Hearts administration: BDO urged to consider fans

Hearts were forced into administration earlier this month, with administrators BDO urging supporters to buy season tickets in a bid to aid the stricken Edinburgh outfit’s cause.

Fans raised more than £1 million in a share issue last year to stave off a previous threat. Pars supporters also rallied to keep their club alive after owner Gavin Masterton called in administrators in March with the club £8million in debt.

Paul Goodwin, head of Supporters Direct Scotland, said: “Hearts and Dunfermline fans have already made massive financial contributions to saving their clubs yet, at the moment, when it comes to any final deal to bring these clubs out of administration, they will be ignored.

“As it stands, another bidder could come into either or both clubs without having contributed a penny to saving them and in turn have an immediate competitive advantage given the amount of money that both sets of fans have already spent.

“We believe it is essential that in any final deal for either of these clubs BDO, the administrator for both clubs, account for these vital financial and emotional contributions by both sets of fans when assessing prospective bids.”

Pars to split gate receipts

Dunfermline have announced a 50/50 split of gate receipts from next month’s friendly against Hearts at East End Park as both clubs attempt to stave off financial meltdown. The Pars host the capital club on 13 July and the Fifers are hopeful the offer will entice a Hearts fans to make the trip over the bridge.

Hearts manager Gary Locke said: “Both clubs are struggling financially and this is a great opportunity to raise some important funds to help make sure we both survive.”

Dunfermline, who entered administration with £8 million debts, have enough working capital to survive until July, at which point one of the two bidders for the club will be asked to make an offer to creditors to take over the club. That meeting is scheduled for 12 July, although the date is subject to confirmation, with a Company Voluntary Arrangement needed to see the club exit administration.

It means the Pars’ fate is likely to be known by the time they take to the field to face Hearts.

Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies said: “Times are tough in Scottish football at the moment but we need the fans more than ever to come out and support us.”