Ron Gordon

[007]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Of course not.

Ok. Adding in "we believe" made it sound like you were.

[The 90+2]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Being debt free is fairly positive.

I’m sure Sir Tom would have had us debt free before he left always regardless. Debt free is amazing but is that the ambition we have? The owner has? It makes little sense.

[Real Emerald]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I’m sure Sir Tom would have had us debt free before he left always regardless. Debt free is amazing but is that the ambition we have? The owner has? It makes little sense.

Agree, why buy a Scottish football club to be debt free and remain mid table as your ambition. You would expect at the very least an initial burst of positive signings to get the punters juices going, and a chest banging statement of intent. Otherwise, what’s the point 😳

[CMurdoch]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Agree, why buy a Scottish football club to be debt free and remain mid table as your ambition. You would expect at the very least an initial burst of positive signings to get the punters juices going, and a chest banging statement of intent. Otherwise, what’s the point 😳

Managing expectation

[CMurdoch]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I’m sure Sir Tom would have had us debt free before he left always regardless. Debt free is amazing but is that the ambition we have? The owner has? It makes little sense.

Debt free means you can spend money on the team and facilities rather than on paying the debt. Simples.
That means £500k more for Hibs to spend per season. I suspect that will kick in this window.

[Real Emerald]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Managing expectation

Expecting nothing then? Buy a club and expect nothing but managing expectations, how exciting!!

[CMurdoch]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Expecting nothing then? Buy a club and expect nothing but managing expectations, how exciting!!

2 weeks until the transfer window closes then the AGM in February.
At that point you should have the information you need to make an informed comment.
Being negative without that is just raving.

[Real Emerald]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

2 weeks until the transfer window closes then the AGM in February.
At that point you should have the information you need to make an informed comment.
Being negative without that is just raving.

Yes I hope it all pans out well, who knows it may be the best transfer window ever, fingers crossed 🤞

[CMurdoch]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yes I hope it all pans out well, who knows it may be the best transfer window ever, fingers crossed 🤞

All we can do is hope. Wish we were in the Know but we're no .
A good defensive mid, a free scoring striker with a Bogdan chaser.

[Danderhall Hibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Having the highest minimum price is not the same as having the highest price.

So are you saying we’ve got the most expensive cheap seats?

[Jones28]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

So are you saying we’ve got the most expensive cheap seats?

That’s how 90+2 would see it.

[jacomo]

This is from July when he took over from STF... worth reminding ourselves because it’s still the most comprehensive plan we have.

I know it’s the Daily Record but it’s mostly direct quotes from Ron. His investment included £1m or so cash for club to invest as it saw fit, although it was reported that the transfer budget didn’t change.


Ron Gordon unveils his Hibs masterplan and pinpoints the two key areas that need improving

0_19119778.jpg
(Image: SNS Group)
New Hibs owner Ron Gordon moved from Peru to America and turned $200 into $75million.

The 64-year-old entrepreneur knows a good investment when he sees one and he says that’s why he put his cash in the Premiership side.

But Gordon admits he looked at buying other clubs in Scotland, England, Spain and the United States.

He is proud of his Scottish family connections, and said: “I have been looking for a football opportunity for about three years.

“I really wanted to get into the game, I have loved football since I was a child.

“I looked at clubs in four countries – Scotland, England, Spain and the US. I made expressions of interest in one club in England, not in the Premier League.

“At the end of the day, once the Hibs opportunity became live, that was it.

(Image: SNS Group)
“My family is originally from Scotland, a place called Tomintoul in the Highlands.

“I took my family seven years ago on a roots trip so we went to Aberdeen, we went to Huntly Castle where my ancestors are buried.

“Obviously I wouldn’t make an investment in a club like this for that reason but it makes an investment in Scotland that much more special.

“I looked at several clubs but when I looked at Hibs and reached out to Rod Petrie it became clear to me that this was a very special club. Hibs have a lot of positive things – an incredible fan base as well as great infrastructure and great leadership.”

Gordon has always though big and that’s the secret to his fortune.

He started his own media company ZGS Communications for just $200 and sold it to Comcast/NBC Universal in 2017, banking a cool $75m (£60m).

Gordon said: “I was born in Peru. My mother married an American and that’s how I came to leave Peru and became a US citizen when I moved there at 15. I then went to Australia because my stepfather was in the foreign service so I finished my schooling there. I went back to the US and Syracuse University and when I was 29 I started a TV production company with $200 dollars in my pocket.

Ron Gordon is joined by Sir Tom Farmer, Rod Petrie and Leeann Dempster after his takeover of Easter Road club(Image: Twitter)
“The company served the Spanish-speaking community because I spoke Spanish fluently having been born in Peru.

“As they say, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king so I was the one-eyed man.

“I grew my company organically for 35 years and then I sold it to NBC Universal for way beyond whatever I would have expected.

“That’s what business is about but I was very blessed as a businessman and the people I worked with and ultimately the result.

“I sold the company for significantly more than $200 dollars.

“Money is not always the answer, obviously you need resources. But I think creative thinking and looking at things in a different way and developing ideas and teams that can really flourish is what made my company successful.”

Now Gordon is determined to build Hibs a indoor facility that will be the envy of most clubs in Britain as part of a two-part plan for the club’s success.

He said: “I think I would look to invest in an organisation that can produce results consistently.

“We should not make any bets on any one player or something like that.

(Image: SNS Group)
“We need to build an infrastructure that consistently delivers results year in and year out and that we are competing.

“I would look at two pillars that would be great investments for the club.

“An indoor facility so that we can attract the best players and the best youth players and provide the community with a great facility in which to enjoy football.

“Secondly the academy. We would want the academy to be the best in Scotland.

“I don’t know what that would take and those are the two pillars that have long-term repercussions and impact for the club.

“I won’t be switching and living over in Scotland full-time but I will be here a lot.

“I want to be as involved as I can be.

“With an investment like this it is not insignificant and it is not something that you do by remote control.

“Sport is a passion point whereby people live and breathe it and enjoy it every day.

“This is a chance for us to build and do something special.”

Gordon visited Easter Road just once before sealing his deal – the night in March when a Hibs fan attacked Rangers defender James Tavernier.

(Image: SNS Group)
He insists the shameful incident didn’t make him think twice about investing in the club.

Having met with manager Paul Heckingbottom he is keen to start attending more matches, starting with the League Cup opener with Arbroath a week on Saturday.

Gordon said: “I’ve been to one Hibs game and of all the things that I read, the one thing, the only thing everybody got right was that it was the Rangers game.

“I was a little disappointed about that incident but I loved the way the club handled it.

“It was right on and forceful.

“Personally I don’t think there’s room for anything like that in football.

“I met the Hibs manager two or three months ago.

“We had a very nice chat and he seems to be doing a great job.

(Image: SNS Group)
“I’m very encouraged to give him the support he needs to build a team that can succeed.

“I’m going to the League Cup game against Arbroath.”

Gordon also moved to reassure the Hibs faithful that he only wants what’s best for the club.

He insists the fans should be excited and strap themselves in for the ride.

When asked about the sceptics, Gordon said: “I would be asking the same question.

“I don’t think you can make everybody happy.

“I’m sure it’s the case that some would be wary but we have to do our job and prove that we’re going to do positive things for the club.

“I’m going to give it 1000 per cent. I’m very excited about this and there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity for us to do some wonderful things.

“If we don’t, it’s not going to be for lack of trying.

“We’re committed to the club and the more I learned about Hibs, I loved everything about it.

“The Hibs fans should be excited. We are going to grow the club in a way that’s positive for the club itself and Edinburgh.

“This is a phenomenal club which is in a great position to do some wonderful things.”

[SquashedFrogg]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Expecting nothing then? Buy a club and expect nothing but managing expectations, how exciting!!

Based on what he said when he took over. What should he have already done in his very short time as owner?

[Forza Fred]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

2 weeks until the transfer window closes then the AGM in February.
At that point you should have the information you need to make an informed comment.
Being negative without that is just raving.

Agree with most of this.

Ron Gordon has finalised a strategic review of the club, but I can’t see him announcing any changes until the transfer window has closed.

I don’t see a sudden influx of funds coming by any means, and I don’t think there is any magic wand that can be waved that improves us financially.

I don’t think it is his business style to throw money about for short term, probably unsustainable gain..

My expectations are that we will continue to operate with the 5th biggest budget in Scottish football, but that there will be flowery words about developing our own players.

Hope I’m wrong, and there is much for us to get excited about, but I am not confident.

[SquashedFrogg]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Agree with most of this.

Ron Gordon has finalised a strategic review of the club, but I can’t see him announcing any changes until the transfer window has closed.

I don’t see a sudden influx of funds coming by any means, and I don’t think there is any magic wand that can be waved that improves us financially.

I don’t think it is his business style to throw money about for short term, probably unsustainable gain..

My expectations are that we will continue to operate with the 5th biggest budget in Scottish football, but that there will be flowery words about developing our own players.

Hope I’m wrong, and there is much for us to get excited about, but I am not confident.

To be honest mate, I'm really surprised some were expecting a huge change almost over night.

This will be a slow and steady approach I think. It has to be sustainable or it's pointless.

Funnily enough I'd actually be more worried if he'd just came in an started throwing cash about left, right and centre.

Seems we're living in a world where everyone seems to want everything yesterday. Patience is a dying art.

I'm relaxed about this and confident we're in good hands.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Seems we're living in a world where everyone seems to want everything yesterday. Patience is a dying art.

Aye, right enough. How long ago was Petrie's 5 year plan?

[Keith_M]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

So are you saying we’ve got the most expensive cheap seats?

And the cheapest expensive seats, yes.


Where are we in a league table of average seat cost?

[Hibbyradge]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

It still makes little sense for an American based Peruvian to purchase a Scottish football club and model the club he’s bought on the likes of St Johnstone or Killie and punch above our weight while not investing in the playing side of the club at all. What’s happening with the indoor stadia investment at HTC also?

His reasons for buying the club were explained when it happened.

[SquashedFrogg]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Aye, right enough. How long ago was Petrie's 5 year plan?

I'm not talking about Petrie? He's no longer at the club.

[FilipinoHibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

To be honest mate, I'm really surprised some were expecting a huge change almost over night.

This will be a slow and steady approach I think. It has to be sustainable or it's pointless.

Funnily enough I'd actually be more worried if he'd just came in an started throwing cash about left, right and centre.

Seems we're living in a world where everyone seems to want everything yesterday. Patience is a dying art.

I'm relaxed about this and confident we're in good hands.

Yes my stepson wants a sports car for graduating. I said you need to build a career and eventually you might be able to waste your own money on one.

[Onion]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Based on what he said when he took over. What should he have already done in his very short time as owner?

Folk are naturally nervous. New owner comes in with stated good intentions and immediately goes to ground. Radio silence would not be a problem had the team been doing well.. but the opposite is true. We've sacked a manager, falling well short of expectations and the deficiencies in the squad are patently obvious, even to the new manager. Watching opponents doing decent business, while it appears our need is greater, is galling at best.

Big few weeks coming up for Ron. He needs to get the balance between short term needs (2 or 3 key players) and long term ambitions right to convince a lot of fans that he knows what the hell he's doing and that he's here for the right reasons.

[SquashedFrogg]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Folk are naturally nervous. New owner comes in with stated good intentions and immediately goes to ground. Radio silence would not be a problem had the team been doing well.. but the opposite is true. We've sacked a manager, falling well short of expectations and the deficiencies in the squad are patently obvious, even to the new manager. Watching opponents doing decent business, while it appears our need is greater, is galling at best.

Big few weeks coming up for Ron. He needs to get the balance between short term needs (2 or 3 key players) and long term ambitions right to convince a lot of fans that he knows what the hell he's doing and that he's here for the right reasons.

I get where you're coming from. I'm more intrigued than nervous.

My understanding was that he'd take stock, assess before anything major would happen.

Clearly there's plans coming.

I just think some of the lazy comments about him on here are getting pretty boring.

In relative terms he's been in the door 5 mins. Let's see what happens over a more realistic period.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'm not talking about Petrie? He's no longer at the club.

We were told to have patience then too.

[Ronniekirk]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

More than six months and that’s more than long enough to let us know wtf is going to happen.

It’s not realism also. Unless we can get an answer as to why he bought us speculation will continue. It’s not as if anything positive has happened since we got bought over.

The positive is Heck was sacked


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hibbyfraelibby]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What is the big deal about the indoor pitch being brought in? Is it going to be more effective than bringing in a couple of players better than we already have?

You need the indoor facility to maintain the regional academy status and the funding that comes with it and the links to specialist educational arrangements.

[FilipinoHibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

You need the indoor facility to maintain the regional academy status and the funding that comes with it and the links to specialist educational arrangements.

Medium/long term could transform the team/prospects because of our weather. The building of indoor tennis centres transformed Swedish tennis starting with Borg. Same here in Scotland. Allows you to develop technique instead of fighting the elements.

[Peevemor]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Medium/long term could transform the team/prospects because of our weather. The building of indoor tennis centres transformed Swedish tennis starting with Borg. Same here in Scotland. Allows you develop technique instead of fighting the elements.

I understand what you're saying, but tennis isn't played in the rain - football is (fairly often).

[Ronniekirk]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I’m sure Sir Tom would have had us debt free before he left always regardless. Debt free is amazing but is that the ambition we have? The owner has? It makes little sense.

He emphasised he wanted to own a Community Club and Sir Tom was at pains to point out that was a key component in selling to Ron
So to be honest I wasn’t expecting a lot to begin with The AGM has clearly been delayed so that it won’t happen till he has a Plan to bring to it
Once we see this we will know the extend of any Ambition and if he has plans to bring in other investors
If he just wants to own a financially stable Community Club that will become clear
The extent to which he asks for fans financial support in developing an Indoor Training facility will be interesting , as he has hinted about this
I am happy to pay towards player pool budget as I currently do ,but am less inclined to pay towards infrastructure Although would consider a one off payment
I think Heck has derailed us and put a spanner in the works by his poor results and spending the Player Budget poorly
But like a lot of others I hope we get a date for an A G M announced soon so we can hear what his plans are Then and only then will it become clearer the extent of the Clubs ambition
But if we are just trying to make savings and improve every department s performance that can only take us so far ,without extra investment




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CMurdoch]

To me his intentions are pretty clear from his opening statement which you can read in a preceding post on this page.
It all reads like he is looking to build the club as an investment. He is a business man not a mad man.

That means he will spend money on everything but expensive established players.
I expect the player budget to remain at current levels with Hibs playing in Europe every year from season 2021/22 and fighting with Aberdeen and Hearts for 3rd to 5th in the SPFL.

He will invest on the indoor training pitch and the academy in the hope that we can attract, develop and sell players.
He will spend money on Easter Road so it will be well maintained and the PA system, catering etc will all be sorted out.
STF and Ron Petrie have already done the hard miles other than the indoor training pitch.

Ron Gordon will also improve and develop the business and commercial aspects of the club.

In 6-10 years he will sell a very healthy club for a healthy profit.
This I believe is his end game.

Many of you won't be happy with my predictions but that's what happens when you sell your club.
I think Ron Gordon will be a good owner in that he will ensure the club remains financially stable and he will develop and improve it but there will be no spectacular revolution on the pitch. Expect top 6 every season but not top 2. Natural order.

[ElginHibbie]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

natural order will remain i.e us placing 3rd to 6th every season.

That would actually be an improvement on our natural order