Importance of fans is stressed as Hearts shift 10,000 season tickets

● Supporters have continued to back club despite trying times on the park

Matters on the field may have been testing this term but Hearts fans have again rallied around the club, with more than 10,000 season ticket renewals already.

The Tyne castle fans have endured a tumultuous season, with managerial upheaval, ground reconstruction and a nomadic start to the campaign, while a long list of injuries and poor away form have left them languishing in sixth place with no prospect of bettering that in the final three games. But they remain unbeaten at home since they returned there in November and with appeals to buy up sea- son tickets early to allow the club to budget for the new season and finance the completion of the new main stand and the laying of a new pitch, the support has remained loyal.

The club has reached the 10,000 ticket milestone within six weeks and, with a general sale still to come they are hoping they will be pushing close to last year’s tally of 14,000.

“The club is delighted to have broken through the 10,000 barrier in such a short space of time,” said a Hearts spokesperson. “Season ticket sales provide a vitally important source of income for the club as it bids to herald in a new era, on and off the park.”

Speaking at the launch, chair woman Ann Budge had stressed the importance of early renewals .“With the work still ongoing at the stadium, the income is much needed. In the next three months we plan to open a supporters bar, the new club-store and of course, the new Tyne castle nurser y. Your early backing will allow us to keep all of our plans on track, which in turn will help us grow our bu siness and take the club from strength to strength.”

The early action has allowed manager Craig Levein to make new additions to t he squad, with strikers Steven Maclean and Uche Ikpeazu already enlisted, while youngsters Harry Cochrane and Anthony Mcdonald have both signed contract extensions.

The season ticket take up at Tynecastle is a boost for football in the capital, with neighbours Hibernian also touching the 10,000 mark.

Looking to build on asuccessful first season back in the top flight, which served up a League Cup semi- final place and they remain in the running for a second place finish in the Premiership and the very real prospect of European football next term.

The success coincides with bumper crowds. This season saw them enjoy an average league attendance of 17,995, their highest since 1957- 58 and the hope is that a high- achieving end to the term will drive the season ticket sales figure up even further.

“It speaks volumes for how well my team is playing and for how well the fans have bought into it and how much they are enjoying it,” said manager Neil Lennon. “We are not getting carried away but the support we have enjoyed this year has been tremendous.

“Over 9,500 supporters have signed up for next season, with seven per cent of those brand new season ticket holders ,” added a club spokesperson.

“The early backing will allow us to keep all of our plans on track, which will help us grow and take the club from strength to strength.”

ANN BUDGE