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Guest Shabba Ranks
Posted

Reporting Scotland saying that their new stadium development will likely put their debt to around 80M, should it get approved.

 

:thumbsup:

 

:dance:

 

:rofl2:

Posted

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football-news/scottish-football/2008/01/17/hearts-could-give-up-tynecastle-name-86908-20288402/

 

There's a whole world of delusion contained below...

 

Hearts Could Give Up Tynecastle Name

 

Jan 17 2008 By Gary Ralston

 

HEARTS are ready to rename Tynecastle if the price is right - and it allows them to bid for Ronaldo.

 

The Jambos yesterday submitted a planning application to Edinburgh City Council for a £51million redevelopment of their Gorgie ground.

 

Plans include a new, two-tier 10,000-seater main stand to take the capacity to 23,000, as well as hotel, office, business and conference facilities and flats.

 

It will be funded by Vladimir Romanov's Ubig group and Hearts hope to begin work by the end of the year for completion by the start of season 2010-11.

 

They will decide before the end of March where to play during construction.

 

However, as many questions as answers remain about the proposal that could still be kicked around the long grass by the council then Scottish government who are likely to be asked to give the plans the final go-ahead.

 

Deputy chief executive Pedro Lopez revealed Hearts have already been approached by companies keen to sponsor the new-look stadium.

 

He said: "A stadium sponsor is an option. Tynecastle is the name we like and cherish and a lot of fans would not like to give it away.

"However, if it is a proposition that makes it really interesting for the club and the viability of the club and can allow us to buy the likes of Ronaldo we'd entertain it.

 

"If it brings economic benefits to the club then we'd consider it.

 

"It would be up to the company in question whether they would want to rename the stadium or only the new main stand. It's an open question.

 

"However, I'd be lying if I said companies had not expressed an interest and enquired about what we're planning."

 

Fans have given a guarded welcome to the re-naming plans.

 

Supporters chief Derek Watson reckons it's more important the club stays in Gorgie.

 

The chairman of the Supporters Trust said: "The majority of fans would say if it was an extremely good commercial deal the club should look at it.

 

"Everyone likes tradition but everyone would like a new stadium and this may be part of the price we have to pay.

 

"To Hearts fans it will always be Tynecastle. The club still stands on the same piece of land it always did and that's what we all hoped would happen."

 

Hearts hope redevelopment work will create 250 new full-time and 57 part-time posts but many of the details remain sketchy.

 

Parts of the application have left planning experts scratching their heads at how such a grand plan can be delivered in such a timescale, if at all.

 

Lopez was unable to confirm yesterday on how many rooms would be available in the hotel project, for example, or how many residential apartments would be for sale.

 

On property, he said: "There's flexibility to adjust to a mix we believe is viable. We're also working with several hotel operators and it's up to them to say how many rooms they need."

 

Lopez says underground parking for 150 cars will be enough to satisfy the council's traffic requirements, which planning insiders claim is wildly optimistic.

 

The club bought the local social work centre and nursery from the council and it's entirely likely, as a result, the application will be passed to the government for approval to ensure tax payers are best served by the deal.

 

Hearts would still need dispensation from UEFA to play European fixtures on their pitch as it isn't being extended - and they haven't ruled out European games at Murrayfield.

 

The height of the development is also another potential cause for concern as the new main stand is almost twice the size of the tenements on nearby Gorgie Road and dwarfs surrounding buildings.

 

Romanov invited a group of Scottish reporters to Vilnius two and a half years ago when details of a new £140m sports and business centre for the capital were given, planned with a large chunk of investment from his Ubig group.

 

That project has still to leave the drawing board but Lopez said: "There are a similarities (between the schemes) and as far as I know it's (Vilnius) going well."

 

Ubig also announced plans in October for a £175m redevelopment of the Traktor Stadium in Minsk with many of the same facilities promised at Tynecastle but planning permission has still to be granted.

 

Lopez added: "You always get sceptical people but generally, people are supportive and view this stadium as helping redevelop the whole area. I'd like to think it was wanted and the planning process will go smoothly.

 

"This is a cornerstone and a milestone. This proves our commitment and vision is long term to take this club to a higher level.

 

"This is a separate, stand-alone project and has no effect on our on-field commitments to build a better team than we have.

 

"The new facilities and increase in stadium capacity will allow us to invest in the team and reduce debts.

 

"It makes no sense to look on a scheme that will return an investment only for a year or two - this will pay us back for 50 years."

 

Lopez also confirmed the club are making progress on the appointment of a new manager and refused to confirm if Icelandic coach Gudjon Thordarson is on their list.

 

He said: "If possible we'd like to appoint a new boss tomorrow but we want to get it right so ask the fans to show patience."

 

So, spending £51 million on this stand will reduce their debt...

 

;D ;D

Posted

Had lunch with a strategic investment banker today and he had some interesting things to say about the Hearts set up. Said that UKIO was a very unstable proposition in banking circles at present and that Romanov was raising finance through the Lithuanian state. He was pretty certain that there was money laundering going on and that Romanov was not going to be there much longer. He also said that the planning application for the new stadium was a smoke screen and that it was never going to materialise. The land was purchased for the singular purpose (and with council consent) of building a football stadium but the planning application was lodged including hotels and other additionals. Looks like this has been done intentionally to ensure the planning is rejected and Romanov can blame the myopic council set up for the lack of progress at Hearts.

 

I realise this has all been said before, but an interesting chat none-the-less.

Guest swaddon
Posted

Stolen from aberdeen-mad:

 

On the left afc.co.uk's "honours" section.  On the right the equivalent "Trophies won" section on the HoMFC website:

 

afcvsheartsyf6.png

 

I thought they listed their Tennent's Sixes wins on their official site as well?

Posted

:lolabove:

 

He was playing on lollerskates tonight!

Did he not say something along the lines of "my eyes are bleeding after watching hearts performance"?

 

Wonder if they'll pull out one of their OF performances in the cup semi next week.  Would be nice to pump the gorgie tinks at hamdpen

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