Hearts fans cry foul play after losing out on Cup Final seats

ANGRY Hearts fans today hit out at the club's decision only to sell gold-dust Scottish Cup Final briefs to season ticket holders.

The high-flying SPL runners-up face Second Division champions Gretna in next Saturday's showpiece season finale.

But Tynecastle chiefs decided not to have a public sale for the Hampden showdown, instead choosing to allow their 12,500 season ticket holders to purchase three tickets each.

The club has now sold its allocation of 32,000 tickets for the club's first final in eight years, filling well over half of the national stadium. Many of the Jambos to have missed out are thought to have instead bought tickets from Gretna's ticket office.

Gwen Smith, 43, from West Pilton, has been desperately trying to buy tickets for her family.

She said: "I am disabled and on social security and my husband Raymond is my full-time carer - we just can't afford season tickets. Raymond and my son Calum, who is 15, still go to a lot of the games as and when we can afford it. They've not missed many this season actually.

"I think it's terrible that we can't get tickets. You live in the city all your life and this is how you are rewarded. It just is not fair."

Her views were echoed by brother George Wilson, 49.

The caterer, who stays in Craigleith Hill Avenue, said: "I agree season ticket holders should get a ticket first, but three seems a bit much. There should have been a public sale."

Craigentinny student Liam Kelly is returning from Malta, where he is spending a year working as part of his Napier University course, especially for the game. A season ticket holder for several previous seasons, it now looks unlikely he will be able to land a ticket for the big match.

His mum Miriam said: "It was not practical for him to get one this year because he was in Malta. He also came back for the semi-final and we were able to get a ticket but this is very disappointing

."

Hearts spokesman David Sutherland defended the club's decision and revealed Hearts was set to unveil a season ticket waiting list for the first time.

He said: "We felt we should reward the loyalty of fans who invested in the club by buying a season ticket. Even before a ball was kicked, those fans put their faith in what was a relatively new team.

"Demand is now phenomenal and on Tuesday we will be launching the season ticket renewal process. Because we think we will get a high uptake of renewals we are launching a new priority waiting list for fans without a season ticket."

sjcooper@edinburghnews.com
Should Hearts have allocated three tickets per season ticket holder?

Willie Duncan, 23, shop assistant, Mayfield: "I think what they should have done was allocate two per season ticket holder and three to those who paid extra for the cup top-up vouchers."

James Hewlett, 26, writer, Marchmont: "As season ticket holders go every week it is fair to give them priority although I do have sympathy for others."

Sarah Thomson, 30, civil servant, city centre: "I think they made the right decision although it's a bit frustrating for people like myself who don't have one."

Alex Jones, 56, revenue officer, Loanhead: "Yes. I'm a season ticket holder and shareholder and I have purchased three."

Ken Robertson, 69, retired postman, Clermiston: "No, I think there should have been a public sale. This means season ticket holders could try to flog their tickets if they wanted."

Taken from the Scotsman