‘I’ve been involved in some important signings in my time at Hearts, but this is perhaps the most significant’ – Hearts Director of Football Craig Levein.
Hearts will wear the Save the Children name on their kit for the next three years after agreeing a partnership with the international charity. Announcing the agreement – the first of it’s kind in British football – club owner Ann Budge said the new partnership is a ‘win-win-win’ for everyone involved.
The deal, which was made possible by an anonymous group of ‘big-hearted’ philanthropists, will see a seven-figure sum shared between Hearts and Save the Children. The Gorgie club’s own charity Big Hearts will also receive a donation to support their work in the local community.
Thanking those mystery supporters, Ann Budge said: “Through their enormous generosity they have agreed to provide funds at a level which more than removes the need for a commercial shirt sponsor.”
The Hearts owner told HeartsTV: “It’s been an amazing few weeks. A few days ago we were celebrating what we had achieved on the field, and now we’re celebrating what we’ve achieved – or at least one of the achievements -, off the field.
“It’s not a commercial sponsor that we have on our shirts, but we’ve achieved terms through this agreement that more than equate to that. So we have lost nothing by having no commercial sponsor and gained everything, in my view.
“Its very pleasing to hear that reaction to the partnership has been overwhelmingly positive. I personally can’t see any downside to this; I think it’s a win-win-win for everybody. I’m delighted that the fans are happy.”
Director of Football Craig Levein added: “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I’ve been involved in some important signings in my time at Hearts, but this is perhaps the most significant.
“It’s such a great match, a perfect match as they’re saying. It’s such a good story and pretty much in line with things that are coming out of the club just now, since Ann’s taken over. I’m really proud to be part of it.”
Spanish giants Barcelona have a sponsorship deal with Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) (Unicef) until 2016 but Hearts’ shirt deal with a charity partner is the first of it’s kind in British football. News of the agreement has been warmly welcomed across Scottish football and it’s now likely that, like Hearts adoption of the Living Wage, other clubs will try to follow Hearts lead.
SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “Heart of Midlothian is to be congratulated on their sporting success this season; and also on this exciting new partnership, which will bring welcome additional funds into the Scottish game as well as to the most worthy of causes.”
A Scottish FA spokesperson added: “We commend Heart of Midlothian for today’s announcement, which demonstrates the strength and value of Scottish football in helping to tackle society’s inequalities, especially among vulnerable groups. Such innovative thinking and partnership also plays a significant part in reinforcing the reputation of the national sport in Scotland.”
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