History of Tynecastle

OVER THE COURSE OF THE 21/22 SEASON, CLUB HISTORIAN DAVID SPEED WILL COVER THE ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY OF OUR HOME.

PART SIX: CHAMPIONS AGAIN

In June 1895, Edinburgh Corporation finally opened the bowling green on the previously unused land behind the Tynecastle stands. Hearts’ improved pitch was also in pristine condition on 10 August 1895, when the Scottish League Championship flag was unfurled before a

Challenge Match against the

Scottish Cup winners, St.Bernards.

Hearts won by 4-1 and the fine surface appeared to help the players produce some exhilarating football. This was certainly required on 28 September in one of the most dramatic contests that had ever taken place in Gorgie.

The occasion was the first Scottish League “derby” against Hibernian, before a new record attendance of 17,500. The atmosphere was electric and the Second Division Champions proved that they could now perform at the higher level. However, the maroons were just too strong and, in the dying minutes, Davie Baird scored with a blistering shot to give Hearts a 4-3 victory. It was a memorable goal which produced a great roar of relief from the Gorgie fans.

The match was well documented in the newspapers, with the reporters having an excellent view from the enlarged press-box that had been built on the roof of the (now covered) South Stand. Positive reporting encouraged even greater crowds and the club had to further expand the ground during the course of the season. This was achieved by increasing the height of the cinder banking around three sides of the pitch, on which most of the regular spectators stood.

There was a set-back on 2 November 1895 when Hearts defeated Dundee by 2-0 in a League match. One of the visiting players, Thomas Vail, kicked the Hearts goalkeeper, John Fairbairn, and then faced the wrath of the home fans. Around 1,000 spectators congregated around the Pavilion to remonstrate with the Dundee youngster and the City Police had to draw batons while Vail made his exit through a side door. This was reported as the first incident of its kind in Edinburgh.

Nevertheless, the season ended on a high note and although Hearts failed to retain the League Championship in 1895-96, the team won the Scottish FA Cup for a second time. On 22 February 1896, the Semi-Finals had again brought St.Bernards to Tynecastle and in fine weather, 16,000 fans saw Willie Michael score the only goal of the game after three minutes. The end of the match was greeted with the greatest enthusiasm ever witnessed at Tynecastle, but there were even greater celebrations following the Scottish Cup Final. This was played at Logie Green, the home of St.Bernards, and Hearts defeated Hibs by 3-1.

In addition to expanding the capacity of the ground, the running track was banked during the season. That provided a modern cycle raceway which would establish Tynecastle as a venue for this increasingly popular sport. Indeed, 6,000 spectators were attracted to the Cycle and Athletic Meeting on the new track in May 1896.

That summer also witnessed massive developments throughout Gorgie with tenement blocks being erected in every direction. Large bonded stores were also built by Hearts’ close neighbours, the North

British Distillery. In addition, the

City’s stone depot expanded along a new road, McLeod

Street, where the foundation stone of modern labourers’ houses were laid in June 1896.

Of more significance, the

Corporation sold seven stances of building ground between

Tynecastle Park and Gorgie

Road and in June 1896 the construction of tenements commenced.

Hearts’ home was slowly being hemmed-in and, at the outset, new entrances were required at the bowling green in McLeod Street and at what is now Tynecastle Terrace. Club President, William Lorimer, advised the members that a long-term stadium strategy was now required with a major decision on whether to continually build-up Tynecastle, which was only leased, or move to a larger site. Over the next few months, fields at Murrayfield Polo Grounds, Meggetland, Craiglockhart Estate and Damhead Farm were considered, but a special Committee eventually recommended staying at Tynecastle Park where the Hearts continued to prosper.

Hearts won the Scottish League Championship for a second time in season 1896-97. Throughout that year, the club continually upgraded the stadium and Gorgie rarely experienced a week without the clatter of carters’ wagons bringing ashes to build up the banking around the pitch. The smart wooden fence that ran around the track, added to the ground’s appeal and Hearts always looked after its workhorse, a brand new stable being erected in November 1896.

On the field, a “derby” win for Hibs, on 5 December 1896, would have taken the League Championship down to Easter Road. However, Hearts’ livewire attacker, Tom Robertson, scored the only goal before a Tynecastle crowd of 10,500. With games in hand, Hearts overhauled the Leith men and the title was secured on 20 February 1897, with a 5-0 home victory over Clyde. Robertson scored another four goals that day. With hindsight, it was fortunate that the home match against Clyde had been abandoned at half-time on 10 October 1896. Hearts were losing 2-0 before only 600 fans, but rain and sleet fell in torrents and officials of both sides called for a halt. The referee could not follow play and the pitch had one inch of water on the surface. The full force of the storm blew the zinc roof off the press box and those in attendance were relieved to make their way home and out of the deluge.

Incredibly, 1897-98 started with some financial problems and the club’s overdraft at the bank had to be guaranteed by three local businessmen. As part of the subsequent cost-cutting exercise, Hearts’ reserve team was scrapped, but the local juniors, Dalry Primrose, from whom the club had signed Bobby Walker, were allowed to use the ground.

Bobby Walker would be idolised by the public many of whom formed the first supporters’ organisation, The Heart of Midlothian Brake Club, which conveyed fans from the South Side to Tynecastle on match days in a horse-drawn coach. The vehicle was draped with a silk banner which depicted Willie Taylor and Davie Baird. Their football activities made them wealthy young men, but they still lived among the ordinary people who paid their wages.

1898-99 was another lean season, possibly linked to the necessary transfer of Tom Robertson and John Walker to Liverpool, for a joint fee of £350. Nevertheless, Hearts could always attract big crowds to important fixtures and this was certainly the case on 3 September 1898, when Rangers were the visitors in a League fixture and the attendance was a record-equaling total of 17,500. In an epic match, Hearts played very well against the most powerful team in the country, but eventually lost by 3-2.

In the summer of 1899, Tynecastle Park was considerably brightened by the addition of colorful enamel and wooden advertising signs that were fixed on the fences and hoardings. These were supplied by Nixon’s Billposting Company, which paid Hearts the princely sum of £20 per annum for the privilege of using the club’s property. To help finance further development and general maintenance work, the club upgraded its annual sports and cycle racing event to include professional athletes.

Another memorable event took place at Tynecastle on Monday 18 September 1899, when Hearts drew 1-1 with Rangers before a healthy crowd of 15,500. This was the first point that the Glasgow side had dropped for over a year and the players received a bonus payment of 10/- (50p) for their efforts. Buoyant attendances encouraged the Committee to draw up plans for a new stand at the north end of the ground, but estimates ranging from £135- £207 were outside the budget, and the proposal was dropped in October 1899.

The club did continue to expand the ash banking for standing spectators and for additional comfort and safety, supports (the first crush barriers) were placed around the ground. The supporters were also treated to regular half-time entertainment, such as foot and cycle racing, or pipe bands. Indeed, in November 1899, it was reported that the music of the Murrayfield Boys Pipe Band was very well received by the crowd. Fund raising is long established in football and at that time, the Hearts supporters generously donated to collections for the Boer War Fund.

THE USHER HALL

Our next stop on the Hearts Heritage Trail is the Usher Hall and the start of our story of Hearts in the Great War.

In August 1914, John McCartney, Hearts Manager, had assembled a team of which much was expected. It had taken McCartney four years to get the blend of youth and experience, skill and strength that he felt he needed to make the 1914-15 season a great one for Heart of Midlothian FC.

By October 1914, McCartney’s team was living up to expectations and had gone eight games undefeated, sitting comfortably five-points clear at the top of the league. All the pundits reckoned Hearts were well on course to be champions. As Hearts were flying high in the league, Britain’s small professional army was suffering heavy casualties in France and the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, called for volunteers, to bring it back to strength. At the same time, public opinion began to harden against full time sports – why should fit, healthy young men be excused from joining the fight, whilst others suffered for their country? Against this background, professional football was especially targeted, and there began a campaign of abuse against footballers who were seen as nothing but shirkers and cowards, content to hide at home whilst better men risked their lives. Harsh criticism indeed. But this was just the beginning! A scathing letter was sent to the Evening News on 16 November

1914 by the daughter of a serving soldier, suggesting that the club should rename themselves the ‘White Feathers of Midlothian’ - this saw many letters arrive at the stadium addressed to players – each containing a white feather and the directions to the nearest recruiting office.

Sir George McCrae a local textile merchant, Liberal Party politician, Hearts shareholder and retired colonel in the territorial army was given permission from the War Office to establish a battalion. He made a commitment in the Edinburgh press that he would raise his battalion in two-weeks, a tall order, it had taken the Lord Provost eight-weeks to raise the Edinburgh Battalion six-weeks earlier!

FIRST TEAM RESULTS

SEASON 2021 -2022

DATE OPPONENT ATT F A LINE UP

Sat July 10 Peterhead (LC) 246 2-0 Gordon M Smith A Cochrane d Souttar Halkett Kingsley Haring Tues July 13 Cove Rangers (LC) 1983 3-0 Gordon M Smith A Cochrane Souttar Halkett Kingsley b Ginnelly c Tues July 20 Stirling Albion (LC) 211 2-0 Gordon M Smith A Cochrane e Souttar Halkett Kingsley Ginnelly b Sun July 25 Inverness CT (LC) 2989 1-0 Gordon M Smith A Cochrane Halkett Halliday a Kingsley Ginnelly Sat July 31 Celtic 5272 2-1 Gordon M Smith A Cochrane Souttar Halkett Kingsley Ginnelly b

Sat Aug 7 St Mirren 1039 2-1 Gordon M Smith Halliday Souttar Halkett A Cochrane Ginnelly a Sun Aug 15 Celtic (LC) 42361 2-3 Gordon M Smith A Cochrane c Souttar Halkett Kingsley Halliday a Sun Aug 22 Aberdeen 17449 1-1 Gordon M Smith Halliday a Souttar Halkett A Cochrane Ginnelly c Sat Aug 28 Dundee Utd 9324 2-0 Gordon M Smith Halliday c Souttar Halkett A Cochrane Woodburn a Sun Sep 12 Hibs 18177 0-0 Gordon M Smith b A Cochrane Souttar Halkett Kingsley Woodburn c Sat Sep 18 Ross County 3802 2-2 Gordon T Moore Kingsley Souttar Baningime Halkett McKay Sat Sep 25 Livingston 16175 3-0 Gordon M Smith Kingsley b T Moore Baningime Halkett d McKay c

Sat Oct 2 Motherwell Sat Oct 16 Rangers Sat Oct 23 Dundee Wed Oct 27 St Johnstone Sat Oct 30 Aberdeen

Sat Nov 6 Dundee Utd Sat Nov 20 Motherwell Sat Nov 27 St Mirren Wed Dec 1 Celtic

Sat Dec 4 Livingston Sun Dec 12 Rangers Sat Dec 18 Dundee Sun Dec 26 Ross County Wed Dec 29 St Johnstone Sun Jan 2 Hibs Wed Jan 26 Celtic Sat Jan 29 Motherwell

Sat Feb 5 Rangers Wed Feb 9 Dundee Sat Feb 19 St Johnstone Sat Feb 26 St Mirren Wed Mar 2 Aberdeen

Sat Mar 5 Dundee Utd Sat Mar 19 Livingston

Sat Apr 2 Ross County

Sat Apr 9 Hibs

SUBSTITUTES

McEneff b Boyce e Ginnelly a M-Steven c Walker Pollock Roberts Halliday Henderson Halliday d Boyce Pollock a M-Steven e McEneff Haring Henderson C Smith Denholm

Halliday Boyce d Haring a M-Steven c Gnanduillet Pollock Walker McEneff C Smith

Pollock b Boyce Gnanduillet c M-Steven Haring Walker Henderson

Baningime Boyce Halliday M-Steven a Haring Gnanduillet -

Baningime Boyce c Haring M-Steven b Gnanduillet McEneff Henderson

Baningime Boyce pen Haring b M-Steven Ginnelly McEneff Walker

Baningime Boyce pen Haring b M-Steven b Walker McEneff Henderson

Baningime Boyce Haring M Steven b Ginnelly Gnanduillet T Moore

Baningime Boyce Haring M Steven a Ginnelly T Moore McKay Woodburn b Boyce Gnanduillet M Steven a Devlin Walker -

Woodburn Boyce pen a Devlin A Cochrane Gnanduillet Halliday M-Steven Haring

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES

13, 24, 28, 29 13, 20, 28, 29 13, 22, 28, 29 8, 27, 28, 34, 35,13 8, 22, 27, 38, 13 27, 34, 35, 13 22, 27, 35, 13 27, 35, 13 7, 8, 38, 13 14, 16, 21, 13 5, 8, 16, 17, 13 7, 8, 13

46 WWW.HEARTSFC.CO.UK

FIRST TEAM

APPEARANCES 2021/22

PLAYER LEAGUE LEAGUE CUP SFA CUP TOTALS

STARTS SUBS GOALS STARTS SUBS GOALS STARTS SUBS GOALS STARTS SUBS GOALS

Craig GORDON 7 - 3* 5 - 4* - - - 12 - 7* Ross STEWART - - - - - - - - - - - Michael SMITH 6 - 1 5 - - - - - 11 - 1 Cammy LOGAN - - - - - - - - - - - Jamie BRANDON - - - - - - - - - - - Alex COCHRANE (L) 6 - 1 5 - - - - - 11 - 1 Stephen KINGSLEY 4 - 1 5 - - - - - 9 - 1 John SOUTTAR 6 - 1 4 - - - - - 10 - 1 Andy HALLIDAY 4 1 1 4 1 1 - - - 8 2 2 Craig HALKETT 7 - - 5 - - - - - 12 - Taylor MOORE (L) 2 2 - - - - - - - 2 2 Peter HARING 4 2 - 3 2 - - - - 7 4 Cammy DEVLIN 1 1 - - - - - - - 1 1 Beni BANINGIME 7 - - 1 - - - - - 8 - Ben WOODBURN (L) 4 - - - - - - - - 4 - Scott McGILL $ - - - - - - - - - - - Aaron McENEFF 0 2 - 1 3 1 - - - 1 5 1 Gary MACKAY-STEVEN 6 1 1 5 - 2 - - - 11 1 3 Barrie McKAY 2 1 - - - - - - - 2 1 Jamie WALKER 0 2 - 0 4 1 - - - 0 6 1 Jordan ROBERTS $ - - - 0 1 - - - - 0 1 Josh GINNELLY 3 2 - 4 1 - - - - 7 3 Liam BOYCE 7 - 5(2 5 - 4(1 - - - 12 - 9(3 Armand GNANDUILLET 1 4 1 1 1 - - - - 2 5 1 Euan HENDERSON $ 0 2 - 0 3 - - - - 0 5 Connor SMITH $ - - - 0 2 - - - - 0 2 Finlay POLLOCK - - - 2 2 1 - - - 2 2 1 Aaron DARGE $ - - - - - - - - - - - -

Aidan DENHOLM - - - 0 1 - - - - 0 1 Leon WATSON - - - - - - - - - - - Chris HAMILTON $ - - - - - - - - - - - Mihal POPESCU $ - - - - - - - - - - - Loic DAMOUR $ - - - - - - - - - - - - Totals 77 20 12 55 21 10 - - - 132 41 22

$ Player on loan * Now left Club *Denotes shut out in goals column # Retired as player, now on Development Staff