'I'll give my money to Hearts, no other' - fans show strength of feeling over boycott in poll

The Evening News polled fans on whether they have plans to boycott certain away matches next season in the Championship

Hearts fans made their feelings clear on whether they plan to boycott away matches next season in a poll run by the Evening News.

It has become a serious discussion point for supporters in the past couple of months, only heightened following the Scottish FA arbitration panel’s decision to uphold the club’s relegation to the Championship earlier this week.

Not set to start their league campaign until 17 October with a tasty Tynecastle opener against Dundee, it will be Hearts’ second season in the second tier since 2014.

Hearts fans have had their say on whether they plan to boycott away matches next season. Picture: SNS

They will be coming up against teams who fans have a grievance against, notably the Dens Park side, who stoked the fire of the rivalry with a Twitter jibe following the fixture release.

Dundee were, of course, central to the controversial SPFL resolution vote which saw the 2019/20 season terminated when they requested their vote rejecting the proposal not be cast before resubmitting one in favour days later.

The club would go on to no support the league reconstruction plans put forward to an indicative vote along with four others, understood to be Alloa Athletic, Queen of the South, Ayr United and Raith Rovers.

Rovers chairman Bill Clark spoke of the “tainted” relationship with Hearts earlier this week and his desire to “build bridges”.

Strong fan opinion

More than 80 per cent of over 1,700 supporters polled are planning to boycott away matches.

Sixty per cent plan to boycott the grounds of those who were against reconstruction, while 22 per cent have said they will boycott all away matches next season.

A further six per cent are undecided with only 12 per cent planning to go to away games as normal.

Hearts are gearing up for a truncated season with only 27 league games as opposed to the normal 36 in the Championship. Fourteen of the fixtures will be at Tynecastle with just six away matches at the teams who voted down reconstruction.

Within the club’s support, many have been vocal in their anger towards other clubs.

Steven Kilgour posted on Facebook: “Hardly missed a domestic league game in 30+ years. Probably less than 10. But will only be going to Inverness, Morton and Arbroath.”

John Wilkins said: “No chance. This was a time to clean up Scottish football and move on with a happier future for all clubs. Sadly we have moved backward and have created a lot of bitterness around all the leagues. Hope the SPFL and SFA are happy with themselves and will boycott fixtures in the future starting with the semi final.”

Dougie Masterton added: “I have 216 loyalty points so travel to the majority of games, next season the only one I’m guaranteed to go to is Inverness.”

Charlie Bain noted: “Will only go to Inverness will never set foot in any other ground. I’ll be in the bar at Tynecastle when Hearts are away at any other ground. I’ll give my money to Hearts no other.”

Ross Clark said: “Hearts fans should boycott anyone who didn’t support reconstruction. Any money you’d spend on a ticket could be donated to FOH.”

Michael Carruthers motioned: “I think we should go in numbers to support our club. Buy nothing in the ground and to the clubs that voted against reconstruction let our feelings be known in numbers at end of the day every ground we will go to we would be the loudest!”