Heart Of Midlothian's David Southern Urges Fans To Back Foundation Of Hearts Buy-Out

Scottish Premiership Heart of Midlothian Managing Dir David Southern "secretly backed the Foundation of Hearts buy-out more than a month before it achieved preferred bidder status," according to Alan Marshall of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Southern was "among the first to set up a personal direct debit supporting the fan-ownership scheme -- but had to keep his commitment quiet while other parties were in the frame." Now, in an "open letter to Hearts supporters," Southern has "urged more fans to join him in signing up to the direct debit appeal before the first draw-down date for monthly payments on Monday." Southern: "We as supporters now have a golden opportunity to secure the future of the club for many generations to come" (DAILY RECORD, 8/28).