David Duff

[Carheenlea]

Duff speaks about take over bid.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...uction-2872541

Had Duff sold his shares then it would have been curtains. For that he will always have played his part in ensuring Hibernian’s survival.

[BILLYHIBS]

Shiela Rowland was a heroine anaw!

[CropleyWasGod]

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Duff speaks about take over bid.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...uction-2872541

Had Duff sold his shares then it would have been curtains. For that he will always have played his part in ensuring Hibernian’s survival.

...after having got us to the point where we were vulnerable to a take-over, though.

[EI255]

Pretty fascinating read and will definitely buy his book.

I remember Duff (and Rowland?) parading past the Hibs fans packed in at the away end at Tynecastle back in the 80s. Wasn't sure they were well received or not. Was probably just months later that the meeting with Mercer occurred. Little did we know!

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[oneone73]

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Pretty fascinating read and will definitely buy his book.

I remember Duff (and Rowland?) parading past the Hibs fans packed in at the away end at Tynecastle back in the 80s. Wasn't sure they were well received or not. Was probably just months later that the meeting with Mercer occurred. Little did we know!

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Duff and Gray iirc

[cocteautwin]

What was in it for Mercer? Just a property transaction for the stadium? I'd imagine almost not a single Hibs fan would move across to supporting a United Edinburgh Hearts side so it couldn't have been to have larger crowds at the games.

[Peevemor]

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...after having got us to the point where we were vulnerable to a take-over, though.

He didn't realise what a shark Rowland was - that was his biggest mistake.

He was far from blameless, but in the end he did right by Hibs.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

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What was in it for Mercer? Just a property transaction for the stadium? I'd imagine almost not a single Hibs fan would move across to supporting a United Edinburgh Hearts side so it couldn't have been to have larger crowds at the games.

Asset stripping - they would have kept Collins and Goram and sold the stadium.

[Ozyhibby]

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What was in it for Mercer? Just a property transaction for the stadium? I'd imagine almost not a single Hibs fan would move across to supporting a United Edinburgh Hearts side so it couldn't have been to have larger crowds at the games.

Short term no but long term Hearts would have prospered. By now they would be bigger than they are at present with the whole Edinburgh market to themselves. It would have been difficult to start a phoenix Hibs with no stadium etc.


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[Since452]

Has anyone ever seen Duff back at Easter Road since those days?

[Bostonhibby]

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What was in it for Mercer? Just a property transaction for the stadium? I'd imagine almost not a single Hibs fan would move across to supporting a United Edinburgh Hearts side so it couldn't have been to have larger crowds at the games.

Property transaction and the chance to clear Hearts considerable ongoing debt.

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[GloryGlory]

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...after having got us to the point where we were vulnerable to a take-over, though.

...after getting into bed with a City spiv and mortgaging Hibs to a disaster capitalist.

[Peevemor]

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Has anyone ever seen Duff back at Easter Road since those days?

I've never seen it mentioned.

His brother-in-law Jim Gray was kept on for a while as CEO or something until the STF buy-out was 100% complete.

I think he's been back.

[GloryGlory]

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He didn't realise what a shark Rowland was - that was his biggest mistake.

He was far from blameless, but in the end he did right by Hibs.

A standard bit of due diligence into Rowland's background would have revealed exactly what a shark he was. Duff was, after all, a solicitor and should have had enough professional nous to check out what he was signing up for.

[tamig]

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Shiela Rowland was a heroine anaw!

If Duff had sold his shares that would have been it done.

[Future17]

As well as being convicted of fraud, he's been involved with several organisations which have subsequently suffered financial problems, including Edinburgh University Settlement.

My experience of him suggests to me that he's a fundamentally dishonest individual and I wouldn't trust a single word he has to say.

[Keith_M]

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As well as being convicted of fraud, he's been involved with several organisations which have subsequently suffered financial problems, including Edinburgh University Settlement.

My experience of him suggests to me that he's a fundamentally dishonest individual and I wouldn't trust a single word he has to say.

Don't sit on the fence, what do you really think of him?

[FilipinoHibs]

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Shiela Rowland was a heroine anaw!

Fell in love with Hibs. Maybe a statue or invite back for a game to say thanks.

[Peevemor]

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A standard bit of due diligence into Rowland's background would have revealed exactly what a shark he was. Duff was, after all, a solicitor and should have had enough professional nous to check out what he was signing up for.

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As well as being convicted of fraud, he's been involved with several organisations which have subsequently suffered financial problems, including Edinburgh University Settlement.

My experience of him suggests to me that he's a fundamentally dishonest individual and I wouldn't trust a single word he has to say.

I'm honestly not looking to defend him, but once Mercer had launched his bid Duff did all he could to save Hibs.

I've posted this link loads of times, but there's some great insight as well as loads of cuttings etc. here.

https://thehiblog.wordpress.com/hibl...ummer-of-1990/

[FilipinoHibs]

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I've never seen it mentioned.

His brother-in-law Jim Gray was kept on for a while as CEO or something until the STF buy-out was 100% complete.

I think he's been back.

Seemingly worked in an off licence near ER (1).

1. Hibs Net fact.

[Yorkshire HFC]

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As well as being convicted of fraud, he's been involved with several organisations which have subsequently suffered financial problems, including Edinburgh University Settlement.

My experience of him suggests to me that he's a fundamentally dishonest individual and I wouldn't trust a single word he has to say.

I interviewed him and Gray before this all happened, for a fanzine article.

He came across as an enthusiastic fan who couldn't believe he'd been lucky enough to own Hibs (at 33 years old!) - Gray seemed to be the more level headed of the two when I met them. Duff was certainly out of his depth - I'm sure he was also very financially driven, especially later in his life, as seen by his subsequent fraud conviction.

[superfurryhibby]

Duff and Gray borrowed money from Rowland to finance their purchase of Hibs? The Avon Inns fiasco, also purchased from Rowland, using money raised through the floatation of shares. The prick was in it from the start, he wasn’t that naive, no matter what he did once found out.

[Peevemor]

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Seemingly worked in an off licence near ER (1).

1. Hibs Net fact.

I've seen it mentioned that he took over Fairbairns in Albert Street. I lived on Albert Street and used Fairbairns regularly up until it shut and I can't remember seeing him - that means nothing though as I rarely recognise people away from their normal (in my mind) context.

[AltheHibby]

I see in the article that the 'big' team wouldn't let women in their Boardroom.

Mind you, that might have been a good policy to keep with Budge around!

[hibstag]

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Seemingly worked in an off licence near ER (1).

1. Hibs Net fact.

this is the first thing I think of when his name comes up as Im pretty convinced he served me a carryout on way back to train after a game circa 1992

[H18S NX]

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Shiela Rowland was a heroine anaw!

....She really was Billy

[Hillsidehibby]

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Duff and Gray borrowed money from Rowland to finance their purchase of Hibs? The Avon Inns fiasco, also purchased from Rowland, using money raised through the floatation of shares. The prick was in it from the start, he wasn’t that naive, no matter what he did once found out.

[Forza Fred]

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Seemingly worked in an off licence near ER (1).

1. Hibs Net fact.

Jim Gray either owned, or managed Fairbairn’s after he left Hibs.

Duff was way out his depth, but I remember after it all ended speaking to a then Hibs Director who said that he felt sorry for Gray,, and that he wasn’t a bad operator who unfortunately got caught up in his brother in law’s wake and suffered accordingly.

I had the odd dealing with him, and found him to be enthusiastic and personable.

As for Duff, I’d trust him as far as I could throw him.....as the old saying goes...if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

[erin go bragh]

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What was in it for Mercer? Just a property transaction for the stadium? I'd imagine almost not a single Hibs fan would move across to supporting a United Edinburgh Hearts side so it couldn't have been to have larger crowds at the games.

Merger my backside . It was a hostile takeover. The FTB threw a Hibs squad list at The Hearts manager and said put a price on the players we can sell .
I can still feel the rage as I post .
Coming through the takeover and winning the cup in 91 was some feeling .
Yes Duff did the right thing in the end but he put us in that position.
Ill definitely not be buying his fin book .

[Kato]

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Merger my backside . It was a hostile takeover. The FTB threw a Hibs squad list at The Hearts manager and said put a price on the players we can sell .
I can still feel the rage as I post .
Coming through the takeover and winning the cup in 91 was some feeling .
Yes Duff did the right thing in the end but he put us in that position.
Ill definitely not be buying his fin book .

Mercer also tried to convince John Collins and Andy Goram to join his "United Edinburgh" Heart of Midlothian team. At least one of them, if not both, met with him and told him he could **** off straight to his face. IIRC a Hearts player acted as go between and attended said mettinsg, the Hearts player being one Harry Potter.