Hearts season ticket sales hit 10,500 mark

Ann Budge is delighted with Hearts' season ticket sales

The club owner expects that number to increase with some supporters keen to move seats ahead of the 2017/18 campaign. Tynecastle's new £12million main stand is due for completion in early September and Budge is grateful to see season ticket sales surge into five figures.

"I am delighted to say that our season ticket offerings seem to have been well received by the majority of our supporters and, once again, our numbers are looking very good with 10,500 already signed up for season 2017/18. This is quite a remarkable a response considering that our season tickets have only been sale for three weeks," she said.

"This number is also set to be boosted this week by the many Main Stand and Roseburn Stand ticket holders who have indicated that they want to move their seats and are waiting on the phase one renewal period to end, which ends today.

"Our hospitality offerings for our new lounges have initially been offered to all current hospitality members. They also seem to be in great demand, with a very high percentage of renewals and indeed, one of our new lounges has already sold out. The others will be going on general sale later this week.

"Also, soon to be announced, is the pricing, seasonal and multi-seasonal options for our new and very exclusive Premium Seating Section in the centre of the main stand. With only around 200 of these executive seats available, we anticipate that they will be in high demand."

In a lengthy update for fans on the club website, Budge added that fundraising to help with Tynecastle's costly redevelopment has raised more than £300,000 already. Hearts aim to reach £1m before the end of the year and have already held many events for supporters, including a chance to hear head coach Ian Cathro talk tactics.

"All in all, we raised over £200,000 from these events and we really can't thank you enough," said Budge. "Our auctions and raffles have also been going very well and we have a lot more to follow. Our aim is to offer supporters football memorabilia, old stand memorabilia and lots of 'money can't buy items'.

"To date, we have raised close to £100,000 from these efforts and the big auction event has still to come. This special event is currently being planned and full details will be published on the Hearts website very shortly. Our final 'One in a Million' initiative is now ready to be launched. This is our new Annual Supporters Rewards scheme."

More details of all Hearts' fundraising and supporter schemes can be found at www.heartsfc.co.uk