Latest news with #Budge
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ann Budge to step down at Hearts - why she is leaving, Tony Bloom impact, tributes and what comes next
'Queen of Hearts' will end 12-year tenure at end of year Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ann Budge will stand down as Hearts chair at the end of the year, explaining why it is the right time to step away from the role. Budge has been at the helm of Hearts for more than a decade after riding to the rescue back in 2014 to help save the club from going out of business. However, following the recent fresh investment from Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom and continued support from the Foundation of Hearts, she has informed the Tynecastle board of her intentions to vacate the post. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This is something I have thought long and hard about,' Budge said as Hearts announced the news on their club website. 'Having discussed this with the board, I feel now is the right time to confirm that I intend to step down later this year. Ann Budge will vacate her role as Hearts chair at the end of the year. | SNS Group 'When I first got involved with the Foundation of Hearts in 2013, I could not have envisaged the journey it would take me on. Initially, the aim was to stabilize the Club before even thinking of growth. Now, 12-years later, as I look at where the club stands, I can allow myself to feel a sense of pride at what we have achieved. 'With Tony Bloom's investment now complete, and the supporters ensconced as custodians of the club, I believe I have done what I set out to achieve. 'The appropriate time for reminiscing and saying goodbye will come after the AGM in December but until then, my full focus will remain on what it has always been, and that is doing my very best for Hearts and our fans.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Queen of Hearts' but also protests Labelled as the 'Queen of Hearts' for her impact on the club, Budge has played a hugely significant role during her 12-year involvement, including multiple Scottish Cup final appearances, third-place finishes and European campaigns. The 77-year-old also oversaw the construction of the club's new Main Stand and has had a major impact on the wider community. Despite being one of the major players in allowing Hearts to be saved following the Vladimir Romanov era, her tenure has not come without criticism, with some Hearts fans protesting against her reign and the way the club has been run under her watch. Budge will continue to hold a seat on the Hearts board through her shareholding but her decision to call time on being chair is another major signpost of change at Tynecastle following the arrival of Bloom, whose £9.86 million investment gives him a shareholding of 29 per cent. Paying tribute to her spell at Hearts, chief executive Officer Andrew McKinlay said; 'It cannot be overstated just how much Ann has done for Heart of Midlothian and on behalf of everyone at the club, I extend both my thanks and my gratitude. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'As we get closer to December's AGM we will update our supporters on our succession plans, but for now we will continue to enjoy and benefit from working with Ann until the end of her tenure as the club's Chair.' Foundation of Hearts Chairman Gerry Mallon added: 'Ann will leave a remarkable legacy when she departs the club and we are extremely fortunate to have had 12 years of her knowledge and experience at the helm of Hearts. Ann Budge helped save the club more than ten years ago. | SNS Group 'In particular, her participation during the birth of the Foundation of Hearts can never be downplayed, neither can the instrumental role she played in saving the club from the abyss and taking it back up to the top end of Scottish football.
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Why Hearts fans should raise glass to their Queen despite some Ann Budge grumblings
Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... All reigns must come to an end and Ann Budge, the Queen of Hearts, has decided this year will be her last in the Tynecastle hotseat. When Budge spearheaded Hearts' escape from oblivion following administration in 2013, perhaps not even she envisaged 12 years at the helm. Her ultimate goal was to get the Tynecastle side on a solid footing following years of financial mismanagement under Vladimir Romanov before handing over to the Foundation of Hearts. When she stands down as chair this December, that goal will not have been merely achieved - she leaves as one of the most influential figures in the club's history. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It has been quite the tenure for Budge. In no particular order: three third-placed finishes in the Scottish Premiership, three Scottish Cup finals, two Championship title success, numerous head coaches, director of footballs, a controversial relegation, a new stand and being at the forefront of Scottish football. A lot has happened at Hearts under her watch. Ann Budge revealed on Monday that she will vacate her position as chair come the end of the year. | SNS Group The most recent development likely made up Budge's mind to vacate her position. Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom last week acquired a 29 per cent shareholding of Hearts in exchange for £9.86 million. Change is coming at Tynecastle. While the Foundation of Hearts remains front and centre, there is reinforcement from Bloom's Jamestown Analytics company and his expertise. His goal is to 'disrupt' Scottish football. Many believe these are exciting times for Hearts, yet there would not be such anticipation if it was not for Budge. Now 77, she has done so many good things at Tynecastle. Her legacy is set in concrete with the club's plush Main Stand and hotel, which is one of the best football structures in the country. Perhaps more construction work should be carried out in the shape of a statue. After all, if it was not for her, Ian Murray and other key Foundation of Hearts players, this conversation may not be happening. Nevertheless, there will be a cohort of Jambos who will feel this decision is more than overdue, that Budge should have vacated the premises before now. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been protests. 'Heart of Midlothian, we're in the wrong hands,' was heard as recently as the spring when the team were toiling at the wrong end of the Premiership. During the Craig Levein and Daniel Stendel years, her judgment was questioned. Her loyalty to Levein in particular irked some supporters. Budge has done an excellent job financially at Hearts and has brought fresh investment to the table, whether it be Bloom or long-term benefactor James Anderson. Performances on the pitch have been up and down, although she will always rail against the club's relegation from the top flight when the 2019/20 season was cut short by Covid-19. Having visited Hampden multiple times, not winning one of the cups during her stewardship will be a source of regret. In announcing Budge's plans, Hearts were right to list so many of the good things she has done, not just within Tynecastle but in the wider community. Her charity work with Big Hearts, championing women's football and continually investing in grass-roots development is to be lauded. Budge takes pride from Hearts' position When Budge took over in 2013, her initial goal was to 'stabilise' Hearts before allowing it to grow. One of her first acts was to move away from a sponsorship deal with pay-day loan firm Wonga and used jerseys to highlight charities like Save the Children and MND Scotland. How the club carries itself, with decorum, respect and class, was important to her. She wanted things done the right way. 'As I look at where the club stands, I can allow myself to feel a sense of pride at what we have achieved,' she said on Monday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With the winds of change sweeping through Tynecastle, this feels like a logical time for Budge to relinquish chair duties. She will retain a seat on the board unless she decides between now and December to sell off her shares. A devoted family woman, Budge will no doubt relish spending more time with her loved ones - although Hearts became an adopted child, given all that she put into nurturing it back to health. Leaving on a more positive note is often a wise move, too. Even a couple of months ago, Hearts appeared on a sticky wicket following the failed appointment of Neil Critchley as head coach. The spectre of relegation was not completely exorcised until matchday 35 of an arduous season. Sacking Critchley was a wise move, as is appointing Derek McInnes as his successor. There is genuine optimism that Hearts can fight for at least third place in the league next season amid a flurry of new signings. Ann Budge has been at the helm of Hearts for 12 years. | SNS Group 'Ann will leave a remarkable legacy when she departs the club and we are extremely fortunate to have had 12 years of her knowledge and experience at the helm of Hearts,' said the current Foundation of Hearts chairman Gary Mallon. 'In particular, her participation during the birth of the Foundation of Hearts can never be downplayed, neither can the instrumental role she played in saving the club from the abyss and taking it back up to the top end of Scottish football. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For that, I will be forever grateful to Ann, as I'm sure Hearts fans everywhere will be too.'
The National
02-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Despite stick, Ann Budge's legacy is as saviour of Hearts
After an 11-year official association with Hearts, Tynecastle chair Ann Budge will step aside after the club's AGM later this year. Naturally, that has led to a poring over of her record at the club, and many a ponderance over what her legacy may well be among Jambos in years to come. Perhaps the most telling clue as to what the answer to that question may be has come in the overwhelming outpouring of thanks that has been expressed since the news of her retirement broke on Monday. For whatever opinions and dissenting voices there may be around the way that Budge ran the club, particularly over these past few years, the fact remains that without the intervention of the lifelong Hearts supporter, there was a very real possibility that there wouldn't be a club in Gorgie at all. It is sometimes easy to forget just how stark the situation was at Hearts before Budge (and of course, the wider fanbase and the Foundation of Hearts) rode to the rescue. The disastrous end to the chaotic Vladimir Romanov regime had left one of the game's great institutions on the brink. A creditor's meeting of his doomed Lithuanian bank Ukio Bankas had the potential to push them over the edge, despite the heroic efforts of The Foundation of Hearts and Budge's offer of £2.5m for the shareholding to parent company UBIG. Scottish football's very own celebrity administrator Bryan Jackson spelled out the peril Hearts were in in no uncertain terms, calling it the worst situation he had ever encountered. (Image: Ross Parker - SNS Group) 'We have to accept now that there is a threat of liquidation, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to avoid it,' Jackson said at the time. 'We need to look at 'can we fulfil fixtures until the end of the season?' Read more: 'To do that I would obviously be looking for help from the footballing authorities for any outstanding monies which may be due to the club. Unfortunately, I would also have to go back to the fans and the Foundation of Hearts and make the usual appeal. I know supporters have been stung time and again, but I don't think there will be anywhere else for me to go. 'We can just about make it to the end of the month. And if it is negative news next week we would have to operate very, very quickly – because money would be running out at some pace. 'I can't employ people beyond the end of the month if I can't pay them.' The only other people circling the club at that moment seemed to be doing so with vulturous intent. Former Livingston owner Angelo Massone, who took the Lions into administration previously, was among them. As too was retired shoe salesman Bob Jamieson, who was branded by a Foundation of Hearts spokesperson as 'a Walter Mitty character' who was indulging in an 'unfunded and fanciful rival bid' for the club. His plan included a proposal to move Hearts to a new stadium next to Murrayfield. Mercifully, the Foundation and Budge were named as the preferred bidders after administrators BDO decided that the alternatives could not provide proof of funding, and the rest is history. Has Budge got everything right? Absolutely not. While there are undoubtedly grumbles from certain, less enlightened sections of the Hearts support over a 'wummin' running their club, a lot of the criticism that she has attracted is not without merit. On the football side, there have been highs and lows, but it is hard to shake the notion that Hearts have underachieved over the past decade or so. (Image: SNS Group) A tendency to appoint people she is familiar with over the people who may be best suited for a particular role has drawn particular ire. Her close relationship with Craig Levein seemed to blind Budge to his own missteps, such as the appointment of Ian Cathro when he was serving as director of football, then inspired misplaced loyalty and far too much patience when he was also appointed as manager. See also the decision to later appoint Steven Naismith. Off the park, the building of the new Main Stand at Tynecastle can on the one hand be seen as one of the crowning achievements of her reign. But on the other, the involvement of JB Contractors in its construction, a firm with familial links to Budge and who Hearts have handed over £9.1m to since 2016, raised eyebrows. Indeed, the bungled delivery of the project, including Budge (initially) throwing herself on a grenade for chief operating officer Scot Gardiner after he seemingly 'forgot' to order the seats, became the stuff of infamy, and sparked pithy jokes this week over the issues Hearts may have now they are looking for a new chair. In time, though, these issues will likely fade from memory. What will never be forgotten is that in Hearts' direst moment, Budge stepped up and saved the club. Without her, there seems little prospect that Hearts would have come from such that perilous position, a veritable financial basket case, to where they find themselves now – the biggest fan-owned club in the UK, stable, and with much to look forward to. With the involvement of Tony Bloom, it feels like a natural time to have that break with the past and place the focus firmly on the future. But it is only because of Budge that Hearts have a future at all, and that will always be appreciated by every Jambo. She may never be revered in the same way as playing legends like John Robertson, Dave Mackay, Gary Mackay or Alex Young, for example, but it could be argued that Budge was an even more important figure in the history of the club than any of those greats. The naming of a stand after Budge may be a fitting way to mark her contribution. Even if, perhaps, someone else should order the new signage.
The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Despite stick, Ann Budge's legacy is as saviour of Hearts
Perhaps the most telling clue as to what the answer to that question may be has come in the overwhelming outpouring of thanks that has been expressed since the news of her retirement broke on Monday. For whatever opinions and dissenting voices there may be around the way that Budge ran the club, particularly over these past few years, the fact remains that without the intervention of the lifelong Hearts supporter, there was a very real possibility that there wouldn't be a club in Gorgie at all. It is sometimes easy to forget just how stark the situation was at Hearts before Budge (and of course, the wider fanbase and the Foundation of Hearts) rode to the rescue. The disastrous end to the chaotic Vladimir Romanov regime had left one of the game's great institutions on the brink. A creditor's meeting of his doomed Lithuanian bank Ukio Bankas had the potential to push them over the edge, despite the heroic efforts of The Foundation of Hearts and Budge's offer of £2.5m for the shareholding to parent company UBIG. Scottish football's very own celebrity administrator Bryan Jackson spelled out the peril Hearts were in in no uncertain terms, calling it the worst situation he had ever encountered. (Image: Ross Parker - SNS Group) 'We have to accept now that there is a threat of liquidation, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to avoid it,' Jackson said at the time. 'We need to look at 'can we fulfil fixtures until the end of the season?' Read more: 'To do that I would obviously be looking for help from the footballing authorities for any outstanding monies which may be due to the club. Unfortunately, I would also have to go back to the fans and the Foundation of Hearts and make the usual appeal. I know supporters have been stung time and again, but I don't think there will be anywhere else for me to go. 'We can just about make it to the end of the month. And if it is negative news next week we would have to operate very, very quickly – because money would be running out at some pace. 'I can't employ people beyond the end of the month if I can't pay them.' The only other people circling the club at that moment seemed to be doing so with vulturous intent. Former Livingston owner Angelo Massone, who took the Lions into administration previously, was among them. As too was retired shoe salesman Bob Jamieson, who was branded by a Foundation of Hearts spokesperson as 'a Walter Mitty character' who was indulging in an 'unfunded and fanciful rival bid' for the club. His plan included a proposal to move Hearts to a new stadium next to Murrayfield. Mercifully, the Foundation and Budge were named as the preferred bidders after administrators BDO decided that the alternatives could not provide proof of funding, and the rest is history. Has Budge got everything right? Absolutely not. While there are undoubtedly grumbles from certain, less enlightened sections of the Hearts support over a 'wummin' running their club, a lot of the criticism that she has attracted is not without merit. On the football side, there have been highs and lows, but it is hard to shake the notion that Hearts have underachieved over the past decade or so. (Image: SNS Group) A tendency to appoint people she is familiar with over the people who may be best suited for a particular role has drawn particular ire. Her close relationship with Craig Levein seemed to blind Budge to his own missteps, such as the appointment of Ian Cathro when he was serving as director of football, then inspired misplaced loyalty and far too much patience when he was also appointed as manager. See also the decision to later appoint Steven Naismith. Off the park, the building of the new Main Stand at Tynecastle can on the one hand be seen as one of the crowning achievements of her reign. But on the other, the involvement of JB Contractors in its construction, a firm with familial links to Budge and who Hearts have handed over £9.1m to since 2016, raised eyebrows. Indeed, the bungled delivery of the project, including Budge (initially) throwing herself on a grenade for chief operating officer Scot Gardiner after he seemingly 'forgot' to order the seats, became the stuff of infamy, and sparked pithy jokes this week over the issues Hearts may have now they are looking for a new chair. In time, though, these issues will likely fade from memory. What will never be forgotten is that in Hearts' direst moment, Budge stepped up and saved the club. Without her, there seems little prospect that Hearts would have come from such that perilous position, a veritable financial basket case, to where they find themselves now – the biggest fan-owned club in the UK, stable, and with much to look forward to. With the involvement of Tony Bloom, it feels like a natural time to have that break with the past and place the focus firmly on the future. But it is only because of Budge that Hearts have a future at all, and that will always be appreciated by every Jambo. She may never be revered in the same way as playing legends like John Robertson, Dave Mackay, Gary Mackay or Alex Young, for example, but it could be argued that Budge was an even more important figure in the history of the club than any of those greats. The naming of a stand after Budge may be a fitting way to mark her contribution. Even if, perhaps, someone else should order the new signage.
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Scotsman
Man who tried to murder wife by running her over outside Edinburgh home handed increased jail term
A man who tried to kill his wife by running her over with his car twice has had his jail term increased after it was ruled that a more severe sentence was required. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... William Budge drove his car at and over his estranged wife Sandra in the shocking incident outside her home on Muirhouse Parkway on April 14 last year. He then turned the car and drove over her a second time in an attempt to murder her. The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges, including an assault in 2016/17, a course of domestic abuse over more than five years and the attempted murder of his wife, when he appeared at Edinburgh's High Court. He was later sentenced at the same court to seven years and four months in prison. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But after the February sentencing, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) asked the Appeal Court to consider imposing a more severe sentence. William Budge tried to murder his wife by running over her twice | Google Maps The original sentence has now been quashed after the appeal was upheld by a panel of three judges. Budge has now been handed a new sentence of 10 years and 10 months in prison. Sentencing Budge in February, Lord Lake said: 'Your conduct in the attempted murder was caught on video and is quite horrifying to watch. You used your car as a weapon and drove it at and over your wife. Having done this, you made a U-turn and went back and drove over her a second time. 'The callousness and cruelty of your acts are astonishing. There can be no doubt that you showed complete indifference as to whether your conduct killed her. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Having seen the footage, as was recognised by Mr Stewart on your behalf, it is remarkable that your wife was not killed. She suffered serious life threatening injuries including internal injuries and skeletal injuries which meant she was in hospital for two months. 'I have considered the victim impact statement from your wife and it is clear that she still suffers both physically and mentally and, although she has taken advantage of various therapies and treatments, it seems she will continue to do so for some time.' Speaking on the new sentence, Laura Buchan, Deputy Crown Agent, said: 'COPFS is committed to improving the criminal justice journey for victims. Prosecutors have a responsibility to consider appeals based upon undue leniency in sentencing. Such appeals are rare. 'The decision to increase William Budge's sentence provides reassurance that the impact of domestic abuse on victims is recognised by those within the criminal justice system. 'No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner. I would urge anyone affected by this type of offending to report it and seek support.'
