Heart of Midlothian v St Mirren - Cinch Premiership | 27.11.21

H E A R T O F M I D L O T H I A N V S T M I R R E N | 2 7. 1 1 . 2 1 | T Y N E C A S T L E PA R K | 3 P M | £ 3 . 5 0

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 1

M ATC H S P O N S O R HAPPY 50TH B I RT H D AY C A L L U M M C K AY M ATC H B A L L S P O N S O R

C A P TA I N S TA B L E S P O N S O R FIELD & FOREST YOUR MACHINERY PARTNERS

M ATC H M A G A Z I N E SPONSOR

Are you brave enough?

Take part in the MND Scotland Firewalk!

2nd December 2021 Hampden Park, Glasgow Sign up at mndscotland.org.uk/firewalk-21 MND Scotland Registered Office: Unit 8, 76 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BA. Company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland. Company number SC217735. Scottish Charity number SC002662. VAT number 195 0616 96.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 3

CONTENTS

04 – Today’s Squads 08 – Craig Gordon 32 – He Played for Hearts 36 – Kitted Out

05

42 – History of Tynecastle 54 – Final Word

24

30

C LU B D I R E C T O RY League Champions: 1895, 1897, 1958, 1960.

1st Division: 1980, 2015, 2021 Scottish Cup: 1891, 1896, 1901, 1906, 1956, 1998, 2006, 2012.

League Cup: 1954/55, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1962/63.

Address: Tynecastle Park, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2NL Email: tickets@homplc.co.uk Tel: 0333 043 1874

Ticket Centre Tel: 0131 200 7292/7298 Online tickets: eticketing.co.uk/ heartofmidlothian Twitter: @HeartsTickets Clubstore Tel: 0333 043 1874 Website: www.heartsdirect.co.uk Twitter: @HeartsClubstore Hearts Museum @HeartsMuseum

Text the club confidentially on 07467 918874 to report incidents which you deem to be unacceptable within Tynecastle Park.

Programme Contributors Phil Turnbull, Sven Houston, Gary Cowen, David Mollison, Bill Smith, David Speed, Grant Young Scott Cockburn, Mike Buckle, Scott McLeish, Chris McPherson, Graeme McGinty, Robert Doyle, Laura Livingston, Laurie Dunsire Programme produced by: Design by: Ben Mortimer The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

RT

IS SPO RT

Most League Apps: Gary Mackay – 515 (1980-97) Most League Goals: John Robertson – 214 (1983-98)

Website: www.heartsfc.co.uk Social Media Twitter: @JamTarts Instagram: @heartofmidlothianfc Facebook: heartofmidlothianfc LinkedIN: Heart of Midlothian FC Tynecastle Events: @TynecastlePark_ (Twitter)

CU

Formed: 1874

Es

t. 2 0 0 9

4 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HEARTS MANAGER: ROBBIE NEILSON CRAIG GORDON 01 MICHAEL SMITH 02 STEPHEN KINGSLEY 03 JOHN SOUTTAR 04 PETER HARING 05 BENI BANINGIME 06 JAMIE WALKER 07 AARON MCENEFF 08 BEN WOODBURN 09 LIAM BOYCE 10 GARY MACKAY-STEVEN 11 ROSS STEWART 13 CAMERON DEVLIN 14 TAYLOR MOORE 15 ANDY HALLIDAY 16 ALEX COCHRANE 17 BARRIE MCKAY 18 CRAIG HALKETT 19 ARMAND GNANDUILLET 21 JOSH GINNELLY 30 FINLAY POLLOCK 38

MATCH

OFFICIALS REFEREE: ALAN MUIR ASSISTANTS: DANIEL MCFARLANE & JONATHAN BELL FOURTH OFFICIAL: COLIN STEVEN

@officialheartofmidlothianfc @JamTarts @heartofmidlothianfc Heart of Midlothian FC

WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HEART HEARTOF OFMIDLOTHIAN MIDLOTHIAN 5

ST MIRREN MANAGER: JIM GOODWIN 01 JAK ALNWICK 02 RICHARD TAIT 03 SCOTT TANSER 04 JOE SHAUGHNESSY 05 CONOR MCCARTHY 06 ALAN POWER 07 JAMIE MCGRATH 08 RYAN FLYNN 09 EAMONN BROPHY 10 CURTIS MAIN 11 GREG KILTIE 12 JAY HENDERSON 15 DYLAN REID 16 ETHAN ERHAHON 17 KYLE MCALLISTER 18 CHARLES DUNNE 20 KRISTIAN DENNIS 22 MARCUS FRASER 23 LEE ERWIN 25 JOSH JACK 26 DEAN LYNESS 27 PETER URMINSKY 43 CONNOR RONAN 44 MATT MILLAR M ATC H S P O N S O R HAPPY 50TH B I RT H D AY C A L L U M M C K AY M ATC H B A L L S P O N S O R

C A P TA I N S TA B L E S P O N S O R FIELD & FOREST YOUR MACHINERY PARTNERS

M ATC H M A G A Z I N E SPONSOR

MANAGER NOTES

6 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 7

G

ood afternoon and welcome to Tynecastle Park.

We head into today’s game after a disappointing showing at Fir Park last week, and I’d like to thank the 3,200 Hearts fans that made the journey through. It was a game that never really flowed, with the ball constantly out of play for free kicks, corners, throw ins, etc. In those circumstances it’s difficult to get into a rhythm, though I did feel that we created the better of the chances in the first half. When those chances present themselves, especially away from home, then we should be looking at taking them.

Every game is a learning curve for a lot of this team. We had a really good start to the season and when you’re at the top end of the league, other teams will look to get one over on you. Our players will have to learn how to manage those situations but the pleasing thing for me is that they have taken everything in their stride so far. They are a hungry group, willing to work hard and I’m confident they quickly get over any setbacks that come their way.

Today we welcome Jim Goodwin, the players, staff and supporters of St Mirren to Tynecastle. Jim has built a side that improves year on year and they are in and around the top six, so things are going well for them. We know they work hard and have some talented players, which probably makes our victory at their place earlier in the season even more pleasing.

It will be another testing afternoon but we are confident that we can get another three points under our belts, especially at home. Our massive crowds at home are crucial to our success and we want to send everyone home tonight with a smile on their faces.

Enjoy the game, Robbie Neilson

8 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

G

MANAGER NOTES CAPTAIN GORDON

ood afternoon

A few weeks have passed since our last game here at Tynecastle and we’d like nothing more than to replicate that performance this afternoon. The 5-2 win over Dundee United saw us play some of our best football of the season and overall it was an excellent response to our disappointing performance at Pittodrie the week before.

It’s a similar outlook today as we look to bounce back from last Saturday’s defeat to Motherwell.

As a group we know that performance wasn’t good enough, we had more than 3,500 supporters in the away end and it hurts us that we weren’t able to give them a performance and result to match their incredible support.

We’ll aim to put that right this afternoon.

On a personal note, I was immensely proud to recently become the all-time most capped player in the club’s 147-year history. I have now made 33 Scotland appearances as a Hearts player and hopefully there are many more to come, starting with next year’s World Cup playoffs.

It was fantastic to play a part in the two recent victories against Moldova and Denmark. The latter was particularly pleasing as we put in a really impressive performance against top opposition in front of a packed Hampden. It was a memorable night for all of us but special praise has to go to Souttar. To cap off his return to the Scotland squad with a goal and a strong all-round performance was fantastic and so well deserved. I couldn’t be happier for him and he’ll be looking to push on now for a regular starting spot. He’s been excellent for Hearts this season and the way he has fought back from serious injury speaks volumes for his character and mental resilience.

I would also like to thank Jamie Walker for delivering such a great speech at the Haymarket Remembrance Service which I sadly missed due to the clash with international fixtures. I can’t think of anyone better suited to have made that speech; Jamie knows exactly what it means to the club and our supporters. I know he was nervous but he did the team proud.

I hope you all enjoy today’s game and thank you as ever for turning out in such huge numbers to back the team. It makes all the difference.

Craig Gordon

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 9

10 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

SETTING THE SCENE ST MIRREN Eight points separate Hearts and St Mirren going into today’s encounter with the Paisley men sitting in 6th spot with 16 points to their name after 14 rounds of fixtures.

Jim Goodwin’s side arrive in the capital off the back of a 1-1 home draw with Livingston last Saturday.

Livi’s late equaliser forced the Saints into settling for their 7th draw of the season – more than any other side in the division. Their form heading into this afternoon’s tie reads as follows: Three draws, two defeats.

A 2-1 home defeat to Rangers on October 24th was followed by a 2-2 draw at Motherwell three days later with frontman Eamonn Brophy grabbing a brace. A 1-0 home defeat to Dundee followed before they earned a point at McDiarmid Park.

In terms of key players, Jamie McGrath is the standout as he continues to play a key role supplying both assists and goals with his most recent strike coming in last week’s draw with Livingston.

The Northern Ireland international has been in excellent form this season and will no doubt attract more interest with the January transfer window on the horizon.

The Buddies last visited Tynecastle just over two years ago as Hearts, led by interim manager Austin MacPhee, put on a five star display in a 5-2 victory with goals courtesy of Steven Naismith, Oliver Bozanic, Jamie Walker, Jake Mulraney and a Sean McLoughlin own goal.

Earlier this season, goals from Andy Halliday and Liam Boyce earned Hearts a 2-1 win in Paisley.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 11

12 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

IT’S A NUMBERS GAME

A look at some of the facts and figures ahead of today’s match. By Scott McLeish

1

John Souttar continued his recent hot streak in front of goal, and celebrated his first cap in over three years, with his first goal for Scotland during the recent international break. Soapy nodded home the opener in our crucial final group game against Denmark at Hampden, with his goal helping to secure a famous 2-0 victory which sent Scotland into the World Cup qualification playoffs

2

Hearts Women have notched up consecutive league victories for the first time this season in recent weeks.

Eva Olid’s side came from behind to defeat Partick 3-2 three weeks ago and followed that up last week with a dominant performance away to Hamilton in a 1-0 win. Substitute Lia Tweedie grabbed the deserved late winner to lift us up to sixth in the table, and we return to Oriam tomorrow to face Spartans hoping to extend our winning run and move into the top half of the table

2

Last time out at Tynecastle, Ben Woodburn notched his first goals for the club. Having waited until his 10th appearance to score his first goal, he didn’t have long to wait before increasing his tally to two. While there was a little bit of luck about his first, with his driven shot squirming underneath Benji Siegrist, his second was an exquisite finish into the top corner in front of the Gorgie Road end

5

Our convincing win against Dundee United last time we were here was a rare example of us winning a match 5-2.

It was only the third time this century we’ve won by that scoreline, with the other two both coming against today’s opponents. In 2012 Rudi Skacel’s hat trick helped Paulo Sergio’s 10 men come back from 2-1 down to record a comfortable win, with the feat repeated in 2019 during Austin MacPhee’s interim spell in charge

10

While there aren’t many teams he didn’t score against, no one felt the brunt of Rudi Skacel’s left foot more often than St Mirren. In his 10 appearances against the Paisley men, he scored 10 goals, including the hat trick mentioned above as well as goals in both ties during our famous 2012 Scottish Cup run

33

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 13

As well as claiming yet another clean sheet, Craig Gordon’s Scotland appearance against Denmark made him the most capped Hearts player of all time. His 33rd cap moves him one ahead of Steven Pressley, with Bobby Walker (29), Andy Webster(27) and Saulius Mikoliunas(27) rounding off the current top five. The gap at the top is likely to be extended in the outcoming playoff game(s) with Craig having established himself firmly as Scotland’s number one this season

18,129

The attendance for our last home game against Dundee United was the largest at Tynecastle for a non-category A (Hibs, Celtic, Rangers) game in over 30 years. The last one larger than that was for our UEFA Cup tie against Dnipro back in 1990, where 18,760 were there to see us win 3-1 and book a place in Round Two where we would face Bologna

58

A hip injury kept Craig Halkett out of our disappointing performance at Fir Park last week, bringing an impressive run of consistency to an end. Prior to our defeat in Motherwell Craig had started all of our last 58 league matches, a run which started all the way back on 1 December 2019

283

Today’s meeting with St Mirren will be the 283rd competitive meeting between the sides. We’ve won 123 of our past encounters, with 82 wins for the Buddies and 77 draws

14 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

We’ve got History “Impressive stuff from Hearts, particularly after the Baird dismissal. The team’s ability to work tirelessly for each other, while playing a composed passing game, made it impossible for St Mirren to string together a decent move. On this form, Hearts will be hard to shift from the top spot.”

The Evening News Today we look back over 30 years to an action-packed fixture in Paisley where ten Hearts overcame The Buddies to maintain their superb start to the 1991/92 season. Manager Joe Jordan was approaching his first anniversary in charge at Tynecastle and there was an air of expectancy around the club. Hearts were top of the table having won five of their opening six fixtures whilst Davie Hay’s St Mirren, despite having players of the calibre of Paul Lambert, Roy Aitken and Chick Charnley, languished in 11th position without a win. In the week leading up to the fixture

three Hearts players, Henry Smith, Dave McPherson and John Robertson joined the Scotland squad who came from two goals down to draw with Switzerland in Berne. Only McPherson played in the match which led to large numbers of Hearts fans contacting newspapers to express their anger at the continued exclusion of Robbo from the national side.

The teams lined up as follows in front of a crowd of 5,838 in Paisley: St Mirren: L Fridge, K McGowne, T Black, R Aitken, L Ballie, R Manley (P McIntyre 45), G Torfason, B Martin, A Irvine, P Lambert, C Charnley. Sub not used: J Broddle Hearts: H Smith, G Hogg, T McKinlay, C Levein, G Mackay, D McPherson, S Crabbe (S Penney 77), D Ferguson, I Baird, J Millar, J Robertson. Sub not used: G Wright Referee: Donald McVicar (Carluke)

St Mirren 2 Hearts 3 Saturday 14th of September 1991 Love Street, Paisley B and Q Premier League

By Graeme McIver

After a cagey opening period, the home-side took the lead on 12 minutes when ex-Falkirk, Liverpool and Dundee United striker Alan Irvine rose highest to head past Henry Smith. Hearts drew level on the half hour mark when midfielder John Millar nodded home his first goal for the club at the back post after magnificent work on the left wing by Ian “Yogi” Baird. The former Leeds frontman was involved in the game’s defining moment just four minutes later.

A clash with Chic Charnley on the covered enclosure side of Love Street resulted in referee McVicar brandishing a straight red card. Evening News reporter, David McCarthy wrote, “Baird received his marching orders for a challenge…which did not look too bad, despite the Saints player crashing onto the track.” The Scotsman noted, “Baird will not be disciplined by the Tynecastle club, perhaps an indication of their assessment of the offence.” The dismissal left the visitors facing almost an hour

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 15 of the game with only ten men.

Incredibly, Yogi was the fourth Hearts player in seven games to see red, yet Jordan’s team had remained unbeaten in each of those fixtures and despite the handicap went onto dominate the second half. The Evening News stated, “For the fourth time this season, Hearts were left with a sizable chunk of the match to play with only ten men – and for the fourth time, they kept their shape and heads and actually played better football while at a numerical disadvantage. In fact, their second half showing was possibly their best of the season with the midfield playing some magnificent passing football.” The Scotsman reported, “Hearts greater ingenuity in midfield and the tireless running of Crabbe and Robertson up front eventually paid dividends.” Hearts grabbed a 54th minute lead when club captain Dave McPherson scored the game’s third headed goal when he delicately nodded over Les Fridge in the home goal following a precise free kick from Man of the Match, Derek Ferguson. The former Rangers midfielder would dominate proceedings during the second half with McCarthy noting, “Hearts had plenty of good individual performances at Love Street, but no-one played better than Ferguson, who dictated the tempo of the match with a masterly performance.” Scott Crabbe increased the lead for the visitors

on 62 minutes when he cleverly deflected a fierce free kick from John Robertson away from Fridge. St Mirren managed to pull a goal back when Charnley prodded home in the 88th minute but Hearts held on for the win that maintained their position at the top of the B and Q Premier League.

Home manager Davie Hay admitted afterwards, “We simply could not match their confidence or commitment.” A delighted Joe Jordan stated, “I was very pleased with the way in which we played.

We lost an early goal but came back to dominate the match despite having to overcome the handicap of Ian Baird’s dismissal.

We played some excellent football to go 3-1 ahead and I think that would have been a fair reflection of our play and the loss of a bad goal late on took some of the gloss off the result.”

Hearts maintained their position at the top of the league until the New Year when injuries, suspensions and a series of below par performances allowed Rangers to take over top spot, eventually finishing the season as Champions. Despite the wealth of talent and experience in the squad, St Mirren struggled throughout the season and ended up relegated along with Dunfermline.

The match programme cost £1 for 32 pages whilst Issue 12 of The Jam Piece fanzine was 50p and included the poll results for the

1990/91 season. (Player of the Season: Robbo 38%, Should Hearts Stay at Tynie: Yes 48% No 46%.)

Jambos could keep up to date with all that was going on at Tynecastle through the Hearts News Monthly, an official paper introduced the previous season.

Adverts included a Toyota Celica that was, “Even quicker of the mark than John Robertson,” the club’s latest tartan souvenir range and for £249 you could purchase a SKY Hearts satellite system.

Fans celebrating the victory in Paisley could expect to pay an average of £1.40 for a lager and a cinema ticket to see September’s top film Terminator 2 would set you back £3.00.

In the week of the game in Paisley, UK unemployment hit 2.4 million and social unrest and rioting erupted in several towns and cities including Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham and the Meadow Well Estate in Tyneside. In music, September 1991 saw a number of iconic albums launched including Nirvana’s Nevermind, Orbital’s eponymous debut and Primal Scream’s Screamadelica.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking it was all great music back in the day. Topping the charts for what seemed like an eternity was Bryan Adams with Everything I Do I Do it For You, whilst Right said Fred were at Number two, (appropriately enough) with I’m Too Sexy.

16 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

FIRST TEAM CRAIG GORDON

MICHAEL SMITH

ALEX COCHRANE

Home Top St Andrews Timber and Buidling Supplies Away Top Connor Preston Third Top Finlay Grant Boots Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association Gloves Stuart Quate

Home Top Jock The Jambo Simm’ Away Top Prestonpans Hearts Supporters Club Third Michael Logan & Emma Tulloch Boots Iain Mackay, ST Holder, Section E

Home Top AMTAUTO.CO.UK RENT| LEASE| BUY | SELL Away Top Carolyn, Grant & Luke Young Third John & Karin Menzies Boots AMTAUTO.CO.UK RENT| LEASE| BUY | SELL

JOHN SOUTTAR

PETER HARING

ARMAND GNANDUILLET

Home Top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum Away Top Peter Martin Craig Third Top Carolyn, Grant & Luke Young Boots AMTAUTO.CO.UK RENT| LEASE| BUY | SELL

Home Top Owen Jamieson Away Top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum Boots Lewis & Amy McConnachie

Home Top www.harmonyemployment. com Away Top The Flat Company- Letting Third Top Grace & Emily Simm Boots Graeme and Frazer Kay

JAMIE WALKER

LIAM BOYCE

Home Top Mary Henderson Away Top Prentice Coaches of Haddington Third Top David Kaplan Consulting LTD Boots Rylie and Orla Bow Gordon Bow Plant Hire

Home Top Gary Cowen QC Away Top Lyndsay Simm Third Marwick Planning Boots Joan Rennie & Sarah Louise Rennie

ROSS STEWART

CRAIG HALKETT

EUAN HENDERSON

Home Top BWS Contracts Limited Away Top BWS Contracts Limited Gloves Alan McGurdy

Home Top The Murrayfield Building Company Away Top Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association Third Top Finlay Grant Boots Consider IT

Away Top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum

ANDY HALLIDAY

GARY MACKAY-STEVEN

AARON MCENEFF

Home Top Solly Foyle Away Top Rylie Bow Gordon Bow Plant Hire Third Top Andrew & Don Page Boots SCOPE Branding Limited

Home Top Orwell Hearts Supporters Club Away Top Charlie Hook & Murray Craig Third Top Ruairi, Fearghal, and Beatrix Sanders Boots Always Hearts

Away Top Owen Jamieson Third Top AMTAUTO.CO.UK RENT| LEASE| BUY | SELL

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING A HEARTS PLAYER? CONTACT NATALIEIRONS@ HOMPLC.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 17

2021/2022 SPONSORS JOSH GINNELLY Home Top Ruari & Daniel Smith Away Top Phil Fielding & Philip Banks Third top Danderhall Hearts Supporters Club Boots Ann Kelday & Karen Davidson

STEPHEN KINGSLEY Home Top Ellie Murray; Network Cabling Direct Away Top Allan MacKillop Third top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum Boots Broxburn Hearts Supporters Club

CAMERON LOGAN Home Top John & Mairie Simm Away Top Preacher’s Patisserie Third top The Railbridge Bistro

BEN WOODBURN Home Top Heart of Midlothian - 51 Shirts – A book by Grant Young, coming soon Away Top Kieron Morris Third top The Murrayfield Building Company Boots Kerr Scott - Scott Décor LTD

TAYLOR MOORE

MIHAI POPESCU

Home Top The Carberry Family Away Top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum Third top Paul Wilson

Home Top Bill Gray

BENI BANINGIME

BARRIE MCKAY

Home Top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum Away Top TalkHEARTS.co.uk Third Top The Football Company Boots McGlashan Mackay Solicitors

CONNOR SMITH Home Top Tollcross Hearts Supporter’s Club Boots Neil Fyall & Liam Baillie

CAMMY DEVLIN Home Top LinnMac Property Ltd - Residential Letting Specialists Away Top PBS Security Third top James Maclean absolutcatering1 @gmail. com Boots The Football Company

Home Top Gavin Watt Away Top Bill Gray Third top Melissa Irons Boots Robert. A. Miller

FINLAY POLLOCK Home Top Oban Hearts Supporters Club Away Top Aaron Fraser Third Top Aaron Fraser Boots Michael Logan & Emma Tulloch

RESERVE/U18 SPONSORS

18 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 18

AIDAN DENHOLM

CALLUM FLATMAN

CALLUM HAMBROOK

Home Top Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association Away Top Tollcross Hearts Supporter’s Club

Home Top Samuel Evitt Away Top Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association

Home Top Zoe Jamieson

CHRISTOPHER HAMILTON

ETHAN DRYSDALE

HARRY GORDON

Home Top John & Karin Menzies Away Top John & Karin Menzies

Home Top Ellie Grant Away Top Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association

Home Top Finlay Grant Away Top iconyyc.com/hearts Third Top iconyyc.com/hearts

JAY CHARLESTON KING

LEON WATSON

MACAULAY TAIT

Home Top Ellie Grant

Home Top Zoe Jamieson

Home Top Zoe Jamieson

MAKENZIE KIRK

MICHAEL AITKEN

RYAN SCHIAVONE

Home Top Colin Marshall and Steven Fraser Away Top Ken & Gavin McLeish Boots Michael Logan & Emma Tulloch

Home Top Owen Jamieson

Home Top Big Hearts

SCOTT MCGILL

SEAN DOCHERTY

HARRY STONE

Away Top www.harmonyemployment. com

Home Top Bill Gray

Home Top Tollcross Hearts Supporter’s Club Away Top The Scott Family Gloves Noah, Matilda & Seth Hazell

HARRIS SPRATT

LUKE RATHIE

BAILEY DALL

Home Top Bill Gray

Home Top Ellie Grant

Home Top Finlay Grant

LIAM MCFARLANE

AARON DARGE

CALLUM SANDILANDS

Home Top Finaly Grant

Home Top Owen Jamieson

Home Top Big Hearts

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 19

HEARTS WOMEN SPONSORS CHARLOTTE PARKER-SMITH

AILEY TEBBETT

Home Top Merchiston Hearts Social Club Away Top Scarves Around the Funnel podcast

AIMEE ANDERSON Home Top Keith Macdonald Coach Ltd

BETH MCKAY

CLAIRE DELWORTH

Home Top Holly and Anna-Grace Gordon

Home Top Foundation of Hearts Away Top Anne Ferguson & Summer Ferguson Boots Performance Edge Coaching

CLARE WILLIAMSON

EILIDH DAVIES

EILIDH BEGG

Home Top Members of Jambos Kickback Fans Forum Away Top The Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association Boots Ben Luke Cheney

Home Top Perth Grammar School Boots Perth Grammar School

GEORGIA HUNTER

HOLLY AITCHISON

JENNIFER SMITH

Home Top Kinnaird Transport Services LTD

Home Top The Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association

LISA RODGERS

MARIA MCANENY

MURRON CUNNINGHAM

MONICA FORSYTH

SHONA COWAN

TYLER THOMSON

TEGAN BROWNING

Away Top Anouska and Malaika Cowen

Home Top Ian & Debbie Thomson Away ALEV Landscaping & Design

Home Top Orwell Hearts

AMELIE BIRSE

LIA TWEEDIE Boots Ben Luke Cheney

MARIEL KANEY Home Top Bill Gray Away Top Foundation of Hearts

20 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

T

hree months into her reign as manager at Hearts Women and Eva Olid’s effect is being keenly felt all through Oriam. If you told staff at Riccarton that Olid slept at the training ground, many would believe you, such is the sheer amount of work put in since her arrival.

STEP BY STEP

A week after Eva’s arrival, Hearts Women took on Hamilton Accies in the opening game of the season.

Despite taking the lead, a lack of experience compared to their rivals resulted in giving away three penalties, including two in the last ten minutes, and a loss of three points in a vital fixture.

Last season, partly due to COVID restrictions, the team would train for a total of around four hours each week. No gym work was permitted, there were coaches who coached on the field, and that was that. The team finished in last place in SWPL1, spared by league reconstruction.

This season, under the watchful eye of Olid and sporting director Joe Savage, it’s all changed.

Training has been bumped up from four hours a week to almost nine hours a week, including two dedicated sessions in the gym focusing on strength and conditioning. On Thursdays, the team has individual and positional training, a first for the SWPL. The women’s team now has a dedicated sports scientist, a nutritionist and they also do two analysis sessions a week.

There’s also time to sit down and enjoy meals in between sessions.

Most importantly, the impact is being felt on the field. None of this would be important without results on the pitch, and those are coming too. Four defeats from the opening four matches, including a chastening defeat at Easter Road to Hibs in front of nearly 6,000 fans, left supporters wondering if this season would provide more of the same.

But the last six weeks has seen a rapid shift. A superb 3-2 comeback win at Aberdeen at the start of October saw the team’s first win of the season, followed by a strong

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 21

performance against Glasgow City in a 2-0 defeat the week after.

And taking advantage of international breaks, the team has shrewdly been playing friendlies on off weeks to work on shape and tactics. An intra-squad friendly got some valuable game time to some fringe players and resulted in a goal blitz including a hat-trick for 18-year-old Eilidh Begg, which saw some players retain their places against Celtic and Partick Thistle for league matches that followed.

That faith was rewarded at Petershill Park in Glasgow, where goals from Begg, Maria McAneny and Georgia Hunter sealed a brilliant victory over Thistle, a side filled with experienced players, and who had taken the lead with 15 minutes to go.

The week after, the SWPL leaders at the time, Glasgow Girls, came to Oriam full of confidence, but were swept aside in a 2-0 defeat, with Begg and Holly Aitchison netting again.

And so it came back round again to Hamilton, who, despite their poor form, remembered the opening day and set out to force Hearts into making mistakes.

But this Hearts team is different.

The girls set out with a purpose, passed the ball for fun around their opponents and utterly dominated them. There were no penalties, no mistakes, just a Lia Tweedie thunderbolt to seal a 1-0 win and propel Hearts Women into 6th place in the SWPL1.

By Chris McPherson

TODAY’S MATCH SPONSOR HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY CALLUM MCKAY!

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 23

CELEBRATING THE LIVING WAGE

Heart of Midlothian proudly celebrated Living Wage Week last week.

The club first joined the initiative in 2014 and remains the only Scottish Premiership club to be an official accredited Living Wage employer.

Over 250 employees across ten departments, ranging from Hospitality and Customer Service Assistants to Academy Scouts and Coaches, will benefit from this year’s increase which sees the Living Wage rise from £9.50 to £9.90.

Heart of Midlothian Chief Executive, Andrew McKinlay, commented, “The club first became a Living Wage employer in 2014 and since then has implemented the yearly pay rise, ensuring all our employees are paid fairly. Living Wage Week is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the need for a real Living Wage and celebrate our staff for the amazing work they do.

As a club, we’re extremely proud to be the first and currently the only Scottish football team to be an accredited Living Wage employer and we hope to encourage others in our industry to make the commitment.”

24 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

PEOPLE WITH

BIG HEARTS

Name: Connor McNally Job: Big Hearts – Project Officer Team: Celtic FC Fun Fact: I am a coowner of Heart of Midlothian!

HEART HEARTOF OFMIDLOTHIAN MIDLOTHIAN 25

THAT’S ME!

In this week’s People with Big Hearts feature we hear from Connor McNally, Project Officer with Heart of Midlothian’s charity. He talks about ‘That’s Me!’ project, telling us how it came about and how it helps to make a positive impact on teenagers and young adults.

That’s Me! is a project for young people aged 12 to 18 who previously attended Big Hearts’ Kinship Care After School Club. The group originally known as the Kinship ‘Teenage Group’, rebranded in 2021, Connor said “The young people coming to the group are very low in confidence and are at an age when they are thinking about their image. This is where the name ‘That’s Me!’ came from. They are not being judged at Big Hearts and are accepted for who they are.”

The project was introduced when Big Hearts recognised that young people were suffering with mental health. Meeting once a week, the group do a variety of activities, “Our main priority is to have sessions around mental health awareness and prevention, for example cyber bullying, stress and depression. We work together on strategies on what to do when they are feeling low. It’s working very well, and the young people are really responding to it.”

During the pandemic when they were unable to meet, Connor introduced one-to-one sessions to the project. “The one-to-one work has really taken off, the young people love it! It gives me a great opportunity to get to know them much more. Finding out more about their backgrounds and how I can give them more support.”

The aim of That’s Me! project is to make a positive

@bighearts

impact on each young person’s life by providing support on how to best manage their mental health. “Mental health has always been around.

We work together on different approaches to help if they are feeling stressed about school, having relationship problems or if they’re not having the best time at home.”

Building friendships is an important factor in this project, “Most of the young people who attend the project are living in a Kinship Care setting. They are from similar backgrounds which helps with isolation and forming friendships.”

Weekly sessions are planned to suit the young people attending, “We have health and wellbeing sessions, they learn how to cook, how to work as a team and also discuss the benefits of exercise to improve mental health.”

Since it began, ‘That’s me!’ has made positive changes to many young people’s lives. One in particular was a young person who was having problems at school with her peers and building relationships. “We started off by doing one-to-one work, this helped build her confidence. She then started attending That’s Me! each week, where she has made many new friends. She will soon be starting college part-time while she completes high school and has a keen interest in working in childcare.”

Big Hearts will soon recruit a Young People’s Support Officer to join the staff team. This is part of a new Community Mental Health Partnership which has been formed by the City of Edinburgh Council to support the mental health of young people. “This will really help us attract more teenagers and young adults from around Southwest Edinburgh, which is brilliant!”

Attending That’s Me! project gives each young person an opportunity to get involved in volunteering in the community. This year we look forward to welcoming them in our volunteer team of Big Hearts’ Little Helpers to help deliver Christmas.

Thank you to Connor for giving us an insight into this amazing project.

@bigheartscommunity

SC 037311 - www.bighearts.org.uk

26 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

Traditional Afternoon Tea £35 for two people

Available Monday to Friday from 2pm – 4pm Served in our Pentland Restaurant with views overlooking our Championship golf course.

Call 0131 333 1845 to book your table today and quote ‘Hearts ATEA’ dalmahoy.co.uk

27 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 27

STRAITON BEDS - 0131 281 2799

BEDSTORE

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH HEARTS BUILD YOUR BUSINESS BRAND, ENGAGE WITH HEARTS FANS AND ENTERTAIN YOUR CLIENTS. INTRODUCING OUR NEW ADVERTISING PACKAGE: PITCHSIDE LED BOARDS OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART LED DIGITAL BOARDS OFFER YOU THE CHANCE TO BRING YOUR BRAND TO LIFE

BY THE SIDE OF THE PITCH, PUTTING YOUR BUSINESS ALONGSIDE SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS WITH ADVERTS CHANGEABLE ON A GAME-BY-GAME BASIS TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. MATCHDAY PROGRAMME BRANDING JOIN LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BRANDS AS WE FEATURE YOUR LOGO INCLUDED WITHIN THIS MATCHDAY PROGRAMME, DISTRIBUTED TO ALL CORPORATE GUESTS AND SUPPORTERS ON A MATCHDAY. ENGAGE WITH FANS – SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS WE WILL INCLUDE YOUR COMPANY LOGO AND SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES ON OUR POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, WITH OUR REACH OF OVER 200,000 FANS. THE SPONSORED POSTS COULD INCLUDE GOAL VIDEOS, MATCH HIGHLIGHTS OR OUR VERY WELL-RECEIVED ‘ON THIS DAY’ CONTENT. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ADVERTISING AT HEARTS, EMAIL: SALES@HOMPLC.CO.UK

28 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

STUART MOODIE

Why did you start supporting Hearts?

I started supporting Hearts due to my dad and my grandad. I was brought up in Ayr and my dad, who is originally from Port Seton, didn’t want to force me or my brother into supporting Hearts but wanted us to make that decision ourselves. It was a different story when we would go and stay with our grandad back in Port Seton, I’d come back wanting to be Henry Smith or Robbo whenever we played football. It didn’t take either of us long to decide who we would follow.

What was your first Hearts game?

My first game was away at St Mirren when they were redeveloping the away end at Love Street. I spent most of the game playing in some sand that had been left by the builders, mainly jumping into it off some equipment they had left. I can’t remember much else. I remember my wee brother’s first game better; beating Man City 5-1 in a friendly at Tynecastle in 1995.

We had stayed at my grandad’s the night before and I had done something to my shoes, so they had to get me a new pair before we went to Tynecastle.

Do you have any favourite memories when it comes to Hearts games you’ve been to?

Following Hearts has brought many great days out and results.

Prior to the new year derby at Easter Road in 2012 we went to a friend’s flat prior to the match for something to eat and drink.

When we were leaving the three of us and a friend decided to use the lift, which subsequently broke down in between two floors.

After a good time spent stuck in a pretty small lift with a couple of close calls, we eventually managed to force the doors open and climb out, we only missed the first twenty minutes so were at the ground for another Hearts victory down there. Due to what happened that day I will always remember that game vividly.

What are your favourite away days, and why?

The majority of trips down to Easter Road have been fun and are always a good day out. There are some good away days within Scotland and certain ones I always try to do, but nothing will compare to my first European trip. I went with my dad, brother and one of my dad’s mates to Braga in 2004 and I don’t think anything will ever compare to it. On our way there we had a stop in Lisbon and my brother and I got the run of the Stadium of Light while my dad had a pint; getting to run about a 60-thousand-seater stadium while it was completely empty is something I doubt I’ll experience again. Pre-match in Braga the next day was unbelievable; the number of Hearts fans that had travelled, the flags being hung from buildings in the square, meeting more friends that had got the train down from Porto and everyone in good spirits.

Then there was the walk down to that unique stadium with locals coming out to see what was going on. A great result followed and a fun night back in the square. For me, I don’t think it’ll be bettered.

How does Hearts affect your family and friendships - is football a big part of your life?

Going to the Hearts games always has and always will be a big part of my life. We originally had season tickets; the three of us, my grandad and some of my dad’s mates. The three of us would travel through for the games in the car from Ayr and as my brother and I got older we started to get the train, until I eventually moved through to Edinburgh. We would meet family friends pre and post-match and have subsequently made some close friends through going to the games.

My wife and step daughter now come to occasional games, and in a few years my daughter will join us as well and keep up the family tradition. For me, going to the football is not just about the games; it’s as much about catching up with friends and family and I’m biased but we have a good crowd.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 29

Do you have any favourite players down the years?

Over the years there have been some great players for us. I don’t feel I was old enough to appreciate Robbo to his full extent. The cup winning team from ‘98 had some of my childhood favourites; Stephane Adam, Mickey, Neil McCann and big Gilles. I loved watching all of them. The 05/06 team will always be a stand out; Rudi, Sir Paul, our current captain. But I loved Takis.

A great player, a great career and always held himself so well.

A player who had won the Euros just over a year prior playing for Hearts. It was just brilliant to see.

What are your expectations for this campaign, and beyond?

This season I hope we end the season back in the European places and I would enjoy another cup run. The players we have brought in have really made a difference and the squad is one of the strongest we’ve had in a good few years. I also like how we have brought the age of the squad down, so I feel both of those targets are achievable.

What does it mean to you that Hearts are now a fan owned club?

The club becoming fan owned was a very proud day, as it is something that we have been contributing towards for a long time. It’s night and day from where the club was.

30 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

BOYS IN MA ROOM

O

ne of the few benefits of lockdown for COVID-19 was that it gave Hearts fans all over the country no excuse to procrastinate any further in building that shrine to all things Heart of Midlothian that they had always promised themselves over the years. Over the course of the rest of the season, Hearts fans with rooms or sheds or garages devoted to the men in maroon allow us a glimpse.

For Duncan Thomson, his Hearts room at home in Bonnyrigg just wasn’t enough to accommodate his amazing

collection of Hearts memorabilia and football shirts. So the memorabilia continues down the stairs and Hearts pictures dominate the stairwell.

“I started to convert a bedroom into a Hearts den in about 2008 and it has continued from there,” said Duncan.

“There are some pictures up in the den but most of them are on the stairwell. I’ve added to it over the years with items from various sources including auctions at Hearts, eBay, Facebook groups and from friends and colleagues.”

Duncan’s favourite pieces in his den are his framed and autographed John Robertson shirt (naturally numbered 27), his autographed Hearts framed

shirt from the week before the 2012 Cup Final and a Holland shirt signed by another legend, Johann Cruyff.

“The one I am after though is a Hearts away shirt from 1986/7.

I’ve made it my mission in life to get one.”

And he might be helped in his quest for the holy grail by Liz who; “thinks I’m off ma heid but is always pointing me in the direction of memorabilia with a ‘Have you seen this?’”

If you have a Hearts room or shed or garage you’d like to be featured in “Boys in ma Room”, drop an email to gc@falconchambers.com and we’ll be in touch.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 31

32 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HE PLAYED FOR THE

HEARTS

B

ack in 1975 an Edinburgh Primary School select team became Scottish (Wilson) Cup winners beating their Glasgow counterparts in the final. The capital side contained a few youngsters that all went on to pull on the famous maroon jersey with John Robertson, Gary Mackay, Davie Bowman and the subject of today’s article, Paul Cherry, all picking up winners’ medals.

Although born in Derby, Paul spent all his life in Edinburgh and his ability on the football park attracted attention at every age group he played. It was no surprise that in 1983 Hearts manager Alex MacDonald offered him signing terms following his performances with Salvesen Boys Club.

Despite it being a dream come true for Hearts-supporting Paul, he turned down the chance of a full time contract. As he explains “My grandad used to take me to Tynecastle from when I was seven, so Hearts were in my blood. But I was 19, had already

Mike Buckle

started a job with Standard Life and had a young family. Football is not a particularly stable career path and to be frank I wasn’t sure I was good enough to play at that level”.

He did however agree to join the club on a part time contract and trained at Tynecastle every Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

“The sessions were taken by John Binnie, the reserve team coach and along with Donald Park, who was also part time, taught me some great habits which I have followed throughout my career.”

It was probably his decision to remain part-time that was

a factor that led to him only making 14 first team appearances in his three years in Gorgie.

However, he says he retains some great memories: “I always remember a game we played against Stirling Albion in the League Cup at Tynecastle.

I came on at half time as a substitute for Sandy Jardine when we were 1-0 down. With time running out Brian McNaughton got the equaliser taking the game into extra time. My wife had been watching from the stand and didn’t realise we had to play an extra 30 minutes and left to wait for me in the car outside. As it happened I managed to score

PAUL CHERRY

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 33 only travel on match days. Plus they offered me a three year deal on great terms. I am glad I signed as my time there was some of the best of my career. It was a great friendly family club and we won promotion to the first division.”

After his spell with Caley Thistle he eventually called a halt to his playing days but retained a connection with the game by heading up the Scottish subsidiary of Stellar Group, a sports management consultancy.

In 2005 though he sold his interest to another ex-Hearts player, Allan Preston, and moved his family to Spain. “It was a lifestyle choice really” he says. “We had a villa there and decided to make it a permanent move.” what turned out to be the winner so was naturally delighted. Not so delighted though was Nicola when I eventually turned up over an hour later.”

That was during the 198586 season which everyone will remember as ending in heartbreak after losing against Dundee and then Aberdeen in the Cup Final a week later.

Sandwiched in between, though, was a routine 2-1 defeat of Hibs in the East of Scotland Shield and this turned out to be Paul’s last appearance in a maroon jersey.

“Despite losing both the League title and the Cup, I will never forget the reception the squad got outside the Caledonian Hotel after returning from Hampden.

Unbelievable!” he says.

Days later he agreed on a transfer to Cowdenbeath.

“By this time I had started an IFA business and it was going well and I didn’t want to turn full time.

When Craig Levein joined the club there had been a sell on clause written into the deal but now Hearts wanted to buy this out. As the move allowed me to stay part time and gave me the chance of

regular first team football I was happy to be part of the deal that took me to Central Park. However, to seal the deal Hearts also gave cash, so I must be the only player to be paid to leave the club,” he laughs.

After the end of his 2 year contract in Fife, St Johnstone gave him the offer of full time football which, on this occasion, he accepted. “After having been taken over by Geoff Brown the club was going through a rebuilding process and I was happy to get involved”.

During his time there Saints not only became the first club to move to a purpose-built all seater stadium in the UK but became First Division champions and won promotion to the Premier Division. After 8 years in Perth, Paul considered retiring from the game. However, an offer from recently formed Inverness Caledonian Thistle made him change his mind.

“My financial services company was going really well and my family was settled in Perth. But Thistle were an ambitious club and agreed to allow me to train through the week in Perth and

Living in the Murcia region he saw an opportunity to set up a real estate agency and today Chersun Properties are now one of the foremost estate agents in Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.

Paul though is not only well known in the area through his business interests but also has the distinction of being the Murcia cycling TT Champion.

“I took up cycling when I moved to Spain and just for a bit of a laugh I entered the competition.

Despite being up against guys that took it really seriously with all the expensive kit, I was lucky enough to win. Just like the Tour de France the winner gets a special jersey and now when I go out on the road wearing it I sometimes get spotted and feel I have to go a little faster which gets a little harder as time goes by!”

This weekend sees Paul back in Edinburgh for the first time in a couple of years. “Unfortunately, I won’t make it to Tynecastle for the game as it really is just a flying visit to catch up with family and friends. But I will be back soon to return to where it all began for me all those years ago.”

34 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

BACKING YOUR HEARTS 10% Of All Proceeds Donated Back To Our Club

MAROON HEATING PLAN Full Boiler & Heating System Cover

SIGN UP ONLINE TODAY

www.terryhealyheating.com/hearts

0131 516 3040

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 35

LOCKIE’S DERBY DELIGHTS SAVE THE DATE! Sunday 6th February 2022 Gorgie Suite On behalf of the Gary Locke Testimonial Committee

36 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

KITTED

OUT H earts played St Mirren on the 1st of September 2018 and ran out comfortable winners in a 4-1 victory, thanks to a first half hat-trick from on loan Norwich City striker Steven Naismith.

Steven would also set up Olly Lee’s 29th minute strike. Steven’s 3 goals comprised of a 4th minute penalty, a trademark headed goal in the 41st minute and then just before half time a well-placed drive into the left-hand corner of the net secured him the match ball. The game saw Austin MacPhee take temporary charge as boss Craig Levein was in hospital recovering from a heart scare. The team talk that day didn’t take much writing. ‘Let’s do this one for the boss’.

Naismith would score 2 hat-tricks during his Tynecastle tenure, the other coming against Arbroath and again coincidentally all his goals would come in the first half.

Hearts ran out 3-0 winners at Gayfield on the 29th of December 2020.

His excellent performances with his club saw him capped a further 6 times for Scotland whilst playing for Hearts and scoring 3 goals. One against

Albania in the League of Nations, another in a friendly against Portugal and then his final goal against Kazakhstan in a Euro Qualifier at Hampden on Tuesday the 19th of November 2019, Scotland winning 3-1 in in what would be his last appearance. His Scotland career would see him play 51 games and score 10 goals.

Steven would sign permanently for Hearts in early August 2019 after a loan spell from Norwich City in the January transfer window of 2018. He made his debut on Sunday the 21st of January 2018 against Hibs in the 4th Round of the Scottish Cup. It was a winning debut thanks to a single goal from Don Cowie.

Steven’s mettle was proven from the very start of his Hearts career as he had not played for 5 months but was pitched straight into the fray and played the full 90 minutes. During his time at Hearts, he played against Hibs 6 times, winning 5 and only tasting one defeat.

Hearts win. He decided to hang up his boots in June 2021 and is now enjoying his role as player development manager/coach with the club.

He would play 90 competitive games for the club and score an impressive 29 goals. When Steven came into the team, his experience, drive and determination were immediately apparent. Even with a cameo appearance he could transform a game that looked to be heading towards a defeat or draw into a

This is a 2020/21 match prepared shirt belonging to Steven.

Produced by Umbro the shirt has a black body with maroon collar and cuffs, as well as a broad maroon panel running across the shoulders to the top of each sleeve. The placket had two medium black buttons. Both the badge and the Umbro logo

Featured is the stunning 3rd shirt which was worn in season 2019/20 on three occasions, away to Motherwell, Hamilton and St Johnstone. It was also the 3rd kit for season 2020/21, however it is worth noting that it was never worn in a competitive game during our time in the Championship. It is therefore a bit of an oddity in the weird and wonderful world of shirt collecting.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 37

are woven. The Umbro logo is maroon and the badge is black and maroon. This shirt was not available in long sleeves. As is tradition now, the 3rd shirt did not feature any sponsor details therefore no Pawprints sleeve badges or Save the Children logo emblazed across the front of the shirt. It does feature one vinyl Championship sleeve badge on the left-hand sleeve. On the back of the shirt the numbers and name sets are provided by Sporting ID with the name set appearing vertically above the number. Just below the collar is a subtle nod to the Foundation of Hearts with the phrase ‘Pledge for Life’ in capitals. All in all, this shirt in my opinion is a classic and match worn versions will be sought after in years to come.

Grant Young is a Hearts shirt collector and is currently writing a book. He can be contacted at jambojim190512@yahoo.com or via twitter @heartsshirts

38 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

Hearts

On Tour

The 50s/60s Tours

T

hroughout the most successful decade in the Club’s history, manager Tommy Walker forged close bonds between his talented players by taking them on six post-season tours to destinations as far apart as the USA, South Africa and Australia. This season, I’m going to take a look at the memorabilia associated with Hearts’ tours of the 1950’s and 60’s’.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 39

W

ith three group matches left, Hearts trailed Werder Bremen by a single point but had played a game less. A win against the Germans in Chicago would therefore leave Hearts in a really strong position in the group but the Heart players knew that it would be a tough ask. Tommy White described Werder as “the toughest and hardest-tobreak team in the section”.

Nonetheless, confidence

was high as the team took to the field in Chicago despite the boys not having had much sleep due to the stifling heat and the lack of air conditioning in their hotel. The heat gave way to a thunder storm and heavy rain as the match progressed.

Hearts dominated the match and had 30 shots on goal in the ninety minutes, almost twice the number of their opponents and keeper Gunther Bernard made a number of fine saves but Hearts were caught on the counter a number of times and the Germans were clinical in front of goal when they had their chances. In the thirty-eighth minute, the Werder outside right, Gerhard Zebrowski broke free and with three Hearts defenders chasing him down, angled a shot at goal from 22 yards which eluded Jim Cruickshank and hit the bottom right corner of the net. In the second half, Hearts missed some good chances to equalize.

Johnny Hamilton hit the post with the rebound just eluding Willie Wallace.

Wallace then went on a mazy run, beating several German defenders before firing a shot which bounced off Bernard in the Werder goal, the rebound being fired wide. Finally, Wallace turned provider but Tommy White headed over. With ten minutes to play, the Germans scored again against the run of play, Klaus Haemel scoring. And with just three minutes left, Zebrowski dribbled past Roy Barry and shot home from eighteen yards to seal a 3-0 win for the Germans which their play scarcely deserved.

That put Hearts third in the

40 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 41

Hearts shared a bus back to New York with their opponents and the two sides got along well, Lanerossi vowing that they would beat Werder Bremen to allow Hearts to win the group.

Although there’s a programme for the match in Chicago agsinst Werder Bremen, it’s one which has so far eluded my collection. If you have one for sale, let me know! group, needing to win their two remaining games and hoping for Werder to slip up against Lanerossi Vicenza in Werder’s final game. It had been intended that Hearts would travel back to New York and that they and Lanerossi would take a bus together to Chicopee on 21 June for their return match in the small Massachusetts town. But when Hearts officials heard that Lanerossi had opted instead to travel early to Chicopee so that they were well rested, plans were altered and Hearts flew direct from Chicago to Boston so that they would be equally rested before what was seen as a crucial match at Szot Park. And what a match it turned out to be.

Once again, it was a hot day with temperatures reaching 35 degrees but the fit Hearts players started at a high tempo which made the Italians look slow and tired. The match was watched by a sell-out crowd of 5,619 (which may not sound a lot but Chicopee was a town of only 50,000) including some Scots-Americans but who were vastly outnumbered by a vociferous contingent of Italian fans.

And it was those fans which led to the match being labelled “the Battle of Chicopee” in the following day’s press. Lanerossi’s star forward was pushing forward as he was fouled by David Holt.

Whether it was the heat or the beer or a combination of the two but Holt’s challenge sparked a pitch invasion by Italian fans who started to attack Holt, John Cumming and Tommy Traynor with the three Hearts players at one stage lying on the pitch being attacked by Italian fans, one of whom seemed to be brandishing a knife. The police took some time to restore order and astonishingly, the game continued with the Italian fans roped off from the side of the pitch.

Despite the drama, the first half finished goalless but it didn’t take Hearts long in the second half to take the lead. Johnny Hamilton hooked the ball into the roof of the net from twelve yards. Hearts continued to dominate with the Scottish Daily Mail reporting that “Lanerossi [were] not in Hearts class when it came to slick moving and passing”. Nonetheless, the Italians equalized in the 69th minute when Lucio del Angelo tangled with Jim Cruickshank and the ball deflected off the keeper and trickled over the line.

Hearts scored a deserved winner with three minutes of the game remaining. Johnny Hamilton intercepted a pass and drove forward, evading two Italian tackles before unleashing a shot from twelve yards to win the match. Despite the earlier rioting,

The programme for the match in Chicopee was, once again, the standard ISL match programme of 16 pages, this time with a red cover.

Page four had an updated table for the competition as well as the results to date. Page five had articles on the two competing teams. Once again, Hearts were referred to as the “Cinderella” club of the competition, with “very few ISL followers [giving] the Hearts much of a chance as a contender in Section One play and there were those observers who flatly predicted the lads from Edinburgh Scotland would be fortunate in winning a game”.

Page 12 has an article comparing Chicopee to Green Bay, the small town famous for hosting one of the great American Football franchises. The article envisages the creation of an American Soccer League within “two or three years” with a franchise from Chicopee taking part. Scoring tables on the same page made no distinction between goals and assists with Tommy White heading the table with three points from two goals and an assist.

Next time, the final game and a return to Scotland.

Gary Cowen is a member of Hearts heritage group and is currently writing a book about the Hearts post-season tours

42 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

OVER THE COURSE OF THE 21/22 SEASON, CLUB HISTORIAN DAVID SPEED WILL COVER THE ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY OF OUR HOME.

There was also disappointment on the field as Wales beat Scotland by 2-0.

P

ART NINE: RECORDS BROKEN

Having emerged from its financial problems, there was a positive mood around the club at the start of season 1905-06 and it was possible to undertake several ground improvements.

This included laying fresh turf in the goal areas, strengthening the fences and banking at the North End, and building new stairs and gates in the Stand.

Hearts’ status in the game had remained high and the SFA allocated the International match against Wales, on 3 March 1906, to Tynecastle Park. This was the second International played in Gorgie and although Bobby Walker had to withdraw, due to a thigh strain, the attraction of the Hearts men, Charlie Thomson and George Wilson, ensured a record crowd for the fixture, with some 25,000 paying for admission.

However, due to a lack of turnstiles, fences were knocked down by impatient fans and walls were scaled at the North End (now the School End). This resulted in severe congestion, which forced many spectators onto the running track. The attendance was probably nearer 30,000 and it was clear that even with improvements, the ground capacity was insufficient for a club of Hearts’ importance.

Once again, the Directors took swift action and the club’s architect was asked to investigate significant expansion. This would take almost a year, because the standing embankments were fully extended to the perimeter fences and the distillery bonds. Some innovative ideas were required, but at least the club had the financial means to undertake major work after a splendid Scottish Cup run.

That ended with a 1-0 win over Third Lanark in the Final at Ibrox on 28 April 1906.

In July 1906, Hearts Sports were held for the first time in several years and the Scottish Cup holders were able to sell 1,000 season tickets for the new football season.

Nevertheless, running a major club was never without challenges and in November 1906, a portion of the banking at the bottom end, facing the hayfield, gave way in heavy rain and had to be immediately repaired.

Tynecastle Park was a regular venue for important matches, such as the Qualifying Cup Final between St.Bernards and Raith Rovers in November 1906, but a restricted capacity precluded the ground from hosting many major fixtures. As a result, in February 1907, after Edinburgh Corporation extended the stadium lease until 1915, the Directors were finally able to authorise major expansion and the creation of an additional 20,000 places.

As the embankments were already extended to the outer limits, a solution was to lower the ground on which the front row of spectators stood, three feet below the playing pitch. This involved removing most of the racing track

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 43 and a considerable area of grass behind each goal. Only the track on the Stand side was retained for training and after a brick wall was built on the other three sides of the pitch, and the banking was covered in fresh cinders, Tynecastle’s capacity was certified at a staggering 61,784 (57,784 on the embankments and 4,000 in the Stand and Pavilion). The total cost of this development was just short of £353 and the work was undertaken by local contractors, Fisher Brothers, based as 125 Fountainbridge.

Thankfully, the renovation was finished in time for the defence of the Scottish Cup, because on 30 March 1907, the largest crowd to have watched a domestic game outside of Glasgow, descended on Gorgie to witness Hearts play Queens Park in the Semi-Finals. At the end of the game, the 33,500 fans produced incredibly wild cheering, because the maroons claimed victory with the only goal coming from David Axford. It was a new record attendance, and record receipts of just over £976, but most agreed that Tynecastle Park could not hold anything like 60,000.

The Scottish Cup was not retained as Hearts went down by 3-0 against Celtic in the Final. Nevertheless, once again, it was a lucrative competition and cash was certainly needed to maintain a challenge to the “Old Firm”. The club also worked hard on its commercial ventures, with large hoardings around the ground being used for advertising purposes and also the sale of catering rights. Fixture cards produced additional income, as did two automatic weighing machines from which the club received 25% of the takings.

In the summer of 1907, the departure of Director, William CP Brown, due to the insolvency of his building company was major blow, but he was replaced by Elias Fürst and

STOP BALL WATCHING. START PLAYING.

Rip-roaring power. Spellbinding control.

Jaw-dropping accuracy. The new Mitre Delta Max SPFL. Prepare to mesmerise.

Mitre.com

both these gentlemen would later make a significant contribution to Hearts.

Although the removal of the track meant that athletic and cycling events were discontinued, prosperity always depended on football and the club treasurer looked forward to visits from Celtic. When the Glasgow side was in Gorgie on 23 November 1907, a new record attendance for a League fixture was established, with 22,500 watching a 1-0 victory for Hearts, thanks to a goal from Colombo.

At the start of season 1908-09, the ground was in really good shape, with only the fence in front of the Stand in need of painting. That year, the supporters received an additional service.

The Exchange Telegraph Company paid Hearts the sum of £10 for the right to erect a half-time scoreboard and to issue the first regular programme. Fans could also watch the Tynecastle XI, a new team that was operated by the club in the Midlothian Junior League.

Although no work had been planned, in the early months of 1909, Hearts took advantage of local building developments. Soil from the foundations of the new Police Station in McLeod Street was used to fill up the banking in front of the Stand. The City Police always supported the club and after detectives watched the turnstiles, they reported many two-for-one admissions. As a result, the club made the payboxes convex and added extra fittings to stop unpaid access.

In the spring of 1909, Edinburgh Corporation allocated the hayfield behind the north embankment to the School Board and eventually, the proximity of its buildings would present a major problem in connection with ground improvements. In fact, almost from day one, there was a problem, as the projecting struts of Tynecastle’s fencing encroached on School Board land.

Hearts therefore had to lease an additional strip of ground to accommodate the wooden supports.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 45 At the beginning of season 1909-10, the club placed numbers on the Stand seats and started to take advance bookings, but crowds were not buoyant, with poor results stemming from disharmony off the field.

Manager, James McGhee, left in December 1909 and he was replaced by John McCartney the manager of St.Mirren. Being a stalwart player for Hibernian had made life difficult for McGhee, but the relationship with our Leith neighbours was normally harmonious. This was demonstrated on 1 January 1910, after the death of Hibs’ player, James Main, following an injury against Partick Thistle. That day, both sides wore black armbands and Hearts’ flag flew at half-mast as the maroons won a League match by 1-0.

In February 1910, the St.Andrew’s Ambulance Association was asked to attend all Hearts’ home matches and received a donation of £1/1/- (£1.05) and free admission to its members.

They were immediately required for the Scottish Cup Second Round Replay, between Hearts and St.Mirren, when a handsome crowd of 26,000 watched a 0-0 draw. After beating the Paisley club in a third match at Ibrox, the team was drawn away to Hibs, but our city rivals underestimated the capacity of Easter Road and after crowd disorder, the game was abandoned with Hearts leading 1-0.

It was decided to replay the tie at Tynecastle and the Burgh Surveyor had to inspect the ground and publish his findings, in order to ease public concerns. When the game was played on 26 February 1910, it was Hibs that won by 1-0 with the attendance being

only 23,500. This was due to the adverse publicity.

Big matches were certainly becoming more boisterous and the SFA issued a statement deploring the increase in obscene language and the use of ricketies, whistles and other annoying things.

During the summer of 1910, a new road was built from McLeod Street to the Police Station and as it stopped only a few yards from the members’ entrance, the club took the opportunity to erect five turnstiles and a new gate.

However, tinkering around the edges was insufficient and at the AGM in May 1911, the shareholders were told that there would soon be a covered standing area on the Distillery side and that a small extra charge would be made for this accommodation. A budget of £450 was set, but this enclosure would materially help the club to secure International fixtures.

46 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

HAYMARKET TO NORTH MERCHISTON bronchial pneumonia and sadly died on 14th February 1915, aged only 30, just before our men left for the Western Front. Alex left a wife and two young children.

John McCartney

A

s we come towards the end of our Heritage Trail journey, we travel from the Hearts War Memorial at Haymarket, up Dalry Road. Familiar territory and the scene of many happy cup-winning celebrations.

We pass Dalry Cemetery where an important figure in the club’s history is buried - Alex Lyon. Alex was the Assistant Trainer during the 1914-15 season, helping the players stay fit and at the top of the league, while also preparing for military service in the Great War. Alex would accompany the players when they went on route marches as part of their military training and it was on one of these, a particularly cold and wet one, that Alex developed

The bottom of Ardmillan Terrace was the original spot earmarked for the Heart of Midlothian War Memorial; however, back in 1922 the tramway company wanted to run lines up Ardmillan Terrace to link Dalry Road and Slateford Road, so this site was no longer an option. The city offered the alternative site at Haymarket where the memorial still stands proudly today.

Next, we go up to North Merchiston Cemetery, which opened in 1881, the same year as the Club came to Gorgie.The cemetery is the final resting place of some key figures in the early part of the Club’s history and mentioned in previous articles.

The first resting place we visit, takes us full circle, back to the man most closely associated with the original formation of the club back in 1874, and the man credited with giving us our name – Tom Purdie. Tom was the first team captain in 1874 and went on to become a Club Director.

Tom was laid to rest here in 1929, alongside his wife Ann and daughter Jane – both of whom had died before him. Until quite recently there was no headstone to mark the spot, the stone that is there now was put in place after efforts by Hearts fans to have Tom’s grave marked.

A short walk on we come to the final resting place of Bobby Walker, alongside his mother and his brother Alexander, who also played for Hearts from 1899-1903.

Alexander had joined the army and sadly died of TB before he was posted overseas.

In a Hearts playing career spanning from 1896-1913, Bobby was regarded as the best player of his age and a real superstar.

His many, notable, achievements have recently been captured in a newly published book “This is his Story’ by Colin Robertson and Andrew Hoggan. Bobby died at 51 and his funeral was attended by huge crowds who lined the streets around the cemetery.

His obituary in the Scotsman hopefully sums up his talents; “The Hearts never had a more brilliant forward than Walker.

He was amazingly clever in manipulating the ball, and, it was on skill alone that he relied, for he was never favoured with physique. With the ball at his feet he could turn on his course elusively, and in such little space, that he could often put a whole defence out of position with his deft movement.”

Our final stop in the cemetery is at the grave of John McCartney.

John famously constructed the team that might have won the League in 1914-15 but for the commitment made to the Great War. His close bond to his team remained throughout the War

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 47

Tom Purdie

years. John’s support for his boys continued, regularly sending them packages that contained remarkable amounts of supplies.

These didn’t just include sundries such as soap, socks and cigarettes, but also boxes of Edinburgh rock, harmonicas, a melodeon and – of course – football boots, footballs and pumps!

John never did get the chance to rebuild the side in the aftermath of the War. Having fallen out with

the Directors he resigned in 1919.

His talents as a manager cannot be doubted, though, as he went on to manage Portsmouth and promptly took them from the old Division 3 South to the English First Division.

John never lost his love of Hearts.

Ill health forced his retirement from management in England in 1929 and he returned to Edinburgh, where he died in 1933. He specifically asked that his grave be within sight of his

beloved Tynecastle.

All three of these men played a huge part in the early years of the Club and have been integral to building the name of Heart of Midlothian and making it into the Club that we all know and love today. It is fitting that they are all laid to rest so close to the Tynecastle Park.

48 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

the name for Kia, Peugeot, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Hyundai in Edinburgh.

Online. On the phone. In Person. macklinmotors.co.uk

0330 178 8281

All trading companies are subsidiaries of Vertu Motors plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registration number 05984855. VAT Registration number 902737238 Registered office for all group companies: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA

feel it all

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 49 Football players are known for having pre-match superstitions.

FROM THE

VAULT

David Beckham used to tidy his fridge before each game. Ronaldo is always last out of the tunnel.

Laurent Blanc always kissed the top of Fabien Bartez’s bald head before each match in the 1998 World Cup. In the 1990’s Tony Mowbray started the Celtic “Huddle” where the players group together as a motivational exercise before kick-off.

Recently, the Hearts Women players began a routine of grouping together, bouncing up and down and then running off and grouping together again. The only imaginative name that I can come up with for it is “the Scatter” !

It appears to be working. They have won their last two away games.

50 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

A

mongst all the usual range of emotions, nonsense and the occasional bit of sense that I, Adam Kennedy, and my co-host Daniel McIver spout on Perth to Paisley, the running theme to start off this season has been us mouthing off about a midfield partnership that we’ve built to high heaven.

A way to go to reach Rudi Skacel and Paul Hartley levels, we’re a pair of young Jambos so those two are the crème de la crème in our eyes, however the first of whom is Beni Baningime who I may or may not have dubbed “my Congolese king”.

It therefore may not take a genius to realise that, occasionally, I can become attached with ease but I stand by what I said in that if he isn’t our club record sale then I ain’t interested.

If you’re a football club chairman

that knows their stuff and recognises that he would be a tremendous purchase, then cough up ten million Great British pounds or get on your bike!

And I’m fully aware that it is very poor of me to immediately ask interested parties to prepare their bids but the biggest compliment I can give him is that he’s a phenomenal coup for Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

Take it back to the start of his brief time with the men in maroon, I can’t remember a midfielder having such an impressive debut - particularly in a game of such magnitude - as the league opener against Celtic. Even more noteworthy given he was thrown in at the deep end after next to no pre-season and barely meeting his new teammates, immediately having to build fitness, match sharpness and playing at a venue - and in a country - he hadn’t

previously done before.

It was no surprise to see his reputation rising week by week after a series of genuinely sensational performances and when at his best, we’ve got a serious player on our hands.

Beni boy may not be here for long but I will continue to appreciate this wonderful footballer and all that he contributes. Not just his gorgeous smile, of which I am incredibly envious.

I’ve previously proclaimed that he is the greatest footballer I’ve ever seen, name me a better one.

Enter Cameron Devlin.

Whilst Beni Baningime, as Adam expressed above, has taken to life at Tynecastle incredibly well – I, Daniel, feel that Cammy Devlin looks like he has been here the whole time. When watching him make crunching challenges,

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 51

VIEW FROM THE PODS sprinting for every ball regardless of how long he’s been on the park as if he’s desperate for a sponsorship from Duracell or celebrating a goal with as much intensity as everyone in the stands; he feels like he’s been a Hearts player for years instead of months.

Devlin was an unknown, similar to most of this year’s signings, before arriving from Australia but with glowing recommendations from journalists both domestic and international (and with the help of Scottish Cup legend Ryan McGowan singing his praises), we were all intrigued to see what he would bring to the already fantastic start to our season.

Tough tackling, a wind-up merchant and intense are characteristics Hearts fans are naturally drawn to and have done throughout both my time as Hearts fan and the club’s history

in general. Growing up seeing individuals like Hartley, Severin, Brellier and Black to name a few – there’s something about that bulldog in the middle of the park that excites the Tynecastle faithful.

Devlin has come in and somehow surpassed all those expectations to become, in my opinion, our best signing of the summer. Someone who has barely put a foot wrong since walking through the door, enamouring himself to us all and managing to infuriate opposition fans and players alike – it’s been the dream start. Search his name on any form of social media and you’ll quickly find one phrase that sticks out: ‘he gets it.’ Now, whilst it can be debated as to what ‘it’ really is amongst football fans – I’ve never really heard one definitive answer – Devlin has it in spades.

Hearts fans, generally, are an

emotional bunch. As quickly as we’re going to win the league, we’re going to be struggling massively. As soon as we have the best player in the league, after one off afternoon the team needs wholesale change. But both Beni Baningime and Cammy Devlin have given the fanbase real reason to be excited. They bring both a calmness and an intensity. A dominance and a touch of class. A battering ram and a tactician.

Of course the inevitability that they will move on for bigger and better things comes with the level of performances they have put in but that just means we need to enjoy them that much more right now.

Xavi and Iniesta? No thanks, we’ll take Devlin and Baningime.

-Adam Kennedy and Daniel McIver, The Perth to Paisley Podcast. The podcast can be found on Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts

52 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

IN A NON-LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Graeme McGinty

F

irstly, a correction to my article in the last issue where I said the highest placed non-Colt team in the Lowland League would play-off with the East and South of Scotland Leagues for a place in the SPFL. That of course should have read “play-off with the Highland League, and then if successful, with the bottom team in League 2”. I’m new at this, so go easy…

Today is Scottish Cup third round day, which

was traditionally the round that Hearts and other top division teams entered the competition, but changes a few years ago meant that this has now been shunted back to the fourth round and will remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Some tasty looking ties were pulled out of the hat by Charlie Mulgrew in last month’s draw.

Auchinleck Talbot (a familiar face at Tynecastle in the recent past) could pull off a shock at home to struggling Hamilton Accies, repeating their feat a few seasons ago when they eliminated Ayr United. Bonnyrigg Rose are away

to Barry Ferguson’s Alloa Athletic and not many will bet against them getting a result of some sort. Civil Service Strollers, who beat Cowdenbeath on their own patch in the last round, host Peterhead. Tranent Juniors at Stirling Albion? The Binos will be a wee bit nervous when the Belters come to town.

In those aforementioned days when Hearts entered in the third round. only eight non-league clubs took part via the North and South Qualifying Cups, where the semi-finalists in both competitions qualified for the following season’s Scottish Cup.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 53

At that time no Junior clubs were allowed.

That changed under Stewart Regan’s time at the SFA when in 2007 the qualifying cup process was scrapped and all full members of the SFA were allowed automatic entry as well as the winners of the Scottish Junior Cup and the West, East and North Junior leagues, the Scottish Amateur Cup winners also following later. So, Pollok (West Champions), Linlithgow Rose (East & Junior Cup) and Culter (North) entered the cup for the first time that season along with a host of full SFA members who no longer had to pre-qualify and who themselves hadn’t appeared in the first round for many years.

A few years later the SFA introduced the club licence process where non-members, playing in Senior football, could attain full membership and automatic entry to the Scottish Cup. It was this that led to the

revolution in the non-league game discussed a couple of issues back and this season has seen a record modern day entry list for the competition of 113 clubs and as the West of Scotland League clubs take their first steps in Senior football and more become licenced, then this number will gradually grow each season.

As well as Auchinleck Talbot visiting Tynecastle twice, Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic have faced Hibs here, eliminating Dumbarton along the way and have also beaten Montrose.

Penicuik Athletic have beaten Stenhousemuir and enjoyed a trip to Firhill. Broxburn Athletic got the better of Cowdenbeath and had a day out at St. Mirren and there have been other shock results by clubs who only a few years ago couldn’t have dreamed of such ties and live TV coverage, and it is undeniable that the Scottish Cup has and will continue to benefit greatly from

the inclusion of more non-league clubs in the competition.

So back to today and I think we’re going to see several non-league clubs making it through to the fourth round and dreaming of the big ticket away tie to a Premiership club, one tie already guarantees a fourth round spot for a non-league club (Dalbeattie Star v East Kilbride). Where will the other shocks come, well take your pick; Alloa Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic; Auchinleck Talbot v Hamilton Academical, Banks O’Dee v East Fife; Civil Service Strollers v Peterhead; Clydebank v Clyde; Dumbarton v Sauchie Juniors; Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Edinburgh City; Gala Fairydean Rovers v Annan Athletic; Stirling Albion v Tranent Juniors and Brechin City v Darvel in the TV match on Monday night.

54 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

THE FINAL WORD

T

o misquote The Killers, ‘Fir Park was a friend of mine’. My first visit was way back in 1989 when it was more akin to the old Brockville than the oddity of stadium design it is now. We won 5-out-of-5 games against ‘Well that season and it was four years before I saw Hearts lose there. Indeed, right through the nineties we lost only a handful of times at Fir Park. Handy when the future-best-mate I met at university is a die-hard Motherwell fan. Since then, it’s been patchier and I haven’t even mentioned the 6-1 defeat in 2002 when I was made redundant the same day. (I can laugh now honest). In fact, we’ve only won there four times since returning to the Premiership for the first time in 2015.

That disappointing trend continued in Saturday’s pretty lame loss. Sadly, in hindsight it had all the classic ingredients of a Hearts defeat. Good win in the game before? Check. Massive away support? Check. Deflating defeat – check … out. In fairness, it’s rare when you can say almost no one played well so it probably has to be written off as a truly bad day at the office. We simply never got a foothold in the game and credit to Motherwell for winning the battle and (shall we say) breaking up the momentum of the game when they had to.

Similar to the defeat at Aberdeen, lessons need to be learned but hopefully today’s visit of St Mirren allows us to get back on track with three points.

The clamour from the away

Scott Cockburn

support for the introduction of Liam Boyce last Saturday and the slight improvement his appearance brought reminds us of the additional, ‘talismanic’ presence of some players.

Sadly, the ‘lift’ on Saturday probably only took our performance from the basement to lower-basement but the point stands.

Boyce’s importance and the belief in his scoring ability amongst the support gives him something of that status. His presence makes people – and hopefully opponents – think we are more likely to score.

Equally, his absence is met with groans and cries of “who is going to score the goals?”. Fortunately, versus Dundee United both Ben Woodburn and Josh Ginnelly were able to step in to the role although they couldn’t repeat the

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 55

trick last week.

We’ve been fortunate enough to have a few such players over the years. From my vintage the most obvious would-be John Robertson and one of my earliest memories of Tynecastle was a young Robbo equalising in the last minute against Rangers as Hearts successfully came back from two goals down. Equally, who would forget his equaliser at Easter Road in 1995 when he struck home a loose ball as the final whistle was imminent? That of course spurned the famous line “It’s not over until the fat striker scores”. Perhaps the ultimate definition of a Hearts talisman.

Yet, we’ve had others too. Rudi Skacel – another scourge of Easter Road – could always be counted on for something special and I recall his performance from 2012

when he almost single-handedly helped ten-men Hearts defeat today’s opponents 5-2 with a hattrick. He also scored a few more goals in 2012 of course. Older fans will talk of Donald Ford or Drew Busby in the same manner.

These are players you can rely on to be the ones who dig you out of a hole. That said you don’t want to be wholly reliant on them. So, although hopefully Liam Boyce notches a goal or two today, we’ll also be hoping a few others can help out too.

The pride no doubt felt in the Gordon household at Craig becoming Hearts’ record international cap holder is amplified by everyone at the club. In winning his 33rd cap as a Hearts player, he has shown

remarkable powers of both longevity and recovery since his Scotland debut back in 2004. That a player who can be counted as ‘one of our own’ takes the record seems even more appropriate.

That’s no slight on previous holder Steven Pressley - although he remains a divisive personality in our support - but it just feels right that it should be a Heartssupporting, Academy graduate that owns the record. For almost a century the record books had the venerable Bobby Walker - subject of an excellent new biography by Colin Robertson and Andrew Hoggan incidentally with 29 caps as our most capped player. As a fellow son of Gorgie, I think Bobby would approve that his own achievement has been surpassed - and will hopefully be further extended - by Craig.

56 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

FIRST TEAM RESULTS SEASON 2021 -2022 DATE

OPPONENT

ATT

F A

Sat July 10

Peterhead (LC)

246

2-0

LINE UP

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane d

Souttar

Halkett

Kingsley

Haring

Tues July 13

Cove Rangers (LC)

1983

3-0

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane

Souttar

Halkett

Kingsley b

Ginnelly c

Tues July 20

Stirling Albion (LC)

211

2-0

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane e

Souttar

Halkett

Kingsley

Ginnelly b

Sun July 25

Inverness CT (LC)

2989

1-0

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane

Halkett

Halliday a

Kingsley

Ginnelly

Sat July 31

Celtic

5272

2-1

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane

Souttar

Halkett

Kingsley

Ginnelly b

Sat Aug 7

St Mirren

1039

2-1

Gordon

M Smith

Halliday

Souttar

Halkett

A Cochrane

Ginnelly a

Sun Aug 15

Celtic (LC)

42361

2-3

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane c

Souttar

Halkett

Kingsley

Halliday a

Sun Aug 22

Aberdeen

17449

1-1

Gordon

M Smith

Halliday a

Souttar

Halkett

A Cochrane

Ginnelly c

Sat Aug 28

Dundee Utd

9324

2-0

Gordon

M Smith

Halliday c

Souttar

Halkett

A Cochrane

Woodburn a

Sun Sep 12

Hibs

18177

0-0

Gordon

M Smith b

A Cochrane

Souttar

Halkett

Kingsley

Woodburn c

Sat Sep 18

Ross County

3802

2-2

Gordon

T Moore

Kingsley

Souttar

Baningime

Halkett

McKay

Sat Sep 25

Livingston

16175

3-0

Gordon

M Smith

Kingsley b

T Moore

Baningime

Halkett d

McKay c

Sat Oct 2

Motherwell

17028

2-0

Gordon

M Smith

Kingsley

T Moore

Baningime

Halkett a

McKay c

Sat Oct 16

Rangers

49650

1-1

Gordon

M Smith

Kingsley

Souttar

Baningime

Halkett

McKay c

Sat Oct 23

Dundee

17557

1-1

Gordon

M Smith

Kingsley

Souttar

Baningime

Halkett

McKay c

Wed Oct 27

St Johnstone

6083

1-1

Gordon

M Smith

Kingsley

Souttar

Baningime

Halkett

Ginnelly a

Sat Oct 30

Aberdeen

9736

1-2

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane c Souttar pen

Halkett

Kingsley

Ginnelly a

Sat Nov 6

Dundee Utd

18129

5-2

Gordon

T Moore

Kingsley

Souttar

Baningime

Halkett

McKay a

Sat Nov 20

Motherwell

7908

0-2

Gordon

M Smith

A Cochrane

Souttar

T Moore

Kingsley

Devlin

Sat Nov 27

St Mirren

Thu Dec 2

Celtic

Sun Dec 5

Livingston

Sun Dec 12

Rangers

Sat Dec 18

Dundee

Sun Dec 26

Ross County

Wed Dec 29

St Johnstone

Sun Jan 2

Hibs

Wed Jan 26

Celtic

Sat Jan 29

Motherwell

Sat Feb 5

Rangers

Wed Feb 9

Dundee

Sat Feb 19

St Johnstone

Sat Feb 26

St Mirren

Wed Mar 2

Aberdeen

Sat Mar 5

Dundee Utd

Sat Mar 19

Livingston

Sat Apr 2

Ross County

Sat Apr 9

Hibs

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT: Heart of Midlothian welcomes all supporters to Tynecastle Park for today’s match. We ask all supporters NOT to take part in any form of unacceptable conduct, in particular racist or sectarian action or comments, homophobic comments, foul or abusive language or threatening or abusive behaviour.

The use of any form of pyrotechnics is strictly prohibited. We thank you for your co-operation.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 57

SUBSTITUTES

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES

McEneff b

Boyce e

Ginnelly a

M-Steven c

Walker

Pollock

Roberts

Halliday

Henderson

13, 24, 28, 29

Halliday d

Boyce

Pollock a

M-Steven e

McEneff

Haring

Henderson

C Smith

Denholm

13, 20, 28, 29

Halliday

Boyce d

Haring a

M-Steven c

Gnanduillet

Pollock

Walker

McEneff

C Smith

13, 22, 28, 29

Henderson

Pollock b

Boyce

Gnanduillet c

M-Steven

Haring

Walker

Baningime

Boyce

Halliday

M-Steven a

Haring

Gnanduillet

Baningime

Boyce c

Haring

M-Steven b

Gnanduillet

McEneff

Henderson

27, 34, 35, 13

Baningime

Boyce pen

Haring b

M-Steven

Ginnelly

McEneff

Walker

22, 27, 35, 13

Baningime

Boyce pen

Haring b

M-Steven b

Walker

McEneff

Henderson

27, 35, 13

Baningime

Boyce

Haring

M Steven b

Ginnelly

Gnanduillet

T Moore

7, 8, 38, 13

8, 27, 28, 34, 35,13 8, 22, 27, 38, 13

Baningime

Boyce

Haring

M Steven a

Ginnelly

T Moore

McKay

14, 16, 21, 13

Woodburn b

Boyce

Gnanduillet

M Steven a

Devlin

Walker

-

5, 8, 16, 17, 13

Woodburn

Boyce pen a

Devlin

A Cochrane

Gnanduillet

Halliday

M-Steven

Woodburn b

Boyce pen

Devlin

A Cochrane

Halliday

M Steven

Haring

7, 21, 30, 13

Woodburn a

Boyce

Devlin

A Cochrane b

Ginnelly

Gnanduillet

M-Steven

5, 15, 16, 13

Woodburn a

Boyce b

Devlin

A Cochrane

M-Steven

Gnanduillet

Ginnelly

5, 15, 16, 13

Halliday

Gnanduillet

Devlin

McKay b

Woodburn

M Steven

-

5, 7, 15, 17, 13

Baningime

Gnanduillet

Devlin

M-Steven b

Woodburn

McKay

Halliday

5, 8, 15, 13

Devlin

Ginnelly b

M-Steven

Gnanduillet

McAneff

5, 7, 25, 13

Baningime c

Ginnelly b

Boyce

Gnanduillet

McAneff

5, 7, 11, 13

Woodburn 2 c A Cochrane Woodburn a

KEY: League (Unless Stated)

McKay

1st Sub A 2nd Sub B 3rd Sub C 4th Sub D

Haring

7, 8, 13

5th Sub E Goalscorer in BOLD Home games in GREY * won on pens e extra time

You can text the club confidentially on 07467 918874 to report incidents which you deem to be unacceptable within Tynecastle Park.

FIRST TEAM

58 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

APPEARANCES 2021/22 PLAYER

LEAGUE CUP

LEAGUE

SFA CUP

TOTALS

STARTS

SUBS

GOALS

STARTS

SUBS

GOALS

STARTS

SUBS

GOALS

STARTS

SUBS

GOALS

Craig

GORDON

14

-

4*

5

-

4*

-

-

-

19

-

8*

Ross

STEWART

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Michael

SMITH

12

-

1

5

-

-

-

-

-

17

-

1

Cammy

LOGAN

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Jamie

BRANDON

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Alex

COCHRANE (L)

12

-

2

5

-

-

-

-

-

17

-

2

Stephen

KINGSLEY

11

-

3

5

-

-

-

-

-

16

-

3

John

SOUTTAR

12

-

3(1

4

-

-

-

-

-

16

-

3(1 2

Andy

HALLIDAY

5

3

1

4

1

1

-

-

-

9

4

Craig

HALKETT

13

-

1

5

-

-

-

-

-

18

-

1

Taylor

MOORE (L)

5

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

2

-

Peter

HARING

4

3

-

3

2

-

-

-

-

7

5

-

Cammy

DEVLIN

8

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

1

-

Beni

BANINGIME

14

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

15

-

-

Ben

WOODBURN (L)

9

2

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

9

2

2

Scott

McGILL $

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Aaron

McENEFF

0

4

1

1

3

1

-

-

-

1

7

2

Gary

MACKAY-STEVEN

7

6

1

5

-

2

-

-

-

12

6

3

Barrie

McKAY

8

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

2

-

Jamie

WALKER

0

2

-

0

4

1

-

-

-

0

6

1

Jordan

ROBERTS $

-

-

-

0

1

-

-

-

-

0

1

-

Josh

GINNELLY

7

4

1

4

1

-

-

-

-

11

5

1

Liam

BOYCE

10

1

6(3

5

-

4(1

-

-

-

15

1

10(4

Armand

GNANDUILLET

3

8

1

1

1

-

-

-

-

4

9

1

Euan

HENDERSON $

0

2

-

0

3

-

-

-

-

0

5

-

Connor

SMITH $

-

-

-

0

2

-

-

-

-

0

2

-

Finlay

POLLOCK

-

-

-

2

2

1

-

-

-

2

2

1

Aaron

DARGE $

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Aidan

DENHOLM

-

-

-

0

1

-

-

-

-

0

1

-

Leon

WATSON

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chris

HAMILTON $

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mihal

POPESCU $

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Loic

DAMOUR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Totals

154

40

23

55

21

10

-

-

-

209

61

33

$

$ Player on loan * Now left Club *Denotes shut out in goals column # Retired as player, now on Development Staff

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 59

UMBRO UMBRO.CO.UK