LINLITHGOW & DISTRICT HEARTS SUPPORTERS' CLUB
Dear Member/Friend,
"SAVE OUR HEARTS" CAMPAIGN
As you know, the Federation of Hearts Supporters' Clubs and the Hearts Trust have been calling on all supporters to donate to the "Save Our Hearts" campaign. Your club, Linlithgow & District Hearts, fully supports this initiative and has been looking at ways of helping all of its members to contribute to the campaign. Suggestions are outlined on Page 2 of this note.
The Aim
The aim of the "Save Our Hearts" (SOH) campaign is to raise sufficient funds through contribution from supporters and businesses, in order to fund the acquisition of SMG's 19.9% shareholding in Heart of Midlothian PLC, prior to the impending EGM.
The Case
If the SOH campaign succeeds, and we believe that it will do, then the current Hearts Board's ill conceived dash to dispose of our beloved football club's historic home (Tynecastle) would be put on hold with immediate effect. The Board would be toppled and Chris Robinson would be replaced as CEO. This would enable other options to be explored by a new Board. Nobody is saying that Hearts might not still end up having to move from Tynecastle, but what this campaign seeks to achieve is more time to enable an honest and realistic appraisal of the various options to be carried out. It is apparent that the Board has no plan or long-term strategy. Murrayfield is a panic measure, not a solution. The Board has repeatedly demonstrated its blatant disregard for the fans - the people who pay at the turnstiles - and indications are that the Chief Executive is planning to cut and run with the proceeds of the Tynecastle sale firmly in his back pocket. We cannot allow this to happen!
It is emphasised that this campaign is about much more than whether or not Hearts move to Murrayfield. It is about the very survival of Edinburgh's oldest and best loved SPL club. We are convinced that Heart of Midlothian FC will die, if the current plans to sell Tynecastle are permitted to go ahead. We must prevent this from happening and we need your help to achieve this!
SMG have admitted that they have no real interest in continuing their partnership with Heart of Midlothian PLC. Fortunately, they are prepared to sell their shares to its supporters - you and me! They have said that, if the price is right, they will write-off the money that Hearts owe them, as part of the deal. This would be a significant coup, as it would mean overnight a massive reduction in the club's liabilities and would ease the pressure. That is why your financial contribution is needed and why it is needed right NOW!
How can you help?
(1) The first option involves sending your personal cheque direct to the "Save Our Hearts" campaign at:
SAVE OUR HEARTS
Box No 10
44/46 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh EH10 4BF
If you contribute over £100, you will be allocated shares to the value of your donation, if the campaign succeeds. If the target is not reached - we hate to think what this would mean for Hearts - you will have your personal contribution returned, less a small administrative charge. It is emphasised that the primary aim of the campaign is to buy SMG shares because that is where the controlling interest in Hearts lies. The Trust has no interest whatsoever in purchasing other smaller blocks of shares, since that would be a pointless pursuit, though if you are a shareholder they would be very interested in hearing whether you are willing to let them use your proxy vote at the forthcoming EGM.
(2) The second option is much closer to home. We realise that not everyone can afford to donate large sums of money. For this reason, your local Committee has decided to encourage members and friends of L&DHSC to send donations to its very own Campaign Co-ordinator:
Craig Young,
71 Deanburn Park,
Linlithgow EH49 6HA
(N.B. Cheques payable to Linlithgow & District Hearts SC).
Your club intends to pool all contributions it receives into a single donation. You will be given a written receipt and, if successful, you will be allocated shares, according to the value of your donation. In the unlikely event that the share purchase does not go ahead, L&DHSC will be refunded and will arrange for your donation, less any administrative charges levied, to be returned to you.
There is not much time left, so please arrange to send or hand your contribution, no matter how large or small, to Craig Young or to any other L&DHSC committee member by 5 April 2004. Please contact a committee member, if you would like to learn more about either of the above options.
Thank you for taking the time to read this note.
Henry Snedden - Secretary
LINLITHGOW & DISTRICT
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