Hibs’ fans are about to pass a major milestone within the next few days – ownership of ten per cent of the shares in the Club.
To help pass that target, the Club and Hibernian Supporters Limited are holding an event to encourage supporters to back the Club’s fan ownership proposals, but who perhaps still have one or two unanswered questions that are delaying them.
Last summer there was a call for greater ownership and involvement in the Club by thousands of fans who took part in consultation.
While the response to date has been encouraging, more needs to be done to help fund sporting ambition. Those who have already bought know that every penny they spent will go to help support Alan Stubbs as he builds a team that we all can be proud of.
The Club is holding a fun and informative Share Hibernian event in Behind The Goals on Saturday, April 25 (bar opens at 12.30pm, event starts at 12.45pm) in the build-up to the final home league match of the season against Alloa Athletic.
The event will tackle a number of questions supporters have raised:
- How does buying shares help the Manager?
- Is it better to buy direct or support Hibernian Supporters Limited?
- Where can I get help to deal with the process of buying shares?
A number of high profile former players will be on hand to share their Hibernian memories, and to talk about why they are backing the Club’s plan to widen ownership by allowing supporters to buy up to 51% of the shares in the Club – a controlling interest.
As well as the ex-players, Chief Executive Leeann Dempster and Club Directors will be on hand to talk to supporters and answer questions, as will directors of the collective ownership vehicle Hibernian Supporters Limited. Trustees of the Hibernian Supporters Association will also be in attendance to share their views and support the cause.
Ms Dempster said: “If you’ve thought about buying shares in your Club, but you’ve hesitated because you are unsure of how best to proceed, come along and have your questions answered simply and directly.
“And at the same time, supporters coming to our final home league match can be with fellow Hibernian fans, and share Hibernian stories with some favourite Hibernian players including Tony Higgins, Jackie McNamara, Ally MacLeod and Stuart Lovell.”
Kenny McAskill, Chairman of Hibernian Supporters Limited said “I am delighted by the early response of many fans who have shown such strong support of the collective ownership idea. Within just three months we have already acquired a 3.5 % stake in the Club and our first target of 20%, which gives us Board representation is already in our sights. More importantly we have been able to provide Leeann and Alan with funds to support our football aims.”
There are two basic propositions – buying and owning shares directly from the Club via the share issue, or being part of a collective ownership through Hibernian Supporters Limited.
For those wishing to buy directly from the Club, there are two ways supporters can participate:
Existing shareholders: The Club has 1700 shareholders, and it is open to them to buy more shares at any time, and as often as they wish.
Supporters on the Club database who wish to buy and own shares should have received information from the Club about the process they need to go through to meet the regulations, which includes consulting with an Independent Financial Advisor.
If you would like further guidance on the process, or information about IFAs, please contact shares@hibernianfc.co.uk
For supporters who do not wish to, or qualify for, the opportunity to buy and own shares directly, Hibernian Supporters Limited is a simple alternative to holding shares directly.
Any Hibernian supporter anywhere can participate through HSL, which is a company limited by guarantee with the sole objective and aim of buying and holding shares in Hibernian FC for the benefit of supporters. Any person can sign up to donate (the minimum suggested donation is £225 or £18.75 per month) to the company and this money will be used to acquire shares in Hibernian. Supporters who make contributions will not own shares directly but will own Hibernian Supporters Limited, which in turn will own the shares in the Club.
More information is available at www.hiberniansupporters.co.uk
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.
