Connor swept aside by Clark's broom of change at Tynecastle

RAY HEPBURN

12 May 1993

CHANGE continued at Hearts yesterday when assistant manager Frank Connor made way for Sandy Clark's new era at Tynecastle.

The former Raith Rovers manager will leave at the end of the season, and like the man who appointed him, Joe Jordan, will have his contract honoured until its conclusion in October.

Clark was tight-lipped about the identity of the people he will now instal -- former Hearts full back Walter Kidd now with Airdrie, and Brian Whittaker, who is on the club's commercial staff will be involved.

The first thing Clark did as he took over officially, was to pay tribute to Connor, stressing that his departure was no reflection on the quality of his work over the last two-and-a-half years.

"Frank Connor has been a tremendous help to me in my period as a coach at the club.

I learned more from him when working together than I did from anyone else on the football side," said Clark.

"But I do want my own people around me.

That is something that I will be addressing as soon as we get the final match of the season, against St Johnstone, out of the way."

The most impressive part of Clark's CV has been the winning of the BP Cup and the Premier Reserve League by the young teams that have been his remit in the three-and-a-half years since he returned to Hearts after a disastrous brief spell as manager of Partick Thistle.

"I feel I have learned from that experience and have served an apprenticeship since with Hearts.

I am now quite happy about taking the plunge again.

The decision to accept the job was an easy one," added Clark.

"Three years ago when Alex MacDonald was sacked I immediately told the chairman I was in no way interested in the job then.

It was too soon after the Partick Thistle experience, but I am ready for the challenge now."

Clark went on to clarify some contentious areas by insisting that his talks with chairman Wallace Mercer in the South of France over the weekend, had revealed a budget for the transfer market and the fact that Scotland defender Alan McLaren is going nowhere.

"We are not talking about millions, but I would be quite happy about going to the chairman if I felt we needed to bring someone in, and Alan McLaren is a player that I desperately want to stay at Tynecastle.

"But it is essential that the people who work here want to be here, so if in the future any player wants to leave then we'll assist them in giving a move if the timing and the price is right.

"If one of the top clubs in Europe came in for McLaren it would be unfair of Hearts to stand in his way.

And if that time comes I will deal with anyone, providing that the circumstances are right for the club."

Clark looked relaxed and confident as he started his two years in charge of a club whose ambition is still intact, although surrounded by a huge expectation level from their supporters.

Perhaps it was the chairman's location, 1000 miles away.

Taken from the Herald