Leeann Dempster, the Hibernian chief executive, has expressed her delight after more than 40 supporters indicated their interest in joining the Easter Road board.

The club announced in September their intention to welcome two fans' representatives on to the board in a bid to improve relations between supporters and the hierarchy.

That move was confirmed last month following a full consultation with supporters, which identified overwhelming backing for the idea.

Those putting themselves forward for the two elected positions will now be offered the opportunity to meet with the club's non-executive directors - Brian Houston, Amanda Jones, Bruce Langham and Colin McNeill - to explore the "role, time demands and responsibilities" involved.

Each individual deciding to stand for election will be expected to produce a personal statement detailing why they want to be involved and the process will then move to a ballot.

Current season-ticket holders and those who have held one during the past two terms will be permitted to vote, with the process expected to be completed in time for the fans' reps to take part in the first board meeting of 2015, which is expected in January.

Dempster said: "We are very pleased with the level of interest shown. We can now let those interested in taking up the offer meet with existing non-executive directors informally so that they can find out all they want to know about what the role entails. Then we will move into the election phase."

The process is taking place against a backdrop of unrest within the support over the future of the club. Earlier this month, a new group, BuyHibs, sprung out of a separate survey of more than 4000 fans carried out with the help of Supporters Direct Scotland.

That consultation indicated 84 per cent wanted to explore fan ownership options and to seek a "change of direction in the ownership of the club". BuyHibs have asked for fans to pledge financial support to a membership scheme, have called for a meeting with owner Sir Tom Farmer and urged the Kwik-Fit founder to name his price for his majority shareholding.