FOUNDATION OF HEARTS CHAIRMAN BRIAN CORMACK’S STATEMENT ON TEAM WEARING TRIBUTE JERSEY

“In the football world, there’s a long tradition of supporters paying tribute to players by having the names of their favourites on their shirts. For the match against Partick Thistle and for the first time at Tynecastle, though, things are a little different.

“The Hearts players have supporters’ names on their shirts.

“This is a memorable day for all Foundation of Hearts pledgers and is a wonderful gesture by the players as they wear – with pride – the Foundation tribute jersey for the match. In doing so, they pay tribute to the supporters who have played such a massive role in saving the club, in providing a strong foundation which allows it to be so well managed by Ann Budge and her team, and in helping Robbie Neilson to add quality players to his squad.

“The jersey features the names of the 8000 supporters who have provided vital financial backing for the club through their pledges to the Foundation. Every one of these supporters, we believe, is a Hearts legend. They deserve the tribute they are receiving for this match because their commitment and their achievements have been unprecedented and historic. Indeed, the entire Hearts fanbase has played an extraordinary role in enabling our club to prosper and move forward, and we acknowledge everyone’s part in this achievement.

“We thank the club and the players for this tribute, and we thank the fans, without whom we would not be here today.

“And we would say to fellow Hearts supporters: we have together achieved amazing results with 8000 pledgers. With more backing, just think what else we might be able to achieve. At a time when the club is planning more amazing initiatives such as the new stand and the museum, when the team is poised to qualify for European competition (and who would have imagined that 18 months ago?), and when we have seen the restoration of proper Hearts values in our club, it’s never too late to add your support. If you can afford it, it can be for as little as £10 a month. You can find out more on our website (www.foundationofhearts.org).

“On and off the field, it makes a massive difference.

“Whatever the result against Partick Thistle, this really is a day to celebrate all that is good about the Hearts community – and a day to look forward to a great future, one which together we have made possible.”