That means that Executive Chairman Ronald J Gordon has completed the acquisition of Hibernian Women, which sees the side join Hibernian FC’s Men’s Team, Development Squad, and Under-18s among the core sides withing the Club’s football operation.
The Club has also reaffirmed its commitment to the development and progression of Women’s football as Hibernian Women moves towards professional status.
Over the course of the summer, Manager Dean Gibson, alongside a number of Women’s Team players have put pen-to-paper on full-time professional contracts.
For the foreseeable future, there will also be a brand-new home for Hibernian Women as they move back to Edinburgh! More exciting news will follow on this shortly.
Hibernian FC Chief Executive Ben Kensell commented: “This is a really proud day for everyone involved with Hibernian FC. Embedding the Women’s Team within the Club has always been a key ambition of ours, so we’re delighted we’ve been able to reach that goal ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“We made huge strides last season by breaking the Scottish attendance for women’s football with over 5,500 spectators watching the Edinburgh Derby and it’s been clear to see the growth the game has made over the last few years. We have a clear vision for Hibernian Women, and we want to build on their success to inspire a generation of young female players.
“We are also proud to see Hibernian Women return to Edinburgh, this city should always be their home. We will fully support and invest in the Women’s football strategy, like we have done this season, with the ambition of eventually achieving European football and becoming a professional outfit.
“Hibernian FC is proud of being an inclusive club for all and I believe this shows real intent to put women’s football at the very heart of the Club.
“We would also like to thank Hibernian Community Foundation for all the work they’ve done over the years with the Women’s Team.”
The Club has also invested off the pitch with additional employees recruited in all areas of the business to support the growth of Hibernian Women.
The Hibernian Women’s Academy will still be incorporated into the charitable arm of the Football Club, Hibernian Community Foundation.
They aim to create the best footballing regional talent academy in Scotland, producing players of international standard by playing football the Hibernian Way, alongside creating a gateway for girls to have a lifelong place in the game.
Chief Executive of Hibernian Community Foundation, Lewis Melee, said: “The Hibernian Community Foundation has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of Hibernian Women's Football Club throughout the years with this culminating in reaching UEFA Women’s Champions League knock out stages and winning domestic cups.
“The Foundation are delighted to support the move to Hibernian Football Club and look forward to watching the Club develop further. This move not only enables the move towards professionalism but also allows the Hibernian Community Foundation to place greater focus on the Hibernian Community Girls Academy and recreational activity which will remain under the Foundation’s guidance ahead of the games programme returning this summer.”
It was announced in May 2022 that Hibernian FC were one of 20 clubs to be inducted into the inaugural Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Gibson’s side will take on the likes of Celtic, Glasgow City, and Rangers in the SWPL 1, with the first match kicking off against Celtic on 7 August 2022, and the first home game against Hamilton here in Edinburgh the week after.
Season Tickets for Hibernian Women will be available moving forward costing £100, with match-by-match tickets costing £8.
