News
Chairman's Update
We caught up with Chairman, Gerry Mallon, to chat through all things Foundation of Hearts and provide an update on several subjects. Here is his interview in full. Obviously a lot has happened since we last caught up and it's only right that we touch on the end of last season. Just how disappointed were you with the way the season ended? Yeah, I mean I still find it difficult to talk about the end of last season in any coherent way without getting either emotional or angry in some ways. Look, it was a very painful experience for all of us; for fans, for players, for the officials in the club, everybody concerned. I think it was a very disappointing way in which the season came to its conclusion. I think all of us felt that we were let down by lots of people within the game. I have to be careful in terms of the words that I use or I'll find myself and the club in trouble but I think the way in which it was concluded was very poor. I think there was a missed opportunity for Scottish football. I think the brand of Scottish football took a real knock at a time when, actually, outside observers had been watching it with real interest, where its reputation was on a high. I spend a lot of my working week down south, so I've talked about it before, lots of people engaged with me around Scottish football and were so excited by it. I think the things that we saw, not specifically just on the final day of the season but in the last few weeks, caused real reputational damage to the game and I think that's a shame. I think the brand has been damaged and I think we're all left the worse for it. Do you think, is there a feeling that the Foundation could potentially have communicated more regularly with members during that period of time? Yeah, look, people were very keen to be better informed. From the Foundation perspective, our view was, I think rightly, the club has to take the lead on these things. I think the club itself, probably with the benefit of hindsight, says that we would do things differently if we could, if we had the time over again, from a communication perspective. Because I could see what was going on behind the scenes, I know that people in the club were working incredibly hard to make sure that our position was represented as strongly as it could be in every possible way. Again, I think there was probably very little more that could have been done behind the scenes, but probably from a communication perspective, it could have been handled quite a bit better. I think there were a lot of very unusual circumstances. The whole thing was an unusual situation. There was quite a lot of change at the club as well, which was not helpful. But I don't think we could have achieved a better outcome, but we certainly could have achieved a better way of keeping the fans engaged. We obviously have another Foundation Day to look forward to, this time as Rangers visit Tynecastle on Wednesday 28th of October. Just how important is Foundation Day to the Foundation of Hearts? I think a season conclusion like we've just had, causes us all to take a step back and think about our identity and who we are as a club. It's quite clear to me, this club is something really special. I think it becomes even more clear when you look at the clubs around you. We're not a club where the supporters let their club die. We're not a club where the supporters have a sense of entitlement and are aggravated about every perceived slight. We're a club that has stood by our heritage, where we've had a generation of supporters who put their hands in their pockets and saved the club, who put the club before themselves, who supported each other and made sure that we are here watching a fantastic team week in and week out. I think that identity becomes even more important when you see the circumstances like what we've just been through. Nobody's going to give us any help. We have to do this all for ourselves and there's plenty of people that actually want to keep us down. That reinforces to me the importance of the Foundation and the importance of the spirit that we have as a group to stick together and to continue to support and build this club. The Foundation Day is really an opportunity for us to come together, to acknowledge the efforts of my predecessors, the people who are the founders of this, to acknowledge the generation of fans who first contributed, to acknowledge the thousands of fans who have come to join since then. To be quite frank, to put the Foundation back in the spotlight and to reinforce to everybody the importance of the Foundation as a core part of our heritage and as a core part of our club community and to allow us to think again about the future and the importance of us sticking together. What opportunities does Foundation Day present then for the Foundation of Hearts in general? The club is the possession of all of our supporters but the Foundation plays a really unique role within that because it's a band of supporters. I'd like it to be every Hearts supporter, if they've got the means to do it, to be able to contribute and to become a member. Ultimately, I think the future for the Foundation, because I'd like to see the club so economically successful through sporting and commercial activities, that actually the financial contribution of the Foundation becomes almost irrelevant in the scheme of what we're earning through the commercial and football activities. But the Foundation is going to be there for the long term as the responsible custodian to make sure that we steer this club really well for the future. We will attract additional investment over the years from outside. We will continue to make lots more money but the Foundation is the glue. It's the fan ownership which will continue to keep this club run for future generations and Foundation Day is about putting that back on the map. It's about acknowledging the fact that we're nearing the £21 million mark for the contributions which supporters have made, which is just absolutely phenomenal and it's about acknowledging who we are and what this really special group of supporters has done over the course of the last couple of decades. We'll move on now from Foundation Day and touch upon the Foundation's partnership with Big Hearts, which I know is something you're very proud of. What has been achieved through this partnership? Look, I referred to the spirit of us as a club and what makes us really special and one of the things that makes us really special is that we appreciate the community that we're in. We don't ignore it, we don't leave it behind and Big Hearts is the club's way of contributing to that community and the Foundation as a core part of the club has been really keen to make sure that we support Big Hearts in whatever way that we can. I think we did do some fundraisers in the past that tried to bring money into the Foundation. Actually, we concluded as a Foundation board we're much better at making sure that we contribute more broadly and include Big Hearts in that. So, at our events we've been doing raffles which have contributed and most recently there was an FOH team that participated in the Kiltwalk on behalf of Big Hearts raised £8,000. So, I think we'll see that on an ongoing basis the club, the FOH and Big Hearts are really three parts of the same entity. They all symbolise the fact that we're together as Hearts supporters and our culture is about supporting each other. We launched the Junior Owners programme last season and have had well over 1,000 sign-ups so far. We also recently held an event for Junior Owners at the stadium. Can you tell us about everything that's been happening in that sort of space? So, the Junior Owners initiative has been a great success. The thinking about it is that we want to make sure that, again, as responsible custodians of the club, long after the time that all of us are gone, we want to make sure that we've got the next generation and the successor generation beyond that to be involved to make sure that they understand what Hearts is all about and understand what it means to be a fan-owned club, and understands the heritage and the importance of sticking by your club. So, we've been delighted that so many Foundation members have had their kids, their grandkids, whatever, all signed up. It's the first step and I think we need more. I think I'd like to fill in the gaps between the very youngest and actually most of our support who are older at the minute. I think there's a generation of fans that we also don't want to miss out on and would like to encourage to join the Foundation. We had a really busy Junior Members Day a couple of weeks ago here at the stadium. I think it was the first time we'd done anything like that. I think it was slightly overwhelming from a numbers perspective. I think we've got big learnings in relation to how we can run that event better next time and make it more smooth. I think quite a few people have expressed to us that some of the logistics made it not a brilliant experience for them. I want to apologise for that completely. It was never our intention and I think there are a few things that weren't anticipated on the day and that we will learn and make sure that we don't make the same mistake again next year. Overwhelmingly, the feedback that I've got was that it was a real success and people were delighted with the ability for these Junior Owners to meet their heroes. The team were incredibly generous and Wuter was incredibly generous in terms of giving over their time. It's an initiative that I really want us to make sure that we repeat. Maybe do it with a few less teething issues next time. Finally, we turn to matters on the field. What have you made of the season so far? It's clearly been a transition season. There are massive learning curves for management, for players, for all of us all over the place. Despite some tough results in some big games, my impression is overwhelmingly positive. I think we've got some incredible talent on the pitch. I actually think that we've got a better team, player for player, than we did last season and I think we're only going to progress again from there. I think we've seen examples elsewhere that some of these players signed under a Jamestown approach take a little bit of time to bed in but then really kick on and really take off. And I'm absolutely certain that we're going to continue to see that trend being repeated here. I think we'll see the team continue to improve as the season progresses. And the women's team as well have had a really good start to the season. Competing in Europe I think has been an incredible experience for them. Actually, I should say I feel a bit sorry for the women's team and the people in the coaching staff as well. They were champions last year and I think all of that got slightly overshadowed in the debacle that was the conclusion to the men's SPFL last season. I think they did sensationally well and we probably didn't do enough as a fan base and as a club to really acknowledge that. I think we've seen as a consequence a lot of them go on to even bigger and better things. Eva managing Man United now is an incredible thing to see. So congratulations to that team and I have no doubt that the successors now in the women's team will go on to great things as well.
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Annual General Meeting 2026
Annual General MeetingThe AGM of Foundation of Hearts will take place on Thursday 3 December 2026 at 6.00pm. The meeting will be held at Tynecastle and the formal notice will be sent to you at least 14 days in advance. Election of directorsThe election of directors this year will involve two places on the board, as two of our directors retire by rotation. If you would like to be a candidate for election to fill one of the vacancies, you will find below a nomination form and an explanatory memorandum on the election process. Generally, any pledging member of the Foundation aged 16 or older at the date of the AGM may stand as a candidate. In relation to both of this year’s vacancies, however, specialist expertise and experience is required – in one case in financial matters and in the other case in legal matters. The eligibility criteria have been adjusted to reflect this, and full details are given in the documentation.The key dates in the election timetable are also given in the documentation. If a ballot of members is required on either of the vacancies, a secure online poll will be conducted. Call for Nominations - PDF Call for Nominations - WORD Nomination Form - PDF Nomination Form - WORD If you have any questions on the election, please email info@foundationofhearts.org
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Foundation of Hearts Day 2026
Hearts ThenHearts NowHearts Forever We are delighted to announce Foundation of Hearts Day will take place on Wednesday 28th October during our fixture against Rangers. We are coming together to celebrate our 152-year history; remembering the triumphs and the tribulations which have led us to where we are today. As a fanbase, we have seen it all. Success, trophy wins and countless icons to wear the maroon jersey. That same fanbase stood up when we needed it most, ensuring that Hearts survived back in 2014. What we are seeing now is a club on the up, taking disruption to Scottish football and fighting on both domestic and European fronts to bring more success to this famous football club. The Foundation was created to save the club. It exists now to safeguard the future, and the future looks even brighter than ever. In the build-up to Foundation of Hearts Day, we will be hearing from key figures from our past, present and future and celebrating how far we’ve come since taking control of Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Without the fans, we may not be here today. Without the fans, we may not have an exciting future to look forward to. Keep your eyes peeled for more in the next couple of weeks, and we look forward to seeing and hearing you on what will be a huge night for the fans in the stands, as well as the players on the park.
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90 Minutes with Wouter Vrancken
For the first time this season join us for an exclusive evening with Heart of Midlothian Head Coach, Wouter Vrancken It's a unique opportunity to hear from our new Head Coach as he shares his thoughts on the season ahead, his football philosophy, and answers questions from Foundation of Hearts members. Tickets are available from 2000 on Wednesday the 8th of July. Places are limited, so book early to avoid missing out. Please note this event is for current Foundation of Hearts pledgers only, tickets and names will be checked on arrival. Event Details Date: Monday 13th July Venue: Tynecastle Park, Gorgie Suite 1700: 1874 Fans Bar opens 1830: Doors to the Gorgie Suite open 1900pm: Event begins Buy your tickets here!
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Statement from the Foundation of Hearts
All of us at the Foundation of Hearts congratulate our magnificent team and manager, Derek McInnes, on their outstanding achievements in this momentous season, and urge all Heart of Midlothian supporters to get right behind them for Saturday’s final game of the campaign. We have, however, been extremely concerned by a number of refereeing and VAR decisions across the last two rounds of fixtures, which have had a significant impact on outcomes for Hearts and others. That this has occurred at such a crucial stage of the season is particularly disappointing. We understand that the club shares these concerns and has made representations to the football authorities seeking clarification on recent decisions. At a time when Scottish football is subject to heightened scrutiny, both nationally and internationally, it is important that confidence in officiating standards is maintained. We therefore call on those responsible for the officiating of Saturday’s match to ensure that the highest standards of decision-making are applied, so that the game is decided by the players on the pitch and the team is given the fair opportunity it has earned. Gerry Mallon Chairman, Foundation of Hearts
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FOUNDATION OF HEARTS UNVEILS NEW IDENTITY FOR NEW TIMES
With the Foundation’s clear focus on strengthening communications with supporters while also conveying where the organisation now stands in these dynamic times, we are at this year’s Foundation Day (21 March) unveiling a new, refreshed logo as part of a wider brand development. The previous logo, designed by Kenny Herbert at the very outset of the Foundation’s journey, has played a wonderful role in capturing the heart and soul of the organisation and its link to the club. Now, however, we are in new times; no longer tackling a crisis but instead looking to lay down new foundations, ensure that the club thrives, and pass our legacy on to new generations. The updated design, which will make its first appearance on the First Team's walkout jackets on Foundation Day, builds on the heritage and recognisable identity that fans have long associated with the Foundation while introducing a cleaner, more contemporary look. This evolution reflects our strategy of remaining a core element in the club community - and this in a fast-changing digital landscape where engaging supporters across all age groups is more important than ever. “At its heart,” said Foundation chair Gerry Mallon, “this isn’t simply a cosmetic change. The new logo forms one part of a broader communications strategy designed to modernise how the Foundation connects with the Hearts community. From social media and digital platforms to matchday presence and community outreach, the refreshed branding will create a more consistent and impactful voice across all channels. “For younger supporters, in particular, the move signals an effort to meet them where they are - online, visually driven, and responsive to strong, modern identities. “At the same time, the Foundation has been careful to ensure that the updated look still resonates with long-standing fans who value tradition and the club’s unique history.” By aligning its visual identity with its long-term goals, the Foundation of Hearts is positioning itself to grow its support, strengthen engagement, and continue playing a vital role in the life of the club. Of course, this new chapter is about more than a logo. It’s about ensuring that the Foundation remains a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that represents every generation of Hearts supporters. Together, thanks to the outstanding commitment of supporters of Heart of Midlothian, we are able to embrace and drive a re-shaped and very positive future. The Foundation of Hearts walkout jackets with the new identity are on sale now online and in the Hearts clubstore! Available in Adult and Junior. Click here to visit Hearts Direct.
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90 Minutes with Paulo Sergio
We are delighted to be hosting another fantastic ‘90 Minutes With’ event for Foundation of Hearts members this coming Sunday, when the legendary Paulo Sergio will be the guest. One not to be missed! Doors open at the Gorgie Suite at 2.00pm and the session starts at 3.00pm. Tickets (they’re free!) now available at: https://www.universe.com/events/90-minutes-with-paulo-sergio-tickets-RH5MC0
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Foundation of Hearts Smash Through £20m Milestone
In the pantheon of glorious achievements which football supporters worldwide have recorded on behalf of their clubs, surely very few can match the milestone reached this month by members of the Foundation of Hearts (FoH). As of March this year, these supporters have contributed a quite staggering £20 million to FoH, the majority shareholders of Heart of Midlothian. It’s a figure worth repeating. £20 million. Through the worst of times and now, actually, pretty good times, these Hearts supporters have been a constant - demonstrating their passion for Hearts by never wavering and continuing to pledge to FoH through monthly direct debits and donations. Their role within the Hearts community has become a core element of the culture of the club and one which played a significant role in attracting entrepreneur Tony Bloom to invest. Their commitment has not only laid a foundation for growth and success on and off the pitch. It has laid an outstanding legacy for future generations. To celebrate this achievement, the club and the Foundation of Hearts have designated Saturday 21 March as Foundation Day. On that day, Hearts host Dundee at Tynecastle and a full programme of activities will be rolled out, with the details of this special day to be announced over the coming days. The supporters of our club will rightly celebrate a notable achievement on that day - contributing £20 million is a quite astonishing demonstration of devotion. But crossing this line will not be matched by any drop-off in commitment. As Hearts supporters show, their pledge is for life - the life of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
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