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Q. So you're trying
to take over Hibs are you?
A. Hibernian were saved for the community by
Sir Tom Farmer. We are now asking the Hibernian community
to help the owner to take the club forward - we have no desire
to take over the club however! We will be limited by our own
constitution to a maximum of 25% shareholding in Hibernian.
No matter who holds the controlling interest in Hibernian
now or in the future, we will be more than willing to assist
them in any way we can.
Q. Do you want a seat
on the Board?
A. Fan representation on the board of a football
club is all too often seen as a 'sell out' by the very supporters
they seek to serve, so no, that it not our intention. We will
of course work closely with the board for the good of the
club.
Q. How much money
do you anticipate making / spending?
A. This is not just about purchasing shares
in Hibernian, it is about investigating and implementing different
ways of investing in the football club. We may for example
invest in other, non-football, areas, and use any proceeds
of these investments for the good of the club and the supporters.
We will of course seek professional advice throughout, but
the important thing is that we will be independent of the
club. As to how much – as much as we can! This will largely
depend on the reaction we receive from the supporters of the
club. We do anticipate however that our plans will be well
received by all Hibs fans around the world, who will over
time generate a significant additional income for the football
club.
Q. What do you think
of the Board?
A. The board are to be congratulated on the
support they have provided to the manager, and we fully recognise
the role they have played in returning the club to the Premier
League. We recognise the many challenges that lay ahead for
the board, and will do all we can to support them in their
efforts to take Hibernian forward.
Q. What do you think
of the Manager and the team?
A. Whoever is the Manager of Hibernian will
receive our full support. This was the case when the
ERIN Trust started and continues to be the case with the
current Manager Tony Mowbray.
Q. What do you think
of Tom Farmer and did he save the club?
A. If Sir Tom would like to sign up with the
Trust, he will be more than welcome. As indeed would any prominent
Hibernian supporter in the business world. We would welcome
the advice and guidance of anyone with Hibernian’s interests
at heart. Yes he saved the club along with the supporters
of Hibs.
Q. What do
you think of Stadium Redevelopment?
A. The increased attendances at all football
grounds where redevelopment has taken place demonstrates more
than anything else how important good, modern facilities are
to fans today. While the Trust is not about raising funds
for stadium redevelopment, that is a matter for the board
of Hibernian, clearly it is an area where investment by a
Trust such as ours would be of considerable value to everyone
involved with Hibernian.
Q. How do you ensure
that the Trustees are honest?
A. It is not for us or anyone else to question
the honesty of any individual. Trustees will be elected by
the members of the Trust, and of course safeguards will be
put in place to ensure that no individual will be in a position
to take decisions on how Trust funds are used. Our constitution
allows for 5 Trustees, but there will also be up to 7 management
committee members who will oversee the day to day running
of the Trust.
Q. When will the club
get any money?
A. The Trust made it's first donation to
Hibernian Football Club in October 2001. These funds, a
total of £5,000, were used to buy shares in the Football Club
and help Alex McLeish towards the costs of scouting trips.
A further £1,450 was retained in high interest savings
accounts in line with the Trust's three stated aims. A
further donation will be made in November 2002 and annually
thereafter.
Q. How many members
due you expect to attract?
A. Our target is to attract 5,000 members to
the Trust in the first two years.
Q. How does this
differ from other supporters' organisations, such as the Club
2000?
A. Club 2000 is itself, since its formation
in 1986, an excellent example of the innovative nature of
Hibs fans! However that organisation is aimed firmly at a
specific part of the Hibs set-up, promoting and supporting
the Hibs youth program. The ERIN Community Trust is very different,
we will re-invest the income from our members in any means
available to aid the future of Hibernian. We will hold share
interest in the club on behalf of our members, and thus ensure
a greater say by Hibs fans in the future direction of the
club.
Q. Do you have the
support of other Hibernian supporters’ organisations?
A. Our plans have been welcomed by many of the
various Hibernian supporters’ organisations, such as the Australian
Hibs Supporters, London Hibs and the Hibernian Shareholders
Association. We are not however aligned to any single group,
and call upon Hibs fans, regardless of which organisations
they belong, to join us in this initiative.
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