JUBILANT Hearts supporters today spoke of their delight at seeing Chris Robinson finally sever his ties with the club - and aimed a parting shot at the former chief executive.

Robinson brought his 11-year association with the Gorgie outfit to an end yesterday by tendering his resignation, 28-year-old businesswoman Julija Goncaruk replacing him as a non-executive director as the Lithuanian influence under new owner Vladimir Romanov grew further.

Perceived by many fans as public enemy No. 1 during his time at the helm, Robinson will never be forgiven by the Gorgie faithful for attempting to sell Tynecastle and relocate to Murrayfield to ease the club's spiralling debt.

"To say I am absolutely delighted is an understatement. This has been a long time coming and it is finally here," said John Borthwick, secretary of the Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs.

"Robinson presided over the worst debt in the club's history and the only answer to the financial problems of his own doing was to sell the stadium he deems not fit for purpose. If that had actually happened, and we had moved to Murrayfield, he would have effectively signed the club's death certificate.

"He was quoted recently as saying he is at peace with most Hearts supporters and that he intends to continue coming to Tynecastle to follow the team.

"He would do well, however, to remember that if he'd had his way, there would be no Tynecastle.

"I suggest he takes a reality check as he almost took the club to the brink and that is what he'll always be remembered for."

Many fans believe the continued presence of Robinson at Tynecastle after his sell-out to Romanov was proving a blockage in the investment pipeline, with members of the business community understood to be reluctant to part with their hard-earned cash as long he was still involved.

With his exit having now been officially confirmed, that is something they hope will now no longer be the case.

"I wrote to chairman George Foulkes recently advising him that Robinson's continued presence at the club was having an adverse effect on potential investment, season ticket sales and corporate hospitality," said Borthwick.

"Now that he has finally gone, I am sure we will see an upsurge in all of those areas.

"From an organisation's point of view, more recently with Save Our Hearts, we have campaigned for his removal longer than I care to remember. One of our unfulfilled objectives was his removal. But now he has gone. It is great news as this is the man who, over the years, changed the club's crest, the name of the club and referred to the fans as 'parasites' on at least one occasion."

The fans' sentiments were echoed by midfield legend Gary Mackay, an outspoken critic of Robinson and one of the driving forces behind Save Our Hearts.

"It's good riddance as far as I am concerned," he said. "His exit is certainly a cause for celebration."

Taken from the Scotsman