Hibs’ Chief Executive Leeann Dempster has revealed that season ticket sales are up on last year although over 1000 have so far failed to renew.
The club have been in touch with these fans and many insist that they will renew ahead of the start of the campaign and the money raised will help Alan Stubbs build a squad capable of being promoted.
In addition to Rangers, the Easter Road side will face stiff competition from Ian Murray’s St Mirren, Falkirk and Queen of the South.
In a statement published on the club website, Ms Dempster thanked the fans for their support. It read: Almost 7000 supporters have signed up for their season tickets so far – which tracks above the number from this time last year – and I want to thank each and every one of them who has done so.
“In making that commitment to the Club, season ticket holders provide me and Alan with the certainty we need to budget for the season. Within that 7000, there are almost 1000 new or returning season ticket holders – and again I’d like to thank them. It’s encouraging that such a strong number have decided to get on board.
“While this is positive, this also means that around 1200 fans at this stage have still to renew. We’ve been contacting as many of these fans as possible, and the majority of them are telling us that they do intend to renew, and again that’s terrific. However, around one in four of those we have been in touch with have not yet decided to renew.
“I understand there can be all kinds of reasons for that non-renewal. Personal circumstances change, and so can priorities. I know we’ve been asking a lot of you, with shares and HSL also keen and deserving of your support. But I would appeal to every fan who is able to renew to get behind the Club, the Manager and the Team as we push for promotion this year.
“We have committed to sustaining our budget at Premiership levels for the season ahead to give us our best possible chance. We also sought to recognise that we are not in the top flight through a modest reduction in ticket prices across most ticket categories.
“All of that means we need more supporters to commit to a season ticket to help fund our continued drive for change and progress. Alan and I are both determined to give the supporters of this Club their sense of pride back. We want you all to enjoy coming to Easter Road, to watch exciting and winning football, to see your Club be a real and positive part of the life of our community.
“There has been a lot of positive change in the past year, and there will be more to come. If you’ve been swithering, get back on board and help us get there faster. Thanks again for all of your support over the past year. I really appreciate it.”
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.
