Today, Hearts’ Chair, Ann Budge and the Chair of the Foundation of Hearts, Gerry Mallon unveiled the first marker of the Club’s impending sesquicentennial season.
The new gate at Gerards Yard features for the first time a specially designed emblem marking 150 Years since Hearts’ inception. Manufactured locally by Club Partner, Hepburn Fabrications, the gate is formed of solid steel with the beautiful new emblem forged in aluminium.
Celebrations of Hearts' 150th anniversary will commence towards the start of Season 23-24 and will feature a range of events and initiatives that will involve the broadest possible cross-section of supporters, families and the wider community. So, what can fans expect? Events will include:
· preseason friendlies
· a festival of family fun and football at Tynecastle
· a series of ‘Evening With’ events featuring club legends across the years and
· special gala dinners.
Hogmanay 2023 will be celebrated in style with dinners in both the Skyline and the Gorgie Suite and there will be special celebrations as we welcome in 2024 and reach the official anniversary date. Our first home game in January will see us hoist the Sesquicentennial Flag above the stadium.
Throughout the year, we will celebrate not just the well-known stories, but we will also provide an insight into hitherto unexplored moments in history. Our recent “Transcribathon” that saw a mini army of volunteers transform handwritten extracts from Club Minutes Books from 1874 onwards into digital and searchable documents, has unearthed fascinating insights into key moments across the decades. These will be shared with supporters and we look forward to engaging with local schools to bring this rich heritage to life.
