Hearts weigh up options as fans back ground move

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas says there is no timeline over the possibility of moving to a new stadium after supporters indicated that they are willing to leave Tynecastle.

The club yesterday published the results of a mass consultation with fans that was launched in May, which showed that 76 per cent of the 8,376 who responded to the survey said they would accept moving a new arena that was within five miles of the current ground, where Hearts have been based for 125 years.

After encountering obstacles with Edinburgh council over planning permission for an ambitious £51 million stadium redevelopment and a subsequent scaled back proposal for a new main stand, Hearts officials believe a new ground is the best option for the club.

Owner Vladimir Romanov now effectively has the approval of the Hearts faithful to actively seek a location for a custom-built stadium but Fedotovas says no date has yet been set for a move.

He said: “At this stage we need to evaluate the situation we’re in and see what options are available to us. We have to look at how we can implement the options and this needs to be done with close dialogue with the council.

“I think the majority of Hearts fans realise the club is in need of a new stadium and that was reflected in the answers. We have to take into account these answers from the supporters and have to progress further.

“The opinion of the fans is that they’re willing to move. Most are more or less familiar with the situation at Tynecastle and most are aware of the constraints at the ground.”

Only 51 per cent of those that took part were season ticket holders, with the club receiving responses from fans in 40 countries. Hearts also sought supporters’ views on the size of any new stadium, with 38 and 37 per cent in favour of a 20,000 to 25,000 and 25,000 to 30,000 seater venue respectively.

A hefty 71 per cent of fans also accepted that rugby could also be played at the new arena if this would help to boost the club’s finances.

Last year, former Rangers owner David Murray’s property company unveiled plans for a 25,000-seat stadium on the west side of the city that could be shared by Hearts and Edinburgh Rugby.

A Hearts spokesperson added: “We are very encouraged by the response from our supporters to the survey. We are approaching a point where a decision will have to be taken on our future at this location.

“The full survey results will be included in our report to the council and we have been encouraged by the very positive working relationship that has developed in order to assess the opportunity to deliver a top class football and sporting arena in the city.