The Hibernian Thread

[RandomGuy.]

Youd be aswell getting rid of Johnson for the simple fact he must be absolutely destroying any confidence within your squad every time he opens his mouth, and its simply to try and keep himself safe from criticism too.

[Martin_T]

4 hours ago, Zing. said:

He’s done plenty of good commercially for the club but his football decisions have been an absolute clusterfuck since he took over and we shouldn’t just meekly sit and say “Ach that’s ok because we’re always shit anyway”. His brand new hospitality suites will be half empty next season if we are playing Championship football. 

Ian Gordon being made the head of one of the most important departments at the club was a genuinely comical decision and a massive red flag. He’s been running the recruitment for a club of our size with zero experience behind him and a subscription to Wyscout. Again, we shouldn’t just sit here and be happy about that decision because the owner “can do what he wants”. 

This is by far the most critical error he has made from my perspective. The Head of Recruitment/ Director of Football/ Head of Football operations or however you want to title it, is increasingly in the modern game, the most important role at any football club. Club's should look to recruit the best individual that they can for that role and they should then be responsible and accountable for, implementing a coherent recruitment strategy, preferred playing style and hiring head coaches to fit that.

If the football team is under performing and they are regularly hiring and firing coaches because they can't recruit successfully, it is then the individual in that role that should be 1st in the firing line and not those who report into them.

As for investment in infrastructure, hospitality etc, these investments at a football club are often very sensitive to on pitch performance, the primary objective and therefore primary area for investment at any football club, should always be the performance of the 1st team

Edited January 3, 2023 by Martin_T

[topcat(The most tip top)]

7 hours ago, Tommy Tappin said:

Excellent question. How would I know something like that?

See how big the gap was. The catering deal alone has us £900k a year closer. 

Didn't you already have catering revenue? (although not in the covid season you quoted numbers for obviously)

It's entirely plausible that Hibs outsourcing the pie stalls and hospitality to specialists could generate enough additional income to leave both Hibs and the contractors better off compared to doing it "in house" but finding an extra million a year seems a remarkable claim.

Curiously taking these operations "in house" at hearts was one of the steps forward that Ann Budge made at post-admin Hearts.

That's not to say that it's not a good option for Hibs though (The appeal of outsourcing operations to a local supplier is more obvious if your trying to run the whole operation from five time zones away) just that It's hard to believe this is such a good idea as to be a game changer.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, topcat(The most tip top) said:

Didn't you already have catering revenue? (although not in the covid season you quoted numbers for obviously)

It's entirely plausible that Hibs outsourcing the pie stalls and hospitality to specialists could generate enough additional income to leave both Hibs and the contractors better off compared to doing it "in house" but finding an extra million a year seems a remarkable claim.

Curiously taking these operations "in house" at hearts was one of the steps forward that Ann Budge made at post-admin Hearts.

That's not to say that it's not a good option for Hibs though (The appeal of outsourcing operations to a local supplier is more obvious if your trying to run the whole operation from five time zones away) just that It's hard to believe this is such a good idea as to be a game changer.

When Hibs win the league 2028 this catering deal will be spoke about as the foundation of that success. 

[Falcor Roar]

8 in a row, going for 9. Ron's son better fire up the Wyscout and find another Willy Fish or two. 

At least you're top of the sandwich and champagne league by the sounds of it.

[newcastle broon]

9 hours ago, Tommy Tappin said:

You're still clueless.  

It seems to be too much to ask a fanbase to understand that a business can flourish while the product is minging. Anecdotal 'Ah'll never be back' bollocks has ruled the club's thinking for too long.

Ron Gordon has made three major errors so far, appointing Maloney, Johnson and allowing his son to be in the firing line. He's already learnt from all three. Plus he owns the place, he can do what he wants.

He knows what we know, our average finish in the top flight is 6.5th - call it 7th or where we've been hovering most recently since the start of Season 20-21. So if a league position equates to a clueless owner and leadership, that's all we've ever had; including 'clueless' Dempster/Lennon/Stubbs.

Back in reality land though, business owners don't like making a loss unless they are looking to save tax and don't like the lack of social standing that owning a losing venture offers. Finally, Hibs are doing a roaring trade in a poor season Why? Because Gordon knows that the biggest gap he has to close is the revenue/profit gap between us and Aberdeen/Hearts. 

He's closed the biggest gap first. 

The fans don't know/care about any of that. For fans, (some) go to the matches, get home and call upon the Hibs fan social media template.

It goes like this, play along at home if you like. 

GTF because of recruitment
GTF because of where you're from
GTF because of some team you used to play for
GTF because your football is boring
GTF because your interviews boring
GTF because you're English
GTF because if you don't sack xyz 'ahhhhhhhhh'mmmmmmmmmm never going back.'

etc etc etc

Gordon has quickly understood the need for Hibs to be financially independent of people whose opinions swing like this. Don't forget, most of us wanted Jack Ross out and were howling at Gordon to sack him; but would consider his record a success for Lee Johnson now, just two years later.  

Can't build a business on that kind instability. 

He's thrown a ton of money in, he's spent it very badly, he's raising revenues, he's having to learn fast. 

Meanwhile Hibs are 8th, but we often are no matter who the owner/manager/players/fans are anyway. 

We had 27 years out of 29 of 'Farmer out' and a good 22 or so years of 'Petrie out'. Before that we had 'Duff out' and I'm old enough to remember both 'Waugh Out' and 'Hart Out'. It was in fanzines and pub talk back then though. 

So what's new pussycat? 

What about dwindling crowds as a start?

The attendances quoted every week are nowhere near how many are in the stadium. 

Yes season ticket holders are quoted in the figures but what's gonnae happen when they don't renew. That's the way it's heading. 

Are the 2 previous managers still taking a wage? 

This will be why Johnson is still in charge?

I was prepared to give him the benefit of doubt until I seen him out in town,albeit social media photos,the night before the derby. A fine example to be set to his players?

9 losses in 11 and you'd be chased from any club. 

The club is rotten from top to bottom at the minute. 

 

[Zing.]

2 hours ago, RandomGuy. said:

Youd be aswell getting rid of Johnson for the simple fact he must be absolutely destroying any confidence within your squad every time he opens his mouth, and its simply to try and keep himself safe from criticism too.

The post match interviews he gave yesterday just looked like someone actively trying to get a pay off. He took shots at his bosses and most of his playing squad. It’s Terry Butcher style man management and I’m shocked he’s not been sacked yet.

He was quite happy to take credit for the recruitment in the summer when we signed these players but he’s somewhat changed his tune now. Funny that!

We’ve two huge games coming up in terms of relegation and if we let him continue I can only see it going one way.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Zing.

[Martin_T]

47 minutes ago, topcat(The most tip top) said:

Didn't you already have catering revenue? (although not in the covid season you quoted numbers for obviously)

It's entirely plausible that Hibs outsourcing the pie stalls and hospitality to specialists could generate enough additional income to leave both Hibs and the contractors better off compared to doing it "in house" but finding an extra million a year seems a remarkable claim.

Curiously taking these operations "in house" at hearts was one of the steps forward that Ann Budge made at post-admin Hearts.

That's not to say that it's not a good option for Hibs though (The appeal of outsourcing operations to a local supplier is more obvious if your trying to run the whole operation from five time zones away) just that It's hard to believe this is such a good idea as to be a game changer.

Not only did Hearts take catering back in house, they also now do the catering for other organisations, notably George Watsons College. It's an income stream for the club in itself.

[Guest]

66/1 for Hibs to get relegated.

25/1 to finish bottom 2.

Thank me later.

[AngusTheBull]

20 minutes ago, Zing. said:

The post match interviews he gave yesterday just looked like someone actively trying to get a pay off. He took shots at his bosses and most of his playing squad. It’s Terry Butcher style man management and I’m shocked he’s not been sacked yet.

He was quite happy to take credit for the recruitment in the summer when we signed these players but he’s somewhat changed his tune now. Funny that!

We’ve two huge games coming up in terms of relegation and if we let him continue I can only see it going one way.

He probably had a stinking hangover.

[Lyle Lanley]

37 minutes ago, Empty It said:

66/1 for Hibs to get relegated.

25/1 to finish bottom 2.

Thank me later.

Stuck a tenner on us to finish in the bottom 2 a few weeks ago. 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Lyle Lanley

[Leith Green]

35 minutes ago, Empty It said:

66/1 for Hibs to get relegated.

25/1 to finish bottom 2.

Thank me later.

We were 20/1 in that same bet a few weeks ago, I find it quite bizarre that our odds have lengthened tbqhwy.

[Lyle Lanley]

Waiting for the news Johnson’s been sacked. 

[Stylish Kid]

10 minutes ago, Leith Green said:

We were 20/1 in that same bet a few weeks ago, I find it quite bizarre that our odds have lengthened tbqhwy.

I suspect it's down to stats.... You're probably no closer in points to the bottom, but there's fewer points available for Hibs to be caught. 

[Leith Green]

1 hour ago, topcat(The most tip top) said:

Hibs outsourcing the pie stalls and hospitality to specialists could generate enough additional income to leave both Hibs and the contractors better off compared to doing it "in house" but finding an extra million a year seems a remarkable claim.

This is not news - per the article, its an 8 figure sum over 9 years - as the shermans say "you do the math".

The hospitality was refurbed, its a lot bigger (and miles better) than before. There are now the thick end of 1000 bums on those seats every home match - and its pretty much sold out (apart from our pending cup run, obvs ) for the season.

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/significant-deal-secured-with-new-stadium-caterer-elior#:~:text=Hibernian FC is delighted to,caterer following a rigorous process.

As a few of us have mentioned before, stadium upgrades, LEDs, Screens, Sponsorship, cashflow etc we are so much better than before, and theres loads of money coming in...........but Ron and his son have no got a scooby when it comes to the actual fitba bit so they spend it all on shite and there is no on field dividend.

 

eta - previously our catering was brought back in house (by Dempster) and money wasnt invested. It wasnt as profitable as it should have been (because the offering was shite, imv), which is why so much (£1.7m?) needed spent on the suites in the summer.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Leith Green

[Dons_1988]

18 minutes ago, Lyle Lanley said:

Waiting for the news Johnson’s been sacked. 

You lads are as incompetent as us, you’ll wait until the January window is over, you’re out the cup and effectively nothing to play for before you do anything. 

[SEETHING]

1 hour ago, Falcor Roar said:

 At least you've narrowed the gap in the sandwich and champagne league by the sounds of it.

 

ftfy

[StellarHibee]

3 minutes ago, Dons_1988 said:

You lads are as incompetent as us

That's what the untouchable Hibs board will be banking on.

[Kyle Reese]

“We interviewed a number of candidates who were absolutely first-class. But we did have a number of selection criteria which nobody quite fit except Steve.”

[topcat(The most tip top)]

1 minute ago, Leith Green said:

This is not news - per the article, its an 8 figure sum over 9 years - as the shermans say "you do the math".

The hospitality was refurbed, its a lot bigger (and miles better) than before. There are now the thick end of 1000 bums on those seats every home match - and its pretty much sold out (apart from our pending cup run, obvs ) for the season.

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/significant-deal-secured-with-new-stadium-caterer-elior#:~:text=Hibernian FC is delighted to,caterer following a rigorous process.

As a few of us have mentioned before, stadium upgrades, LEDs, Screens, Sponsorship, cashflow etc we are so much better than before, and theres loads of money coming in...........but Ron and his son have no got a scooby when it comes to the actual fitba bit so they spend it all on shite and there is no on field dividend.

So it's actually the investment in the refurb that's the step forward as opposed to the outsourcing deal (which just crystallises the return). I understand now but you can see how I was confused.

The "thick end of a thousand" is still some way behind the hospitality operation at Tynecastle (around 1300) and I think we're some way behind Aberdeen (who seem to be able to sell corporate boxes for crazy money) but it gets you into the right ball park

Of course Aberdeen don't have the SRU to compete with for the attention of Aberdonian businesses. It's a smaller town but they're basically the only show in it.