As 2024 comes to a close, we would like to thank all of our members and the wider Hibernian support for their backing over the last 12 months.
It has been a busy year for the football club and Hibernian Supporters, and we thought it useful to reflect on 2024 as we look ahead to the new year.
There have been some significant changes to the ownership structure of the football club this year with the introduction of Black Knight Football following the club’s AGM in February, which was held shortly after our own AGM earlier in the month.
The initial share issue, which was approved by 75% majority at the Hibernian AGM, resulted in Black Knight Football Club becoming the club’s second largest shareholders and the appointment of Bill Foley and Ryan Caswell to the club’s board.
The changes also meant the 15.4% stake previously held by Hibernian Supporters was reduced to just over 7% – which continues to be the stake owned by Hibernian Supporters on behalf of our members today.
After seeking the views of our membership, Hibernian Supporters voted against the dilution of our shares with a full summary available to read here.
In March, we launched our biggest membership consultation for a number of years by asking members to share their views with us on future use of finances and engagement with the club.
Following the consultation period, the voting results were published and can be viewed here, with a strong message of support for participation in future share issues and commercial activity with the football club.
As continued supporters of Hibernian Women, we were pleased to support their ‘An Evening with Cup Winners’ event at Easter Road in April, where we were table sponsors and invited eight fans to attend the evening as our guests.
In May we confirmed the 2024/25 renewal of our Pioneers seasonal hospitality table, with an increase from six places to 10 for the new season – giving more members the chance to win an unforgettable experience while investing further in the club.
After continued dialogue with the club, Hibernian Supporters were invited to take part in a further share issue in June – alongside Bydand Sports and Leslie Robb – which saw a significant six-figure investment made by us to the club in exchange for shares, while maintaining of 7% ownership position.
This investment would not have been possible without the continued backing of our members, and allowed us to carry out our primary purpose of obtaining and holding shares in the club.
In July, we confirmed our continued support of fan-run matchday programme The Hibernian for the new season. We are pleased to work with the great people behind The Hibernian and we are delighted to see its continued success, while providing a useful way to communicate news with our members and the wider support.
We were absolutely delighted to celebrate Pat Stanton’s 80th birthday as Legends Sponsors for the club’s match against St Johnstone at Easter Road in September, with a range of Pat’s former teammates invited to attend the match as guests of Hibernian Supporters.
With stadium advertising throughout the game and a members’ giveaway for the framed and signed first team shirt received as part of the sponsorship, it was a significant day for everyone involved.
An initiative which allowed us to mark Pat’s birthday, support the club and give our members the chance to be part of a memorable occasion, it was an example of the good work which is possible thanks to continued commitment from our members.
October saw the launch of the revamped Hibernian Supporters website, which has been a large body of work over a number of months. In an effort to improve user experience and create a refreshed design for our members, we have received a range of positive feedback about the website and we are thankful to everyone who has taken the time to share any issues they have come across whilst navigating the new site.
In November, we offered members and supporters the chance to share their views and concerns with us ahead of a meeting with the club, with the men’s first team at the bottom of the SPFL Premiership.
We received a wide range of emails and messages covering many club-related topics, which were passed on to CEO Ben Kensell in full ahead of a club board meeting. We shared our concerns around club communication and the disconnect between the club and its fans, which was shared with the club board.
The club’s board have committed to improved relations between shareholders, senior management and supporters – and we are looking forward to further discussions with the club’s chairman and fellow significant shareholders.
In December, we were pleased to be given the opportunity to meet representatives from Black Knight Football for the first time. As the club’s third largest shareholders we believed it appropriate to introduce ourselves to the second largest shareholder in order to explain our purpose, our history and our commitment to continued support of the club.
The meeting – between Hibernian Supporters chairman Jim Adie and Black Knight’s Ryan Caswell and Bill Foley – was a very positive exercise and we look forward to continued dialogue with all of the club’s shareholders and the board to represent the interests of our members.
Throughout 2024, as part of our Pioneers hospitality initiative, we have welcomed 176 fans to Easter Road on matchdays throughout the year to experience the club’s ever-popular offering in the West Stand.
An incentive to encourage returning and new members to continue their monthly payments, we are pleased to have been able to offer fans and their guests the chance to make the most of the club’s revamped matchday experience – which has continued to be warmly received by our membership – and we look forward to giving more members the chance to win as we move into 2025.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to the new year, we remain committed to increasing our membership and would encourage supporters who may have lapsed their monthly payments to consider restarting these in 2025.
We believe we have achieved a significant amount over the last 12 months, which have been some of the busiest in our history, and look forward to achieving even more in the new year.
As always, we are on the lookout for members to support us in our efforts and would appreciate any and all offers of expertise, time and commitment. If you believe you can help us progress, please do not hesitate to reach out via email on [email protected].
From everyone at Hibernian Supporters, thank you for your support throughout 2024 – nothing we do is possible without the continued backing from our members.
We wish all of our members and their families and happy and healthy 2025.
Glory glory to the Hibees.
