Scott McDermott

Hearts in crisis: Heriot-Watt Uni praised for allowing Jambos to continue using training ground despite being owed £150k
25 Jun 2013 08:22

HEARTS have 16 years left on a lease with the university for use of their excellent Riccarton playing fields.
The Hearts crest hanging outside Tynecastle The Hearts crest hanging outside Tynecastle
SNS

HEARTS’ administrators have praised Heriot-Watt University for refusing to ditch the crisis-hit club – despite being owed £150,000.

The Jambos have used the sports campus at Riccarton for training since 2004 and have 16 years left on an agreed lease of the facility.

But with the Tynecastle club in administration Heriot-Watt are now just another creditor and may well have to write off the bulk of the money due. The Edinburgh uni could have refused Hearts’ players entry on Thursday when the squad start pre-season training.

But instead they’ll let the club continue to train at Riccarton – at least until they reach some sort of agreement with administrators BDO on the future of the lease.

Administrator Bryan Jackson says it’s a fantastic gesture by Heriot-Watt and welcomed their understanding of Hearts’ plight.

He said: “Heriot-Watt are now one of the creditors but they’re happy for the team to continue training there until we agree something going forward or otherwise.

“The university have been good to deal with so far. They want to try to support the club and it’s a great gesture from them to allow the team to train there. Some creditors take the hump when they’re owed money from a company in administration. But I think they have a bit of sympathy with the football club.

“They’ve been sensible and they haven’t panicked. They are speaking to us so hopefully we can sort something out.

“Hearts have a long-term lease with Heriot Watt and it’s expensive for the club. We have made initial contact with them and are negotiating with them.”

Meanwhile, Hearts are more than a third of a way to the season-ticket target set by on Thursday.

The administrators said the club must sell 3000 season books within the next two weeks in order to keep the club in business for the next four months.

More than 1000 have since been sold and administrator Trevor Birch said “The response from the fans has been terrific.”

Taken from the Daily Record