Hibs’ under-20s will play their home matches during the 2014/15 SPFL Development League season at Ainslie Park, home of Spartans – starting with the mini Edinburgh Derby against Hearts on Tuesday 19 August, kick off 7.45pm.
Head of Football Operations George Craig believes Ainslie Park will provide the under-20 squad with the perfect setting to develop and to prepare for life in Hibernian’s first team.
Craig said: “Our new partnership with Spartans has allowed us to utilise the excellent facilities at Ainslie Park as the recognised home venue for all of our Development League fixtures this season.
“We were keen to get an established home venue that would allow supporters who are looking to follow the progress of our young players easier access.
“Fixtures will take place predominantly on a Tuesday with a mix of evening and late afternoon kick off times.
“It is important to stress the development nature of these fixtures. As part of the National Player Development Programme introduced by Scottish FA Performance Director, Mark Wotte, all Development League matches have to be played in a ‘Stadium Environment.’
“This is to help the young players adjust from Academy football played mainly in open spaces to the more realistic match day experience they would encounter if called into the first team.
“We hope that through time we will get a regular following for the matches, but would again emphasise that these matches are designed to assist the technical and tactical development of the player and are not part of a competitive league competition.
“To further assist the development process the league rules allow each club to play a number of overage players.
“Senior players will benefit from additional game time, but will also be required to provide on field support to our younger players.
“It is also very likely that as the season progresses promising young players from the Academy will begin to appear regularly as they too continue their development.
“We are all looking forward to providing the young players with a positive and supportive environment at Ainslie Park this season, and also wish to thank our partners Spartans for their assistance.”
All under-20s games will be open to supporters and for admission prices there will be an opportunity to make a suggested donation of £5 for adults and £3 for concessions (with under-16s gaining free admission). This donation will go towards funding the new Transition Academy
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
