Anne Budge Takes Over at Hearts

The day Hearts supporters have been dreaming of for almost a year finally arrived today when Hearts exited administration. Anne Budge will take over as Chairperson on Monday and today she delivered this message to the Hearts supporters on the club’s official website.

 
"I am truly delighted to be able to confirm that I am now the proud majority shareholder in Hearts Football Club. It has been a long hard struggle to get to this point but together we have achieved our goal.

"The next few months - even years - won't be easy as we work hard to rebuild our Club. However, let's not think about that today...let's just enjoy! I have absolutely no doubt that together we will succeed.

"Thanks must go to everyone involved in helping us reach this milestone. Not only to those you all know about, but also to the teams of professional advisors who have helped us get this deal over the line...some of whom didn't get to bed at all last night! I personally owe them a huge debt of thanks as indeed do all Hearts supporters.

"As the days and weeks unfold we will, of course, share our plans for the future. However, as you will all know, we are now into the process of making a formal offer for the remaining shares in the club and while that process is in train, there are some restrictions on how much we can say publicly. So...no press conferences yet, I'm afraid. However, in the meantime, enjoy the moment. This is a great day in the history of our Club."

Ian Murray MP, Chair of the Foundation of Hearts, said:

"We are absolutely delighted as we thought this day would never come. We are only here due to the fantastic efforts of the supporters - without them this would not have been possible.

"We have had to be patient but now that the deal is officially done, the club can move out of Administration with a new dawn.

"The Foundation would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to get this over the line - BDO, and especially Bryan Jackson, everyone at the Lithuanian side, the Club, Ann Budge and her team and, of course, the fans. The Hearts family has come together during its darkest hour to ensure that our Hearts are still beating. Everyone should be very proud of themselves tonight in the knowledge that they have played their part in creating history for generation of Hearts supporters to come."