We won't be shirt of cash

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS are in talks over a new shirt sponsor and kit manufacturer, the Evening News can reveal.

It is understood that the current agreements with all:sports and Reebok will terminate in the summer at the end of the companies’ record three-year deal with the Gorgie outfit.

The landmark contract clinched in February 2002 by former chief executive Chris Robinson was worth around £1million to the club and Hearts are looking for a similarly lucrative deal this time round.

It is believed discussions are at an advanced stage with the parties involved, with the club expecting to make an announcement within a matter of days.

"The deals involving our current shirt sponsors and kit manufacturer are both up this summer and negotiations are taking place with various parties," said Communications Manager Clare Cowan.

"We hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future."

New owner Vladimir Romanov has made no secret of the fact he wants to make John Robertson’s Hearts side a major player in Scottish football, with the Lithuanian’s ultimate goal to break Celtic and Rangers’ stranglehold on the game in this country.

Since being officially installed at the start of this month following Robinson’s sell-off to the Baltic banker, the new regime has made it a priority to research ways of improving the cash flow into the club.

It is thought that the new sponsors and kit maker will reflect Romanov’s lofty ambitions.

Manchester-based all:sports currently sponsor Charlton Athletic and have recently entered into a new partnership with rugby league side St Helens.

Today they refused to confirm they would not be extending their deal at Tynecastle, insisting they have been very happy with the agreement.

"The sponsorship has done well and we are looking at whether to renew it or not at the moment," said a spokesperson. "We have enjoyed good publicity out of our deal with Hearts. The three-year agreement comes to an end this summer and it has been very good for us."

Reebok were unavailable for comment.

The current deal was linked to performance and sales, with Reebok responsible for supplying the kit for the complete range of Hearts’ football operations from the first team down to the youths and the new manufacturer will assume similar responsibilities.

The link-up with the Jambos marked the company’s first venture into Scottish football having already been involved with Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers in the English Premiership.

Reebok took over from troubled Italian manufacturers Errea after their contract was brought to an end 12 months ahead of schedule.

On the field, the players returned to training today as focus turned to the weekend visit of Livingston in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

Robertson has no fresh injury worries to contend with following the disappointing 2-0 loss to Motherwell at Fir Park and the Gorgie gaffer is demanding a marked improvement from his men with a place in the last four at stake on Sunday afternoon.

He was forced to shuffle his defensive options against the Steelmen with centre half Andy Webster completing a two-match ban and he faces a similar scenario against the struggling Lions with skipper Steven Pressley forced to sit out the tie having picked up his second booking of the competition in the impressive replay win at Kilmarnock last week.

Today’s SPL Reserve League meeting between Hearts and Motherwell at Ochilview was postponed.

Taken from the Scotsman