Romanov posted missing at club's first Hall of Fame

UNQUESTIONABLY the most important date in Hearts' calendar in a non-footballing sense was Thursday night's prestigious Hall of Fame dinner, yet there was not a majority shareholder, a chairman nor a board member in attendance.

Held in the plush surroundings of Edinburgh's Prestonfield House, it was an event at which the club's hierarchy were conspicuous by their absence, although this in no way detracted from the quality of the evening.

Vladimir Romanov, son Roman and his fellow board members Sergejus Fedotovas and Julija Groncaruk might have delivered a rather emphatic snub to the inaugural night, but those who did attend were determined to absorb and savour every moment of what was a historic occasion.

Credit should be given to the Lithuanians amongst the Hearts playing staff who did put in an appearance. Dressing-room relations may be strained at the moment but Edgaras Jankauskas and the rest fronted up in their dinner suits nonetheless. For their effort, they were treated to a steeping in Tynecastle traditions which may stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.

Listening to the words and witnessing the raw emotion from Hearts luminaries such as Dave and Gary Mackay, John Robertson and Steven Pressley made it impossible not to realise what playing for the club actually means.

"I expected to be in the group of nominees, but to be the first one ever inducted was overwhelming," said Dave Mackay. "I've always been a Hearts supporter and my biggest disappointment in life was when Hearts sold me to Tottenham [in 1959]. I didn't want to go. I wanted to play for Hearts for life.

"The reception I got when I went up made me cry.

Most clubs have a hall of fame and it's only right that Hearts do too. Tottenham have one and I'm already in theirs. Derby County have one and I'm in that as well, but it's still emotional."

The bulk of the current Hearts squad vacated the premises just before 11pm under strict orders from acting head coach Eduard Malofeev. They had witnessed Paul Hartley's induction but missed those of captain Steven Pressley and their former manager John Robertson.

In between, John Cumming, Willie Bauld, Gary Mackay and Wallace Mercer were also voted in before Pressley was

named as the penultimate inductee. Asked by host Scott Wilson of Talk 107 about the biggest moment of his career to date, he joked: "Making that statement last Friday," which prompted a round of applause.

One of the evening's most rapturous welcomes was reserved for the club's record goalscorer, however. Robertson's name was deliberately kept till last, and the supporters in attendance were only too willing by that time to give a few round of "Who put the ball in the Hibees' net?" when he climbed on stage.

"This award rates as the best of all my Hearts achievements," said Robertson. "I lost my father aged 14, who loved Hearts to death. His dream was to see one of his sons pull on the maroon jersey, so I think February 1982 will be his proudest moment when two of his sons [John and Chris] played in the same Hearts team for 17 minutes."

There was a slight touch of injustice that Freddie Glidden, the Scottish Cup-winning captain of 1956, was not one of the eight inductees. He had kicked off proceedings by entering the room to a standing ovation with the famous old trophy in hand, but was left out by voters.

But Glidden's place in the Hearts Hall of Fame is almost certainly assured at next year's awards ceremony. Maybe one of the Romanovs or perhaps a Hearts board member might think it appropriate to put in an appearance then, too.

Taken from the Scotsman