Hearts fans consider takeover blueprint to take club out of Romanov's control

SUPPORTERS groups must now convince members to back A collective takeover bid for club.

HEARTS fans are considering a blueprint that could help them take control of the club out of Vladimir Romanov’s hands.

Official supporters’ groups were invited to a meeting last week where plans for a buyout of Romanov’s majority shareholding were put to them by Supporters Direct Scotland.

Those involved included the Foundation of Hearts, Hearts Shareholders Association, Hearts Supporters Trust, Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs, Hearts Youth Development Committee and Fans Forum.

These groups will now take the proposals back to their members before informing SDS chief Paul Goodwin – a broker in talks between the club and fans – whether they are keen to proceed.

If fans back the idea a collective takeover will be launched.

But they will have to convince Romanov – who has previously turned down a £4.5million bid from an Italian consortium and a £450,000 offer from Foundation of Hearts – to sell his shareholding.

Although Foundation of Hearts have been involved in the talks with SDS they are also continuing with their own takeover plans.

FOH chairman Alex Mackie, whose previous offer of £450,000 matched the figure of a HMRC winding-up order in November, said: “We’re in constructive dialogue with Hearts. We’re working on our corporate governance arrangements regarding a fan-led takeover.

“We are seeking another meeting with SDS so we can all get round the table and act as one voice.”

It remains to be seen if Romanov will be influenced by his financial problems in Lithuania.

His bank, Ukio Bankas, has been declared insolvent and Romanov claims his £250million fortune is lost.

Taken from the Daily Record