Supporters Panel Meeting 21 /05/ 2025

[marinello59]

The first meting of the supporters panel was held last night. There will be minutes published soon but here's a few notes to give an idea of what was discussed.

On the financial side things are going well after last year’s disappointing results with season ticket sales already at record levels. The search for a new CEO is nearly concluded, the club received over fifty initial applicants , we should expect to hear more very soon.

Plans for improvements out at the training centre are at an advanced stage and will include new pitches, seven a side cages and a new main building, the existing building will also continue in use. Start date for the work is in the hands if the council with planning permissions etc needed but hopefully work will start next year.

Hibs will be operating three satellite academies, these should be operating from the summer, Hamilton was mentioned as the location for one of them.

Work is underway to ensure that the stadium is compliant with Euro Regulations for group stage football. The work required is relatively minimal and will be completed over the summer. The club will be looking to run charter planes for fans for the away Euro ties IF we have group stage football, the short timescales for knockout games making that a lot more difficult.

Loyalty points were discussed at length. The club will be looking at what can be done there but the number of clubs selling to away fans direct now will make coming up with a fair system a bit more difficult.

The segregation barriers in place outside the ground after certain fixtures were brought up by several reps for discussion. The club does constantly review the risks of allowing direct contact with certain away fans, particularly when feelings are running high in the immediate aftermath of a game and with that in mind games against Aberdeen for example have been deemed less high risk and are now policed differently. From the clubs point of view holding back fans, like happens to us at Ibrox, would apparently prove far more expensive than at other grounds with the cost of extra stewards and police liable to add to ticket prices for us all. Maybe not the answer a lot of us want but the logic behind the decisions taking regarding egress from the stadium was explained well.

We can expect more announcements soon about the 150th celebrations with more plans in place including celebratory kits.

Catering was raised by multiple reps as well. . The difficulties faced by disabled fans with queues and counter heights being a problem came up and the club will be trying to deal with that by delivering food direct to disabled supporter’s seats. There was an acknowledgement that the current offering needs to improve and discussions are ongoing with the catering company. Discussions will also be going on over the summer regarding the product for sale in the club shop with a view to improving the range of items available.

The club are looking for volunteers to help freshen up the stadium over the summer, we will post up a separate thread on that front when we have more detail.

[Mcbizz1998]

Thanks for posting mate. Great news on the chartered flights if that goes ahead.

[JimBHibees]

The first meting of the supporters panel was held last night. There will be minutes published soon but here's a few notes to give an idea of what was discussed.

On the financial side things are going well after last year’s disappointing results with season ticket sales already at record levels. The search for a new CEO is nearly concluded, the club received over fifty initial applicants , we should expect to hear more very soon.

Plans for improvements out at the training centre are at an advanced stage and will include new pitches, seven a side cages and a new main building, the existing building will also continue in use. Start date for the work is in the hands if the council with planning permissions etc needed but hopefully work will start next year.

Hibs will be operating three satellite academies, these should be operating from the summer, Hamilton was mentioned as the location for one of them.

Work is underway to ensure that the stadium is compliant with Euro Regulations for group stage football. The work required is relatively minimal and will be completed over the summer. The club will be looking to run charter planes for fans for the away Euro ties IF we have group stage football, the short timescales for knockout games making that a lot more difficult.

Loyalty points were discussed at length. The club will be looking at what can be done there but the number of clubs selling to away fans direct now will make coming up with a fair system a bit more difficult.

The segregation barriers in place outside the ground after certain fixtures were brought up by several reps for discussion. The club does constantly review the risks of allowing direct contact with certain away fans, particularly when feelings are running high in the immediate aftermath of a game and with that in mind games against Aberdeen for example have been deemed less high risk and are now policed differently. From the clubs point of view holding back fans, like happens to us at Ibrox, would apparently prove far more expensive than at other grounds with the cost of extra stewards and police liable to add to ticket prices for us all. Maybe not the answer a lot of us want but the logic behind the decisions taking regarding egress from the stadium was explained well.

We can expect more announcements soon about the 150th celebrations with more plans in place including celebratory kits.

Catering was raised by multiple reps as well. . The difficulties faced by disabled fans with queues and counter heights being a problem came up and the club will be trying to deal with that by delivering food direct to disabled supporter’s seats. There was an acknowledgement that the current offering needs to improve and discussions are ongoing with the catering company. Discussions will also be going on over the summer regarding the product for sale in the club shop with a view to improving the range of items available.

The club are looking for volunteers to help freshen up the stadium over the summer, we will post up a separate thread on that front when we have more detail.

Couple of queries. Any numbers given re season ticket sales? Are they building a full size indoor pitch at HTC as think would be a great and much needed facility. Satellite academies sound a great idea.

[hibsforeurope]

Thanks for the update, sounds like a lot of the pressing issues were covered.

Exciting times ahead.

[Alex Trager]

The first meting of the supporters panel was held last night. There will be minutes published soon but here's a few notes to give an idea of what was discussed.

On the financial side things are going well after last year’s disappointing results with season ticket sales already at record levels. The search for a new CEO is nearly concluded, the club received over fifty initial applicants , we should expect to hear more very soon.

Plans for improvements out at the training centre are at an advanced stage and will include new pitches, seven a side cages and a new main building, the existing building will also continue in use. Start date for the work is in the hands if the council with planning permissions etc needed but hopefully work will start next year.

Hibs will be operating three satellite academies, these should be operating from the summer, Hamilton was mentioned as the location for one of them.

Work is underway to ensure that the stadium is compliant with Euro Regulations for group stage football. The work required is relatively minimal and will be completed over the summer. The club will be looking to run charter planes for fans for the away Euro ties IF we have group stage football, the short timescales for knockout games making that a lot more difficult.

Loyalty points were discussed at length. The club will be looking at what can be done there but the number of clubs selling to away fans direct now will make coming up with a fair system a bit more difficult.

The segregation barriers in place outside the ground after certain fixtures were brought up by several reps for discussion. The club does constantly review the risks of allowing direct contact with certain away fans, particularly when feelings are running high in the immediate aftermath of a game and with that in mind games against Aberdeen for example have been deemed less high risk and are now policed differently. From the clubs point of view holding back fans, like happens to us at Ibrox, would apparently prove far more expensive than at other grounds with the cost of extra stewards and police liable to add to ticket prices for us all. Maybe not the answer a lot of us want but the logic behind the decisions taking regarding egress from the stadium was explained well.

We can expect more announcements soon about the 150th celebrations with more plans in place including celebratory kits.

Catering was raised by multiple reps as well. . The difficulties faced by disabled fans with queues and counter heights being a problem came up and the club will be trying to deal with that by delivering food direct to disabled supporter’s seats. There was an acknowledgement that the current offering needs to improve and discussions are ongoing with the catering company. Discussions will also be going on over the summer regarding the product for sale in the club shop with a view to improving the range of items available.

The club are looking for volunteers to help freshen up the stadium over the summer, we will post up a separate thread on that front when we have more detail.
This is a great update mate, thanks for posting.

Are the upgrades at the training centre going to include a full sized indoor pitch?

[Jones28]

The plans for HTC sound excellent.

Did anyone raise renaming the Main Stand in memory of Tom Farmer?

[BILLYHIBS]

👍

Thanks for sharing

[Gmack7]

Thanks for the update, on season tickets was it confirmed if the record sales were up to a certain date 21/5th? or have we already passed the total of 13500 after the cup win?

[marinello59]

Couple of queries. Any numbers given re season ticket sales? Are they building a full size indoor pitch at HTC as think would be a great and much needed facility. Satellite academies sound a great idea.


This is a great update mate, thanks for posting.

Are the upgrades at the training centre going to include a full sized indoor pitch?


Thanks for the update, on season tickets was it confirmed if the record sales were up to a certain date 21/5th? or have we already passed the total of 13500 after the cup win?

It was mentioned that when the Under 19s have a game on a Friday night in the pouring rain after the upgrades the option will be there to play it indoors so I took that to mean it would include a full size pitch.

Regarding Season tickets the record sales comment came during a presentation given by Ian Gordon which covered a lot of topics with follow up questions covering several different points raised but not specifics on ST numbers sold so far. So my answer is , sorry, I don't have anymore information on that one. :greengrin

[marinello59]

The plans for HTC sound excellent.

Did anyone raise renaming the Main Stand in memory of Tom Farmer?

The sad news about Sir Tom Farmer came in after the agenda points were submitted IIRC but that will definitely be something that hibs.net and I assume others will be putting forward for discussion in the future.

[matty_f]

Thanks for the update, Marinello59! 👍👍

[Hibbyradge]

Thanks, John. Am I right in thinking that the indoor pitch will have seating for spectators?

Also, is it record numbers of STs sold by 21 May rather than in total?

[overdrive]

Thanks, John. Am I right in thinking that the indoor pitch will have seating for spectators?

Also, is it record numbers of STs sold by 21 May rather than in total?

I’ve seen the seating at the indoor pitch mentioned on an update on a Facebook group.

[JimBHibees]

It was mentioned that when the Under 19s have a game on a Friday night in the pouring rain after the upgrades the option will be there to play it indoors so I took that to mean it would include a full size pitch.

Regarding Season tickets the record sales comment came during a presentation given by Ian Gordon which covered a lot of topics with follow up questions covering several different points raised but not specifics on ST numbers sold so far. So my answer is , sorry, I don't have anymore information on that one. :greengrin

Thanks for the info cheers

[Jones28]

The sad news about Sir Tom Farmer came in after the agenda points were submitted IIRC but that will definitely be something that hibs.net and I assume others will be putting forward for discussion in the future.

Thanks mate, great updates.

Anyone got any links to the proposals at HTC?

[marinello59]

Thanks, John. Am I right in thinking that the indoor pitch will have seating for spectators?

Also, is it record numbers of STs sold by 21 May rather than in total?

Improved facilities for those going to watch games at East Mains and those attending while family members train were mentioned as being part of the plans.

See post 9 for my unfortunate non answer about further details on the season ticket comment. :greengrin

[Cammy]

Thanks mate, great updates.

Anyone got any links to the proposals at HTC?

The only planning applications I can find are for solar panels and cctv.

https://pa.eastlothian.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

[GreenCastle]

A full size indie pitch would be amazing for the club - would open up so many opportunities.

Can’t be cheap to build though - so be interesting how they do it - maybe similar to Bournemouth indoor pitch.

Whoever the new CEO is coming in will have a brilliant opportunity to push us on further.

I really hope the club keep pushing ST sales and try get the fans to get close to selling out the 3 home stands.

[Up-the-slope]

The first meting of the supporters panel was held last night. There will be minutes published soon but here's a few notes to give an idea of what was discussed.

On the financial side things are going well after last year’s disappointing results with season ticket sales already at record levels. The search for a new CEO is nearly concluded, the club received over fifty initial applicants , we should expect to hear more very soon.

Plans for improvements out at the training centre are at an advanced stage and will include new pitches, seven a side cages and a new main building, the existing building will also continue in use. Start date for the work is in the hands if the council with planning permissions etc needed but hopefully work will start next year.

Hibs will be operating three satellite academies, these should be operating from the summer, Hamilton was mentioned as the location for one of them.

Work is underway to ensure that the stadium is compliant with Euro Regulations for group stage football. The work required is relatively minimal and will be completed over the summer. The club will be looking to run charter planes for fans for the away Euro ties IF we have group stage football, the short timescales for knockout games making that a lot more difficult.

Loyalty points were discussed at length. The club will be looking at what can be done there but the number of clubs selling to away fans direct now will make coming up with a fair system a bit more difficult.

The segregation barriers in place outside the ground after certain fixtures were brought up by several reps for discussion. The club does constantly review the risks of allowing direct contact with certain away fans, particularly when feelings are running high in the immediate aftermath of a game and with that in mind games against Aberdeen for example have been deemed less high risk and are now policed differently. From the clubs point of view holding back fans, like happens to us at Ibrox, would apparently prove far more expensive than at other grounds with the cost of extra stewards and police liable to add to ticket prices for us all. Maybe not the answer a lot of us want but the logic behind the decisions taking regarding egress from the stadium was explained well.

We can expect more announcements soon about the 150th celebrations with more plans in place including celebratory kits.

Catering was raised by multiple reps as well. . The difficulties faced by disabled fans with queues and counter heights being a problem came up and the club will be trying to deal with that by delivering food direct to disabled supporter’s seats. There was an acknowledgement that the current offering needs to improve and discussions are ongoing with the catering company. Discussions will also be going on over the summer regarding the product for sale in the club shop with a view to improving the range of items available.

The club are looking for volunteers to help freshen up the stadium over the summer, we will post up a separate thread on that front when we have more detail.
:aok: much appreciated - I know the effort involved from my time doing similar - please keep up the good link work

[ruthven_raiders]

No mention of indoor pitch, maybe cost is a prohibitive at the moment, but all sounds good, disappointing about the barriers and catering deffo needs to change, why not bring back food trucks around main stands ....

[marinello59]

No mention of indoor pitch, maybe cost is a prohibitive at the moment, but all sounds good, disappointing about the barriers and catering deffo needs to change, why not bring back food trucks around main stands ....

An indoor facility does form part of the plans. Apologies, I hadn't made that clear in my original post. In my defence I was struggling with my own illegible handwriting and less than youthful memory at the time of posting. :greengrin

[hibsforeurope]

No mention of indoor pitch, maybe cost is a prohibitive at the moment, but all sounds good, disappointing about the barriers and catering deffo needs to change, why not bring back food trucks around main stands ....

I think we're 3 years in to a 9/10 year deal with Elior for the catering, unless it's them providing the trucks i can't see it being allowed.

[marinello59]

Link to the official notes from the meeting.

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/27/hibs-supporters--panel--may-2025-meeting-notes/

[Scouse Hibee]

I think we're 3 years in to a 9/10 year deal with Elior for the catering, unless it's them providing the trucks i can't see it being allowed.

My experience of being involved in external food offerings at ER is that it’s not really financially viable. The window of opportunity for sales is far too small.