Hibernian supporters' groups met last night to discuss how best to force change at the club in response to its relegation from the top flight in Scotland.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside Easter Road on Sunday evening to demand the resignation of chairman Rod Petrie and manager Terry Butcher, and it is understood that groups are now looking into more tangible ways to enact change.

Among the leading proposals debated was a plan to emulate the campaign which led the Foundation of Hearts to attract more than 8500 monthly contributions from fans and effectively save the Tynecastle club from administration. It is thought that a similar campaign for Hibs supporters could lead them to gain representation on their club's board.

Perhaps the most compelling fallout of relegation - a fate sealed following a defeat on penalties to Hamilton Academical on Sunday - is that disparate supporters' groups have now come together to make a concerted effort to affect change at Easter Road.

It also offers further evidence that opposition to Butcher has crystallised among the fanbase. The Hibernian Supporters' Association sent the manager a letter of support ahead of the play-off with Hamilton but it appears that backing has now been rescinded.

"The overall feeling is that Rod's got to go and [assistant Maurice] Malpas and Butcher have got to go as well," said Mike Riley, chairman of HSA. "We are not going to take this lying down. There is something rotten in Hibs, something not just right and we need to get rid of it.

"We need a clear out of the board, a clear out of the coaches and we've got a clear out of the players.

"The fans are the biggest investors and we don't get a say in how the club is run. Rod has talked about the winds of change but the fans want to make sure it is the right changes that get made."