New Hearts home kit for 2014/15 season unveiled

Jamie Walker models the new Hearts home shirt, a tribute to the team of 1914. Picture: Contributed

Featuring a brand new crest replacing the traditional Hearts badge, the 2014/15 season marks the 100th anniversary of the team that was called up to fight.

The home shirt, in dark maroon, does not carry a sponsor on the front, and the club have described the new kit as ‘a fitting tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War One.’

The shirt is teamed with white shorts and black socks, and the club are hopeful that the unique design will take supporters ‘back in time’ with its tribute to the team of 1914.

Seven players – John Allan, James Boyd, Duncan Currie, Ernest Ellis, Tom Gracie, James Speedie and Harry Wattie – lost their lives during the Great War and Hearts hope the new kit will act as a tribute to the seven.

A spokesperson for the club said: “The strip for season 2014-15 is dedicated to the club’s greatest ever team which went to war in 1914.

“Their efforts have been recorded in story and in song and we felt strongly that the centenary of this side should now be marked in an appropriate fashion by the current first-team players.”

“Having consulted the supporters about a commemorative crest, we believe the unique badge for the new season is another fitting tribute to the team of 1914-15 and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the SPFL and the Scottish FA for granting their approval of this change.

“As in previous years, the club could have had a sponsor on the front of the jersey but it was decided not to commercialise the home top on this occasion as a further mark of respect to the team which went to war.”

The club has been sponsored by money-lending firm Wonga for the past three seasons, but will not feature on the new kit.

The spokesperson added: “Given the significance of the anniversary, Wonga.com were fully in tune with our views and we would like to thank them for their understanding and their co-operation underlines the excellent working relationship we have enjoyed with them over the past three seasons.”

The new kit is available to pre-order from today, with the kit going on sale from Thursday, May 15th at 9am.

• Video courtesy of heartsfc.co.uk