Football: Fans furious as Hibs board rebuffs offer

HIBERNIAN SUPPORTERS have demanded answers from the Easter Road board on why they rejected Brian Kennedy's third takeover bid after the double glazing tycoon revealed a proposed pounds 4m investment in the Scottish club.

Kennedy went public with his business plan - which included at least pounds 1m a year being made available for players- for the Edinburgh club yesterday as Hibs' rejection of his latest offer last week prompted the Wetherseal chairman to dispense with confidentiality.

Kennedy wanted to invest pounds 4m in exchange for controlling ownership, and promised in return to start redeveloping Easter Road at the end of next season and develop new training and health club facilities, leaving fans' pressure group, Hands on Hibs,' bewildered over the rejection. "How can the Board reject his bid? They must tell the supporters why they have rejected it and how they intend to at least match his level of investment," their spokesman, Alex Morton, said.

Kennedy rejected accusations that the takeover plans would distract from Hibs' promotion campaign. "That is nonsensical and inaccurate," he said. "I have had feedback from several quarters that the prospect of substantial funds invested into the club is a boost to the players and reinforces the fact that they are playing for one of the biggest clubs in Scotland."