Windfall could be used to fund rebuilding of dilapidated East Stand

[GORDONSMITH7]

Good idea. However bit of a balancing act.....invest in players,training facilities,East Stand. One things for sure developing the stadium further certainly puts out a really positive messageto everyone.

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O'Connor transfer windfall could be used to fund rebuilding of dilapidated East Stand
STUART BATHGATE

THE long-awaited redevelopment of the East Stand at Easter Road could be the legacy of Garry O'Connor's impending transfer to Lokomotiv Moscow, according to Tony Mowbray. The Easter Road manager said that as far as he knew that sale was still on course to be completed shortly, and added that he also hoped to receive money to strengthen his squad in the summer if the million-pound-plus transfer goes through.

While he would clearly rather hold on to O'Connor, Mowbray is philosophical about losing both him and Derek Riordan, another forward who is expected to leave Hibs in the summer. Whatever the changes in personnel, according to the manager, the key thing is to ensure that the club keeps progressing, both by adding to the squad and by improving facilities in order to attract higher attendances.

"The East Stand is something that could be looked at," Mowbray said. "If we are looking at the progression of the club in general and we can continue to win games and entertain supporters I would hope we'd consider spending money in redeveloping it.

"That way we would get more people in and the revenue would increase. That's the balance: the money comes in and you have to make sure the team is entertaining enough to get the supporters through the gates to fill it.

"I'm pretty sure we will [invest in the team], and I think it is important that we do. You could say we are just losing Garry O'Connor, but in footballing terms we are losing 20 goals a season - and we are aware of Derek's situation and there is another 25. So there's a potential hole of 45 goals coming out of our team next year and it is very hard to pick them up on free transfers.

"I think it is important that we do put some investment back into the team, but I have also spoken about the long-term future of the club and that this is looked after with regard to training facilities as well.

"I don't know where the money will be divided off to, but I would hope that some of that would be angled towards the potential setting up of a training facility wherever that might be."

O'Connor returned to Edinburgh yesterday with his agent, the former Hearts player Gary Mackay, following a second day of medical tests in Munich. Mowbray said he saw no reason to presume that the length of the tests meant the deal was about to stall.

"I have spoken to him and he's fine. He's had an intense medical and now we'll wait over the next few days until the results come through.

"With any transfer there are lots of little things that can create a hiccup, but we would be hopeful from Garry's perspective that it goes through now. We're not anticipating any problems."

Lokomotiv should receive the test results in the next day or two, and are then expected to contact Hibs. O'Connor himself should then visit Moscow before committing himself to the deal - although there are not expected to be any complications in that respect.

"We will get on fine without Garry," Mowbray insisted. "Let's see if we continue to score goals without him, but come the summer Garry will be replaced and there will be another hero hopefully who comes and scores a lot of goals for this club.

"Since I have come in a lot of players have left the club and quite a few have come in, and if everything works out for him Garry is another who is going to leave. Chris [Killen] is new to the club and he'll get an opportunity to start most weeks now. That's the game.

"Sometimes teams change and you see the divide and other times you don't notice it. This club will hopefully stay strong and keep going.

"We're fine with strikers. Chris is in and he's a different type of player to Garry, but he's a footballer that I am confident next season that he will score an equal number of goals.

"Ivan Sproule scored for his country [Northern Ireland, who beat Estonia 1-0] in midweek. Steven Fletcher seems to score every time he goes on to the pitch at the moment. And Scott Brown is a player who can play anywhere on the field."



BIG G

[Gunnerhibby]

Originally Posted by GORDONSMITH7

Good idea. However bit of a balancing act.....invest in players,training facilities,East Stand. One things for sure developing the stadium further certainly puts out a really positive messageto everyone.

BIG G

Agree wae ye about "sending out a message", G, and I hope they can reach a happy medium as to how Garry's fee will be used but I think a training facility should be top of any "wish-list" that Hibs have.
Its fundemental to the development, not only of the current squad, but to the future stars to come through the excellent Hibees youth system.

Not only will it help our own home-bred talent, but it also goes a long way to attracting decent players coming into the club.

I think those hardy breed of Hibbies who endure the archaic conditions of the East would say it was all worthwhile when they see the next Broony, Thommo, Deeks, Fletch and Garry appear on the scene, produced by our very own facility. Perhaps a "cosmetic" job on the toilet and catering facilities may boost the East's lifespan that wee bit longer.

[blue toon hibby]

In my opinion Hibs have gone a long way towards consolidating on last season's performance, both on and off the pitch. Attendances are up, ST numbers are at an all-time high and there is still quality on the park. Perhaps the imminent departures of at least 3 of these quality players will change some people's minds about committing up front for next season. If they can continue the trend next season it will be interesting to see what attendances are like, then surely an upgrade to the East will be required. In the meantime, as said above, every bit of spare cash should be ploughed into attracting and developing the talent of the future. I'll put up with sitting in the East another season if there's another Riordan, O'Connor, Brown or Thomson waiting in the wings.

[GORDONSMITH7]

Fair points lads. I'm persuaded.

BIG G

[KeithDev1875]

Think this is a smokescreen to appease us unfortunately - does anyone honestly believe £1.6m is going to go a long way towards re-development of East Stand? I for one sure don't think so and besides aren't Scotland bidding for Euro 2012 (again) - could get it built for free
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Also how much is going to be re-invested in team considering we backed the club in great numbers last summer with season books etc and the away strip yet I ddin't see much investment in the team.

[GloryGlory]

Feck the stand, Its a team we need first. We've been moaning about investment in the team for ages and that we need players in not a fecking stand. The stand can wait, Personally I want it spent on the team.

[Smurf]

This 1.6 Million seems to be going to do a hell of a lot..

[Bannox]

Originally Posted by GloryGlory

Feck the stand, Its a team we need first. We've been moaning about investment in the team for ages and that we need players in not a fecking stand. The stand can wait, Personally I want it spent on the team.

But what do you really think we should spend the cash on ?
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[Greenmachine]

A lot of spin going on here, designed to keep the fans appeased. I am sure Hibs will spend some money in the summer to replace garry O'Connor. The East Stand redevelopment is some way off in the future IMO, although needed. Much more urgent is a training facility for the players, and reading between the lines it would appear that this is the priority for the powers that be at Easter Road.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by Smurf

This 1.6 Million seems to be going to do a hell of a lot..

You don't get much for £1.6million. Not these days.

[Gunnerhibby]

Originally Posted by Colr

You don't get much for £1.6million. Not these days.

I reckon we'd be looking at the best part o' £5-6M for a top class facility, but there is nothing wrong in making a start to a complex, putting in the bare essentials, and building it up over a couple of years. Hibs have already indicated that there is some funding being put in place and options are being discussed but as yet no solid proposalls have been reached. GOC's transfer may just be the deciding factor.

If you look at the place the Gonads use, the costing for that was in the region o' £6M, but that had 3-4 different investors. The £2M put in by the Gonads bought them a 10?? year lease on the place. A third o' the price and they own f'kall, that was some business deal. Vlad would never have let that happen.
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