Former Hibs chairman and Scottish FA president Rod Petrie has sadly died.
The news was confirmed earlier this morning. He was aged 69.
A statement from Hibs on Friday morning read: “Hibernian FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former chief executive and chairman Rod Petrie. Rest in peace, Rod.
“All at the Club send deepest condolences to his partner Morag, his sons Roderick and Kenneth, his grandchildren and all his family and friends.”
In a statement former director David Forsyth said: “Rod spent decades working in football, rose through the ranks of the sport’s administrators to become one of the most influential, and eventually achieved the office of President of the Scottish FA.
“His time at the national helm was to be interrupted not only by steering the sport through Covid but also by a cancer diagnosis, yet he kept his health challenge private and worked as assiduously for the sport as ever, a steady hand on the tiller at a point of crisis.
“He led on securing the purchase of Hampden Park for the Association, and during his tenure the national men’s team ended a 22-year absence from major tournaments by qualifying for the 2020 Euros.
“His own highlight of his time at Hibernian; undoubtedly May 21, 2016, and the exuberance of a joyous Scottish Cup win after a gap of 114 years; his lowlight; equally certain, the relegation of May, 2014. “Yet even in the immediate aftermath of that painful play-off defeat to Hamilton he took the time to call me to check how I was after my mother had suffered a stroke that morning. That quiet thoughtfulness at a point of great personal stress was typical of the man.
“In the past couple of years his love of the game and of the club had seen Rod – along with former director Bruce Langham and myself – purchase Season Tickets for the refurbished Behind the Goals.
“ Ironically, his cancer treatment had seen him lose his hair and his iconic moustache, providing a perfect disguise behind which he enjoyed watching Hibs matches largely unrecognised. Just the way he liked it.
“It may never have been about him, but he will be missed.”
Having acted as an adviser to Sir Tom Farmer during his takeover at Hibs in 1991, he later joined the board of directors and became managing director a year later.
He became President in 2019 following eight years as an office bearer, with his term of office encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic but also Scotland’s long-awaited return to a major men’s international tournament, UEFA EURO 2020.
SFA President Mike Mulraney paid tribute to one of Scottish football’s longest serving administrators.
“Firstly, on behalf of my Board and colleagues at the Scottish FA I would like to express my deepest condolences to Rod’s family at this difficult time.
“I have been fortunate enough to have shared many a boardroom with Rod in our time as office bearers and directors. He brought passion to every debate and as many a player and fellow chair has experienced over the years, he was a shrewd and unremitting negotiator.
“In that regard, it was always easier having Rod on your team. None more so than during the COVID-19 pandemic when, even whilst quietly contending with ill health, he remained steadfast in our collective objective to secure the survival of all member clubs during an unprecedented period of uncertainty.
“Rod was also great company: someone with a devilish sense of humour who cared passionately about the game. He will be missed by all of us.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Everyone at the SPFL is deeply saddened by the news surrounding Rod’s passing.
“Rod was a hugely respected figure right across the Scottish game and combined sharp intellect with a strong sense of principle, something I greatly admired.
“He was a key member of our board in the SPL era from 2003-2011 and helped drive important change for the league during that period.
“His true passion outside of his family and friends was Hibernian FC and he provided incredible service to the club in his 28 years there.
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Former Hibernian Football Club chairman and SFA president Rod Petrie has died at the age of 69.
The Easter Road side confirmed the news on Friday.
Petrie was Hibs chairman for over 20 years and was also the club’s chief executive.
He was appointed as president of the Scottish Football Association in 2019 and held that position until 2023.
Hibs said Petrie had died on Thursday “after a long struggle against cancer, peacefully at his home in Longniddry, surrounded by his family”.
Petrie partly owned Hibs in partnership with Sir Tom Farmer, who died in May this year. The chartered accountant had advised Farmer during his rescue of Hibs in 1991 and joined the club board in 1996 before being appointed managing director in 1997.
During his time at the helm, Hibs won their first Scottish Cup in 114 years and also the League Cup, while they were runners-up in major cup finals seven times. The club also redeveloped Easter Road and built a new training complex in East Lothian.
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A statement from Hibernian said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Chief Executive and Chairman Rod Petrie.
“All at the club send deepest condolences to his partner Morag, his sons Roderick and Kenneth, his grandchildren and all his family and friends.
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“Rest in peace, Rod.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Everyone at the SPFL is deeply saddened by the news surrounding Rod’s passing.
“Rod was a hugely respected figure right across the Scottish game and combined sharp intellect with a strong sense of principle, something I greatly admired.
“He was a key member of our board in the SPL era from 2003-2011 and helped drive important change for the league during that period.
“His true passion outside of his family and friends was Hibernian FC and he provided incredible service to the club in his 28 years there.
“We also worked extremely closely with Rod in his time on Scottish Football’s Joint Response Group during Covid, and he was a vital figure in helping steer our game through that challenging period.
“He will be very sadly missed, and our thoughts are with Rod’s loved ones at this time.”
