In full: Hearts statement to fans

“This is not so much a request as a necessity.

“To use the words yesterday of John Robertson, one of the greatest players in this club’s history, this is a “Call to Arms”.

“There is no greater need than now for supporters to invest in the club in whichever way you can, without delay. How can you do this?

“1. Invest in the Share Issue! Take time to look at the Share Offer brochure and give some thought to what you might be able to afford to commit to the Offer. There are risks, we know, and these are laid out clearly so be very sure this is right for you before committing but please at least consider it.

“2. Buy a ticket for you and a friend for the St Mirren game next weekend (Saturday 17th November KO 3pm)! We currently have 4,700 available seats for this game and we must fill the stadium for every game from now on to have any chance of avoiding future financial consequences.

“3. Buy a ticket for you and a friend for the Celtic game on 28th November. It’s always a cracking atmosphere under the floodlights at Tynecastle and we will welcome the champions for what we expect to be a cracking game. Let’s fill the stadium and help the club continue to operate.

“4. Buy a ticket for you and a friend for the Aberdeen game on 8th December. Aberdeen has already requested additional capacity as they vie for top spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and this could squeeze availability for home fans. However, we want to look after our own fans and if demand from you is there, then we will make the Roseburn Stand available once again to Hearts fans.

“Without the support of fans there is, as we issue this note, a real risk that Heart of Midlothian Football Club could possibly play its last game next Saturday, 17 November against St Mirren.

“This isn’t a bluff, this isn’t scaremongering, this is reality. Discussions on whose name is above the door, talk about how the money has been spent and debate on whether the investment in silverware has been appropriate is all natural but quite simply worthless at this moment in time.

The only valid debate now is how can you help the club.  “Is the club worth less than £110?

“This club has been supported for the last seven years by generous funding from the majority shareholding business Ukio Banko Investicine Grupe (UBIG) and we continue to seek the support of UBIG at this stage. However, no business is immune to the financial realities of the current global economy and for this reason the club’s reliance on its supporters is greater than at any point in the last seven years.

“Our partners, our opponents, media, football bodies, many others - all are watching and judging how we will respond to the challenge. If we cannot demonstrate that we are united and we represent a force then there will be no due respect to the club from anyone around.

“Without your help now, we could be entering the final days of the club’s existence. There are limited options for the Board of Directors to take to avoid the catastrophic consequences that a funding shortfall would mean for the club.

“In a footballing sense alone Hearts will suffer an immediate 17-point penalty. This would just be the start of a painful process that will affect every one of us and could lead to far more damaging actions that threaten the very existence of the club.

“The power is still in the hands of every Hearts supporter and for that reason we want to be as honest and transparent with you in the hope that you, too, believe that this club is worth saving.

“Now please make every effort you can to take any or all of the four steps outlined above and help this great sporting institution survive.”