The club was founded in August 1875 by members of the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church based close to Leith, north Edinburgh. The club plays at the Easter Road stadium (capacity: 17,500). In 1977 Hibernian became the first Scottish club to have sponsorship on their shirts (the sponsor was Bukta).
As of 2009 Hibernian have won the Scottish league championship four times, most recently in 1952, the Scottish Cup twice, most recently in 1902, and the Scottish League Cup 3 times.
The club was founded in August 1875 by members of the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church based close to Leith, north Edinburgh. The club plays at the Easter Road stadium (capacity: 17,500). In 1977 Hibernian became the first Scottish club to have sponsorship on their shirts (the sponsor was Bukta).
As of 2009 Hibernian have won the Scottish league championship four times, most recently in 1952, the Scottish Cup twice, most recently in 1902, and the Scottish League Cup 3 times.
After mismanagement during the late 1980s, Hibs were on the brink of financial ruin in 1990. Wallace Mercer, the chairman of Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts, proposed a merger of the two clubs, which he believed would produce a club who could compete on a more even footing with the Old Firm. Hibs fans, however, believed that the proposed merger was more like a hostile takeover, and they formed Hands off Hibs to campaign for the continued existence of the club. The campaign succeeded when a prominent local businessman, Kwik-Fit owner Sir Tom Farmer, was persuaded to acquire a controlling interest.
Financial Overview
Year |
Turnover |
Pre-tax profit |
Wages / Turnover ratio (%) |
Employees |
2007/08 |
8.053 |
1.185 |
57.0 |
111 |
2006/07 |
9.847 |
7.417 |
41.3 |
107 |
2005/06 |
8.707 |
2.223 |
42.2 |
99 |
2004/05 |
7.225 |
0.065 |
46.0 |
93 |
2003/04 |
5.818 |
-1.925 |
57.4 |
83 |
2002/03 |
5.539 |
-0.278 |
71.8 |
89 |
2001/02 |
7.255 |
-2.831 |
78.4 |
113 |
2000/01 |
7.553 |
– |
– |
– |
1999/00 |
5.333 |
-0.213 |
77.8 |
82 |
1998/99 |
3.386 |
-2.784 |
98.4 |
76 |
1997/98 |
3.680 |
-0.995 |
71.8 |
71 |
1996/97 |
3.776 |
0.039 |
66.7 |
107 |