How Hibs fans can be at home matches - albeit in cardboard form

Club keen to fill stand with cardboard supporters

Cardboard cut-out fans take in Charlton Athletic's home match with Millwall earlier this month. Hibs are hoping to install their own virtual fans in the East Stand

Hibs have offered fans the chance to be in the crowd when the new Scottish Premiership season starts on 1 August – albeit in cardboard form.

The Easter Road side is selling cut-outs to supporters which will then be placed in the East Stand on matchdays, with the cardboard fans featuring on Hibs TV coverage.

Priced at £25, £1 from every cut-out sold will go to NHS Lothian’s charity partner, the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation.

The Capital club is also preparing seat banners for the lower tiers of both the Famous Five and South Stands and is also hoping to include flags and banners from supporters to display in other parts of the stadium.

Cardboard cut-out fans have been incorporated at a number of sporting events in England and further afield, although not without controversy.

An image of mass murderer Harold Shipman was seen among cardboard cut-outs at a National Rugby League game in Australia, while at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, a fan complained after noticing his cardboard cut-out was seated next to an image of Osama bin Laden.

US President Donald Trump was seen in the crowd at a Wigan Athletic game while the eponymous character of the ‘Where’s Wally?’ book series took in a Nottingham Forest fixture.

Other supporters have paid money to have cardboard cut-outs of comedians Ricky Gervais and Norman Wisdom in their seats, while an image of the Queen was seen in the cardboard crowd at a Millwall game. Numerous pets including dogs, cats, and even horses have also been seen at matches.