THE Lithuanian influence at Hearts swelled further yesterday when the club announced that Julija Goncaruk had been appointed to the board as a non-executive director to replace Chris Robinson, who finally resigned yesterday.

The 28-year-old is already involved in Hearts' owner Vladimir Romanov's business empire and works for the Lithuanian's Ubig Investment Company. She was based in Milan, but will now concentrate on improving Hearts' brand name from Edinburgh and increasing the club's merchandising potential.

This may prove easier now Robinson, the former chief executive who initiated the club's unpopular scheme to relocate to Murrayfield, has severed ties with Hearts. George Foulkes, the current chairman, yesterday called Goncaruk the "wonderful consequence" of Robinson's departure, but he was careful to pay tribute to the controversial figure's 11-year spell at the club.

Foulkes does, however, expect a sudden rise in season-ticket sales, with many fans having stated their avowed intention not to purchase one until Robinson left the club. One supporter, he revealed, had offered the club £10,000 if Robinson cut his link with Tynecastle. "I look forward to season-ticket sales escalating rapidly over the next few days, and donations being made," said Foulkes, tongue only half in cheek.

Goncaruk's arrival maintains Hearts' board membership of eight, with half that number now Lithuanian. Romanov's son Roman, Sergejus Fedotovas and Liutauras Varanavicius make up the contingent, with the link to the Baltic country given a more visible presence on the front of the players' kit, thanks to a sponsorship deal signed with the bank, Ukio Bankas.

Goncaruk already has experience of living in Britain, having graduated with a diploma in international management from Royal Holloway, University of London, six years ago. Goncaruk has worked for Romanov ever since, and will be continue to be paid by him rather than the club.

"I was hoping to say Julija is the first woman director of Hearts, but sadly I can't, because Sally Robinson, who was finance director before Stewart Fraser, was a member of the board," said Foulkes. "She is, though, the first female non-executive director. I think Julija will bring a great deal to the board, with more and more women coming to football matches and more and more playing the game. But she also has a very distinguished record as a businesswoman."

Through the exit door yesterday went Robinson, who cut all his ties with the club, and resigned from his positions with the SFA and SPL.

The fans have appealed long and loudly for this moment to come and just before midday yesterday it arrived. A group of Hearts supporters witnessed Robinson's departure, remaining true to their word to hound him until the very end. He will, though, be welcomed back by the club's board at least, with Foulkes confirming that the same courtesy will be extended to him as is shown other former chairmen.

"Although his period on the board ended in controversy with the proposed move to Murrayfield, there are very positive aspects of his time at Heart of Midlothian that ought to be taken into account," he pointed out.

"One is the completion of the three sides of the stadium to make it generally regarded as the best for atmosphere in the country. Second is the great Scottish Cup win of 1998 and of course, thirdly, there is the new youth academy at Heriot-Watt."

Taken from the Scotsman