notable Hibs players.

So when folk do decide to join, don't be surprised if they stay a while. I just don't think we should be overly downhearted if folk choose to join or stay with fairly pish English clubs over coming to chilly old Jockoland, in general it's their problem and loss and not ours.

[Kato]

Scottish top level football is particularly poor ATM

At the moment - the moment being the last couple of decades.

A lot of older English fans are sad at the state of Scottish football, as they can remember when their teams being served well by Scottish players.


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[Iain G]

I voted remain, and I believe that we should cooperate with other countries to provide legal routes for migrants. Bash on with generalising 60 million people though.
Scottish top level football is particularly poor ATM, I don't really think there's an argument.

Being a little overly sensitive at my clearly non serious comment?

Though the majority of English voters did vote to leave 😳

[Ozyhibby]

It’s beginning to look like we have been conned again? I can’t remember much chat about not being good enough to beat Kelty Hearts when they were selling the Black Knights to us? Club just bumbling along as usual.[emoji35]


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[Glory Lurker]

How much is the real estate worth?

[thebausburst]

It’s beginning to look like we have been conned again? I can’t remember much chat about not being good enough to beat Kelty Hearts when they were selling the Black Knights to us? Club just bumbling along as usual.[emoji35]

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That’s how I feel, this major investor stuff has just turned into bluff and bluster, we’re clearly no better off than before.

[TrinityHFC]

It’s beginning to look like we have been conned again? I can’t remember much chat about not being good enough to beat Kelty Hearts when they were selling the Black Knights to us? Club just bumbling along as usual.[emoji35]


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Conned? We lost a football game. It happens and will continue to happen. We are at the very beginning of changes at the club. Some really pathetic comments this evening.

[K-Zazu]

St Mirren away is all that matters let’s be honest, I think we will be alright.

[B.H.F.C]

Conned? We lost a football game. It happens and will continue to happen. We are at the very beginning of changes at the club. Some really pathetic comments this evening.

If we’d lost having spent much of the apparent investment, different story.

Summer not being good enough so far and today was one of the worst results in our history.

[Chorley Hibee]

How much is the real estate worth?

Yes, it has crossed my mind too.

[matty_f]

Conned? We lost a football game. It happens and will continue to happen. We are at the very beginning of changes at the club. Some really pathetic comments this evening.

The investment was ratified in late February, so wouldn’t have completed until March.

We are mid-July now, I was as excited as anyone about the investment but even I didn’t expect us to have turned the whole team around in four and a bit months, with not even one transfer window completed.

I think to see the impact of the investment, we will need to give it a little longer than it’s been, to be honest.

The loss today was embarrassing, but it’s not down to the investment not making any difference.

[matty_f]

Yes, it has crossed my mind too.

Same here, was thinking that the billionaire Black Knights would probably not bother just buying property in Edinburgh if they wanted it, better for them to buy a minority stake in a football club and do it through the back door.

[Ozyhibby]

Conned? We lost a football game. It happens and will continue to happen. We are at the very beginning of changes at the club. Some really pathetic comments this evening.

We lost to Kelty ******* Hearts.
After last season I would have thought the size of the task in front of us meant we didn’t really have time to just wait until the last minute to start getting players in.
Fact is Hearts have done more business than us and they need it a lot less.
Club is sleep walking just now.


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[Chorley Hibee]

The investment was ratified in late February, so wouldn’t have completed until March.

We are mid-July now, I was as excited as anyone about the investment but even I didn’t expect us to have turned the whole team around in four and a bit months, with not even one transfer window completed.

I think to see the impact of the investment, we will need to give it a little longer than it’s been, to be honest.

The loss today was embarrassing, but it’s not down to the investment not making any difference.

I don't expect a complete overhaul in players in that time, but I don't think it's unreasonable to have seen one or two players matching the supposed ambition that has been spoken about by those in charge.

I think a couple of big signings could have made a difference, particularly in season ticket sales, and perhaps enough to have overcame the mighty Kelty Hearts today.

Instead, we seem to be looking at cheap options, both in the dugout, and on the pitch.

It isn't going to wash with a lot of fans any longer.

[thebausburst]

This is starting to look like Duff and Gray 2.0, when do we find out we’ve invested the BK money in a great leisure and hotels opportunity and owe Tiny Rowland some cash 😬

[Glory Lurker]

Same here, was thinking that the billionaire Black Knights would probably not bother just buying property in Edinburgh if they wanted it, better for them to buy a minority stake in a football club and do it through the back door.

I expect it was all sorts of considerations that made them invest in Hibs, but until we motor on thanks to their involvement, we should be very, very sceptical about their end game.

[JohnM1875]

We lost to Kelty ******* Hearts.
After last season I would have thought the size of the task in front of us meant we didn’t really have time to just wait until the last minute to start getting players in.
Fact is Hearts have done more business than us and they need it a lot less.
Club is sleep walking just now.


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Totally, or am I being ****ing mental here?

We should have been out the blocks getting players in the door ready to go for the League Cup group stages at minimum, preferably for the Portugal trip.

Yet we’re halfway through the window and yet to spend a penny. Don't get me wrong, I do think O’Hora, Marv and Bursik are good signings. Just expected more bodies in by now.

[matty_f]

We lost to Kelty ******* Hearts.
After last season I would have thought the size of the task in front of us meant we didn’t really have time to just wait until the last minute to start getting players in.
Fact is Hearts have done more business than us and they need it a lot less.
Club is sleep walking just now.


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That’s not true. I’ve complained as much as many folk about how the club has been run, but to say we’re sleepwalking is nonsense.

Since the investment, we’ve sacked the manager and replaced with a new management team.
We’ve hired a Sporting Director who, in turn, has hired a Technical Performance Director.

They’ve started the process of revamping the squad - I could list the dusted players but frankly, there are too many to rattle off without looking it up, and, well, **** that.

We’re recruiting, and thankfully appear to be getting our best to make sure the players coming in are what we need and, more importantly, at the standard we need. We can’t afford to waste money on more *****. The squad is bloated with it.

Doing it properly is different from sleepwalking.

Today’s result was a shambles and there are multiple reasons for it, most of which are in the process of being addressed.

[Forza Fred]

I expected after Monty got the sack …..and the blatantly obvious observation that our squad was not good enough, that what passes as our recruitment team would immediately identify targets that could be put in front of the new heirarchy on day 1.

Not a ..’trim around the edges’ which we appear to have done..but a root and all makeover.

Our players proved last season that most of them are simply not good enough…….if we think they were somehow going to turn into being good enough, then we are kidding ourselves.

We are in the same position as last year………not even good enough with our current squad to be confident of making the top six.

Urgent alarm bell ringing action is required……or this season will be another write off.

[Jack]

Conned? We lost a football game. It happens and will continue to happen. We are at the very beginning of changes at the club. Some really pathetic comments this evening.

Conned.

Hibernian FC Chief Executive Ben Kensell added: “This deal is ground-breaking in Scottish football and game-changing for Hibernian Football Club, so I’m really pleased it was ratified this evening.

“This is a really exciting time for everyone involved with Hibernian FC. The future looks very bright and fans should be excited.”

We're at the sharp end of that future now. There's nothing happened so far, particularly in the signings we've made, to suggest we're on our way to the sunny uplands.

There's been nothing game-changing.

The future looks far from bright given the evidence in front of us.

And rather than being excited the supporters are raging.

Can come up with a quote from the club that says despite the millions invested we're skint and have nothing to spend on players? Sorry folks we're in for the same embarrassing results we've become accustomed to since the Gordons came in.

It's your sneering condescending attitude to those on here that feel badly let down by those currently running the club that's pathetic.

[B.H.F.C]

Conned.

Hibernian FC Chief Executive Ben Kensell added: “This deal is ground-breaking in Scottish football and game-changing for Hibernian Football Club, so I’m really pleased it was ratified this evening.

“This is a really exciting time for everyone involved with Hibernian FC. The future looks very bright and fans should be excited.”

We're at the sharp end of that future now. There's nothing happened so far, particularly in the signings we've made, to suggest we're on our way to the sunny uplands.

There's been nothing game-changing.

The future looks far from bright given the evidence in front of us.

And rather than being excited the supporters are raging.

Can come up with a quote from the club that says despite the millions invested we're skint and have nothing to spend on players? Sorry folks we're in for the same embarrassing results we've become accustomed to since the Gordons came in.

It's your sneering condescending attitude to those on here that feel badly let down by those currently running the club that's pathetic.

Fans generally care about one thing and one thing only, what they’re seeing on the pitch. We were told that we should be excited but it really couldn’t be any less exciting at the moment. There was some cautious optimism with how Gray had started but that is now gone on the back of yesterday.

Full of promises but it all appears to be a load of ***** as per.

[Carheenlea]

What the fanfare suggested at the time was and what we are seeing right now are two very different things.

The board requiring a vote to decide on whether Monty was to be sacked or not, and the Black Knights losing the vote after being keen to continue with Montgomery, this has perhaps coincided with the cooling of the partnership.

Investment of the likes we were promised was maybe subject to working with a board that aligned with their thinking. They’re maybe not so keen any more and if they’re going to invest larger sums then they maybe might want a bigger say.

The quality of the additions of the areas the team requires will tell us where we are. The league season is only two weeks away and we are very short on some positions. The fact we have yet to add to the striking options so close to start of campaign suggests we don’t have the budget we were promised. Things may well develop this week to allay our fears, but if we are scratching about in the usual market then it’s a partnership that could just peter out.

[Hibees1973]

This is starting to look like Duff and Gray 2.0, when do we find out we’ve invested the BK money in a great leisure and hotels opportunity and owe Tiny Rowland some cash 😬My thoughts exactly when Ian Gordon & Kensell announced the Black Knights deal at the time. Up until that point neither had them had done anything to merit any trust from me to be convinced this deal was wise. My worry at the time and still, is will this deal make it more difficult for a competent person to buy Hibs outright and make us a properly functioning football club. I still get the feeling Ian Gordon is playing with his late father's inheritance and giving Kensell power to implement his little phoney pet projects.

[matty_f]

On reflection, I wonder if it’s not the case that we’re skint but rather than we’re managing the wages/turnover ratio more closely.

That would certainly cause us an issue in that if we wanted to spend £1m (for example) on a player, we would need the turnover to support their wages.

A bottom six finish and no European football to rely on has surely had an impact on what we can spend on wages, and with a bloated squad already it probably doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre to bring players in, even if we have the cash in the bank.

That certainly makes more sense than us having no money - and ties in with Malky’s interview where he said to expect more next season.

[Hibees1973]

Has the money from the Black Knights just been used to plug the holes in the financial losses incurred by Ian Gordon & Ben Kensell's incompetence.

[Wheat Hound]

On reflection, I wonder if it’s not the case that we’re skint but rather than we’re managing the wages/turnover ratio more closely.

That would certainly cause us an issue in that if we wanted to spend £1m (for example) on a player, we would need the turnover to support their wages.

A bottom six finish and no European football to rely on has surely had an impact on what we can spend on wages, and with a bloated squad already it probably doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre to bring players in, even if we have the cash in the bank.

That certainly makes more sense than us having no money - and ties in with Malky’s interview where he said to expect more next season.

Always feels a bit 'jam tomorrow' with Hibs. The perennial transitional season team. To boost that turnover we need immediate progress and improvement.

[mcohibs]

Has the money from the Black Knights just been used to plug the holes in the financial losses incurred by Ian Gordon & Ben Kensell's incompetence.

In short, yes.

[TrinityHFC]

In short, yes.

Nonsense. The most vocal seem to know very little about this.

The debt was paid by the debt for equity swap. We’ve since had further investment from shareholders and we’ve had the £6m on top from the investors.

We lost a football game yesterday. That doesn’t mean the investment hasn’t happened.

Let’s see further into the window what impact it will have on our activity.

[04Sauzee]

In short, yes.

What evidence do you have that this is the case?

[Manxhibs]

I’ve not seen anything about the review of football operations, was that ever planned to be shared with fans or just kept in-house?

After yesterday, they are already on the back foot with the fans and add to the fact that Kensell is on LinkedIn spouting about how good the management team is, it’s not going to take much for this season to turn toxic.

I’m not sure if it’s the same with other clubs, as I’ve never looked into it. But I feel the ownership are still of the opinion us fans have nothing better to do with our money and will come back no matter what. Thats not me saying I’ll ever walk away but all this talk of us being commercially in a great spot and patting ourselves on the back really winds me up. The number one priority is the team and ensuring the fans have something to get behind!

[The Modfather]

On reflection, I wonder if it’s not the case that we’re skint but rather than we’re managing the wages/turnover ratio more closely.

That would certainly cause us an issue in that if we wanted to spend £1m (for example) on a player, we would need the turnover to support their wages.

A bottom six finish and no European football to rely on has surely had an impact on what we can spend on wages, and with a bloated squad already it probably doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre to bring players in, even if we have the cash in the bank.

That certainly makes more sense than us having no money - and ties in with Malky’s interview where he said to expect more next season.

We would be restricting ourselves for no real benefit in that scenario. Spend the million pound in fees on quality free transfer and their wages and signing on fees instead. Unless it’s a standout youngster, I’m not keen on spending big fees generally. Much better value looking at free transfers we otherwise couldn’t have afforded.

[B.H.F.C]

Nonsense. The most vocal seem to know very little about this.

The debt was paid by the debt for equity swap. We’ve since had further investment from shareholders and we’ve had the £6m on top from the investors.

We lost a football game yesterday. That doesn’t mean the investment hasn’t happened.

Let’s see further into the window what impact it will have on our activity.

Well the seeding in the next round of the League Cup is almost definitely gone.

We might as well double that up with a poor start in the league as well. Then it’ll be wait until the end of the window rather than further in to it.

You’re right that we lost a game but it shouldn’t be lost on anyone just how bad and how damaging that defeat is. Bad in that we’ve lost to a part time, League One side. That’s one of the worst defeats we’ll ever have. Damaging in that the optimism that was starting to build has been completely wiped out. We’re always waiting and always being told there is better to come. It rarely happens and folk are at a point where they are completely sick of it.

[we are hibs]

Well the seeding in the next round of the League Cup is almost definitely gone.

We might as well double that up with a poor start in the league as well. Then it’ll be wait until the end of the window rather than further in to it.

You’re right that we lost a game but it shouldn’t be lost on anyone just how bad and how damaging that defeat is. Bad in that we’ve lost to a part time, League One side. That’s one of the worst defeats we’ll ever have. Damaging in that the optimism that was starting to build has been completely wiped out. We’re always waiting and always being told there is better to come. It rarely happens and folk are at a point where they are completely sick of it.On the back of losing to an pub side from Andorra last year and going out in the groups after failing to beat league one Falkirk and championship morton the year before. Improvement would be not embarrassing ourselves before July is out.

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[superfurryhibby]

Nonsense. The most vocal seem to know very little about this.

The debt was paid by the debt for equity swap. We’ve since had further investment from shareholders and we’ve had the £6m on top from the investors.

We lost a football game yesterday. That doesn’t mean the investment hasn’t happened.

Let’s see further into the window what impact it will have on our activity.

Funnily enough, you are one of the most vocal.

So where is all this money going?

[bingo70]

St Mirren away is all that matters let’s be honest, I think we will be alright.

I think it’s possible to feel ok about the upcoming season but also questioning if we were lied to about the investment levels that lead to us selling around 25% of the club.

[Ozyhibby]

Funnily enough, you are one of the most vocal.

So where is all this money going?

It’s definitely not on the pitch.


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[NC1875]

It’s definitely not on the pitch.


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Keeping the cash in the bank until later in the window gives us a bit more to spend with the interest. It’s another Ben Kensell masterclass, he’ll be posting about it on Linkdin shortly.

[One Day Soon]

I think it’s possible to feel ok about the upcoming season but also questioning if we were lied to about the investment levels that lead to us selling around 25% of the club.

The Black Knights deal should be having an impact on the quality and timing of our new signings. So far there is zero evidence that it is.

If we have another season where we don’t get into Europe (highly likely), don’t see a significant improvement in the football we play (highly likely with a largely unchanged squad), remain a patchy results side (again highly likely) and have way less goals in us (no Maolida and as yet no replacement, so highly likely) then the revenues will remain way below expectations and our capacity to sign ambitiously will remain stunted. If we don’t speculate to accumulate this season - having also opted for a cheaper and inexperienced manager option - we are playing a pretty high risk version of football roulette in which I think the odds are heavily stacked against us.

[Ozyhibby]

Keeping the cash in the bank until later in the window gives us a bit more to spend with the interest. It’s another Ben Kensell masterclass, he’ll be posting about it on Linkdin shortly.

We’ll spend it on an assistant for the performance directors assistant.


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[Jack]

Nonsense. The most vocal seem to know very little about this.

The debt was paid by the debt for equity swap. We’ve since had further investment from shareholders and we’ve had the £6m on top from the investors.

We lost a football game yesterday. That doesn’t mean the investment hasn’t happened.

Let’s see further into the window what impact it will have on our activity.

Pony up with the what's happening then so that we too can be enlightened.

We embarrassingly lost a game of football yesterday but its not lost on most of us what's being said by the club is misleading at best and some feel as though they're being conned. It's not difficult to see why.

[mcohibs]

What evidence do you have that this is the case?

You don’t think we’re taking a more cautious approach to allocating the Black Knight investment due to our on-pitch (thus financial) shortcomings?

[K-Zazu]

Kensall out.

[JohnM1875]

On reflection, I wonder if it’s not the case that we’re skint but rather than we’re managing the wages/turnover ratio more closely.

That would certainly cause us an issue in that if we wanted to spend £1m (for example) on a player, we would need the turnover to support their wages.

A bottom six finish and no European football to rely on has surely had an impact on what we can spend on wages, and with a bloated squad already it probably doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre to bring players in, even if we have the cash in the bank.

That certainly makes more sense than us having no money - and ties in with Malky’s interview where he said to expect more next season.

Is the squad bloated though? 28 have been given a first team number, that includes four youth players from last year, Megwa, Molotnikov, O’Connor and Whittaker. They'll be on peanuts you'd imagine.

Then you have Wollacott away and Smith in, presumably on a lower wage.

So at present a squad of 24 (excluding youth) Sure there's a few high earners in there you'd want away in Kenneh, Jair and probably McKirdy. But 24 isn't really a bloated squad, is it? Not too bloated that you couldn't add quality if its available.

[Carheenlea]

The lack of a dominant striker is kind of like buying a pub, employing lots of back room staff and management, spending money on refurbishment and fancy facilities then when you open for business the only lager on tap is Fosters.

The league campaign starts in 14 days.

[Not In The Know]

Is the squad bloated though? 28 have been given a first team number, that includes four youth players from last year, Megwa, Molotnikov, O’Connor and Whittaker. They'll be on peanuts you'd imagine. Then you have Wollacott away and Smith in, presumably on a lower wage. So at present a squad of 24 (excluding youth) Sure there's a few high earners in there you'd want away in Kenneh, Jair and probably McKirdy. But 24 isn't really a bloated squad, is it? Not too bloated that you couldn't add quality if its available.If we found out the combined weekly wage organise 3 McKirdy, Kenneh and Tavares there would be mobs with pitchforks out the back of the main stand. It would easily cover getting back Maolida.

[B.H.F.C]

The lack of a dominant striker is kind of like buying a pub, employing lots of back room staff and management, spending money on refurbishment and fancy facilities then when you open for business the only lager on tap is Fosters.

The league campaign starts in 14 days.

The lack of a striker is absolutely bizarre. I thought the priority in getting the goalie and two centre halves was bang on and a good start. But that was three weeks ago, I really didn’t think that we’d be this far down the line from then and not have strengthened further. It negligence, again, and has already cost us.

[JohnM1875]

If we found out the combined weekly wage organise 3 McKirdy, Kenneh and Tavares there would be mobs with pitchforks out the back of the main stand. It would easily cover getting back Maolida.

Few folk have suggested the same and that's awful if true. But there's not a chance in hell we’re getting rid of all three this season, probably Kenneh out on loan and that's it. Even then we’ll still probably need to contribute to some of the wage.

Thankfully Kenneh and McKirdy are both out of contract next summer, still two years of Jair though.

[MWHIBBIES]

If we found out the combined weekly wage organise 3 McKirdy, Kenneh and Tavares there would be mobs with pitchforks out the back of the main stand. It would easily cover getting back Maolida.

Tell us then?

[matty_f]

Is the squad bloated though? 28 have been given a first team number, that includes four youth players from last year, Megwa, Molotnikov, O’Connor and Whittaker. They'll be on peanuts you'd imagine.

Then you have Wollacott away and Smith in, presumably on a lower wage.

So at present a squad of 24 (excluding youth) Sure there's a few high earners in there you'd want away in Kenneh, Jair and probably McKirdy. But 24 isn't really a bloated squad, is it? Not too bloated that you couldn't add quality if its available.

You probably don’t want a squad much bigger than that, and given we’d a wages/turnover ratio at something ridiculous like 80% at the last accounts, which we were assured was them back under control at 65% thanks to an increase in turnover, and you know that turnover is going to take a hit again (league finish, no Europe, presumably lower season ticket sales etc) then where is the room in the wages budget for expensive signings?

It’s just a theory, but I can’t see how we can bring players in on decent money in line with their talent on the wages/turnover budget we have unless we decide to throw caution to the wind with it.

[matty_f]

We would be restricting ourselves for no real benefit in that scenario. Spend the million pound in fees on quality free transfer and their wages and signing on fees instead. Unless it’s a standout youngster, I’m not keen on spending big fees generally. Much better value looking at free transfers we otherwise couldn’t have afforded.

It’s an option but it’s not sustainable unless you achieve your targets, there are good reasons why clubs operate a strict wage/turnover ratio.

[04Sauzee]

Tell us then?

He can't he's Not In The Know

[matty_f]

In short, yes.

How can it have been?

Despite losses in the last accounts we had cash in the bank.

The debt was to two creditors : the government for a Covid loan and Bydand (£5.5m) which was used to (laughably) chase sporting success.

The latter was converted to shares and went to Bydand, with the club effectively gaining £5.5m in the stroke of a pencil.

So at that point there is cash in the bank and no creditor other than the government.

£8.25m or thereabouts has gone into the club since, so unless we’ve made losses to that amount plus the amount of money we had in the bank at the time, then it’s still there.

[The Modfather]

How can it have been?

Despite losses in the last accounts we had cash in the bank.

The debt was to two creditors : the government for a Covid loan and Bydand (£5.5m) which was used to (laughably) chase sporting success.

The latter was converted to shares and went to Bydand, with the club effectively gaining £5.5m in the stroke of a pencil.

So at that point there is cash in the bank and no creditor other than the government.

£8.25m or thereabouts has gone into the club since, so unless we’ve made losses to that amount plus the amount of money we had in the bank at the time, then it’s still there.

I wonder if we speculated to accumulate last summer in spending approaching £2m on fees alone. We’re now using this summer’s budget, or a good chunk of it, to pay for last seasons fees spent as well as paying off two different managers.

Whatever way you cut it, even allowing for the above plus maybe some of the money ringfenced for an indoor pitch etc (despite the conflicting messages) that the £8m or so can be easily accounted for and we’re at a stage of having to sell or move on the likes of Mckirdy, Kenneh, Jair, Levitt, Vente etc before we can bring in new starters.

[Lago]

How can it have been? Despite losses in the last accounts we had cash in the bank. The debt was to two creditors : the government for a Covid loan and Bydand (£5.5m) which was used to (laughably) chase sporting success. The latter was converted to shares and went to Bydand, with the club effectively gaining £5.5m in the stroke of a pencil. So at that point there is cash in the bank and no creditor other than the government. £8.25m or thereabouts has gone into the club since, so unless we’ve made losses to that amount plus the amount of money we had in the bank at the time, then it’s still there.If that amount of money is there it's certainly not been used, shopping in English league 1 for 2 CH and a lonee keeper, ptior to that the head coach appointment can only be described as cheap option, so where's the cash, smoke and mirrors on the go at Hibs.

[jeffers]

The lack of a striker is absolutely bizarre. I thought the priority in getting the goalie and two centre halves was bang on and a good start. But that was three weeks ago, I really didn’t think that we’d be this far down the line from then and not have strengthened further. It negligence, again, and has already cost us.I don’t get it either. It’s almost as if we didn’t have anyone else in mind when we missed out on Murray. When you then take into consideration he wasn’t being signed as the main man it’s even more bizarre.

[JohnM1875]

I don’t get it either. It’s almost as if we didn’t have anyone else in mind when we missed out on Murray. When you then take into consideration he wasn’t being signed as the main man it’s even more bizarre.

Loads of stuff not adding up for me just now.

We should have a list of strikers we’ve scouted and want to bring in. Scouting doesn't just start when the window opens, its constantly ongoing. Aye, we changed managers but I can't see Gray not liking every striker scouted to date.

Do we not have access to Bournemouth set up/scouting network too?

I honestly rubbished the ‘we’re waiting on selling Youan’ chat. But its looking increasingly like that's true which is worrying.

[Bridge hibs]

Loads of stuff not adding up for me just now.

We should have a list of strikers we’ve scouted and want to bring in. Scouting doesn't just start when the window opens, its constantly ongoing. Aye, we changed managers but I can't see Gray not liking every striker scouted to date.

Do we not have access to Bournemouth set up/scouting network too?

I honestly rubbished the ‘we’re waiting on selling Youan’ chat. But its looking increasingly like that's true which is worrying.We could be in for 5 strikers, theres loads of reasons why they wouldnt come to hibs, other clubs interested, wages, relocating if they are not in Scotland etc etc etc. Thats football though and happens to every club from time to time, we are no different, there could be stacks of clubs looking at the very same player that we are after, doesnt mean we are skint or we are not actively looking

[B.H.F.C]

I don’t get it either. It’s almost as if we didn’t have anyone else in mind when we missed out on Murray. When you then take into consideration he wasn’t being signed as the main man it’s even more bizarre.

With the investment in to the club I just don’t get it. Yesterday really pissed me off, watching Vente being as ineffective as he was for most of last season but us having absolutely no option to change it. I know things take time but we just seem to take longer than most. If we took our time and it resulted in us getting better players in and us doing well then I think we’d all accept it. But it’ll be another year where we’re waiting on the January window after about 6 games.

[Ozyhibby]

With the investment in to the club I just don’t get it. Yesterday really pissed me off, watching Vente being as ineffective as he was for most of last season but us having absolutely no option to change it. I know things take time but we just seem to take longer than most. If we took our time and it resulted in us getting better players in and us doing well then I think we’d all accept it. But it’ll be another year where we’re waiting on the January window after about 6 games.

If that’s the case then I don’t think Gray will be also waiting on the January window as he’ll be gone as well. The stakes are high and there is no patience left with the fans. They have to get this right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Unseen work]

What I will say is just because we’ve not spent any money doesn’t mean the lads that have came in aren’t good signing.

There almost seems to be a “we’ve not spent anything” so we’re unhappy.

I’m actually quite happy we’ve managed to bring 4 players in for no fee, I think it shows a bit more of a shrewd recruitment policy than before where we chucked money at anyone.

Who knows, maybe BK said “the lad Bursik who was at Stoke is a top young goalie yous should look at on loan, he’s not good enough for us but he’s one for you”

It’s hard to really judge them yet but I think they all look good, O’Hora in particular.

They’re also not big names or from big clubs so again it changes the view.

I remember the hype guys like Melkersen, Hauge, Rocky, Mueller, Mackay, Tait etc etc came in with. We thought we were going to have this young foreign team of superstars who we would sell for millions

There’s what 5/6 weeks of the window left? Let’s hope we see the marquee signings soon. It’s maybe the case we’re calling other teams bluffs with the amount they think they’ll get for a player. For example we’ll give Dundee 400k for McCowan but they think they’ll get 700k, we call their bluff and later in the window we get him for close to our value

[matty_f]

If that amount of money is there it's certainly not been used, shopping in English league 1 for 2 CH and a lonee keeper, ptior to that the head coach appointment can only be described as cheap option, so where's the cash, smoke and mirrors on the go at Hibs.

I can’t see that it’s been spent, but that’s a very different scenario to it being used to cover debts, which is being suggested.

I’m curious as to how that could be the case given the position we know we were in.

[matty_f]

I wonder if we speculated to accumulate last summer in spending approaching £2m on fees alone. We’re now using this summer’s budget, or a good chunk of it, to pay for last seasons fees spent as well as paying off two different managers.

Whatever way you cut it, even allowing for the above plus maybe some of the money ringfenced for an indoor pitch etc (despite the conflicting messages) that the £8m or so can be easily accounted for and we’re at a stage of having to sell or move on the likes of Mckirdy, Kenneh, Jair, Levitt, Vente etc before we can bring in new starters.

From my basic understanding, which will no doubt be shown to be wrong, the “speculate to accumulate” was paid for by Bydand’s £5.5m loans.
At the point of the AGM we were told categorically that the wages/turnover was back at 65% (might have been 60% - I can’t remember exactly).

Things to impact that since then should be an eighth place finish, and sacking Monty - though that in itself wouldn’t have been hugely expensive given, I believe, a short severance terms agreement in contracts nowadays.

This is why the wages/turnover aspect is important to the discussion. As of now, our turnover looks to be down on the record turnover that Kensell was telling us about at the AGM.

That means if we we were projecting 65% at that point, then if turnover goes down then the percentage goes up - unless we cut the wages.

Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work doesn’t leave a huge amount to offset the drop in turnover, so that budget has to be managed.

This is consistent with Malky saying that contracts ending next season are significant in freeing up money to make better signings.

[superfurryhibby]

From my basic understanding, which will no doubt be shown to be wrong, the “speculate to accumulate” was paid for by Bydand’s £5.5m loans.
At the point of the AGM we were told categorically that the wages/turnover was back at 65% (might have been 60% - I can’t remember exactly).

Things to impact that since then should be an eighth place finish, and sacking Monty - though that in itself wouldn’t have been hugely expensive given, I believe, a short severance terms agreement in contracts nowadays.

This is why the wages/turnover aspect is important to the discussion. As of now, our turnover looks to be down on the record turnover that Kensell was telling us about at the AGM.

That means if we we were projecting 65% at that point, then if turnover goes down then the percentage goes up - unless we cut the wages.

Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work doesn’t leave a huge amount to offset the drop in turnover, so that budget has to be managed.

This is consistent with Malky saying that contracts ending next season are significant in freeing up money to make better signings.

The value of off-field investment is surely negated when no one turns up to use what's on offer?

Conversely, a good Hibs side pulls people in, the demand to go to watch the football and engage with the wider product grows in tandem. I get that some infrastructure work was vital, but it's the fortunes on the field that really will impact on it's success.

The next season talk. Not so convinced that we have too much deadwood around just now for their departures to have a huge impact on our wages, especially when you look at the players that have left?

Does anyone have a rough idea of what our stadium investments have cost?

When you consider the fees incoming, for Porto, Nisbet, Doig, Melkersen and the BK investment, it feels like we have frittered away huge amounts of money in the past five years.

[Sioux]

From my basic understanding, which will no doubt be shown to be wrong, the “speculate to accumulate” was paid for by Bydand’s £5.5m loans.
At the point of the AGM we were told categorically that the wages/turnover was back at 65% (might have been 60% - I can’t remember exactly).

Things to impact that since then should be an eighth place finish, and sacking Monty - though that in itself wouldn’t have been hugely expensive given, I believe, a short severance terms agreement in contracts nowadays.

This is why the wages/turnover aspect is important to the discussion. As of now, our turnover looks to be down on the record turnover that Kensell was telling us about at the AGM.

That means if we we were projecting 65% at that point, then if turnover goes down then the percentage goes up - unless we cut the wages.

Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work doesn’t leave a huge amount to offset the drop in turnover, so that budget has to be managed.

This is consistent with Malky saying that contracts ending next season are significant in freeing up money to make better signings.

What evidence do you have to show that "Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work"?

[matty_f]

What evidence do you have to show that "Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work"?

What do you mean? Stuff like the safe standing and Behind the Goals revamp? The recruitment of a Sporting Director, think there was some upgrade done on the pitch, new floodlighting. We are only four months from the investment being approved - the work that is planned and not yet started will still need to be paid for out of that money, we can’t spend it now and expect it to be there later.

Apologies if I’ve misinterpreted your question, was that what you mean?

[matty_f]

The value of off-field investment is surely negated when no one turns up to use what's on offer?

Conversely, a good Hibs side pulls people in, the demand to go to watch the football and engage with the wider product grows in tandem. I get that some infrastructure work was vital, but it's the fortunes on the field that really will impact on it's success.

The next season talk. Not so convinced that we have too much deadwood around just now for their departures to have a huge impact on our wages, especially when you look at the players that have left?

Does anyone have a rough idea of what our stadium investments have cost?

When you consider the fees incoming, for Porto, Nisbet, Doig, Melkersen and the BK investment, it feels like we have frittered away huge amounts of money in the past five years.

I’m not justifying any of it or saying that’s what I’d do, just trying to work out whether it’s more likely that the money is there to be used or whether, as some are suggesting, it’s been spent on losses and debt.

As for the squad, you’d be surprised - we did a longbangers episode towards the end of last season to look at the state of the squad and where the transfer priorities are, and there is a huge chunk of the current squad with deals running out at the end of next season.

[Is It On....]

The value of off-field investment is surely negated when no one turns up to use what's on offer?

Conversely, a good Hibs side pulls people in, the demand to go to watch the football and engage with the wider product grows in tandem. I get that some infrastructure work was vital, but it's the fortunes on the field that really will impact on it's success.

The next season talk. Not so convinced that we have too much deadwood around just now for their departures to have a huge impact on our wages, especially when you look at the players that have left?

Does anyone have a rough idea of what our stadium investments have cost?

When you consider the fees incoming, for Porto, Nisbet, Doig, Melkersen and the BK investment, it feels like we have frittered away huge amounts of money in the past five years.

I seem to recall that when the Gordon's bought their stake the club had zero debt. The sale of Porto, Doig and Nisbet (all players at the club "inherited" by the Gordon's) brought in about £4.5m. Add in "new" £5.5m debt that was then converted in equity by the Gordon's when the BK took their stake, then we have somehow gone through £10m and ended up with a worse team. I frankly think it's completely understandable that the Black Knights are involved in restructing our football operations before further significant funds are invested as we haven't proven capable in this area since Mathie was sacked.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Foley close to buying a club in Portugal AND looking into clubs in the Netherlands https://www.sportico.com/business/sales/2024/bill-foley-bournemouth-soccer-club-investments-1234790089/#

[Donegal Hibby]

Foley close to buying a club in Portugal AND looking into clubs in the Netherlands https://www.sportico.com/business/sales/2024/bill-foley-bournemouth-soccer-club-investments-1234790089/#

Just read that , does anyone actually think that Bournemouth are going to move up the league table and play in Europe?

[JohnM1875]

Just read that , does anyone actually think that Bournemouth are going to move up the league table and play in Europe?Nope. Far better and bigger teams than them in that league.

[Donegal Hibby]

Nope. Far better and bigger teams than them in that league.

They might if they are lucky finish around mid table again though I think the reality is for a club of their size , it's as good as it's going to get for them .

The talk of moving up the league , champions league football is a pipe dream IMO .

[matty_f]

Just read that , does anyone actually think that Bournemouth are going to move up the league table and play in Europe?

I wouldn’t put it past them. Champions League might be beyond them but Europa League or Conference League isn’t.

From the article, I noticed he said about the multi club model failing if the clubs all do their own thing and don’t listen to each other. I hope Kensell and Gordon are paying attention.

[Musselbound]

They might if they are lucky finish around mid table again though I think the reality is for a club of their size , it's as good as it's going to get for them .

The talk of moving up the league , champions league football is a pipe dream IMO .

It's more likely they will be battling relegation than challenging for Europe over the next couple of seasons.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Just read that , does anyone actually think that Bournemouth are going to move up the league table and play in Europe?i really doubt it, i see Bournemouth fans not happy with USA captain Tyler Adams picking up yet another injury playing in the Copa which will see him out until October at least, he's been an almost constant injured dude since they forked out £20m+ to Leeds for him, Sinestera not exactly hitting the heights either, Bournemouth asked USA to watch out for his back problem but they played him every game

[jeffers]

I wouldn’t put it past them. Champions League might be beyond them but Europa League or Conference League isn’t. From the article, I noticed he said about the multi club model failing if the clubs all do their own thing and don’t listen to each other. I hope Kensell and Gordon are paying attention.I wonder if that’s what happened with Lorient ? Though if they don’t have the majority ownership in the other clubs in their group why should they have the controlling say on what happens ?

[ChuckNor]

I wouldn’t put it past them. Champions League might be beyond them but Europa League or Conference League isn’t.

From the article, I noticed he said about the multi club model failing if the clubs all do their own thing and don’t listen to each other. I hope Kensell and Gordon are paying attention.

That was a warning shot. Read Malky’s comments regarding not taking Bournemouth players who aren’t ready. I believe there is a fall out simmering in the background. You don’t go to press and make the comments Malky made without reason - I work in this industry and know this.

[jeffers]

That was a warning shot. Read Malky’s comments regarding not taking Bournemouth players who aren’t ready. I believe there is a fall out simmering in the background. You don’t go to press and make the comments Malky made without reason - I work in this industry and know this.You think ? Mackay’s comments aren’t anything different from what was said at the AGM when the deal was being discussed.

[Just Alf]

More and more I wish HSL had managed to get that 25.1% of shares :-/

[ChuckNor]

You think ? Mackay’s comments aren’t anything different from what was said at the AGM when the deal was being discussed.

I’m entitled to my view. For me, that was Malky publicly calling on Bournemouth to up their game regarding the players they were offering us. The reason? So fans understand why Hibs haven’t taken any players on from them and keep them onside with Hibs focusing on quality. Bournemouth coming out and saying the line about it not working if others don’t cooperate could mean many things - including that one of the clubs in the structure isn’t working.

Again, I work in this industry and there is always a motive behind a public statement. It usually follows efforts in private failing.

[Ozyhibby]

I’m entitled to my view. For me, that was Malky publicly calling on Bournemouth to up their game regarding the players they were offering us. The reason? So fans understand why Hibs haven’t taken any players on from them and keep them onside with Hibs focusing on quality. Bournemouth coming out and saying the line about it not working if others don’t cooperate could mean many things - including that one of the clubs in the structure isn’t working.

Again, I work in this industry and there is always a motive behind a public statement. It usually follows efforts in private failing.

Certainly ties in with chat about BK being outvoted on sacking Montgomery.
I guess making some signings this week would calm everyone down a bit. So long as they are quality signings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jeffers]

I’m entitled to my view. For me, that was Malky publicly calling on Bournemouth to up their game regarding the players they were offering us. The reason? So fans understand why Hibs haven’t taken any players on from them and keep them onside with Hibs focusing on quality. Bournemouth coming out and saying the line about it not working if others don’t cooperate could mean many things - including that one of the clubs in the structure isn’t working. Again, I work in this industry and there is always a motive behind a public statement. It usually follows efforts in private failing.Fair enough. Tbh I’d want us to be strong in that regard though, not taking players from Bournemouth just to benefit their development, they need to be players who improve us. Starting to think this tie in isn’t all that.

[B.H.F.C]

You think ? Mackay’s comments aren’t anything different from what was said at the AGM when the deal was being discussed.

With the multi club model we were/are obviously going to deal with Bournemouth in some way, shape or form on players. I think folk thought it would turn out to be a constant when, in reality, it was always going to make up a small part of our overall transfer dealings.

I don’t see anything troubling in what has been said, I think it just states the obvious really.

[TrinityHFC]

With the multi club model we were/are obviously going to deal with Bournemouth in some way, shape or form on players. I think folk thought it would turn out to be a constant when, in reality, it was always going to make up a small part of our overall transfer dealings.

I don’t see anything troubling in what has been said, I think it just states the obvious really.

I think anyone who thought the team would be completely transformed by this by the end of July in the first window probably had unrealistic expectations.

[Velma Dinkley]

That was a warning shot. Read Malky’s comments regarding not taking Bournemouth players who aren’t ready. I believe there is a fall out simmering in the background. You don’t go to press and make the comments Malky made without reason - I work in this industry and know this.Mackay was simply stating the obvious. Any Bournemouth players that come to Hibs will only do so if they can make us a better team. It's something that the people running Hibs and Bournemouth naturally agree on. It would be madness for them not to.

[B.H.F.C]

I think anyone who thought the team would be completely transformed by this by the end of July in the first window probably had unrealistic expectations.

Aye, but it wasn’t unrealistic to be expecting to have a bit more in than we’ve got and be winning against Kelty Hearts.

[TrinityHFC]

Aye, but it wasn’t unrealistic to have a bit more in than we’ve got and be winning against Kelty Hearts.

Yeah but our activity needs to be right for a long period now, not just to have enough to beat Kelty, which we should have done regardless.

I get that it would be nice to have more but this questioning everyone and everything again mid July is OTT.

[jeffers]

Aye, but it wasn’t unrealistic to be expecting to have a bit more in than we’ve got and be winning against Kelty Hearts.Agreed. As I did with your other point. The team selection on Saturday has been done to death but imagine what one decent striker to come off the bench could have done to the result. Instead we only have the misfiring Vente. I’ve no doubt the situation with Youan isn’t helping but as I’ve said before it’s as if Murray was our only target and when that didn’t happen we’ve gone back to the drawing board.

[matty_f]

You think ? Mackay’s comments aren’t anything different from what was said at the AGM when the deal was being discussed.

Agreed, Kensell couldn’t have been clearer that we wouldn’t take any players that didn’t suit us. Malky hasn’t said anything to contradict that position.

[B.H.F.C]

Yeah but our activity needs to be right for a long period now, not just to have enough to beat Kelty, which we should have done regardless.

I get that it would be nice to have more but this questioning everyone and everything again mid July is OTT.

We’re off the back of a disastrous season and have already had a disastrous result to kick this season off. Of course everything is going to be questioned. If we had a track record of holding off and making really good signings then folk might be a bit more patient. We don’t, we generally hold off then still sign pish.

[matty_f]

I’m entitled to my view. For me, that was Malky publicly calling on Bournemouth to up their game regarding the players they were offering us. The reason? So fans understand why Hibs haven’t taken any players on from them and keep them onside with Hibs focusing on quality. Bournemouth coming out and saying the line about it not working if others don’t cooperate could mean many things - including that one of the clubs in the structure isn’t working.

Again, I work in this industry and there is always a motive behind a public statement. It usually follows efforts in private failing.

I think the motive in this instance is Malky setting our expectations rather than firing a shot at Bournemouth.

[The Modfather]

Yeah but our activity needs to be right for a long period now, not just to have enough to beat Kelty, which we should have done regardless.

I get that it would be nice to have more but this questioning everyone and everything again mid July is OTT.

You can surely understand why Hibs are being questioned though can’t you? This transfer window has the hallmarks of all the previous failed windows so far. Hibs built up expectations and until we start to see signs of our business being different and signs of the benefit of Bournemouth’s scouting network then Hibs have long used up our confidence in them.

As it stands, we’ve signed two centre backs (with the early signs looking good) and a keeper on loan, who has been injured after two games. Plus a backup keeper. There’s a balance between signing the right players for the long term and starting the season playing catch up like we did last season because we aren’t ready. I’m not sure Hibs have that balance correct.

[Sioux]

What do you mean? Stuff like the safe standing and Behind the Goals revamp? The recruitment of a Sporting Director, think there was some upgrade done on the pitch, new floodlighting. We are only four months from the investment being approved - the work that is planned and not yet started will still need to be paid for out of that money, we can’t spend it now and expect it to be there later.

Apologies if I’ve misinterpreted your question, was that what you mean?

"Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work doesn’t leave a huge amount to offset the drop in turnover, so that budget has to be managed."

Your wording suggested that the £8m had been spent, or earmarked to spend, on non-football operations, with little available for the team.

[One Day Soon]

Yeah but our activity needs to be right for a long period now, not just to have enough to beat Kelty, which we should have done regardless.

I get that it would be nice to have more but this questioning everyone and everything again mid July is OTT.


It's not OTT, it's entirely reasonable.

This comes at the wrong end of years of poor player investment choices overseen by the two ill-qualified people still running the club but also after substantial recent investments into the club which should be enabling us in the transfer market. We have already partly failed in this window by not bringing the players we need into the club much earlier so that they have the chance to bed in fully before the League Cup games and - more importantly - the league games. Other clubs seem to be managing this, why aren't we?

That position is recoverable if we bring in another two or three of a very high standard who are fit and ready to go in the right positions this week. Will we though?

[TrinityHFC]

It's not OTT, it's entirely reasonable.

This comes at the wrong end of years of poor player investment choices overseen by the two ill-qualified people still running the club but also after substantial recent investments into the club which should be enabling us in the transfer market. We have already partly failed in this window by not bringing the players we need into the club much earlier so that they have the chance to bed in fully before the League Cup games and - more importantly - the league games. Other clubs seem to be managing this, why aren't we?

That position is recoverable if we bring in another two or three of a very high standard who are fit and ready to go in the right positions this week. Will we though?

Due to the previous issues we have to get it right, especially if we are not be investing even more than before. We are in a different period with a new structure and continually judging on what has gone on before isn’t helpful.

Saying we are doing the same things or failing already is OTT. We need to wait and see what we actually do. We seem to have addressed the central defence which had t been done for years. Having targets is fine. It doesn’t just happen in our timings all the time though. Maolida was signed with 12 days of the last window left.

[superfurryhibby]

Due to the previous issues we have to get it right, especially if we are not be investing even more than before. We are in a different period with a new structure and continually judging on what has gone on before isn’t helpful.

Saying we are doing the same things or failing already is OTT. We need to wait and see what we actually do. We seem to have addressed the central defence which had t been done for years. Having targets is fine. It doesn’t just happen in our timings all the time though. Maolida was signed with 12 days of the last window left.

At what point do you start judging what is going on? After the first quarter of this season maybe?

Clearly expectations have been raised, the reality of our failed football strategy is beginning to sink in. People's tolerance and good will has been eroded, when it comes to BK and IG especially. Can anyone be surprised at their competence being questioned?

[Lago]

Certainly ties in with chat about BK being outvoted on sacking Montgomery.I guess making some signings this week would calm everyone down a bit. So long as they are quality signings.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkYou wonder if Black Knights are regretting getting involved with Hibs and that's the reason for what appears to be a cooling in relations.

[One Day Soon]

Due to the previous issues we have to get it right, especially if we are not be investing even more than before. We are in a different period with a new structure and continually judging on what has gone on before isn’t helpful.

Saying we are doing the same things or failing already is OTT. We need to wait and see what we actually do. We seem to have addressed the central defence which had t been done for years. Having targets is fine. It doesn’t just happen in our timings all the time though. Maolida was signed with 12 days of the last window left.

Due to the previous issues caused (or at the very least sanctioned) by the same two people still running the club, continually comparing and contrasting with what has gone before isn't only helpful it's essential. Are they learning from their mistakes or are they repeating them or, even worse, finding new mistakes to make?

Each day that passes without the new signings we still absolutely need we are failing a little bit more. It's not yet season ending but it is already making Gray's job harder and harder. Every club has targets and faces the same challenges. Somehow we have serially failed which is why there is, very reasonably, close scrutiny here.

We might sign another Maolida but so far we haven't...

[B.H.F.C]

You wonder if Black Knights are regretting getting involved with Hibs and that's the reason for what appears to be a cooling in relations.

I don’t really see any cooling of relations. I think some people thought they were going to be far more involved than what was ever likely to be the case. They were obviously going to have an input, you don’t hand over £6m for nothing but it was always said that those at Hibs would still be running things and, particularly with the appointment of McKay, that’s all that I can see happening.

What I did think we’d see would be more obvious use of the funds they put in, in terms of our transfer dealings. Disappointed that appears to have made no obvious difference so far.

[Iain G]

That was a warning shot. Read Malky’s comments regarding not taking Bournemouth players who aren’t ready. I believe there is a fall out simmering in the background. You don’t go to press and make the comments Malky made without reason - I work in this industry and know this.

Beginning to think this has turned into a creative writing forum given the incredible level of fiction that people are pulling out of very innocuous things!

You don't have to be paranoid to post here but...

[Iain G]

You wonder if Black Knights are regretting getting involved with Hibs and that's the reason for what appears to be a cooling in relations.

What cooling of relations?! Where are people getting a his idea from?

[matty_f]

"Having £8m go into the club that then goes on various off-field investments/work doesn’t leave a huge amount to offset the drop in turnover, so that budget has to be managed."

Your wording suggested that the £8m had been spent, or earmarked to spend, on non-football operations, with little available for the team.
That’s more or less what was pitched at the AGM. It was very heavy on “here are the areas we can use the money to improve, and we’ll also increase the budget on the team”. I don’t think anyone left the AGM thinking there would be multiples of millions being spent on the first team straight away.

[Iain G]

That’s more or less what was pitched at the AGM. It was very heavy on “here are the areas we can use the money to improve, and we’ll also increase the budget on the team”. I don’t think anyone left the AGM thinking there would be multiples of millions being spent on the first team straight away.

Maybe that messaging didn't make it to hibs.net 😁🤣

[Hibernian Verse]

What cooling of relations?! Where are people getting a his idea from?

Losing to Kelty has sent some people into meltdown for the last 2 days, understandably you could say.

It's just an indication of where we are now as fans - everything has to happen instantly and if it's not then bad results amplify the anger.

[The Modfather]

Losing to Kelty has sent some people into meltdown for the last 2 days, understandably you could say.

It's just an indication of where we are now as fans - everything has to happen instantly and if it's not then bad results amplify the anger.

Instantly? We’re 4 or 5 years in, waiting on the Gordon’s and Kensell getting it right on the park. It feels like the Petrie years and continuous downward spiral. Hopefully we don’t end up relegated one of these upcoming seasons.

[superfurryhibby]

That’s more or less what was pitched at the AGM. It was very heavy on “here are the areas we can use the money to improve, and we’ll also increase the budget on the team”. I don’t think anyone left the AGM thinking there would be multiples of millions being spent on the first team straight away.


Last season's transfer dealing supposedly amounted to 2 million pounds spent on incoming players (Vente, Youan, Wollacott, Obita). It's natural that fans expect us to do similar again this season, particularly after all the trumpeting about the BK deal. Oh, of course and after a season where we finished out of the top six and at times looked worryingly like relegation fodder.

[Crab apple]

Last season's transfer dealing supposedly amounted to 2 million pounds spent on incoming players (Vente, Youan, Wollacott, Obita). It's natural that fans expect us to do similar again this season, particularly after all the trumpeting about the BK deal. Oh, of course and after a season where we finished out of the top six and at times looked worryingly like relegation fodder.

Wollacott was a disaster of a signing and I suspect Vente will turn out to be too. What a f.....g mess.

[Iain G]

Instantly? We’re 4 or 5 years in, waiting on the Gordon’s and Kensell getting it right on the park. It feels like the Petrie years and continuous downward spiral. Hopefully we don’t end up relegated one of these upcoming seasons.

The black knight investment is new, it's not been 4 or 5 years in the making. Malky and SDG are also new. You can't draw that starting line 4 years ago, it's only a few months old.

Take a deep breath and see what this week brings 😊

[neil7908]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959g

[Just Alf]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959gBill Foley believes Hibernian will improve if they take more advice from his Black Knight consortium, saying those in charge at Easter Road "have not been listening to our input".

Yup, not great.

[JohnM1875]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959g**** sake. We really know how to **** ourselves over eh

[Since452]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959g

Red flags all over that.

[neil7908]

Don't love this comment either:

"Our goal is to have similar coaching, similar playing styles and similar players that can progress through our system. It is not just going to be Bournemouth and a bunch of other teams"

[NC1875]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959g

No surprise there with the ego that is Ben Kensell. The club really is a joke right now. So annoying .

[Andymac85]

**** sake. We really know how to **** ourselves over eh

This is really concerning. Is this Ben thinking he knows better (experience says he doesn’t) or the Gordon family. He is quoted as talking about making the right hires. I wonder if he was against Mackay and/or Gray?

[One Day Soon]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959g

I'd say there's a strong chance that public statement and the reaction from the golden geniuses running our club could see this opportunity come to nothing.

[ChuckNor]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959g

What was it someone said about creative writing again? Yea. Like I said, I’m in this industry and if it looks like a fall out it typically is a fall out. This partnership could not have got off to a worse start.

[nsandy62]

Not a good look going public either.

[Pretty Boy]

Very Hibs.

Work hard to get a billionaire with a proven track record of success in sport and then proceed to ignore him😅

[jeffers]

Sounds like the partnership isn't off to a great start:https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0krjljjwego?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rGhnWXK8B CEjfSm2s6ZwELKR2lrwxjJwsMUavZeGOjv_9kGJ-y0kJHu8_aem_EivfUzsto_tMaqlkTe959gComes across as pretty arrogant if you ask me. Don’t buy a minority investment and then expect to be running the show. Then add in the reference to Lorient, the team who just got relegated.

[matty_f]

Last season's transfer dealing supposedly amounted to 2 million pounds spent on incoming players (Vente, Youan, Wollacott, Obita). It's natural that fans expect us to do similar again this season, particularly after all the trumpeting about the BK deal. Oh, of course and after a season where we finished out of the top six and at times looked worryingly like relegation fodder.
No argument from me on that point.

[ChuckNor]

If people want to know what I’ve heard, without resorting to slating me, I was told during the “football review” (lol) that Ian Gordon was asked to fully step back from player acquisitions and declined. Again, this is posted with all the usual caveats of only passing on what I’ve heard. Could be nonsense but he is certainly still involved in research on signings.

[jeffers]

If people want to know what I’ve heard, without resorting to slating me, I was told during the “football review” (lol) that Ian Gordon was asked to fully step back from player acquisitions and declined. Again, this is posted with all the usual caveats of only passing on what I’ve heard. Could be nonsense but he is certainly still involved in research on signings.I heard similar, when I asked about him stepping away from it the response I got was no chance, it’s his passion.

[One Day Soon]

"If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better."

English translation: The Gordons are listening to Kensell and it isn't working.

Gordon listens to Kensell. MacPherson listens to Kensell. Mackay is a MacPherson pick. Kensell is the key player here.

[ChuckNor]

Comes across as pretty arrogant if you ask me. Don’t buy a minority investment and then expect to be running the show. Then add in the reference to Lorient, the team who just got relegated.

Agree with you on this 100%. He has obviously been trying to flog youth players to us and Malky hasn’t been having it. A really rocky start, but this partially explains the lack of activity between the clubs. Not boding well.

[ChuckNor]

I heard similar, when I asked about him stepping away from it the response I got was no chance, it’s his passion.

You heard the exact same as me then.

[SHODAN]

So basically my interpretation of that is that Foley and the BKs have asked to have more of an input over player recruitment, and Ian Gordon has told them to **** off.

Great.

[The Modfather]

Hibs seem to go out of their way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory every chance they can.

[B.H.F.C]

Comes across as pretty arrogant if you ask me. Don’t buy a minority investment and then expect to be running the show. Then add in the reference to Lorient, the team who just got relegated.

That’s the caveat for me. Is there expectation on how much of a say they should be getting an issue as much as Hibs not listening.

I’m not particularly trusting of who we have running the club but there’s two sides to things.

All this is going to do is create further unrest. It’s not good.

[neil7908]

Comes across as pretty arrogant if you ask me. Don’t buy a minority investment and then expect to be running the show. Then add in the reference to Lorient, the team who just got relegated.

I'm pissed off at some of the guys running Hibs at the moment but I'm not thrilled by this statement. Like you say, it smacks of arrogance. Are they giving orders now? Making it public is pretty unprofessional as well. I don't want to be a cog in a machine where we do as head office tells us and are expected to sign players, managers and play in a way that is mandated by the group.

And they absolutely don't have the track record to suggest their methods will guarantee results. They can shove their investment up their arse if this is the attitude.

[One Day Soon]

So basically my interpretation of that is that Foley and the BKs have asked to have more of an input over player recruitment, and Ian Gordon has told them to **** off.

Great.

So Foley offered to put the vastly wider network of his group at the disposal of Ian Gordon for recruitment purposes and the reply he got as 'I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says... like dumb... I'm smart and I want respect!'

[we are hibs]

We are a joke outfit and will be until Kensell goes and we are no longer under the Gordons ownership. They aren't fit to run a professional football club.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

[Iain G]

What was it someone said about creative writing again? Yea. Like I said, I’m in this industry and if it looks like a fall out it typically is a fall out. This partnership could not have got off to a worse start.

Are you in this industry, really? Want to remind everyone one more time 🤣

[B.H.F.C]

I'm pissed off at some of the guys running Hibs at the moment but I'm not thrilled by this statement. Like you say, it smacks of arrogance. Are they giving orders now? Making it public is pretty unprofessional as well. I don't want to be a cog in a machine where we do as head office tells us and are expected to sign players, managers and play in a way that is mandated by the group.

And they absolutely don't have the track record to suggest their methods will guarantee results. They can shove their investment up their arse if this is the attitude.

Agree with this. I don’t think Foley going public with this is good for anyone.

[Carheenlea]

Can see a mutual uncoupling of this partnership looming near.

Public criticism of the running of the club from Foley doesn’t offer a lot of confidence things are where they hoped to be right now.

[NC1875]

"If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better."

English translation: The Gordons are listening to Kensell and it isn't working.

Gordon listens to Kensell. MacPherson listens to Kensell. Mackay is a MacPherson pick. Kensell is the key player here.

I said it yesterday. Although the Gordon’s own us, Kensell is the single biggest problem at the club.

[jeffers]

That’s the caveat for me. Is there expectation on how much of a say they should be getting an issue as much as Hibs not listening. I’m not particularly trusting of who we have running the club but there’s two sides to things. All this is going to do is create further unrest. It’s not good.We got an overview at the AGM, not really more than that. It was sold to us that there would be benefits in being part of a bigger group with the sharing of resources and access to players we may not get otherwise. I never took it to mean the BK group would have overall say or the clubs in the group would play a similar way, why should it ? If they want a bigger say put more money in.

[One Day Soon]

Are you in this industry, really? Want to remind everyone one more time 🤣

So you begin with the initial snide remark about creative writing, outside events paint his case as transparently correct and your only response is another snide remark? It's almost as if he was right and you were wrong but you're not big enough to accept it.

[USA_Hibee]

I wish Foley had just said what suggestions were not taken on board or said nothing at all. Now this is just going to create rumors.

[Callum_62]

Hibs eh - what we like!

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[The Modfather]

That’s the caveat for me. Is there expectation on how much of a say they should be getting an issue as much as Hibs not listening.

I’m not particularly trusting of who we have running the club but there’s two sides to things.

All this is going to do is create further unrest. It’s not good.

There definitely will be elements that we don’t want to implement and are probably correct not to. However my excitement was never about the money. I thought we would be tapping into Bournemouth’s set up, scouting, coaching etc as much as possible. Copy a club that is on an upward trajectory that has shown it knows how to punch above its weight. Yet Hibs appear to just want the money and to independently flip flop from b-teams to director of footballs to sporting directors in the hope something actually works.

[Brightside]

I'm pissed off at some of the guys running Hibs at the moment but I'm not thrilled by this statement. Like you say, it smacks of arrogance. Are they giving orders now? Making it public is pretty unprofessional as well. I don't want to be a cog in a machine where we do as head office tells us and are expected to sign players, managers and play in a way that is mandated by the group.

And they absolutely don't have the track record to suggest their methods will guarantee results. They can shove their investment up their arse if this is the attitude.

They should be giving the orders. Much more experience. The quicker a full takeover is allowed the better.

[NC1875]

Ian Gordon really is playing real life football manager. 😯

[B.H.F.C]

We got an overview at the AGM, not really more than that. It was sold to us that there would be benefits in being part of a bigger group with the sharing of resources and access to players we may not get otherwise. I never took it to mean the BK group would have overall say or the clubs in the group would play a similar way, why should it ? If they want a bigger say put more money in.

Without being at the EGM, from everything I’ve read that’s how I’d take it as well. They were always a minority shareholder so I’d be questioning how much input they are expecting.

Whatever way you look at it though, it’s just no good to be at this point a few months in. Everything just seems a mess at the moment.

[One Day Soon]

We've got a really serious permanent structural problem we can't do anything about.

Ian Gordon has a play toy he doesn't understand. It's slowly driving us into the ground. Kensell seems to be enjoying the ride on his £300k plus salary and pension. They mutually reinforce each other, both are having a good time.

There is no grown-up alternative force capable of addressing the incompetence.

I am beginning to fear we are now one of those clubs you read about from time to time that has fallen into the hands of a nightmare owner from who there is no easy, clear or anything other than long term and ruinous escape.

[JohnM1875]

Brilliant this, getting it tight in the office for Saturdays result and now this. What a time to be a Hibs fan eh!

[Brightside]

If people want to know what I’ve heard, without resorting to slating me, I was told during the “football review” (lol) that Ian Gordon was asked to fully step back from player acquisitions and declined. Again, this is posted with all the usual caveats of only passing on what I’ve heard. Could be nonsense but he is certainly still involved in research on signings.

What do you mean by “working in this industry”. You work in football?

[raeburnhibs]

So they have likely responded to Saturdays typically half asleep Hibs performance with some home truths. I think an important statement (I'm paraphrasing) is, 'they haven't been listening to us but I think they will now'

[Hibiza]

All just a complete shambles. Probably best if Kensell just said goodbye.

[Callum_62]

All just a complete shambles. Probably best if Kensell just said goodbye.Maybe it's not annual leave but gardening leave [emoji50]

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Callum_62]

I haven't heard the interview

But if the below is order in what it was said it surley hints at then not agreeing with our recent hires

"If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better.

"So far, they really haven’t been listening to our input. I believe they will listen to our input now.

"We have a very good relationship with Lorient. They are listening and are hiring the right people to develop that club.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Scotty Leither]

Ian Gordon really is playing real life football manager. 😯Strikes me that the BK group maybe thought that investing in Hibs, given our label of one of Scotland’s biggest clubs, and with the gravitas of being based in the capital city, they’d seen the potential in us to turn things around quickly on the playing side. I bet they didn’t factor in though the spoilt bairn at the top of the club being told he’d have to take a step back, or maybe change his way of doing things…I’ll further wage you when Gordon walks away he will have never addressed an AGM or fans’ meeting, and he’ll leave it to his toadies on the Board to tell the fans it was really our fault all along.

[Col2]

Very Hibs.

Work hard to get a billionaire with a proven track record of success in sport and then proceed to ignore him😅

It’s is SO Hibs. I remember saying I was surprised that we appointed Malky Mackay, David Gray and May, Craig etc and Marshall in a new roles. This didn’t strike me as a new model, access to a broader capability etc.

I think we can take it from this that all the investment we expected has not materialised yet (we are being squeezed) hence the penny pinching transfer approach. What a total mess. Kensall again has his fingerprints all over this.

[04Sauzee]

I haven't heard the interview

But if the below is order in what it was said it surley hints at then not agreeing with our recent hires

"If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better.

"So far, they really haven’t been listening to our input. I believe they will listen to our input now.

"We have a very good relationship with Lorient. They are listening and are hiring the right people to develop that club.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

I wonder who Lorient have hired recently and how they fit into the network

[jeffers]

Without being at the EGM, from everything I’ve read that’s how I’d take it as well. They were always a minority shareholder so I’d be questioning how much input they are expecting. Whatever way you look at it though, it’s just no good to be at this point a few months in. Everything just seems a mess at the moment.Agreed. The optics are terrible. The trouble with the article is we don’t know just what Hibs “haven’t been listening to” It’s easy to assume it’s great advice that our arrogant board/owners are ignoring. It could equally be us sensibly saying no thanks to those Bournemouth youth players you want us to put into our first team.

[B.H.F.C]

There definitely will be elements that we don’t want to implement and are probably correct not to. However my excitement was never about the money. I thought we would be tapping into Bournemouth’s set up, scouting, coaching etc as much as possible. Copy a club that is on an upward trajectory that has shown it knows how to punch above its weight. Yet Hibs appear to just want the money and to independently flip flop from b-teams to director of footballs to sporting directors in the hope something actually works.

They are a minority shareholder so we’re well entitled to pick and choose what we listen to. Like you, this makes me wonder if it was just really about getting money in to the club and not a lot else though.

I would say that their great relationship with Lorient hasn’t exactly got Lorient very far.

[Heisenberg]

So they have likely responded to Saturdays typically half asleep Hibs performance with some home truths. I think an important statement (I'm paraphrasing) is, 'they haven't been listening to us but I think they will now'

I’d like to know why he thinks that now…

[Callum_62]

I’d like to know why he thinks that now…And let's see the impact of so....

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[NC1875]

Kensell happy to take the money so he can brag about securing investment etc without actually finding out what BK expected from us.

Typical him, it’s all about his CV.

We are a football club and the football is a joke. It’s time we let them know we’re not happy. How we do that I don’t know

[Mikey_1875]

I'm pissed off at some of the guys running Hibs at the moment but I'm not thrilled by this statement. Like you say, it smacks of arrogance. Are they giving orders now? Making it public is pretty unprofessional as well. I don't want to be a cog in a machine where we do as head office tells us and are expected to sign players, managers and play in a way that is mandated by the group.

And they absolutely don't have the track record to suggest their methods will guarantee results. They can shove their investment up their arse if this is the attitude.

I agree as well. The guy hasn’t even graced us with his presence. Interesting timing of the article. Was he waiting for our first defeat?

[B.H.F.C]

Agreed. The optics are terrible. The trouble with the article is we don’t know just what Hibs “haven’t been listening to” It’s easy to assume it’s great advice that our arrogant board/owners are ignoring. It could equally be us sensibly saying no thanks to those Bournemouth youth players you want us to put into our first team.

I think Foley going public means Hibs will now have to do similar to offer their side of the story. I don’t think it’s good from him and it just creates a crap situation when we have an already pissed off fan base.

[Not In The Know]

I don't think you can underestimate how bad Foley coming out with that statement is. The relationship is clearly already very strained, amongst other things no danger he's going to put any more cash into the club.The folk running our club at the moment are a total shambles.

[Callum_62]

Kensell happy to take the money so he can brag about securing investment etc without actually finding out what BK expected from us.

Typical him, it’s all about his CV.

We are a football club and the football is a joke. It’s time we let them know we’re not happy. How we do that I don’t knowI've no idea how you get it's kensells fault or he didn't understand what the BK investment was

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[MelbourneHibees]

I wonder if that means they weren't happy with the Gray and Mackay appointments.

[we are hibs]

The more people publicly calling out the ineptitude of both men running the club the better imo.


We know little about Foley and whether his way would improve us but we know full well that neither Kensell or Gordon have a clue what they are doing.

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[Callum_62]

I agree as well. The guy hasn’t even graced us with his presence. Interesting timing of the article. Was he waiting for our first defeat?He was asked by the BBC about our loss

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[Chorley Hibee]

Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell are running this club into the ground.

We're in real danger of finding ourselves in a lot of trouble under these clowns.

We have to hope someone can buy the Gordon family out.

An unqualified egomaniac playing with the toy Daddy left him.

[Ronniekirk]

This is the last thing we needed at this point in the Season The sooner they sit down and sort this out the better I certainly ly don’t want players coming to us if we don’t think they will improve us But we do need this partnership to work for us and our recruitment has been one of the reasons we have performed so poorly in last few seasons If as Reported the Black Knights wanted Monty to be kept as Manager and now there are public slanging matches going on it doesn’t bode well We only have six weeks to get more quality players in the door Ffs Getvthe bickering sorted out and make this work for us

[Del Boy]

This isn’t a good look for anyone, turning into a shambles tbh