Gillett told Tynecastle investment is off limits
By BRIAN MARJORIBANKS
ANN BUDGE last night slapped a ‘not-for-sale’ sign on Hearts amid interest from the son of former Liverpool joint-owner George Gillett. Foster Gillett, who is a former director at Anfield, made an approach via a third party with an offer to ‘invest significantly’ in the Tynecastle club. Hearts were relegated from the Premiership when the campaign was called with eight games remaining and face life in the Championship should Budge not be able to get her league reconstruction plans voted through by SPFL member clubs, who are due to meet on Monday. However, the Tynecastle chair, who helped rescue Hearts following administration in 2014, remains committed to fan ownership — with a legallybinding agreement in place for the Foundation of Hearts to become majority shareholders later this year. In a separate development,
Sportsmail revealed this week how Hearts and Motherwell were two of four SPFL clubs that Barnsley chief Paul Conway has held takeover talks with on behalf of a wealthy international consortium. But last night Budge insisted that the only circumstances in which she would consider selling Hearts would be if the club was at risk because of the coronavirus pandemic. She said: ‘My plan has always been to hand the club over to supporters and nothing has changed. Right now the club needs stability. ‘You have no idea how many offers I have had. Certainly last year I had two or three. ‘And since all the (coronavirus) problems have started, my assumption is that people are out there looking for any bargains they think they can get. ‘But we didn’t even talk about money or anything else. ‘It was never likely in my mind. Unless I thought the club was going to go under or I thought we couldn’t survive this, then the situation may be different. ‘But I genuinely do not believe that is the case and, therefore, my plans haven’t changed. ‘We are not interested and we will carry on doing our best to see us through this difficult period. But I don’t believe we have to go down that (selling) route.’ Gillett Jnr, who is managing director of Colorado-based Booth Creek Management, was on the board at Liverpool during his father’s controversial tenure. He kept a low profile as the owners clashed with manager Rafa Benitez, then managing director Christian Purslow and the fans. Last night, the businessman issued a statement denying that he had made a formal offer. It read: ‘An email was sent on behalf of Foster Gillett regarding potential investment in Hearts Football Club. ‘To date there has been no response from the club board or the Foundation of Hearts. ‘I would welcome the opportunity to engage with the Foundation of Hearts to explore a potential investment. ‘I am looking to acquire a football club with ambitions and I’m looking to invest significantly.’ Gillett Jnr was unavailable for further comment last night but his close advisor, Alexander Jarvis, confirmed that the Colorado businessman remains very interested in Hearts. He declined to comment further.