Hearts today lauded John Tams as a "hero" as the club prepares to support Sunday's benefit match between the Hearts Legends and a Real Maroon/Duddingston Athletic select (New Dundas Park, 3pm).

Those were the words of community development manager Alan White who has played a key part in the set-up of this special match for John and his wife Nicola.

John was critically injured in Sorrento, Italy, in July when he and his wife were hit by a drunk driver. In an act of true bravery, John jumped in front of his wife to take the full force of the accident.

That incredible courage and love for his wife has inspired Hearts and its Legends team with a fantastically strong line-up set to take the field at the home of Bonnyrigg Rose for what should be a fantastic family occasion to which all supporters are invited.

Entry is priced at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. A raffle will also be held on the day.

Every penny goes to the fund set-up for John and Nicola to pay for the significant costs incurred since the accident.

"The guy has got hero status around here," Alan White said today.

"To have that commitment for somebody, his new wife, and to put his life on the line, he has paid for that and it is pretty heroic.

"It is fitting that him being a huge Hearts supporter that the club and our former players put on a great show and do John and Nicola proud.

"We are hoping for as many supporters as possible. It does not matter if you are a Hearts supporter or not.

"We want to raise as much a right few bob for John and Nicola. We will make sure our guys will put on a great show."

Marketing manager Lawrence Broadie added: "We are hoping for a record crowd to watch the Hearts Legends. It should be a fantastic day, when we support two fantastic people who should be a real inspiration to us all.

"I know from Alan that the Legends are 100% behind this match - it was the easiest one to get them to come to since they started playing 40-odd games back.

"As well as thanking all the Legends, I would also like to personally thank Scott Wilson who is also giving up his time to do the PA for this event."

"When the time is right we'll also invite John and Nicola to Tynecastle as our guests in the directors' box. For now all our efforts are towards making Sunday a real success."

On the day Real Maroon, a Hearts supporters team that has been in existence for ten years will play the first half, and John's "other" team, Duddingston Athletic will play the second half. Both club's named their squads today.

Real Maroon squad: 1. Ross McGill, 2. Alan Smith, 3. Scott Clarkson, 4. George Fleming, 5. Stephen Jack, 6. Brian Richie, 7. Lewis Broadie, 8. Jamie Borthwick, 9. Mark O'Neill, 10. Charles Tams (c), 11. Craig Browning, 12. David Ferguson, 14. Fraser McGlashan

Real Maroon management team: Iain Porterfield, Neil Cockburn and Alan Trotter

Duddingston Athletic squad: 1. Ross McGill, 2. Mark Naysmith, 3. Sandy Nicol, 4. Paul Nibloe, 5. Keith Mellis, 6. Tony Williamson, 7. Mikey Dixon (Player/Manager), 8. Dougal Begg, 9. Chris Wilson, 10. Grant Ferguson, 11. Grant Brocklehurst, 12. Patrick Fee, 14. Graham Legget

Hearts Legends: Henry Smith, Alan McLaren, Jimmy Sandison (captain), Alan Lawrence, Jose Quitongo, Brian McNaughton, Gary Locke, John Robertson, Ian Ferguson, Kris O'Neil, Ian Ross, Tommy Graham, Jim Rae, Liam Delury (i.e. Jose's taxi driver), Alan White (will do anything to get a game with Robbo)

PA announcer: Scott Wilson

Referee: Graham Findlay

Assistant referees: Willie McKenzie and Alex Liston