The Rt. Hon Lord George Foulkes of Cumnock P.C., B.Sc., J.P. Welcome Biography News Interests Football Links Contact Graphics website
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Hearts
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HEARTS
First I was reminded about book launches by the launch of ‘Believe!’ by Mark Donaldson and Gary MacKay. Second, I am still going through boxes from our house move and keep coming across more and more of our Hearts memorabilia. And finally it seems better to dwell for a moment on the past rather than the present or the future. It was in early l994 that Alastair Campbell, later to gain notoriety as Tony Blair’s Press Secretary, approached selected M.P.’s Alastair is a fanatical Burnley supporter and he was then political editor of the Daily Mirror. Each week in the Commons Lobby he spoke to us, occasionally about politics, but usually football. So he knew which teams Members supported and when he was asked to write a book for charity he came up with an idea. So ‘ Football and the Commons people’ was created. Each of us would write a chapter on why we supported our team. Inevitably he had to chase us all up and some chapters had to be ‘ghosted’ by Alastair or his co-ordinator, David Bell. Eventually the book was ready for publication and I can strongly recommend it if you can still find a copy, and a launch was planned. Political stars galore arrived for the event but everyone was overshadowed by the Guest of Honour – Stanley Matthews. Alastair had asked us to come with our club’s colours and promised a photo with the great man. So that was why Gordon Brown, Ann Taylor, Doug Henderson and many more queued to have our pictures taken. And what a gentleman Stanley turned out to be. Modest in the extreme and seemingly unaware of what a hero he was to so many he was at ease with everyone. Considering the attitudes and pretentions of so many ‘stars’ of the current Premiership it is good to recall the greatness and modesty of some of the stars of yesteryear. -------------------------------------------------------------- Then I came across one sample programme among the many collected over the years. It was for the Premier Division game between Hearts and Celtic on Saturday 23rd September l995. The ‘Players of the Day’ was John Robertson and, ofcourse, the manager was Jim Jeffries. The team was full of some of my all time favourites. Henry was in goal, ‘Magic’ Johnston was at his peak and my all time favourite winger, J.C. was at his best. The partnership between the two Johns, Colquhoun and Robertson, was always a joy to behold. The runs up the wing and the crosses to Robbo positioned perfectly in the box were symphonies of motion. The fan on the field, Gary Locke, always gave 100+% in very game. If ever there was a player who played for the jersey it was Gary for Hearts. And there, in the heart of our defence was ‘big slim’ Dave McPherson, as solid and reliable as anyone since. But I’ve not forgotten the ever present, dependable and talented real MacKay our own Gary, who is with us still. Together with Neil Berry, Alan Lawrence, David Hagen, Scott Leith, David Winnie, Brian Hamilton, Willie Jamieson and reserve ‘ keeper Craig Nelson it was a great line up. And from the names you might guess they were all British and mostly Scottish. Incidentally the Celtic team that day included John Collins, John Hughes and our bete noir, Andy Walker, as well as Tosh McKinlay. My recollection was of good exciting competitive football. We had just been beaten by Dundee in an exciting League Cup tie where I was one of 5,000 Hearts fans. The programme also looked back to 20th September 1986 when we beat Motherwell 4-0 just after a thrilling 3-2 UEFA Cup victory over Dukla Prague. It also looked back to a 5-1 win over Locomotive Leipzig on 29th September 1976 and a 4-2 victory over Celtic on 26th September l964. I mentioned these to remind some of our fans with short memories that Hearts have had great times before. And this is without mentioning the Heydays of the 50’s and Conn, Bauld and Wardaugh. So although we may have had some fallow years, between 86 and 98 in particular it has not always been so. And I also remembered when Rangers were in the doldrums for long period, failing to fill Ibrox, and cowed by the other half of the Old Firm. So let’s not get ourselves into two much despair. Football is full of ups and downs. -------------------------------------------------------------- Also in my removal boxes was a letter from John Borthwick, Secretary of the Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs inviting me to speak in Prestonpans. On 1st October l995, the star speaker was Billy Bremner and I was the warm up. Robin Beith was the Master of Ceremonies at the event. John is still the hard working Secretary and Robin still compering ‘ lunches’ that last all day. Both are fine examples of the men who have given hours, days and years of service to the club they love. I hope those currently in power appreciate this. GEORGE
FOULKES --------------------------------------------------------------
Leaving Easter Road after the CIS Cup Semi Final defeat the mood seemed to be one of disappointment and frustration rather than anger. Perhaps we fans are beginning to get a bit punch drunk with recent events. I’ve never claimed, unlike some, to be the greatest strategist but even to me it became obvious that punting the ball high up the park was not a very clever tactic. And the Hibs players, to their credit took advantage. Not full advantage fortunately or their margin of victory would have been greater. But my companions afterwards, Roddy, Pilmar, Ramez ,Zoe and Jim sat shell shocked in the carpark waiting to be released into the cruel world outside. Having broken bread with Hibee Gordon in his High Street Tratoria earlier in an optimistic mood we were not too keen to get his inevitable phone call. Everyone I spoke to seemed to share the feeling. The shoulder shrug and ‘where do we go from here ?’. So it was a welcome distraction for me to return home to continue sorting out boxes from our recent house move. And what luck I should start on a box of football programmes. My eye alighted on the programme for the Scottish League Match between Dunfermline Athletic and Hearts for Saturday 6th October 1962. It cost 3d (three old pennies) – just over one of today’s pennies.! There was an advance notification of the second leg of the Fair Cities Cup tie against Everton scheduled for 31st October. The capacity of the ground and stand was to be limited to 30,500 for this floodlit attraction.! But the best part, and the most relevant to my Thought for Today was the section ‘ From the Manager’s Desk’. And, of course, the Manager was none other than one J Stein. He wrote:- ‘Today we face a settled Hearts team which has deserted the old four-two-four formation and is playing strong attacking football. Their league position justifies the Tynecastle policy. It is a tonic for Scottish Football to see Hearts regaining the position they held for so many years. Mr Tommy Walker, their very capable Manager, is out to win back the former glory of the club, and the playing staff is perfectly trained by Johnny Harvey, Scotland’s trainer, whose dedication to his job has fully merited the distinction he had received. Whatever Hearts may lack in finesse compared with former teams, they more than make up for in all-out endeavour. They have already this season beaten last year’s champions, Dundee, three times and, in addition to holding a lofty League position, they are in the semi-finals of the League Cup. There is no doubting the caliber of to-day’s opposition and only a great effort by the Athletic will keep the points at East End Park’.
And, of course, there is the clear emphasis on the importance of the manager. Who could be two better examples of that than Tommy Walker and Jack Stein.? But is it different today.? Are managers no longer important.? Is this just a romantic notion from the sixties.? Surely there are just as many examples today. Sir Alex has completed his 20th Season at Old Trafford. Clearly Abranovich recognizes the importance of Jose Murinho. And closer to home Craig Levein has seemingly breathed some new spirit into a formerly dispirited Dundee United team. Let’s hope someone learns this lesson soon closer to home. -------------------------------------------------------------- What this club of ours is all about was on parade last Sunday. Nearly a thousand gathered around the War memorial at Haymarket to pay respect to players and supporters who died in the Great War and subsequent conflicts. Current and former players and fans from Tynecastle were joined by representatives from Hibs and Falkirk. For the first time I can recall there were no Hearts Directors present but Campbell Ogilvie, represented the Club with great dignity supported by Finance Director, Stewart Fraser. The Salvation Army captain conducted the service exceptionally well and his band played beautifully. Craig Herbertson gave us a great unaccompanied open air rendition of his excellent composition ‘Hearts of Glory’. And it was a great privilege for me to lay the wreath on behalf of the West of Scotland supporters club of which I am Honorary President. Thanks to Ross McLean and Jim for bringing the wreath, representing our supporters club, and giving me their support at the Service. Afterwards we were entertained at the Scots Guards Club and I then had the enjoyable experience of attending the McCrae Memorial Trust Lunch at the Royal Scots Club. There we joined in before lunch as General Mark Strudwick laid their wreath on the Royal Scots War memorial. And there was a great camaraderie between the Hearts contingent and the Royal Scots as we mingled before our respective lunches. Once again Campbell Ogilvie and Stewart Fraser flew the flag for the club. The occasion was compered by the inimitable and ubiquitous Prestonpans Jambo, Robin Beith, and we had a sideshow of Contalmaison 2006 from Jack Alexander featuring the Lord Provost, Lesley Hinds, who graced the lunch with her presence. Sadly I had to leave before the comedy items and dropped off leading Jambo, Eric Milligan, on my way home. All of this is recounted to underline the immense reservoir of goodwill towards Hearts. Support is there from the City and its leaders, from the Royal Scots and Scots Guards and from citizens beyond the Jambo faithful. It is a heritage which needs to be nurtured and developed. If it were to be squandered then Hearts would never be the same. GEORGE FOULKES
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