Just read an article in 442 about the Edinburgh derby, and thought Hearts seemed like a good club. How are they on youth development? How is attendance? Will they go bust any time soon? Plus the strips are good looking.
I think they have/are getting a good youth academy. Average attendance about 13000(3rd in SPL). Could go bust if they don't get their stadium situation sorted out - their main stand is falling down and they can't afford to rebuild. They might move to Murrayfield.
Is Murrayfield the home of Hibs? The attendance is pretty strong, seems much higher than the rest of the non Old Firm.
Hibs play at Easter Road (Murrayfield is a 67,000 capacity rugby stadium). How are they on youth development? There are quite a few talented kids coming through the ranks, notably Weir, McMullan, Sloan, Janczyk, Simmons and Gordon. Hearts are currently building an academy in conjunction with the Heriot-Watt University which should hopefully see more of the same. How is attendance? 12,500 average but last 2 games against Hibs and Bordeaux have been 17,500 capacity. Games against the Old Firm usually close to sell-outs as well. Will they go bust any time soon? Have debts around £13m but started cost costing years and years ago, must notably (and depressingly) by selling star players such as Cameron, Niemi, Naysmith, McCann. Mark de Vries may also go to the Premiership soon (Charlton & Birmingham both very interested) for about £1m - but every Jambo hopes not. Hearts plan to sell current stadium in city center and relocate to outskirts or to the national rugby stadium, Murrayfield. Dundee have just gone into administration with £20m debts but were losing £100,000 a week while Hearts are much more financially stable (I hope). Try this link: http://www.geocities.com/marksdi10/jambo_honours.html
Thanks Mark. I've been searching for a Scottish club for years, and still haven't found one I really like and can follow.
The following excerpt (borrowed form the official website) may give you an insight into one of the reasons Hearts fans are proud of their club. < The First World War brought more fame to the club but not on the field of play. The entire playing staff volunteered to join the forces and, in doing so, encouraged thousands of supporters to follow suit. Seven players were killed in action, few of the survivors managed to play again after the horrors of the trenches, but their sacrifices have never been forgotten and every year a Remembrance Service is held at Haymarket where a war memorial to the club stands proudly. >
Nice site Mark. I'd like to post a picture of that away shirt on here, but I don't think Geocities lets us do that. -- Just read your last post. What an amazing story! That instills pride in a club and country. Very impressive. My buddy offered me his grandma's flat in Scotland for a week. Its about 30 minutes from Glasgow, and an hour from Edinburgh. The wife won't let us go because we just bought a new house and money's too tight to mention. I'm going to work on her some more so maybe in February I can head over.
Hearts Interim Results just announced today! Pre-Interest & Tax loss of £288,000 compared to the previous year of £1,990,000. However, debt has risen considerably to £17.6m. Hearts have said that moving to Murrayfield will wipe out most of this debt but i'm not sure how. http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/theclub/finance/index.shtml
Have a wee read of this Scotsman article too about the financial situation... http://www.sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1315172003
I agree. That's the least these BUSINESSES can do. I want to emphasize that side of it because I realize there's more to a club than just that. But if they don't get the buesiness side thing own, they won't be around to be a part of the community. Sure, fans from both clubs don't like the idea of sharing a stadium. But it would help spread the cost of the stadium over 2 clubs and double it's utilization. For scheduling conflicts or other needs, they could still make use of Murrayfield.
But the 1st and 2nd in the SPL is more than all 10 of our teams combined. Its also tough to compare when cities like Dundee have teams 50 yards apart in towns the size of Hartford, yet still both draw 6-8K a match.
How do they handle sponsorships in ground shares? Do both teams sell the sponsorships or do they hire a 3rd party to do it?
Very well done. That silver away shirt looks damn good. One of my friends just left today for Scotland, I'm hoping he can get me one of those, plus some Scottish Diadora gear.
Here's some pic's of Tynecastle.Capacity 18,008 http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts1.jpg http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts4.jpg http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts8.jpg http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts10.jpg http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts9.jpg http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts2.jpg http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/pictures/hearts7.jpg
One of the most stupid comments I've read on BS ( and that covers alot ) . When the entire population of Scotland is less than that of NYC .