HAILED HOUNDED

WALLACE MERCER gave the impression he was larger than life. Yesterday, sadly, that proved to be a myth when the former Hearts chairman died aged just 59 after a brief fight with cancer.

Never the tallest of men, he still managed to fill any room he walked into. Some people have an aura and he was one of them.

Heads turned when Mercer talked. Mostly because he talked loudly.

And, sometimes, the words he spoke were not those many people agreed with. Didn't matter to the man, though. Debate was one of the delicacies of his life, although fine wine and food was up there with it.

So too was football and in that sphere, opinion of Wallace Mercer was polarised. Some despised him - certainly, Hibs fans never forgave him for trying to kill their club in 1990 when his vision of a one-club Edinburgh meant, in reality, Hearts surviving and Hibs going to the wall.

Some, like Hibs-daft actor Dougray Scott, still speak about the move which was finally quelled after a huge Hands Off Hibs campaign backed by Hearts players of the time such as John Robertson.

Scott recently said: "That was unbelievable. The guy does not understand football. He doesn't understand life. How could he think that would have been acceptable?

"Take away Hibs or Hearts and Edinburgh loses its heartbeat. Take away that and it would become a ghost city. Wallace Mercer should never be allowed near football again."

But if Mercer is remembered for almost killing Hibs, he should be revered for saving Hearts nine years earlier.

The property magnate was persuaded by former Tynecastle hero Donald Ford to pour £350,000 into the ailing club, which was struggling near the foot of the First Division.

He did so and found he loved football chairmanship. He made it his avowed aim to challenge the Old Firm and within five years, with Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine at the managerial helm, they came within a whisker of winning the Premier League.

That final-day defeat at Dundee that handed Celtic the title haunted Mercer as much as it did any Hearts fans and the fact the club still had not won a trophy when he sold it to Leslie Deans and Chris Robinson for £1m in 1994 rankled with him until the end.

But Mercer left behind a club in far better shape than the one he inherited and the people he dealt with knew it. Last night they lined up to pay tribute.

Robertson, the striking star who went on to become manager of the club, admits he had a love-hate relationship with Mercer. But there was far more of the former than the latter.

He said: "I had a great relationship with him and when you look at where Hearts are today with a fantastic set-up, it should be remembered that when Wallace came, the club was at its lowest.

"There was no money and there were rumours Tynecastle was being turned into a car park. He brought us through and he was a fantastic manipulator of the media. He did it for the betterment of Hearts and he had great pride in his club, his players and his family.

"He made a huge impact. He got a lot of financial institutions involved in Hearts and made people feel good about the club again.

"When he got us out of the First Division, Hearts never looked back. He came in for criticism at times but he was the main reason Hearts are what they are today.

"I spoke against his plans for Hibs but he didn't hold that against me. He was big enough to brush that aside and move on."

Robertson admitted feeling huge sadness at the death of his former chairman and added: "I met him a couple of times recently and he wasn't looking his normal self. He was gaunt and had lost weight but you know Wallace - he was still bullish and a man full of pride. My thoughts today are with the family."

That was a view echoed by Jardine, who was brought to Tynecastle as player- assistant manager after a glorious career at Ibrox.

He said: "Wallace has a huge part in Hearts' history. He was the main man and a real character. He was a Godsend for newspapers and he was great for Hearts and Scottish football.

"It's a sad day and my thoughts are with all the good times we had but also with his family.

"He actually hired me and fired me but I met him many times after I left the club and we always got on well. There were never any grudges - he always did what he thought was right for his club.

"We didn't win anything but we gave the club back its credibility under him."

Former Hearts owner Deans admitted he was saddened to hear of Mercer's death. The takeover of the club by himself and Robinson was acrimonious but the passing years helped heal the rift and Deans and Mercer became friends.

Deans said: "Wallace deserves his place in the pantheon of Hearts legend. People should not forget the sad state Hearts were in before he took over.

"The Hearts he left was in infinitely better shape than the one he inherited.

"He was never anything but courteous to me even when our two companies went to court over a substantial amount of money at one stage and as time went on we became friends.

"We would speak to each other at matches and at functions and he will be sorely missed by everyone in the game."

Hearts chairman Roman Romanov said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to Wallace's family. I had the pleasure of his company on a number of occasions and found him to be a true gentlemen.

"He will always be in the hearts and minds of all directors, players and fans. He worked tirelessly to make this a great club. He will always remain part of Hearts' family."

Former chairman George Foulkes said: "Wallace was literally a living legend. He was by far the most charismatic chairman of Hearts.

"In my time as chairman, he gave me advice which was of great help.

"He was also one of Scotland's great business successes.

"In private, he was one of the kindest, most generous people and gregarious company. He will be missed by all his family and friends."

Mercer is survived by his wife Anne and children Iain and Helen. And by the club he saved that will never forget him.

Taken from the Daily Record