Petrie agrees to showdown with angry Hibs fans

[ian1964 10,720]

EMBATTLED Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie will today meet with the disgruntled supporters group demanding his resignation.

 

The Hibernian Supporters Association (HSA), which is understood to have the backing of 14 different groups associated with the club, requested face-to-face talks following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

 

In a statement on Sunday evening, Petrie steadfastly refused to quit. However, he has agreed to meet with the key protagonists in the bid for a regime change at Easter Road in Edinburgh this afternoon.

 

HSA chairman Mike Riley will be present at the meeting, as will former Hibs player Paul Kane and son of former Hibs vice-chairman Kenny McLean, Kenny McLean Jnr. It is understood they will take the opportunity to urge Petrie to relinquish his role as chairman after ten years at the helm. It is unclear whether incoming chief executive Leeann Dempster will be present, given she does not officially begin her role until 1 June. With sources close to HSA admitting they are “not confident” Petrie will be receptive to the idea of stepping aside at the meeting, they are planning to press ahead with plans to oust the chairman. They will unveil their aims at a press conference in the capital tomorrow morning and are understood to have the backing of business figures within the city and several former players.

 

With the finer details and legal issues to be ironed out, HSA have been reluctant to confirm their plans before tomorrow’s 11am announcement, however a season-ticket boycott is thought to be on the agenda.

 

“The fans want Mr Petrie out, the fans want a total change, they have no confidence in him whatsoever,” said Riley.

 

“We are down and how long are we going to stay down? Are we going to come back up? Where is the club going? Are we going to slip even further? That’s why we are determined. Everything you can think of is on the agenda.”

 

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/petrie-agrees-to-showdown-with-angry-hibs-fans-1-3425731

[Super Cooper 0]

He has no plans to go anywhere. I hope the flys on the wall have their popcorn with them.