Jambos are seven days from death

By ROBERT MARTIN

CRISIS-HIT Hearts could be dead in a week.

The club warned yesterday that next week’s home game with St Mirren could be the last in their 138-year history unless their fans cough up the cash to keep them going. The Jambos have been given seven days by HMRC to pay a huge tax bill.

If they fail to stump up the £450,000 owed in PAYE and National Insurance contributions, they face liquidation next Thursday.

Even if they manage to find the cash the club’s future remains in doubt.

Funds have now run out at Tynecastle following owner Vladimir Romanov’s decision to end his day-to-day backing of the club.

Hearts have failed to pay their players on time for the past two months.

A statement from the club insisted: “This isn’t a bluff. This isn’t scaremongering. It is reality.”

Hearts have called on every supporter to invest an immediate £110 to buy shares in the club.

They have also asked followers to buy advance tickets for the next three home matches with Saints, Aberdeen and Celtic and sell out the stadium.

The statement warned: “This is not so much a request as a necessity.

“Without the support of fans there is, as we issue this note, a real risk that Heart of Midlothian Football Club could possibly play its last game next Saturday, November 17, against St Mirren.”

Yesterday’s HMRC demand is not related to the £1.75million bill the Jambos are already contesting with the First Tier Tax tribunal regarding players being loaned to the club by FBK Kaunas.

The Jambos have found themselves in similar situations in the past with the club paying off three similar tax bills to avert winding-up orders at the turn of the year.

But this time the club has already admitted it has few funds readily available to meet the latest HMRC demand.

The club admitted it can no longer rely on Romanov to pick up the tab.

SunSport understands the Hearts owner has no plans to travel here.

Right-hand man Sergejus Fedotovas insisted crisis talks remain ongoing with parent company UBIG, of which Romanov is majority shareholder.

He said: “There is not much more I can add to the statement but the future of the club is in the hands of the supporters.”

Hearts’ Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Hibs on Sunday, December 2, is live on Sky Sports.

The BBC will screen the Highland derby between Ross County and Inverness the previous day, at 12.15.