20 Questions: Hearts

The latest instalment in this particular series has a particular twist today, with the answers coming from an Edgeley Park regular!

Oct 17, 2024

Thursday 17 October 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Hearts supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Regular readers will know I don’t have too many controversial opinions. I like to think I’m a nice enough chap, but I do think anyone who wears a half-and-half football scarf should be treated like a witch and burned at the stake.

However, if County continue on their upward trajectory under Mark Stott, somehow make it into Europe one day, then get drawn with Hearts, I’ll make an exception on my opinion above for Gordon Cundill. If Gordon wants to wear a scarf that’s half maroon, half royal blue, that’s OK with me.

If you’ve read any of our previous ‘20 Questions’ features you’ll know we usually speak to bloggers, podcasters and fanzine editors from whichever club we’re focusing on. For this latest instalment on Hearts, however, I thought I’d speak to Gordon instead, which I do before pretty much every County home game in The Armoury.

Gordon’s a lifelong Hearts fan, having attended games at Tynecastle on a regular basis as a child after being born in Edinburgh. His family moved to Stockport in 1964 and he’s been to one or two County games over the years. Gordon wrote a lovely piece for The Scarf My Father Wore last year looking back at some of his County memories (click here to read). Today, we can delve into the maroon side of his head.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters. A big thank you to Karmen and Aaron.

Thanks also to Back2Life, who sponsor our Hearts content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,027

Total completed streets so far: 399 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Hearts last won the Scottish Cup back in 2012

Hearts currently play in the Premiership, which is the top tier of Scottish football. What’s that like as a division?

Not easy to win as the Old Firm share the spoils most seasons. Hearts and Aberdeen seem to fight for lesser places, like the Europa League.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Edinburgh.

The 8am train up to ‘Embra’, a few pints at The Diggers, then on to Tynecastle for the game. After the match it's into The Tynecastle Arms for a couple before a 15-minute stroll to Haymarket station for the 6.30 train back to Stockport.

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

The Wee Team. (Hibs.)

What’s your best memory following Hearts?

Beating the Wee Team 5-1 in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final. I watched it in The Tynecastle Arms, a pub just 100 yards from our ground.

What’s your worst memory following Hearts?

Losing the league to Celtic on the last day of the 1985-86 season. We’d gone on an unbeaten run from about December, but lost the last game of the season 2-0 away to Dundee. We also lost the Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen the following week!

If Hearts was a TV show, which one would it be?

Only Fools and Horses. We've had some Del Boy owners, some Triggers up front, and some real all-round plonkers.

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

Tynecastle Park is now all-seater holding about 19,500, although when l started going only the Main Stand was seated. In those days (late 50s) the capacity was about 54,000.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

County are my second team. After moving to Stockport in 1964, my mother, God bless her, told me l must support my local team. On 12 November, l will have supported, loved, endured and followed County for 60 years, although the Jambos will always be my first love.

Gordon pictured with one of his County heroes, the late, great, Jim Fryatt

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

Quite frequently! When l first sat down to scribble a few words for this, l’d enjoyed the previous evening in The Petersgate Tap after the Wigan home game. Only went in for a couple post-match, but ended up getting the last bus home. This is what happens when you talk County to County fans!

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Hearts have had?

Maroon shirts, white shorts and maroon/white socks, although occasionally play in all maroon. Favourite all-time kit is white shirt with maroon pin stripes. I got the full kit for Christmas in 1960 and went out and played football on the park wearing it for hours that Christmas Day. Came home frozen, but very happy.

If Hearts were playing in the next Scottish Cup final, who’d be at Hampden Park as your celebrity fan?

Probably Sir Chris Hoy. There are quite a few other sports stars that are Hearts fans as well: Alan Wells, Stephen Hendry, Gavin Hastings, Eilidh Doyle. Even Rebus (Ken Stott) is a Jambo.

What’s the most interesting fact about Hearts we might not know?

Hearts scored 132 goals in the 1957-58 season which l believe is still the record for most goals scored in the top division.

Who’s your all time Hearts hero?

Three favourites, all centre-forwards. Willie Bauld from the 50s scored 277 goals in 413 appearances, before Alex Young (who some County fans will remember) took over his mantel when he retired. The other is John Robertson, the “Hammer of Hibs”, who scored 27 goals in Embra derbies.

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Hearts’ fanbase?

Average about 18,500 in a ground that holds 19,500. Long suffering, but loyal is the best way to describe Jambos. Had really barren years from the early 60s, but we’ve won the Scottish Cup in 1998, 2006 and 2012, so we’re due another cup win soon. Please!

What’s your manager like?

We’ve just appointed Neil Critchley as our new manager, whose last game in the dugout was at Bloomfield Road in August, with County’s 3-0 victory leading to his dismissal! We usually appoint ex-players such as Steven Naismith, Robbie Neilsen, Craig Levein and Gary Locke, all great Jambos and Hearts fan favourites, but it never seems to work. Perhaps we need a complete outsider to come in and start over with fresh eyes and ideas.

What’s your owner like?

Hearts are a fan-owned club, and l read last week the supporters have now put in £18m over the last few years. I believe this is done by a £10 direct debit each month, with 400 new subscribers signing up this season. May have to join up myself. Hearts were basically saved by Anne Budge, a Jambo and successful local businesswoman. Had it not been for her and her connections, l dread to think what could have happened to the Hearts.

What’s it like for a night out in Edinburgh?

Where to begin! Edinburgh’s a tourist city, so you wander round all night visiting famous sights. You can watch kilted pipers on Princes Street, marvel at Edinburgh Castle, or simply go to any of the 16 pubs on Rose Street. Alternatively, try a few pints in one of the six or seven bars in the Grassmarket, or start at the top of Leith Walk and see how many pubs you can visit before you arrive at the docks.

What’s the best thing about being a Hearts fan?

Not being a Hibs fan!

What’s the worst thing about being a Hearts fan?

The anticipation and the expectation, followed by the dejection, but hey ho, that's what being a Jambo for life is all about.

What are your hopes for this season?

First of all, to eventually win a league game, and then not to be relegated. A good cup run would be nice, whilst also continuing in Europe. Oh, and gub the Wee Team four times!

Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

If you’re looking for some new blinds or shutters, have a look inside the new Bauhaus showroom on the A6

Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters is a family run business, based in Poynton. They have a long and distinguished track record of happy customers, providing high quality blinds and shutters which are expertly fitted.

They specialise in turning your house into a home, having a solution to suit every room and window. Your blinds are provided and installed by their expert team of fitters. If you have any custom requests, let them know and they’ll find a solution.

You can pop along and have a chat with Karmen and Aaron in person if you’d like some more information, as their new showroom on Buxton Road opened a few weeks ago.

Visit bauhausblindsandshutters.co.uk for further details.

Get your trainers cleaned and restored

Any Hearts fans (or indeed, any of our other readers up in Edinburgh) joining us today? If you’ve got any dirty trainers you’re about to chuck in the bin… DON’T!

Back2Life is a business dedicated to cleaning and restoring your shoes, saving them from the bin, and more importantly saving you money!

Call 07368 806289 or email back2lifeshoecleaner@gmail.com for further details.

Photo of the day

Absolute Oscar-winning performance of me waiting for a bus on Hollyoaks. Can’t believe the director’s decided to blur me out.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Joker: Folie à Deux (15) at 5.30pm and 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

The 8.15pm screening coincides with Pizza Club. Tickets include a pizza from I Knead Pizza, a drink of your choice and an ice cream – all in the comfort of your cinema seat!

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as AMP (SK1), The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#26 – John Ruddy, Birmingham

Looking like he’s auditioning for a Nick Love gangster film, here’s a photo of John Ruddy from his time at Birmingham. Ruddy’s been first choice goalkeeper at St Andrew’s the last two seasons before joining Newcastle on a free transfer in the summer. Jim Gannon twice had Ruddy on loan at County from Everton, in 2006-07 and 2007-08.