Hearts offer ticket deals as stand stays for next term

Season 2008/09 is expected to be the club's last playing at the existing Tynecastle as they await ratification from Edinburgh City Council on their planning application for a complete rebuild of the main stand.

Last December, 6000 supporters were canvassed for their views on alternative venues for Hearts to occupy during the redevelopment, which was then estimated to begin during next season. Options put forward included Easter Road, Almondvale and East End Park as well as staying in Gorgie to play in front of the three remaining stands.

This prompted fears of a scramble to secure season tickets due to reduced capacity, however, the Evening News can reveal that the existing main stand will not be demolished before summer 2009, thus allowing Hearts to remain at their spiritual home throughout next season.

Tynecastle currently has 13,500 season ticket holders amongst its 17,400 capacity but that figure could possibly fall for next year as many fans have become disenchanted by on-field events this season.

To encourage supporters to renew, Hearts are offering existing season ticket holders savings of between 11 and 59 per cent compared with next season's game-by-game prices. Discounts are achieved by renewing through the 'early bird' scheme, which runs for the next 11 weeks until Monday, May 5.

Additionally, by purchasing early, certain season ticket holders can benefit from savings of up to ten per cent on last year's prices.

A Hearts spokesperson said: "Tynecastle has been full or close to capacity for the majority of games once again this season and the loyalty of the fans is unrivalled.

"We are keen to make it as easy as possible, both financially and operationally, for our supporters to renew and we believe that we've developed a very good season ticket package. Fans will be able to pick up their season tickets at any time from today and those that renew before 1.00pm on the May 5 will receive the best deals.

"Tynecastle Stadium was recently voted, in a survey carried out amongst fans of all SPL clubs, the best ground for atmosphere in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and there is little doubt a full Tynecastle is unrivalled. There is a strong possibility that this is likely to be our last season playing in front of our famous 1914 main stand and we know that many fans will want to be part of what we expect to be another exciting chapter in the club's history."

Sales of season tickets started at 10.30am this morning – online at www.heartsfc.co.uk, by phone on 0871 663 1874 and direct from the Tynecastle ticket centre. The vast majority of season-ticket holders should receive details in the post by the end of the week.

A TICKETING mix-up has seen Hearts fans sent e-mails urging them to buy season tickets for Coca-Cola Championship side Watford. It was reported today that an error by Ticketmaster resulted in the fans being sent e-mails for the wrong team.