06-07-2025
Tony Bloom's Hearts endgame is to win the Premiership as Celtic and Rangers told when they should be 'worried'
An ally to the Brighton owners has revealed the long-game after his Tynecastle investment
Adam Virgo washed his club kit at home and lost out to uni students for a parking space at training.
That was the life of a Brighton captain before Tony Bloom took over.
So when Bloom sat him down to outline plans for the Seagulls taking flight to the Premier League' s higher reaches, Virgo admits he found the idea totally fanciful.
That 2009 chat was, however, just a taster of the Bloom-inspired rise of his beloved Brighton from languishing in League One to playing in Europe.
Little wonder that ex- Celtic defender Virgo warns against dismissing Bloom's boast of disrupting Old Firm domination with Hearts.
The billionaire bettor owns a 29 per cent Jambos stake, has trusted consultant James Franks on the board and his renowned Jamestown Analytics aiding recruitment. Virgo reckons that all adds up to Hearts mounting a serious title challenge in years to come – even if they might not dare believe it.
He said: 'The vision Tony had for Brighton was to be challenging at the top end of the Premier League.
'And when he talked to us, I kind of had the feeling: 'You must be mad.'
'We played at Withdean, the athletics stadium. But he referenced plans for what's now the Amex.
'He wanted Brighton to have the top training ground in the country.
'Go there now and it's state-of-the-art stuff. But back then, I thought: 'Yeah, good one!'
'Bear in mind, when we had this conversation I shared a gym and canteen with Sussex University students and couldn't find a space to park my car. I'd walk into the gym area, reception says: 'Who are you?' – and I have to explain I captain the club!
'Sometimes, we couldn't train on the pitches because of a uni game so we went to public parks.
'There was no way I could envisage things happening as quickly as Tony wanted it to.
'But he has done it in all aspects of business – betting, horse racing and now football.
'When he sets out to do something, he'll make it clear. That makes this an exciting time for Hearts.'
Virgo reckons Bloom will pay strict attention to the smallest of details to make gains.
He said: 'Tony called me one night and said: 'Adam, I'm taking over the club' but didn't give much detail.
'He wanted a meeting with me and (vice-captain) Nicky Forster. We sat down for coffee and he wanted to know EVERY detail of the excuses us players had for our performances.
'These might be minor things in the world of football these days.
'But every day we'd take our kit home and wash it. We never had a pre-match meal ... it went on and on. Nicky and I rhymed them off.
'Tony fixed everything. A catering company came in, we had breakfast and we'd go to the gym where food was prepared for us before travelling to a home game.
'Small details made a huge difference from a players' perspective.'
Virgo grew to know poker player Bloom well, personally and professionally, before and after leaving the club. That means he has seen the 55-year-old operate with genuine, charming style and at his ruthless, business best.
Virgo said: 'Tony's end goal is to win the Scottish Premiership.
'Celtic and Rangers have won every league since 1985 so it's difficult for him to say that. But look at Brighton where he's looking to cement them as a top-six club.
'Once they got to the Premier League, the first couple of years was about just staying there. He then moved Chris Hughton on straight away – a massive decision on a very well-respected manager.
'Then he brings in Graham Potter who he found after a year at Swansea and got the ball rolling further up the league.
'Then he goes to Sassuolo for Roberto De Zerbi who, unless you're a European connoisseur, you wouldn't know much about. For a season-and-a-half they're arguably the best team in the league to watch.
'He then takes the biggest punt of all. Fans may think: 'Bloody hell, what's going on here? We've employed a 32-year-old!'
'Under the youngest manager in Premier League history in Fabian Hurzeler, they finish eighth! Tony's never afraid to stick his neck out and go down a different path.
'I know Tony the businessman and Tony the father, husband and family man. He's kind-hearted and, when you meet him, he's polite. But there's another side where he's had to make big decisions to change the club and get the right people in like Paul Barber.'
Virgo expects the Gorgie faithful to warm to Bloom's input and upfront style.
'Tony will have put so much work in on Hearts before he'd have done anything,' the 42-year-old said. 'He's a businessman but a man of the people. He'll go and sit in the crowd at an away end.
'There's transparency. He'll make time to be at meetings with the supporters every few months. He'll talk to them, let them know where he stands on things.
'Some chairmen don't say enough, others too much. Tony has that balance. I don't think Rangers and Celtic can be worried right now.
'This is going to be a process of certainly a few years. But I'd be amazed if you didn't quickly see improvements and results, by way of style of football or players sold for decent money. And that's just the start.'
