Hearts war memorial will make return to Haymarket

The Evening News has already reported how the memorial will be put into storage later this year as part of works to transform the busy Haymarket junction.

A new temporary stone will be laid in the gardens at Coates Crescent to act as a memorial until 2011.

But it emerged over the weekend that officials had suggested keeping it away from Haymarket permanently.

City economic leader Tom Buchanan dismissed the reports as nonsense and said it would "absolutely" return to Haymarket.

The Heart of Midlothian War Memorial was built by the Gorgie club in 1922 to remember the team's footballers who had signed up to fight in the Great War.

Although this year's annual memorial service will go ahead as normal, the 86-year-old monument will have to be relocated from Haymarket junction to accommodate the tram line.

The news was today welcomed by Hearts supporters clubs.

Councillor Buchanan said: "I have not heard one voice for anything other than a return of the memorial to its home at Haymarket and as quickly as possible.

"This issue is particularly significant to Hearts fans the world over, as the clock and monument were gifted by the football club in memory of the 13 players who fought for their country and most especially the seven who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

"At the last full council meeting I put forward an emergency motion on behalf of the administration that reflected that view, but it was not heard as it was deemed not to be an emergency.

"However, it's now an emergency, and will be debated as a motion at the full council meeting in October, at which, I am sure, it will get cross-party support.

"I am sorry for the distress this must have caused."

A new position in front of a revamped Haymarket Station is still considered the most likely new site for the memorial.

However, one of the big issues for the council is finding a location which can accommodate the large crowd which gathers for the annual remembrance service.

Derek Watson, chairman of the Hearts Supporters' Trust, said: "I think this will be welcomed by all fans. Haymarket is the memorial's traditional home and it is appropriate that it returns there.

"Of course it is now not just seen as a Hearts memorial so it needs a prominent site and Haymarket is seen as a gateway to the city centre."

Hearts were the first team to enlist in the Great War when their whole side joined up. In total, 30 players served in the army, and they were followed by other Scottish teams, including Hibs.

Deputy council leader Steve Cardownie said a motion to be heard at the next full council meeting on October 16 will call for the memorial to be returned to Haymarket.

He said: "We have no intention of permanently removing the war memorial. This was only in an official's report and it is an official's recommendation that will not get the backing of politicians."