Heart of Midlothian (Scotland)

Heart of Midlothian FC is a professional football club from the Gorgie district of Edinburgh who were formed in 1874. The club. who are commonly known as Hearts, were formed by a group of friends who saw the first association game played in Edinburgh who named their new club after the prison on the Royal Mile, which had been demolished fifty seven years previously.

The team began life playing at East Meadows, with Tom Purdie the clubs first captain. After spells playing at Powburn and then Powderhall, Hearts moved across the city to Gorgie, playing at a ground where Wardlaw Street now stands. 

Five years later they moved into Tynecastle Park across Gorgie Road. Hearts became founder members of the Scottish Football League for the 1890-91 season. It was memorable for the club as 'The Jam Tarts' or 'Jambos' to give the club two of its nicknames lifted the Scottish Cup, defeating Dumbarton 1-0 at Hampden Park at the end of the campaign.

Hearts were crowned league champions in 1894-95, going on to win the Cup the following year, this time with a 3-1 win over their biggest rivals Hibernian (Hibs) at St Bernard's Logie Green home ground in Edinburgh in the only final to have been staged outside Glasgow. 

A second league title was secured in 1896-97 as well as Hearts also completing a couple more Cup victories in 1901 and 1906 as Celtic were defeated 4-3 at Ibrox and then Third Lanark were seen off at the same venue.

Tynecastle before redevelopmnet
taken from the internet

In November 1914 Hearts were comfortably leading the First Division when politician George McCrae formed the voluntary 16th Battalion the Royal Scots to fight for King and Country. Sixteen first team players plus five hundred fans enlisted. Seven players; Duncan Currie, John Allan, James Boyd, Tom Gracie, Ernest Ellis, James Speedie and Harry Wattie lost their lives.

The club went forty-eight years without a major honour, but under manager Tommy Walker success came in droves. The League Cup was lifted in 1954-55 as Motherwell were defeated 4-2. In 1955-56 Celtic were beaten 3-1 in the Scottish Cup Final as an Alfie Conn goal was added to by a brace from Ian Crawford in front of 132,840 fans at Hampden.

Hearts became champions of Scotland for a third time in 1957-58 as forwards Jimmy Wardhaugh and Jimmy Murray bagged the goals. The following season saw another League Cup triumph as Partick Thistle were hammered 5-1 before the trophy was retained with a 2-1 win against Third Lanark.

Later in the 1959-60 season Walker’s side lifted the First Division title with players such as Willie Bauld, John Cumming, Alex Young and Dave Mackay contributing to the success before several moved on to further their careers.

Hearts won another League Cup in 1962-63 as a solitary Norrie Davidson goal was enough to see off Kilmarnock, twelve months after losing the final after a replay to Rangers. In 1964-64 the Jam Tarts lost the final game of the season 2-0 against Kilmarnock to miss out on the title on goal average.

The team went into decline for several years as John Harvey took over as manager in 1966, leading the side to the 1966-67 Scottish Cup final where they went down 3-1 to Dunfermline Athletic before Bobby Seith was appointed in 1970.

Some joy was spread with the performances of Donald Ford, Jim Cruickshank and Drew Busby before John Hagart took over as manager in 1974. The Jambos were placed in the Scottish Premier League upon its introduction for the 1975-76 season with the team defeated 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

Former Scotland boss Willie Ormond took over at Tynecastle after Hearts were relegated in 1976-77, taking the team straight back up twelve months later as Division One runners-up. However, the step up proved too steep with the team being relegated after just one season.

The First Division title was secured in 1979-80 prior to the managerial reins being passed on to Bobby Moncur. His team finished bottom of the Premier Division to go straight back down before Alex MacDonald came in as manager after a short spell from Tony Ford with Wallace Mercer buying the club after the previous board resigned.

Promotion was secured as runners-up in 1982-83 prior to fifth place in the Premier Division the following season. In 1985-86 Hearts were seven minutes from being crowned league champions once more as they only needed a draw from their final game, but two Albert Kidd goals for Dundee and a heavy Celtic win at St Mirren meant heartbreak for all at Tynecastle.

Part of the revival was inspired by John Robertson on his way during the first of two spells to become the clubs all time record scorer. MacDonald was joined by Sandy Jardine from 1985-86 when Hearts lost 3-0 to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final and 1987-88, when the team ending as league runners-up, before taking sole control once again.

The team including such favourites as Henry Smith, Tosh McKinlay, Dave McPherson, Neil Berry, Craig Levein and Eamonn Bannon defeated Bayern München 1-0 in the home leg of their UEFA Cup tie before eventually going out thanks to a goal from Iain Ferguson, which can be enjoyed at a packed Tynecastle by clicking here.

Joe Jordan was appointed as manager in September 1990 as Mercer unveiled a plan to merge Hearts and Hibs to try and break the Glasgow old firm monopoly, before being blocked in his attempts by angry shareholders who refused the deal.

Hearts ended as Premier Division runners-up in 1991-92 before beating Slavia Praha in the UEFA Cup the following season with Sandy Clark taking over as manager in May 1993 with Mercer selling the club a year later and Tommy McLean took over as manager before being replaced by Jim Jefferies in August 1995.

He led the side to the final of the Scottish Cup in his first season, which ended in 5-1 defeat to Rangers before going down 4-3 to the same opponents in the League Cup final of 1996-97. However, the Jambos gained revenge in 1997-98 as goals from Colin Cameron and Stéphane Adam were enough to defeat Rangers 2-1 in the Scottish Cup final.

The team ended the 1999-00 season in third place in the Premier League before former player Craig Levein came in as manager. His side ended third in the league in 2002-03 and 2003-04 before he was replaced by former playing legend John Robertson.

At the same time the club CEO of the time Chris Robinson announced that Tynecastle was not fit for purpose and that the ground needed to be sold to pay off the clubs debts, while Hearts would move into Murrayfield, despite the Tynecastle having being redeveloped ten years previously.

The move was blocked helped by a campaign called Save Our Hearts. In August of the same year the Russian-Lithuanian multi-millionaire Vladimir Romanov entered into talks into buying the club.

Romanov made himself immediately popular by stating that the club could become viable by remaining at Tynecastle. He bought up shares from Robinson and other major shareholders, although his manner of controlling the debts caused concern as they were moved from their previous banks into institutions owned by Romanov.

George Burley was the first manager of the new era and his side won their first eight games before Romanov shocked the football world by sacking him! Graham Rix would be the first of many short-term appointments before he was replaced by Valdas Ivanauskas.

Hearts won the 2005-06 Scottish Cup after defeating Gretna on penalties with Steven Pressley captaining the side. Romanov sacked a respected CEO, which led to an advisor resigning. He replaced them both with his son Roman Romanov. several players came in on loan from FBK Kaunas of Lithuania who Romanov also owned.

Anatoliy Korobochka came in as manager in July 2007 with Andrius Velicka putting away the goals before Stephen Frail took charge of the team from January 2008 prior to Csaba László arriving in July 2008, leading his side to third place before being replaced by Jefferies for a second spell in January 2010.

Financial problems continued to blight the club despite regular appearances in European competition. Hearts finished third in the league in 2010-11 but by the following November the club was put up for sale as the players wages weren't paid. Eventually after several threats the players under manager Paulo Sérgio received their remunerations.

The setbacks failed to dampen the spirit of the squad who went on to win the Scottish Cup in 2011-12 with a 5-1 thumping of bitter rivals Hibs at Hampden Park with goals from Darren Barr, Danny Grainger, Ryan McGowan and two goals from consistent fans favourite Rudi Skácel.

Sérgio rejected a new contract so former coach John McGlynn was recruited from Raith Rovers with a strict budget and orders to bring through the youth players. Again, the club were hit with transfer sanctions for the first part of the 2012-13 season.

In November 2012 Hearts were issued with a winding up order by the Court of Session in Edinburgh for failing to pay an outstanding tax bill. It was agreed to pay the bill in two instalments as a new share issue was launched.

The team reached the League Cup final in 2012-13 when Hearts went down 3-2 to St Mirren shortly after Gary Locke had taken over as manager, before fans were asked to help save the club as it announced that it would look towards supporter ownership in 2013.

The clubs’ future was in real doubt throughout the summer of 2013 as they entered administration and were deducted fifteen points going into the 2013-14 season. All players were put up for sale as a buyer was desperately sought.

‘The Foundation of Hearts’ supporters group arranged a CVA deal with the club creditors, while the point deduction proved too much to overcome as Hearts were relegated. In May 2014 Bidco 1874 fronted by Ann Budge took control of the club with the intention of stabilising finances before handing Hearts over to Foundation of Hearts.

Hearts appointed former full back Robbie Neilson as manager in May 2014 before exiting administration a month later. The team won the Championship, including Rangers and Hibernian by nineteen points as Género Zeefuik, James Keatings and Jamie Walker all scored regularly.

Alim Öztürk captained the side to third place in 2015-16 with Juanma ending as top scorer. Neilson departed to MK Dons in December 2016 to be replaced by Ian Cathro before Levein returned for a second spell at the helm in August 2017 with Stephen Naismith’s experience proving valuable in midfield.

Tynecastle was modernised further when the old Main Stand was demolished in 2017 and replaced with a new structure. Hearts finished in sixth in 2018-19 before a shocking start to the 2019-20 campaign saw Levein replaced by Daniel Stendel. The team were bottom of the table when the outbreak of Coronavirus halted proceedings. 

Clubs voted to end the season with placings standing at the time including promotion and relegation. Hearts were demoted and threatened legal action against the SPFL before Neilson was coaxed away from Dundee United to take up the managers seat.

Heart of Midlothian FC will play in the Scottish Championship in the 2020-21 season.

My visits

Tuesday 29th January 2013

As I was only a mile or so away from Tynecastle after visiting several clubs and their grounds around Edinburgh I decided that it would be a good idea to go to the ground and to purchase tickets for Dad and I for the match the following evening.

I jumped off the bus and went behind the Main Stand, where I saw a gate open with steps leading up to a stand. I went inside and took some photos while taking in the surroundings as a group of youngsters were by the players tunnel as they were given a tour.

I was in The Gorgie Stand, which was a single tier of seats, divided by a middle walkway. Before its erection there was an open terracing with tenements forming a familiar backdrop behind. At the far end stood The Roseburn Stand, which was virtually the same as the one I stood in, as was The Wheatfield Stand down the left hand touchline. 

The stands roofs joined in the corners, where the floodlights were positioned, with screen ends enclosing the arena. The final side was taken up by the Archibald Leitch designed Main Stand. This had seating placed on the old terrace paddock and seating behind the dividing wall. It was much smaller than the newer additions, but it added a touch of tradition to proceedings.

After taking a few photos I returned to the ticket office and megastore, where I paid £24 for myself and £18 for Dad for the next days game. Satisfied with my work I jumped on a bus to Haymarket, where I was to catch a train to Linlithgow to tick off another couple of non league venues.

Heart of Midlothian 1 Dundee 0 (Wednesday 30th January 2013) Scottish Premier League (att: 11.284)

Not for the first time, Dad and I had done a marathon walk in a city. This time we just about covered both Edinburgh's old and new towns as well as a walk through Leith to Ocean Terminal before going back to our hotel for a much needed rest before the evenings entertainment. 

Amazingly a short nap had revived us as we walked to the Standing Order on George Street for some food. We felt good and we were a little early so we decided to walk down to Tynecastle.

Of course the spare time needed filling, so on a recommendation we walked up Henderson Terrace and entered The Athletic Arms, which is probably better known as The Diggers as it's over the road from Dalry Cemetery. 

It proved to be a good selection as the immaculately attired barstaff looked after the growing crowd in a splendid pub serving fine ales and good value snacks. Much of the walls was filled with Hearts memorabilia including a fine gallery of former heroes in the small room off the main bar. 

We headed back down the hill and went into the Tynecastle Arms for a half and a wee dram. The pub didn't hit the same standards in some respects, but was still a good pre match choice.

At just gone 7.30 we went into the ground next door to the pub and climbed the steep steps up The Gorgie Stand. After I'd picked seats in the wrong block we soon found our correct positions. The view was astonishing. Neither of us had ever been in such a steep stand. We were on the back row, yet we looked down on the goal. 

We quickly realised why Dundee were adrift at the bottom of the table. They were not very good and looked more than happy to leave town with a point as they continually got behind the ball and only occasionally crossed the half way line. Hearts played some nice stuff, but they were not deliberate enough. Many a time they had a shooting opportunity and to swing in a cross, yet they often looked for one or two passes too many.

Hearts had a couple of loan signings from Liverpool after their transfer embargo had been lifted; Michael Ngoo and Danny Wilson. We only realised this on later reading the programme and then had a good laugh as Mr Ngoo while very capable of holding the ball up and bringing others into play, also looked incapable of shooting except in the exact direction he was facing. 

He had a couple of attempts and somehow hit the bar with one effort. At half time we went downstairs onto the adequate concourse to stretch and get the blood flowing as well as catching up with the half time scores. 

I decided to have a pie and a Bovril, but gave up after ten minutes of standing in the slowest queue I'd found all season, while the other lanes sped by. I hoped the bonnie wee lass behind the counter could find something not requiring much energy in later life. The second half continued in the same vein as the first. 

Hearts had all the ball, but couldn't find a way through despite Jamie Walker's trickery. The visiting bar was rattled with a long range shot, but with time running out we thought we'd drawn a blank. With six minutes remaining the home boss John McGlynn decided to introduce the experienced John Sutton up front and wide man Arvydas Novikovas. 

The decisions paid off almost immediately as the Lithuanian held his position rather than chasing the ball like so many others on parade and was fed down the left. He produced a fine cross to the back post, where Sutton launched himself to head past Rab Douglas in the Dundee net.

Douglas pulled off a wonder save in stoppage time as Hearts looked like scoring at will. Sutton won more in the air in his brief cameo than Ngoo had done all night. The locals were naturally delighted at full time. They'd been through some hard times but they still cheered their side on. 

We waited to get out and then got a good walk going again, finding ourselves back in the pub a couple of miles away at around 10.15. It had been a good experience in a wonderful football ground, which although modern had remained in the heart of its traditional community, rather than than the club decamping to a soulless out of town development.

To round off a top day my goals galore bet came in thanks to the shambolic Chelsea defence at Reading!