Hearts fans’ talks for unified bid to continue

THE Hearts supporters’ groups who met on Tuesday night to discuss a possible unified bid for the club have agreed to continue their talks.

There is an acceptance that a united offer for Ubig’s controlling stake is desirable, but there is still some way to go before unanimity can be reached on the preferred business model.

Seven Hearts fans’ organisations were represented at the meeting: the Federation of Hearts Supporters’ Clubs, Foundation of Hearts (FOH), the Shareholders Association, the Supporters’ Trust, the Youth Development Committee, Save our Hearts, and the 1874 Fighting Fund. The meeting was also attended by Paul Goodwin, the head of Supporters Direct Scotland, the umbrella organisation for the Supporters’ Trust movement.

A statement from a spokesperson for the meeting said: “Last night (26 March 2013) a productive meeting was held at Tynecastle. The group will continue to engage in a constructive manner with further meetings planned. The group is committed to a unilateral proposal which engages all supporters in the future ownership and governance of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.”

The basic division among the groups is between the Community Investment Club (CIC) model proposed by Goodwin, and FOH’s preference to run the club in future as a company limited by guarantee. After rejecting an initial offer for the club from FOH for around £450,000, Hearts’ current board of directors opened talks with Goodwin several months ago. They currently back the CIC scheme, while FOH remain convinced that, after more than two years of work, their plan is a more viable way of running the football club.