Heartless: Fedotovas says thanks to staff in faceless email as they face redundancies

John Mcgarry

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas last night fired a final insult from the crisis-torn club — as Tynecastle staff brace themselves for a brutal round of redundancies.

On the day the Gorgie club officially entered administration and were hit with a 15-point penalty by the SPL, Fedotovas issued a vote of thanks to staff for their efforts — by email.

Seeking to draw a line under the disastrous regime of Vladimir Romanov, the decision to post the brief message on behalf of the board via the internet, rather than face a staff fearing for their jobs, was a new low in an already shameful saga.
Heartless: Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas said thanks to staff on the verge of redundancy in an email

Heartless: Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas said thanks to staff on the verge of redundancy in an email

The only link between the Edinburgh club and its Russian owners since Romanov took a back seat two years ago, Fedotovas brazenly sought to explain away the club’s demise to its 36 players and 30 support staff.

‘Our club is on the verge of a transformation that will hopefully bring new fortunes to Tynecastle,’ the email began.

‘The events in Lithuania and our income recently were not according to the most conservative plan and made it impossible to sustain the business with all means available to us.

‘At our last meeting at the end of May, we have been honestly positive regarding our future, hoping that reasonably assessed season-ticket sales will carry us forward until the start of the season, but it was not our expectation to see UBIG filing for insolvency and for this to have such a negative impact on our revenues.

‘I need to thank you for all your work and enormous efforts that helped us finish the season. I hope you will get deserved recognition and will be treated well under the new regime.
Teetering on the brink: Vladimir Romanov's side could go into liquidation

Teetering on the brink: Vladimir Romanov's side could go into liquidation

‘I would like to thank all of you for your work and dedication to this football club. All you have done will take its place in history.’

As Hearts manager Gary Locke cut short his summer holiday to return to the club, it was confirmed that administrators BDO will oversee the process.

Hearts had hoped to appoint KPMG, but the administrators of Ukio Bankas — their major creditor and part-owner — insisted upon BDO.

One chink of light came when Gintaras Adomonis of Lithuanian administrators UAB Valnetas, in charge of Ukio Bankas, reiterated his desire to sell the club as a going concern. He aims to appoint an administrator ‘dedicated’ to football.

BDO is currently in control at Dunfermline under the direction of Bryan Jackson and he will be assisted by colleagues James Stephen and Trevor Birch at Tynecastle.

‘I can confirm that we have today been appointed administrators of Hearts,’ Jackson said.
Game over? Hearts have been warned to prepare for liquidation and life as a newco

Game over? Hearts have been warned to prepare for liquidation and life as a newco

‘Fans will, inevitably, be concerned about these developments and none of them will have wanted this moment to arrive.

‘We will now undertake an urgent examination of the company’s records prior to making any further announcements.

‘We are acutely aware of the need for speed in this process, given the uncertainty of the last few weeks and the proximity of the season’s start.

‘We will be talking to all the parties that have shown interest in the club in order to find a resolution as quickly as possible.’

Hearts were earlier docked 15 points for the coming season by the SPL.

Although the SPL will become the SPFA before the new campaign gets underway, the points penalty will still stand.

‘Following Heart of Midlothian plc lodging a notice of intention to appoint an administrator with the Court of Session in Edinburgh on June 17, 2013, the SPL confirmed that a number of sporting sanctions have been applied to the club,’ a statement read.

‘As Heart of Midlothian is subject to an insolvency event, a 15-point deduction will be applied to its total points in the league championship for next season 2013/14.

‘In addition, Heart of Midlothian is subject to an embargo on registering players with the SPL whilst in administration.’

Taken from the Scotsman