BUDGE: MORE NEEDED TO HALT HOOLIGANS

ANN BUDGE admits Hearts have ‘more to do’ to combat hooliganism and anti-social behaviour, despite forking out £100,000 on CCTV at Tynecastle this summer. Following a series of incidents during the 2-1 win for Hibs at the stadium in April, including the discharging of pyrotechnics and the throwing of coins, the lower section G of the Wheatfield Stand was closed for the final two league games of the campaign. The club owner says there has been a positive reaction to the drive for good behaviour but that it has to continue. Budge said: ‘I am pleased we have made headway but we have more to do. ‘One of the things I am most pleased about is our supporters are beginning to use our help line, our reporting line. ‘Also when some fans have started to sing something inappropriate, they have been booed down. So the self-policing is hugely important. ‘We continue to do more. We have stand managers who are employed by the club, over and above the police and other stewards. ‘We have spent over £100,000 in the close season putting in CCTV. ‘I would love to spend that £100,000 on something else but if that actually helps us achieve the objective of making this a family-friendly stadium, then it is £100,000 worth spending. ‘The police, the stewards, ourselves, the supporters; we all have to do our thing if we really want to stamp that out.’ Budge was speaking after being named as the 2019 winner of the Edinburgh Award, an honour in recognition of her business success and community work, and for her services to sport in the city.