Hibs chief Leeann Dempster to meet with fan group HSL following surge in membership

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster will meet with fan group, Hibernian Supporters Limited (HSL), following a surge in its membership.

The launch of a fundraising campaign has resulted in 660 extra fans pledging donations to the organisation over the past week, taking the total number of contributors above the 3300 mark.

HSL is the club’s second largest shareholder having formed in 2015 with the intention of 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, leaving the fans’ group stalled on their current stake of 15 per cent.

Despite the change in circumstances, HSL is continuing to seek donations which will be handed to the club every month with the aim of raising £400,000 towards the player budget.

Confirming the meeting on Twitter, Dempster said: “For the first time in a while, I’m joining an HSL meeting this afternoon - suitably socially distanced obviously.

“I’ve been watching the sign ups tick upwards - this just reaffirms that HSL still has a big role to play in all things @HibernianFC.”

Dempster also apologised to supporters for a lack of communication in recent weeks, adding: “Sorry we’ve also been a bit quiet recently - this is because we’ve been down to a minimum of staff for reasons that are probably obvious.

“Lots to do for those who have not been furloughed - like every business! But more from us this week - players back now too.”

The Hibs squad returned to training yesterday for the first time since the football shutdown in mid-March.