Football matters under review at Hibs as owner Ron Gordon looks to formulate plan for consistent success

Hibs are conducting a wide-ranging review of their football department in the hope that they can pinpoint a model suited to delivering and sustaining their growing ambitions.
Hibs owner Ron Gordon during a match at Easter Road earlier in the season. Photo by Craig Foy/SNS GroupHibs owner Ron Gordon during a match at Easter Road earlier in the season. Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group
Hibs owner Ron Gordon during a match at Easter Road earlier in the season. Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group

While elements of the football operation were mothballed over the past year, with lockdown rules curtailing things further, owner Ron Gordon said task forces have been assessing the best way to kick-on as the game edges back to normality.

Operating under the guidance that crowds will be allowed back into Easter Road by the turn of the year at the lastest, and with finances set to stabilise and improve by the same stage, Gordon said it is important to emerge from the pandemic with a football plan aimed at delivering the most consistent and cost-effective conveyor belt of talent, whether that comes from the club’s own youth set-up or is attracted from outwith.

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“The issue is what is the right structure and the right model to build on. We are actually in the middle of some task forces, which we did on the business side of the club when we were putting together the strategic plan.”

That gave Gordon an overview of all the business aspects, including hospitality, capital expenditure, ticketing, etc. Now, they are turning the spotlight on all areas of the football department as they lay the groundworks for regrowth.

“We are setting goals and parameters for the football department. That includes the first team, recruitment, players transactions, the development team, the academy, women's football and HTC [Hibs training centre], which is an asset that can be further improved.

“Then there are all the support services for our football program, including health and fitness, strength training, sports psychology. All those kinds of things are under review.

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“The academy is smack in the middle of that. We are looking at the mission of our academy and what we want to accomplish through that.

“We want to play very good football and be at the top of the table. But, you don’t get from A to Z without that process and time. We want to build an organisation that can sustainably be at the top of Scottish football. We don’t want to be up and down. I would like Hibs to build an organisation and structure where being at the top of the table is the norm.”

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