Hibernian Football Club said it will continue the legacy of Ron Gordon after announcing that owner Ron Gordon had lost his battle with cancer.

The club’s US-based executive chairman and majority shareholder passed away earlier today aged 68.

Chief executive Ben Kensell said: “Everyone at the club is deeply saddened at the news. Our thoughts are with Ron’s wife Kit, his sons Ian and Colin, and the rest of the Gordon family. Ron may have been our chairman and owner, but he was first and foremost a devoted family man with a close and loving family.

“We would ask that at this difficult time, the family’s privacy is respected as they mourn their loss.”

Earlier this month Mr Gordon revealed to supporters in an open letter on the club’s website that he had been battling the disease for the past year.

Mr Gordon took over Hibs in the summer of 2019 when he acquired the majority shareholding from HFC Holdings, a company owned by Sir Tom Farmer and outgoing chairman Rod Petrie.

Mr Kensell said the family remained commited to delivering Mr Gordon’s long-term vision and plan for the club, with the support of the board and the senior executive.

He added: “As part of that determination, we will hold our AGM in early March. There will be no further comment from the club or family at this time.”

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Everyone at the SPFL is shocked at this devastating news. Ron was one of the most decent, hard-working, straightforward and enthusiastic figures in our game.

“It was clear that Hibs very quickly became far, far more than a business venture for Ron – his obvious pride in being its custodian and his unstinting dedication to the club were the clearest evidence of how much he loved being involved in Hibernian FC.

“In only a few years, he benefited Scottish football more widely as he gave selflessly of his time and his very considerable array of talents.

“On a personal level, the superb work he did to help drive forward the SPFL Strategy Review was of enormous benefit. He will be very sadly missed across the entire game.”

Murdoch Maclennan, chairman of the SPFL, said: “Everyone who dealt with Ron could see immediately that he was a man of enormous integrity, energy and vision.

“Having already achieved so much in his business life, he was an incredible force for good at Hibernian FC and in his role on the SPFL board. He believed fervently in teamwork and driving towards a common cause and was genuinely committed to the betterment of the entire game.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone at the SPFL go out to Ron’s family and his many friends and colleagues at Hibernian FC at this very difficult time.”