The sad news of the businessman’s passing has this morning been confirmed. He was aged 69.

A statement from Hibs on Friday morning read: “Hibernian FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former chief executive and chairman Rod Petrie. Rest in peace, Rod.”

Current SFA president Mike Mulraney said: “Firstly, on behalf of my Board and colleagues at the Scottish FA I would like to express my deepest condolences to Rod’s family at this difficult time.

“I have been fortunate enough to have shared many a boardroom with Rod in our time as office bearers and directors. He brought passion to every debate and as many a player and fellow chair has experienced over the years, he was a shrewd and unremitting negotiator.

“In that regard, it was always easier having Rod on your team. None more so than during the COVID-19 pandemic when, even whilst quietly contending with ill health, he remained steadfast in our collective objective to secure the survival of all member clubs during an unprecedented period of uncertainty.

“Rod was also great company: someone with a devilish sense of humour who cared passionately about the game. He will be missed by all of us.”

Having acted as an adviser to Sir Tom Farmer during his takeover at Hibs in 1991, Petrie later joined the board of directors and became managing director a year later.

The qualified chartered accountant was also involved in the inception of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 1998.

Petrie later become Hibs chairman, replacing Ken Lewandowski, and ensured the club made a trading profit for four years running, as well as reducing the debt.

He left the Hibs board in July 2019 when Ron Gordon took control of the club. Petrie later revealed that he had been asked to step in and assist Farmer at Hibs ‘for six months’ – but ended up remaining for almost three full decades.

He said in 2019: “The remit was: ‘You just pop in there for six months and sort it out’, and it turned into 28 years.

“That was literally the  comment at the time, from Tom or someone in his team. I thought: ‘I’ll give it six months and that’ll be fine’, but it didn’t work out that way.

“I was  fortunate in the 28 years that my kids were largely grown up, with my partner a workaholic the same as me.

“I was able to spend all the time that was necessary — albeit you never have enough time for a football club. But over 28 years I could count on my fingers the number of games I missed.

“It was just part of my life and part of my being. Sir Tom goes to bed thinking about tyres and wakes up thinking about tyres. I go to bed thinking about football and I wake up thinking about football.”

Petrie served on the committee of the SFA for several years and was elected second vice-president in 2011, later becoming first vice-president. He would eventually be elected as president and served in that position for four years.

Petrie was nominated for a place on the UEFA executive committee in 2023 but did not win election.