Hibs fan group HSL reports surge in pledges following launch of fundraising campaign

Around 660 new members since appeal was launched last week

Hibs fans have been getting behind the fundraising campaign. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Hibs fans are continuing to rally behind a fundraising campaign to help the club through the coronavirus crisis.

An appeal from Hibernian Supporters Limited (HSL), the club’s second largest shareholder, has resulted in a surge in pledges over the past week, with around 660 extra fans now donating to the cause.

The total number of HSL contributors now exceeds 3300 at various stages of their membership, some with one-off donations and others making monthly payments.

The organisation hopes to continue the momentum as it looks to raise £400,000 towards Jack Ross's player budget next season.

It comes after the Easter Road side warned of the need to make cutbacks due to the ‘substantial and unsustainable strain’ on club finances due to Covid-19, with revenues set to be halved.

“The reality is that this is the fans’ chance to increase the budget for players and try and help Hibs make a push to challenge for third spot,” said HSL chairman Jim Adie.

“It is always difficult to catch Celtic and Rangers but without Hearts it should really be between us and Aberdeen.”

The organisation was formed in 2015 with the aim to buy new shares in the club. The ultimate target was owning a 25.1 per cent stake – the total required to have a meaningful say on major issues.

A legal agreement between HSL and Hibs which guaranteed the transfer of shares on the receipt of funds was voided when Sir Tom Farmer sold the club to Ron Gordon last summer. The American-based owner has since confirmed there will be no new shares issued which has left the fans’ group stalled on their current stake of 15 per cent.

Despite this change in circumstances fans are being urged to make donations through the HSL website – hiberniansupporters.co.uk. The sums raised will be collected every month and handed to the club.

“We are taking responsibility for our club,” said Adie. “In a sense we are part owners of the club and with that comes responsibility. We feel we have a duty to step up to the plate both as part owners and supporters. That’s a perfectly reasonable position to have.

“The club has made sacrifices over the years to build the stadium,” he added. “We want to make sure we don’t lose that advantage gained. If we can give the club an extra £400,000, that would be a fantastic thing.”