Foundation of Hearts Wants Ann Budge To Stay On After Takeover

Heart of Midlothian Owner Ann Budgegetty images

Ann Budge "could remain in charge" of Heart of Midlothian when fan group Foundation of Hearts "complete their takeover," according to Darren Johnstone of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The fan group wants Budge to "remain at the helm" when it repays her the £2.5M she put up to take the club out of administration in '14. The group has "forked out" £3M ($4M) toward the new main stand and the 8,000-strong supporters group has also "begun repaying the money to Budge for the takeover." FOH "hope to officially take over the running of the club" by '20, when Budge will be 72 years old, but is "keen for her to continue in a chief executive role." FOH Chair Stuart Wallace said, "We're keen to have a period of stability after the changeover" (DAILY RECORD, 5/24).