What difference have BK made?

[thebausburst]

We were all sold on BK being a ‘game changer’ for Hibs and last Januarys window seemed to back that up with Malida and Marcondes, but since then there has been nothing to support Bill Foleys assertion to make Hibs best of the rest, I don’t see any evidence of increased ‘level’ of target or window spend from pre BK. I accept that could change, but interested if others are dissapointed or still have faith in BK?

[Joe6-2]

None, still hoping that changes

[Alex Trager]

None.

[The Modfather]

What difference have have Hibs allowed them to make? It was only 6 months ago Foley said we weren’t listening.

[Forza Fred]

I think originally it was the £6m investment that we thought would make a difference…..(I did at least) when it came to signing new players…..before we realised that it wasn’t a game changing amount.

Beyond that I was aware that if you buy into a football club, and are still a minority shareholder, you don’t necessarily get to call the shots.

I can see in their strategic plan why it may be a good idea to have a ‘feeder’ club in the UK for his main interest, which is Bournemouth.

Not sure what the future holds with the BK Group tbh, guess it will be after the next summer transfer window before I make any judgement on their input.

[thebausburst]

What difference have have Hibs allowed them to make? It was only 6 months ago Foley said we weren’t listening.

Fair enough, but since then both the CEO and Head of recruitment are gone with BKs guy in the recruitment role but no difference at all really in the quality of recruitment or transfer investment. The BK have a minority stake so we’re never going to get their way in every Hibs decision.

[ruthven_raiders]

We were all sold on BK being a ‘game changer’ for Hibs and last Januarys window seemed to back that up with Malida and Marcondes, but since then there has been nothing to support Bill Foleys assertion to make Hibs best of the rest, I don’t see any evidence of increased ‘level’ of target or window spend from pre BK. I accept that could change, but interested if others are dissapointed or still have faith in BK?

We will see in the summer if it's a changer or not, so many players out of contract, new players coming in...

[Hibs90]

Fair enough, but since then both the CEO and Head of recruitment are gone with BKs guy in the recruitment role but no difference at all really in the quality of recruitment or transfer investment. The BK have a minority stake so we’re never going to get their way in every Hibs decision.

They've had one transfer window, and are likely planning for the summer rebuild also

[EGL2000]

They've had one transfer window, and are likely planning for the summer rebuild also

Have they not had 3? Last January, summer and this January?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Have they not had 3? Last January, summer and this January?

Not if Kensell, Gordon and Mackay have been ignoring them.

[Hibs90]

Have they not had 3? Last January, summer and this January?

I meant since they are now being 'listened' to. Since then Garvan Stewart has arrived, with little time to work before the window. The CEO has recently departed. There's obviously stuff going on in the background.

I'm frustrated as anyone about the lack of signings this month. I believe it's the last season 3rd place gets group stage European football. It's a huge opportunity. However I get the impression the club are content to just see the season out and get players in the summer.

I think in the summer will be the real test of the BK investment, and how much they are being listened to. You'll be able to tell by the signings.

[Davy Mac]

Its all a bit of a damp squid to be honest, not quite a busted flush but a feeling of 'not quite gettin oan'.

It may fizzle out, but not quite the razzamatazz i was expecting.

[brianmc]

Its all a bit of a damp squid to be honest, not quite a busted flush but a feeling of 'not quite gettin oan'.

It may fizzle out, but not quite the razzamatazz i was expecting.

Aren't all squids usually damp?

Seriously though, I expect hee haw this window - and BIG improvements in the summer 🤞.

[Unseen work]

I’m not even sure they were responsible for the Maolida signing?

So 6 million investment
Marcondes on loan
NMW permanent who isn’t a starter
Bevan loan who was injured
Numerous comments in the press undermining the club

[Ozyhibby]

Aren't all squids usually damp?

Seriously though, I expect hee haw this window - and BIG improvements in the summer [emoji1696].

It’s always jam tomorrow with Hibs.[emoji849]
Investment now could provide European football that would tempt a better quality of signing in the summer.
Beginning to think the whole thing a con.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheSouthMoroccan]

Interesting piece in the Times today about Black Knights adding Portuguese team Moreirense to the stable.

Foley says "any club that we own a majority interest in, they're going to scout the way we want them to scout, they're going to play the way we want them to play, the coaches are going to be developed the same way".

Given Foley's previous comments about us not listening, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand that maybe any ire should be pointed at Ian Gordon not the Black Knights. If Ian thinks he knows best, perhaps you can understand Foley playing the long game, no need to rush in and rescue us, let Ian mess it up, and then maybe pick up a majority control at a later date...who knows maybe even at a discounted price.

I'm not saying that the discounted price bit is Foley's priority, but if Black Knights don't have a majority stake then they have to play a longer game. I suspect in the future when bringing new teams on board, they may shy away from minority shareholding as this runs the risk that if the other party thinks they know best then there is not much they can do other than be patient, or sell up.

Maybe by this time next year we'll know which route the Black Knights end up choosing. Given their success at Bournemouth I certainly wouldn't be suggesting that it's the Black Knights that don't know what they're doing.

[Real Emerald]

It’s always jam tomorrow with Hibs.[emoji849]
Investment now could provide European football that would tempt a better quality of signing in the summer.
Beginning to think the whole thing a con.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was definitely expecting a high standard loan like the two who came in last January, it could still happen I suppose. My worry is no loans, Youan offski and no replacement. That scenario would not be a good look for us having taken the BK dollar and recruiting Garvan. As I said there’s still time but on the surface there doesn’t seem to be anything in the planning for this window anyway.

[Callum_62]

It’s always jam tomorrow with Hibs.[emoji849]
Investment now could provide European football that would tempt a better quality of signing in the summer.
Beginning to think the whole thing a con.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkIn saying that we are joint second in form over the last 10 games

Keep that up and where will we finish?

Maybe the difference is already being seen?

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Jones28]

How quickly are you expecting this change to happen? Given the head of recruitment is only just in post, we were told by MM that the summer will be the big turnaround and that we have a full new coaching staff?

[brianmc]

It’s always jam tomorrow with Hibs.[emoji849]
Investment now could provide European football that would tempt a better quality of signing in the summer.
Beginning to think the whole thing a con.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Too many people on here, most who are an age where they should know better, have too many entitlements and anger management issues - and sometimes base their own personalities on what is essentially 22 strangers randomly kicking a bag of wind around once or twice a week.

"We demand better" type entitlement. FFS people it's supposed to be entertainment, a fun distraction at the end of the work week. (**I've seen MANY games that turned out to offer ZERO entertainment - but that didn't mean the players were doing it to put me into a message board rage**).


Personally I sometimes enjoy the games and sometimes think it's been a waste of a rare day off work.


Jam tomorrow? Mmmmm, I like jam (not bos) if it turns out that the jam arrives? Great!!
If not then **** it, on till next time.

Given that the demographic of this board is mainly made up of middle aged/'late' middle aged men the whiny, millennial type entitlement from most of the mega posters is frankly pathetic.

If all that following Hibs brings you is rage, entitlement and disappointment then I'd suggest for your own benefit you find a different pastime that your can hopefully enjoy.

"You're a long time deid"

[matty_f]

I think the club is hamstrung by its majority owners in knowing how to really unlock the potential that the BKFC deal has.

We’ve already seen how close it came to ending altogether with the “not listening” and BKFC being diluted in the last investment round.

Garvan’s arrival was a step in the right direction, and I genuinely hope that the recent upturn in form hasn’t convinced the Gordons that they either know what they’re doing or that they don’t need BKFC’s help.

There’s a huge opportunity for Hibs to really kick on if the owners are willing.

[Donegal Hibby]

Early days for me in Hibs working with the BK’s in improving things . I’m sure they’ll be a few bumps along the way like the “ they are not listening” comments from Foley with the manager being one of his issues in the club appointing David Gray as our manager …

Been a few changes with Stewart coming in and Kensell leaving with a rebuild in the summer. I do think it will take time…. As they say “ Rome wasn’t built in a day “ . I do have faith we are on the right track now if the minority shareholders and the Gordon’s work together .

[Alfred E Newman]

If people were expecting Hibs to suddenly be challenging for the title and competing in the later stages of the European competitions they were always going to be disappointed. Amazingly we are not that far off 3rd at the moment which is remarkable after the dreadful start to the season.

[Iain G]

Now we have gotten rid of BK, I hope that BK can now improve things.

Maybe we should have gone with McDonalds? 😁

[Alex Trager]

If people were expecting Hibs to suddenly be challenging for the title and competing in the later stages of the European competitions they were always going to be disappointed. Amazingly we are not that far off 3rd at the moment which is remarkable after the dreadful start to the season.

I don’t think people were expecting to be challenging for third.

They were expecting to see some/any sort of difference.

[matty_f]

I don’t think people were expecting to be challenging for third.

They were expecting to see some/any sort of difference.

I thought we’d be pushing third. We’re not a million miles off it at the moment with very little in the way of noticeable difference, so with some investment I thought we’d be in the hunt for it, at least.

Wasn’t expecting us to be toppling the old firm though.

[Ozyhibby]

I thought we’d be pushing third. We’re not a million miles off it at the moment with very little in the way of noticeable difference, so with some investment I thought we’d be in the hunt for it, at least.

Wasn’t expecting us to be toppling the old firm though.

Most just expect what was promised which was euro football every year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[B.H.F.C]

If people were expecting Hibs to suddenly be challenging for the title and competing in the later stages of the European competitions they were always going to be disappointed. Amazingly we are not that far off 3rd at the moment which is remarkable after the dreadful start to the season.

The fact we have half a chance of going for third having won 7 games from 24 is amazing in itself. Don’t think it’ll be a high points total for third this year.

I think it’s fairly obvious that we wasted time as far as the Black Knights involvement goes. Glad that things seem to be changing in that regard and hopefully we start seeing some real noticeable difference in the summer.

[04Sauzee]

Most just expect what was promised which was euro football every year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Was that an actual promise?

[Hibees1973]

Has a chunk of the £6m from the Black Knights been used to plug some of the financial holes created by Ian Gordon's recruitment gaffes?

[RIP]

If as we are led to believe that Bill Foley didn't approve of David's appointment then maybe it's him that doesn't know what he was talking about?

I appreciate that he's been a hugely successful man in business over the pond but I can't be the only Hibby who thinks that the world shouldn't automatically kiss the ass of an elderly American billionaire who thinks he is entitled to get his own way.

[007]

Was that an actual promise?

No, it wasn't promised. We have a lot of posters that misrepresent what the club says.

[Ringothedog]

Has a chunk of the £6m from the Black Knights been used to plug some of the financial holes created by Ian Gordon's recruitment gaffes?

The Gordon’s wiped all the debt with the exception of the Covid loan when the new shares were issued. The 6m from the Black Knights will probably be getting used in a gradual way and for specific projects/player purchases.There was also another share issue which raised over £1m which all the major shareholders other than the black Knights subscribed to. This is all in the public domain. What else would money raised for be used for other than running the club?

[Ringothedog]

No, it wasn't promised. We have a lot of posters that misrepresent what the club says.

Who would have guessed some posters would do that😂

[IberianHibernian]

If as we are led to believe that Bill Foley didn't approve of David's appointment then maybe it's him that doesn't know what he was talking about?

I appreciate that he's been a hugely successful man in business over the pond but I can't be the only Hibby who thinks that the world shouldn't automatically kiss the ass of an elderly American billionaire who thinks he is entitled to get his own way.I `m sure you`re far from being the only Hibby who thinks that way . About BK or any other similar organisation from anywhere in the world . We all want to see a Hibs team that plays entertaining football and wins trophies or at least qualifies for Europe but maybe not at any price . I would certainly prefer the club to be run without being influenced by outside organisations like BK and I`ve always been surprised how many people here welcomed BK involvement when they were first mentioned and continue to think it`s a good thing for the club now .

[Donegal Hibby]

If as we are led to believe that Bill Foley didn't approve of David's appointment then maybe it's him that doesn't know what he was talking about?

I appreciate that he's been a hugely successful man in business over the pond but I can't be the only Hibby who thinks that the world shouldn't automatically kiss the ass of an elderly American billionaire who thinks he is entitled to get his own way.

You’re not alone in thinking that and the “ they are not listening “ doesn’t mean we didn’t listen , certainly in Gray's case we might have listened but decided he was the best candidate for the job and deserved the chance which was rumoured not to have gone down well which brought on the “ they are not listening “ outburst. Glad the club stayed strong and backed what they thought was the right decision.

[Dr What If?]

I must confess I expected big things, Foley's quote stating that it would take only a small amount of money (by his standards) to make us the third force backed up by Ben stating this was 'game changing' actually had me excited.

I won't pretend to be ITK as to how the relationship would work but from putting together snippets I assumed BKG would buy players outwith our spending range, they would be Hibs players but sale proceeds would go back to BKG. I thought that we would be trying to sign players like Lennon Miller, £4m rated with potential to be sold for really big money.....BKG would get the profit and we get a really good player for a couple of years. I also expected a signing like that every year.
It looks like there has been a clash of ego's at the top and that has at best, delayed anything game changing. Happens in all fields at board level.

To answer the question, BKG has had no real impact.....to date its made things worse by upping fan expectation and creating friction at the top. There is still the potential for that original expectation to become a reality but that is up the the board, the owners and their egos.

[Forza Fred]

You’re not alone in thinking that and the “ they are not listening “ doesn’t mean we didn’t listen , certainly in Gray's case we might have listened but decided he was the best candidate for the job and deserved the chance which was rumoured not to have gone down well which brought on the “ they are not listening “ outburst. Glad the club stayed strong and backed what they thought was the right decision.

Foley may say ‘they are not listening’ but he’s got two representatives on the board so we did listen.

What he really means is ‘they didn’t agree with what we wanted’…which is different and as a minority shareholder, it shouldn’t be such a huge surprise to him.

[matty_f]

Foley may say ‘they are not listening’ but he’s got two representatives on the board so we did listen.

What he really means is ‘they didn’t agree with what we wanted’…which is different and as a minority shareholder, it shouldn’t be such a huge surprise to him.

There was more to it than the appointments of Gray and Malky.

[Iain G]

No, it wasn't promised. We have a lot of posters that misrepresent what the club says.

Deliberately!

[Hibee87]

I'm pretty sure foley/BK are looking at full control. It's gone a bit quiet on the whole dual ownership stuff tbh, but when/If this is allowed I expect them to buy out the Gordon's. For the time being, the old saying 'Rome wasn't built in a day' is in play. And I am intrigued to see what happens come Auguust when the deadwood can be offloaded. The only words I have from people 'in the know' (I know, don't shoot me down) is 'expect exciting times to come'. I trust the people who've told me 👍

[PHeffernan]

BK have made the difference I expected them to make other than I thought they would have sent us a couple of the Bournemouth kids to develop last summer.

Meanwhile, this summer Hibs owners, Malcy and the recruitment team will complete the full turn around of the Hibs ship that began last summer.
Match last summers steady recruitment, don't try to be too clever with another Bursik type signing and we will be fighting for 3rd next season. The wages budget and squad quality will be back on track and the future will be rosy again.

[TheSouthMoroccan]

If as we are led to believe that Bill Foley didn't approve of David's appointment then maybe it's him that doesn't know what he was talking about?

I appreciate that he's been a hugely successful man in business over the pond but I can't be the only Hibby who thinks that the world shouldn't automatically kiss the ass of an elderly American billionaire who thinks he is entitled to get his own way.

On it's own your point is valid, but you absolutely can't ignore the compelling evidence that is Bournemouth FC !

Our revival under David Gray would certainly give them a decision to make if for example they took control during the summer break. Again evidence regards what they might do is also available, just ask Gary O'Neil. If staying true to their model structure and principles means that David gets the bullet, then that's probably what would happen.

I hope that's not what happens, I hope they would stick with him, but hey I'm just saying. If it were a choice between Ian Gordon ownership versus Black Knights ownership I know which I would be voting for, and it's not beyond the realms to imagine a scenario where David's departure is a short term price we have to pay for longer term success. Time will tell.

[Forza Fred]

There was more to it than the appointments of Gray and Malky.

No doubt there was, but my original point still stands…which is we listened, but didn’t agree.

[Nicho87]

Anyone expecting the BK to transform hibs over night and in 2/3 windows needs to remind themselves that any decent run club has to weed out the existing issues / problems / areas we are not doing so well in at the start first.

You only have to look at Bournemouth and how well they are being run and the effect it is now having on the pitch!

A big reset this summer I am sure. I’m glad we are not just chucking money at players straight away hoping for a short term fix.

There’s something a bit more stable for the long term going on down leith.

[Jock O]

I won't pretend to be ITK as to how the relationship would work but from putting together snippets I assumed BKG would buy players outwith our spending range, they would be Hibs players but sale proceeds would go back to BKG. I thought that we would be trying to sign players like Lennon Miller, £4m rated with potential to be sold for really big money.....BKG would get the profit and we get a really good player for a couple of years. I also expected a signing like that every year.
.

Can this be done in current rules? How would that tie in with the various FPP rules, wouldn't that have to be treated as a cash injection for Hibs.

I think this is the thing with the arrangement, I am not clear on what can be done other than working together. I have been meaning to raise a thread for a while to clarify what can be done in current structure, and what is possible in future under current rules as I don't think it is clear, and my thinking is some of the expectations are not realistic, but I genuinely don't know and suspect it is not clear for the majority,.

[blackpoolhibs]

£6m investment has been swallowed up by the complete missmanagement of the Gordons buy low sell high gamble.

This summer will hopefully see the outgoing of several high earning pish, and at last some decent better quality players scouted by someone who knows what they are doing coming in.

I'm not convinced we will secure a European place this season, it could be very close but it would not surprise be if we dont qualify.

I think the real work will come in the summer, hopefully with Europe.:pray:

[Centre Hawf]

It hasn't even been 2 full transfer windows since the takeover was completed. The head of recruitment from them only started a few months ago. We had a honking amount of poor players signed up on big deals that mostly end this summer, and the director football only started last June.

This was never going to be a blow your socks off transfer window or season. This is a reset button season.