Heavy Hearts, light wallets

Matt Ward
Yesterday afternoon's press releases indicating that the Heart of Midlothian owners had finally accepted that the money had indeed run dry came as no surprise to anyone. Nonetheless, the news was still a sore one to take for everyone connected with the football club. These types of news headlines and rumours have been brushed under the carpet for many years, but the writing has sadly been on the Tynecastle Stadium wall ever since it was reported that the players and staff's wages were more frequently being received late.

I'm not a financial specialist and don't claim to have all the answers, but whatever the post mortem results produce regarding the full extent of the dire mess that the club is in, Hearts fans have shown in the past, and will no doubt show it again through fundraising events, donations, ticket sales and other projects, that they will rally round and fight tooth and nail to keep their club alive. This is a fantastic thing to witness and not all clubs are fortunate enough to have such caring and passionate fans.

However, I would like to remind some fans that not every supporter of the club has spare money lying around unaccounted for which they can just hand over to the club or any other organisations, at the drop of a hat. The majority of us have monthly repayments such as mortgages, credit cards, student loans, nursery/school fees and car loans to name a few and times are tough. So its been disappointing to read on social media sites some fans trying to, in my opinion, pressure other fans into parting with their hard earned money.



I appreciate that when the headlines came out about the state of things down Gorgie Road, tensions were high and some fans were quick to voice their opinions about the best way forward. This is because people care and are extremely passionate about the club and that is understandable, but I feel this could be channelled differently. If someone can't purchase a season ticket on instant demand, or pledge money to the Foundation of Hearts at this current juncture, for whatever reason, does that make them any less of a fan? Of course it doesn't.

Many fans, including myself, have ploughed savings and wages into the club and supported the team home and away for years on end. I appreciate that the club needs our help right now, but some fans just physically can't give anymore at present and shouldn't be made to feel guilty for that. I think that its imperative that the fans stick together during this, the most difficult time in the clubs history, and work together in anyway they can in helping the club in its hour of need.

Finally, with administration now appearing to be the next turn on this rollercoaster ride of being a Jambo, please spare a thought for the staff at Tynecastle who have done nothing wrong, juggled plates for months, don't earn footballer salaries, but are now unfortunately staring down the barrel. Here's hoping for a speedy outcome so that we can all help in rebuilding Hearts and moving the club forward in a more healthier state, whatever division we find ourselves in.

http://www.theawayend.net/