My Hearts credentials started when my dad took me to my first match in 1965 the league decider versus Kilmarnock we lost 0-2. Character building was a phrase I became accustomed to whilst supporting ‘the Hearts’.
In my teens I joined Tranent Hearts Supporters Club and quickly took on responsibilities of running the Club and travelling home and away in the 70/80’s. I cried in despair when Arthur Mann was sold to Man City. I loved watching Drew Busby, Donald Ford scoring goals, and Jim Cruikshank keeping them out.
Witnessing a talent in Craig Levein whilst at the same time John Robertson was hammering Hibs!
The Jeffries years and emotional Cup win.
The Romanov/Burley 113 days and madness that followed. Hartley, Fyssas, Skacel and Craig Gordon amongst others delivering a Cup. Even in the dark days we had the return of Webster, the irrepressible McGowan, the chest of Beattie, Captain Zaliukas and the extraordinary left foot of the goal machine that was Rudi. 2012 and 5-1.
In recent years we have had our ‘downs’ but ‘we aye come back up’ and this time under the safe hands of fan ownership.
My bowling career interrupted my fortnightly visit to Tynecastle. I would always manage ten plus games per season, but that interruption included representing Scotland over 200 times, captaining Scotland Indoors more than any other player, winning over 25 major Scottish, British, and International titles including World Outdoor and Indoor titles. I retired in 2017 from that highest level.
I accepted a part-time National Director of Coaching position for Bowls in 1998 and over a 1s-year period modernised the Coaching system. Managing a team that trained over 1800 coaches. I developed a programme introducing over 70,000 school children to the Sport. No mean achievement in a volunteer system.
Career Highlights-
20 years with HMRC, half of which as an Inspector investigating small businesses.
Various Sales Director roles with product development and marketing responsibilities leading to a Managing Director role, 2008, in Sports and Surfaces
Argyle International Ltd, wholly owned by my wife and I, completed a management buyout of the Sports and Surfaces divisions in 2015. Track record since then of making good decisions by growing and diversifying the business and increasing profitability.
My Passion for Hearts has led me to this nomination. I believe I have the time and the variety of skills that offers something different but complements the skills of the existing FOH Board. If elected I would dedicate time to serve the Foundation with an ambition to significantly grow our Foundation Membership thus forever supporting our Club with an aim that Heart of Midlothian the Club that we all love becomes the ‘FIRST’ force in Scottish football.
The FOH and what has been achieved so far by its members is a tribute to all that have served. I believe the FOH Board should be represented by Hearts supporters that individually and collectively make a positive difference whilst representing its membership.
I would be honoured to receive your vote.
Graham Robertson