Local man joins Hibernian board

Hibernian FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of long-standing associate of the Club and lifelong Hibs supporter – Jim Brydon – to the Board of Directors. 

Jim joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director, having worked closely with the Club for more than 20 years as a business associate.

Owner of JB Contracts (Scotland) Limited, West Pilton-born Jim has an established relationship with Hibernian, having supported the Club on a number of key projects, including the redevelopment of the Hibernian Training Centre, the renovation of Easter Road Stadium and various other facilities management and development projects over the years.

His involvement with Hibs extends well beyond his professional relationship with the Club. Jim was one of the early members involved in establishing Club 86 and has continued to contribute to and support the revamped Hibs Kids initiative over the years. 

He was also been a long-standing member of various Hibernian FC supporters’ groups including The Stanton Branch and The Carlton Branch, whilst contributing funds to support the Hibernian Community Foundation’s charitable work across Leith and the surrounding areas of Edinburgh. 

Jim also organised many Hampden trips from Silverknowes Golf Club – including the most memorable one of all on 21 May 2016!

Football-daft Jim has also coached youth teams for many years at Broughton Boys and then at Spartans Community Foundation.

Jim is also the younger brother of Hearts saviour Ann Budge, who rescued the Tynecastle club from imminent closure in 2014.

Hibernian FC Chairman Ian Gordon said: “I am delighted to be able to bring Jim onto the Board. He has a brilliant knowledge and understanding of the Club, and he knows what Hibs means to our supporters and the community.

“Since my family came to the Club, Jim was one of the first people who welcomed us to Edinburgh and has supported us all the way through. He is an incredibly loyal and trustworthy individual and is already intertwined with everyone at the Club, so it was an easy decision to invite him onto the Board.

“He has been involved in many key projects, developments and milestones throughout his time following the Club, and he will bring with him a vast range of local knowledge, experience and expertise to the Board.” 

Jim Brydon, Non-Executive Director at Hibernian FC, added: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and to be invited onto the Board here at Hibs.

“Everyone who knows me knows that Hibs is an incredibly special Club for me, so when Ian approached me, I was honoured to accept the invitation.

“I will do my best to contribute ideas and offer my experience, opinion and guidance where required. This is an exciting time for the Football Club, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Jim is the latest addition to the Hibernian FC Board of Directors, which now includes: 

  • Ian Gordon, Executive Chairman
  • Dan Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
  • Kathrin Hamilton, Non-Executive Director
  • Malcolm McPherson, Non-Executive Director
  • Leslie Robb, Non-Executive Director
  • Colin Gordon, Non-Executive Director
  • Jim Brydon, Non-Executive Director

Spartans: Football for grownups!

Feeling inspired by the World Cup? Or just fed up that the kids get all the fun?

⭐⭐ Brand new for summer 2026 ⭐⭐

Our coaches are running informal tournaments for the grown ups in July and August. Everyone welcome (as long as you’re over 18) no matter your ability.

More details in the flyer 😀

#Hereforgood

Spartans: Match Day Festival

FREE FUN FOOTBALL FESTIVAL: 19 JUNE 3 – 5pm

☀️ Summer of Football at Spartans Community Foundation

⚽️ Fun football festival in partnership with The Scottish FA

📆 Friday 19th June, 3-5pm

🍕 Food provided

📝 Free of charge, book now – https://scf.classforkids.io/term/370

Trainee Youth Worker opportunities in North Edinburgh

NORTH EDINBURGH YOUTH WORK COLLABORATIVE

Ever wanted to get into Youth Work? Aged 16-19? Well get applying for the North Edinburgh Youth Work Collaborative’s Traineeship Programme!

Granton Youth,

@spartans_community_foundation,

@muirhouseyouthdevelopmentgroup

@fetloryouthclub and

@piltonyouthchildren look forward to hearing from you!

GY x

#grantonyouth

#northedinburghyouthworkcollaborative

#trainees2026

#youthworkworks

#youthworkchangeslives

Debbi goes to Holyrood!

Debbi McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer of the Spartans Community Foundation, gave evidence in the Parliament yesterday, where she spoke extensively to the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee about the Foundation’s work in Pilton and the wider community.

During the evidence session Ms McCulloch said that North Edinburgh has fantastic networks and collaboration, referring to R2 and that network’s ability to signpost and help individuals and directly help individuals who might otherwise be missed:

https://scottishparliament.tv/meeting/education-children-and-young-people-committee-march-18-2026?clip_start=10:53:02&clip_end=10:56:28

Ms McCulloch said that 94% of young people surveyed by the Spartans said that they felt like they had a trusted adult at the foundation.

She says the Foundation’s work has increased employment and volunteering opportunities and has provided families with a place where they can come and be listened to in a dignified way:

https://scottishparliament.tv/meeting/education-children-and-young-people-committee-march-18-2026?clip_start=10:27:43&clip_end=10:31:30

Ms McCulloch also gave examples of the impact of the Foundation’s work, referring to Naomi Hume, who is now the Assistant Operations Manager, who started off attending the Foundation’s Street Football offering:

https://scottishparliament.tv/meeting/education-children-and-young-people-committee-march-18-2026?clip_start=10:36:41&clip_end=10:40:01

Tomorrow: Big Match at Spartans

STARS COME OUT FOR CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENT

The Big Match features two men’s teams (Residential United v Commercial City) made up of football enthusiasts (of varying levels of skill and fitness!) from Edinburgh’s property and legal spheres.

They will be joined by local celebrity chef Tom Kitchin, ex-Hearts and Premier league player Christophe Berra, and ex-Hibs player and former pupil of Broughton High, Darren Dods.

The Big Match aims to raise a game-changing amount of money for local charities and this year we’re delighted they’ve chosen Spartans Community Foundation as their beneficiaries, so we’re keen to spread the word!

This is the fourth year of The Big Match. It’s free to spectators and the atmosphere is always brilliant, with vocal crowds!

The game is always hard fought – the referee will have a tough job harnessing the levels of competitive spirit on the pitch tomorrow!

TOM KITCHEN

CHRISTOPHE BERRA

GRANT HANLEY & DARREN DODDS

Wee Connections ASN Family Afternoon at Craigie

#sfaextratime have organised a special ASN event in partnership with Active Schools Edinburgh

If your child/children would like to attend please book using the qr code.

#HereForGood

#weeconnections

#newwaysofworking

#partnership

Spartans Community Foundation