Latest news with #Jambo
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
How Hearts made Alexandros Kyziridis offer he couldn't refuse as he reveals wife ordered his Stirling celebration
Kyziridis covered his face to hail his goal against Stirling Albion – on his wife's orders Alexandros Kyziridis admits Hearts made him an offer he couldn't refuse. The Greek winger delivered a tantalising taste of the trickery and attacking threat he aims to showcase to Tynecastle fans with a goal and assist in the 4-0 win against Stirling on Saturday. And the 24-year-old says it was just the starting point for his ambitions after jumping at the chance to seal a transfer to the Jambos. He said: 'When you have one offer from such a huge club, you cannot say no. I like Scottish football and the fans celebrate every game. This was what I was thinking about before I said yes to sign for Hearts. 'It was a very easy decision. Before I came, I was watching the games so I could see how the fans are, how the team are so I knew my new team-mates before I came. 'It was hard to learn the names. But now I know everyone. I had a little bit of a problem with the accent, but now I think I'm good and at least I can understand everything.' Kyziridis has signed a three-year deal after his contract with Slovak side MFK Zemplin Michalovce expired and he revealed former Jambo Takis Fyssas provided a glowing reference on what to expect in Edinburgh. His front-foot, attacking style thrilled the Hearts fans at Forthbank and Kyziridis is eager to build on his bright start when Hearts host Dumbarton on Tuesday night. He added: 'My agent spoke with Takis and he said I have to go to Hearts. I trust him and decided to take his advice. 'I could have scored more against Stirling, but that is OK, that is football, sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn't. 'First of all, I'm happy because we won and we kept a clean sheet, so this is most important for our team. 'It was good to hear the fans reacting positively to me, it's very helpful. Kyziridis covered his face to hail his goal – on his wife's orders. He said: 'I had the feeling the day before the Stirling game I would score. 'I discussed with my wife what celebration should I do? She told me to do that celebration and because I scored, I will keep it.'
Scotsman
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Rory McIlroy cheers for Hearts, Saturday sell-out, big helper - Scottish Open daily divots
Why Rory McIlroy had Hearts on his mind, Saturday sellout and Gullane news Sign up to our Golf newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox 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... Our golf correspondent digs out some stories behind the scenes at The Renaissance Club. Rory McIlroy has Hearts on his mind He didn't break out into a chorus of 'Hearts, Hearts, Glorious Hearts' but it was funny hearing Rory McIlroy say 'Come on the Hearts' at The Renaissance Club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The grand slam winner, a big Manchester United supporter, made the comment after seeing that a well-known Hearts fan in the golf writing world was wearing a maroon top at a media huddle. Rory McIlroy pictured during the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club |Calum Hill had also been talking about the Tynecastle club earlier in the day due to his new caddie, Stuart Davidson, also being a Jambo. 'I see that on his yardage book every time,' laughed Hill in reply to being asked if Davidson had mentioned his team. 'He's always talking about them. I heard it was 8-0 against East Kilbride (in a pre-season friendly) and, even though I follow zero football, I know that's impressive!' Fans flocking to East Lothian have been enjoying glorious conditions for this year's event | Getty Images It's a Saturday sellout in sunshine The big names had already guaranteed a bumper crowd and now the added bonus of glorious weather is set to create a new record attendance for the event at The Renaissance Club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was announced by the event organisers on Friday afternoon that Saturday's third round is officially sold out, meaning 23,000 fans are set to be out on the East Lothian course. Even though it was shy of capacity for the second round, it still had the feeling of being close to the atmosphere of The Open. 'We're looking forward to a fantastic weekend of golf and entertainment, and welcoming our best ever crowd to the event,' said Rory Colville, the championship director. Gordon Simpson is leaving Gullane to become the secretary at Swinley Forrest | Contributed Gullane secretary is on the move Nearby Gullane Golf Club is on the lookout for a new secretary after Gordon Simpson's announcement that he is leaving in September to take on that role at Swinley Forest in Berkshire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Simpson replaced David Morgan at the East Lothian club in 2019 after a spell as the managing secretary at Ladybank in Fife. 'I will be sad to leave, but I will do so knowing the club is in a very healthy position, with an exceptional team who will continue to drive the club and the facilities forward once I depart,' Simpson told The Scotsman. As for Swinley Forest, he added: 'It is a unique members' club that offers a quality service and facilities on all levels.' A marshal holds a sign at The Renaissance Club |Security man steps in to aid stricken fan Andy Dawber's job this week - and others, too, when he plays on the DP World Tour - is Rory McIlroy's personal security guard. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A lovely man, he's always close by when the grand slam winner is making his way from the practice area to the tee and then out on the course as well.
Scotsman
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
New Hearts Book For New Season
Tynecastle under the floodlights. The aroma of malt wafting its way from the distillery, making it arguably the only ground in Scotland that can be identified by nostrils alone. 'This is my story …' was sang pre-kick-off, but maybe not with the commitment we have come to expect, or was it just me sensing the nerves. Sign up to our daily newsletter 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... My book 'Hearts - The European Adventure' is available, as from today. It was written in memory of my Jambo friend who sadly passed away, and the plan was to only have a print run of 100 copies for family and friends. However, due to a lot of interest, the book is now available on Amazon and Kindle. (Kev Fletcher) Hearts - The European Adventure Book £9.99 Hearts - The European adventure Kindle £5 Or Email myself for a book for £6.99 - [email protected] Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Tynecastle under the floodlights. The aroma of malt wafting its way from the distillery, making it arguably the only ground in Scotland that can be identified by nostrils alone. 'This is my story …' was sang pre-kick-off, but maybe not with the commitment we have come to expect, or was it just me sensing the nerves. A result was needed, and the crowd was poised waiting for some excuse to erupt. But expectation in Gorgie is the root of all heartache. What you want, you don't always get.'
The Herald Scotland
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How 'no ego' Ann Budge saved Hearts and became a 'giant of Gorgie'
The former IT entrepreneur bought a majority shareholding in the stricken Edinburgh outfit for £2.5m through her Bidco 1874 company back in 2014 and so ensured that it exited administration and avoided going out of business. Bidco transferred a 75.1 per cent stake to the Foundation of Hearts seven years later and instantly made the William Hill Premiership side the largest to be fan owned in the United Kingdom. Alex Mackie, a chartered public finance accountant and the owner of insurance brokers Edinburgh Risk Management, was one of the five founding members of the Foundation of Hearts in 2010 and was its original chairman. Read more: He knows how important Budge was to the success of the embryonic fan ownership group and believes that his old associate is owed a debt of gratitude by every Jambo. 'I knew from the beginning, from the very first time that we met, that Ann Budge was right for the foundation and right for the club,' he said. 'We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. The position we're in just now is far better than we could have anticipated at the start. I can't overemphasize how much we are indebted to her. 'Back in the early days of the foundation, my wife and I had our business at one end of Dean Path in Edinburgh and Ann had her Newell and Budge business at the other end. So I knew of her. But it was Gary Mackay (the former Hearts and Scotland centre-half) who suggested I get in touch with her. He knew that she attended games with her daughter. 'Part of my vision for the foundation early on was to bring in people with talent who could cover all the bases of what we needed for a fan ownership group - we needed a lawyer, we needed an accountant, we needed a marketeer, we needed someone who understood about corporate governance and football, we needed someone who was involved in IT. 'We got to a position where we had to move the foundation to a new level and needed to find people to man the board who worked at a high level in their respective fields and who the fans would trust implicitly. The Save Our Hearts boys and the fans who were driving things had never formed a legal entity before. So I was conscious of this. (Image: SNS Group Alan Harvey) 'When we were looking for someone with IT expertise, Gary said, 'Well, do you realise that Ann Budge is a big Hearts fan?' I decided to write her a personal letter. She responded and we met up. From the moment we met, I knew that this was the right thing. We have had a good friendship and working relationship since.' Mackie continued, 'That was always our vision from the very start – that good, professional, credible Hearts fans would not take the club back down the same road that it had been down. We didn't want success to mean the club getting into major debt. That is what happened in the late 1990s right into the 2000s. 'I think that is what Ann liked about us, that we wanted to have an adherence to a high level of corporate governance. We never pressed her for money by the way. We always thought the fans would come up with the money. But things accelerated with the banking crisis and when Ukio Bankas (the Lithuanian bank that was owned then Hearts owner Romanov) went into administration she stepped up. 'I am eternally grateful for her doing that because I was running a business with my wife, and still am in fact, and had a lot of plates spinning. But we always knew that Ann was on board. She advised us and brought other professional people on board who gave us invaluable advice. 'I can remember having a two hour conversation with our solicitor about whether the foundation should be a community interest company or a company limited by guarantee. We have now greenlighted the arrival of Tony Bloom into our midst with 29 per cent of non-voting shares. But the foundation still has controlling interest and can still hold the club accountable. 'But from the first moment that I met Ann I knew she was right for the foundation, that she would do well for us and that we could trust her. I am saddened that she has decided to step down, but I understand why. She has done her stint and has done very well. In fact, she has done a great job. I couldn't say anything negative about her at all.' Read more: Not all Hearts fans feel the same way despite the enviable position the Tynecastle club are now in. Budge, who stayed on as chairwoman after the foundation became the majority shareholders, has come in for criticism from the stands in recent seasons as the team has struggled both at home and abroad. But Mackie feels the flak has been completely unjustified. 'A lot of people who own or run football clubs are full of ego,' he said. 'They think they know how to run a football club, but football clubs are unique entities. The one thing about Ann was that it was never about ego, it was always about the fans. She knew they needed the club, knew it was part of their lives. She was grounded and did what she did on their behalf. 'Fans need leadership and Ann provided that leadership at that time. Now she has to pass the baton on to somebody else. But she was great for the football club and I am sure she will still be around on match days going forward. 'There are people who have been pillars and giants of Heart of Midlothian Football Club over the years and Ann Budge is undoubtedly one of them.'
The National
01-07-2025
- Business
- The National
How 'no ego' Ann Budge saved Hearts and became a 'giant of Gorgie'
Hearts announced yesterday morning that Budge has informed them of her intention to step down as their chair following the AGM in December and so bring an end to her 11 year involvement. The former IT entrepreneur bought a majority shareholding in the stricken Edinburgh outfit for £2.5m through her Bidco 1874 company back in 2014 and so ensured that it exited administration and avoided going out of business. Bidco transferred a 75.1 per cent stake to the Foundation of Hearts seven years later and instantly made the William Hill Premiership side the largest to be fan owned in the United Kingdom. Alex Mackie, a chartered public finance accountant and the owner of insurance brokers Edinburgh Risk Management, was one of the five founding members of the Foundation of Hearts in 2010 and was its original chairman. Read more: He knows how important Budge was to the success of the embryonic fan ownership group and believes that his old associate is owed a debt of gratitude by every Jambo. 'I knew from the beginning, from the very first time that we met, that Ann Budge was right for the foundation and right for the club,' he said. 'We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. The position we're in just now is far better than we could have anticipated at the start. I can't overemphasize how much we are indebted to her. 'Back in the early days of the foundation, my wife and I had our business at one end of Dean Path in Edinburgh and Ann had her Newell and Budge business at the other end. So I knew of her. But it was Gary Mackay (the former Hearts and Scotland centre-half) who suggested I get in touch with her. He knew that she attended games with her daughter. 'Part of my vision for the foundation early on was to bring in people with talent who could cover all the bases of what we needed for a fan ownership group - we needed a lawyer, we needed an accountant, we needed a marketeer, we needed someone who understood about corporate governance and football, we needed someone who was involved in IT. 'We got to a position where we had to move the foundation to a new level and needed to find people to man the board who worked at a high level in their respective fields and who the fans would trust implicitly. The Save Our Hearts boys and the fans who were driving things had never formed a legal entity before. So I was conscious of this. (Image: SNS Group Alan Harvey) 'When we were looking for someone with IT expertise, Gary said, 'Well, do you realise that Ann Budge is a big Hearts fan?' I decided to write her a personal letter. She responded and we met up. From the moment we met, I knew that this was the right thing. We have had a good friendship and working relationship since.' Mackie continued, 'That was always our vision from the very start – that good, professional, credible Hearts fans would not take the club back down the same road that it had been down. We didn't want success to mean the club getting into major debt. That is what happened in the late 1990s right into the 2000s. 'I think that is what Ann liked about us, that we wanted to have an adherence to a high level of corporate governance. We never pressed her for money by the way. We always thought the fans would come up with the money. But things accelerated with the banking crisis and when Ukio Bankas (the Lithuanian bank that was owned then Hearts owner Romanov) went into administration she stepped up. 'I am eternally grateful for her doing that because I was running a business with my wife, and still am in fact, and had a lot of plates spinning. But we always knew that Ann was on board. She advised us and brought other professional people on board who gave us invaluable advice. 'I can remember having a two hour conversation with our solicitor about whether the foundation should be a community interest company or a company limited by guarantee. We have now greenlighted the arrival of Tony Bloom into our midst with 29 per cent of non-voting shares. But the foundation still has controlling interest and can still hold the club accountable. 'But from the first moment that I met Ann I knew she was right for the foundation, that she would do well for us and that we could trust her. I am saddened that she has decided to step down, but I understand why. She has done her stint and has done very well. In fact, she has done a great job. I couldn't say anything negative about her at all.' Read more: Not all Hearts fans feel the same way despite the enviable position the Tynecastle club are now in. Budge, who stayed on as chairwoman after the foundation became the majority shareholders, has come in for criticism from the stands in recent seasons as the team has struggled both at home and abroad. But Mackie feels the flak has been completely unjustified. 'A lot of people who own or run football clubs are full of ego,' he said. 'They think they know how to run a football club, but football clubs are unique entities. The one thing about Ann was that it was never about ego, it was always about the fans. She knew they needed the club, knew it was part of their lives. She was grounded and did what she did on their behalf. 'Fans need leadership and Ann provided that leadership at that time. Now she has to pass the baton on to somebody else. But she was great for the football club and I am sure she will still be around on match days going forward. 'There are people who have been pillars and giants of Heart of Midlothian Football Club over the years and Ann Budge is undoubtedly one of them.'
