Cash-strapped Hearts plead with fans not to damage Easter Road
26 Jan 2013 08:26
By Gary Ralston

JAMBOS chiefs have asked their fans to behave as well as abandon a 5-1 sticker campaign as the club will have to play for any damage to Easter Road during today's League Cup semi-final with Inverness CT.
Fans supporting John McGlynn's side have been warned to be on their best behaviour Fans supporting John McGlynn's side have been warned to be on their best behaviour
Bill Murray/SNS Group

HEARTS have pleaded with their fans not to paint the place maroon as they are too skint to pay for damage to Easter Road.

The cash-strapped Jambos have asked supporters to abandon a 5-1 sticker campaign at today’s League Cup semi-final against Inverness, to be hosted by their capital rivals.

Club bosses, who have completed the loan signing of Liverpool striker Michael Ngoo, are also fearful of graffiti and seat damage among 12,000 visiting fans as they will have to foot the bill.

Online appeals have been made by fans to print stickers and daub the score from last season’s Scottish Cup Final around the home of Hibs.

But a Hearts spokesman said: “Supporters are reminded that any damage to Easter Road will have to be paid for by the club.

“This includes placing stickers on seats or anywhere inside the ground. The club cannot emphasise enough that it is not in a position to spend money on unnecessary and avoidable repairs.

“We would encourage fans who are attending the match to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the club.”

The call has been backed by Steve Kilgour, general secretary of the federation of Hearts supporters clubs. He said: “This will not damage Hibs as Hearts will be hit with the bill to clean it up.

“Let’s hope we can celebrate a great result and that we don’t end up costing our own club money.”

Hearts have been boosted by the arrival of Ngoo, 20, and boss John McGlynn said: “Michael is in the squad for the Inverness game. He may be something they haven’t bargained for, a surprise package.”

The striker joined Liverpool from Southend in 2009 for £250,000 and has been capped for England at Under-20 level.

Taken from the Daily Record