PRESTONPANS HEARTS SUPPORTERS CLUB

 

HOW IT ALL BEGAN - 1978

 

The post-war Prestonpans Hearts Supporters Club, which had flourished in HMFC’s glory years of the 50's and early 60's, had ceased to exist by the end of the swinging sixties. Nevertheless, despite a lack of success on the field, there remained many 'Panners who followed the Hearts.

 

Following an exploratory meeting in the Forth Tavern (now named the Goth) to gauge interest in forming a supporters club, a new club was to become established, with the very first meeting of the club taking place on 23 February 1978.  It is interesting to note that this was at a time when HMFC, for the first time in its history, was languishing outwith the top division, following relegation from the top flight.

 

A small Committee was elected, with Billy Thomson as Chairman, Robin Beith as Secretary, Neil Scott as Treasurer and Wallace Hanratty as Vice Chairman.  Wallace took the Chair that night.  It is interesting to note that a decision was taken at the first meeting that no alcohol would be allowed on club transport.  This was long before legislation was introduced to ban alcohol from football buses. This local policy has remained in place ever since.

 

The first fundraising disco was held in the Forth Tavern on Friday 7 April. This would be the first of many successful and profitable social events.

 

The first bus to Tynecastle was run on 18 March with a match against the might of Montrose. The first away bus was run on 1 April to Muirton Park, Perth, for a match against St Johnstone. A fantastic night was held in the Forth Tavern on Saturday 29 April, when the members returned from the trip to Gayfield Park, as HMFC celebrated the clinching of promotion back to the top league, with a 1-0 win over Arbroath, courtesy of a goal from 17 year old Eamonn Bannon. Hearts were back!

 

The club’s first AGM took place on 8 June 1978.  The following right honourable men were elected:

• Chairman, Wallace Hanratty;

• Vice Chairman – Hughie McFarlane;

• Secretary – Ian Jefferies;

• Treasurer – Neil Scott;

• Tote Convenor – Walter Fairnie;

• Bus Steward – Billy Thomson.

  Three further committee members were elected from the floor, namely Robert Watters, Davie Rowlands and Catherine Jefferies (now Wilson). Fraser Shepherd was elected as a Trustee.  The minutes record that the first AGM ended in a ‘state of jovial disorder’!

   

   

   

   

  And now for a wee trip down memory lane, with a peek through the minutes of the early meetings, recording aspects of PHSC activity, both on and off the field.  Here are just a few selected items.

   

  The first meeting of the newly elected committee in July 1978 gave an indication of the club’s commitment to encouraging local youngsters to attend matches. The minutes record the introduction of a rota system for the distribution of juvenile season tickets that had been bulk purchased.

   

  At a meeting on 3 August, the club formally agreed to join the Federation of Hearts Supporters Club and John Frame, the Federation Secretary, would address the members at the meeting scheduled for 17 August.  Co-incidentally, a right rammy was to erupt at that meeting when the controversial issue of increasing fares to away games was suggested. The minutes illustrate a very stormy meeting concluding in a motion by Arthur Wilson that future meetings should be held on a Sunday afternoon in the local church hall.  Surprisingly though, the proposal failed to find a seconder!  

   

  A membership list drawn up by Ian Jefferies for the 1979/80 season shows that there were 76 adult members and an astonishing 94 juvenile members!  A bus outing for juvenile members was arranged for Saturday 22 July!

   

  October 1979 records the club’s involvement in sponsoring a match ball. As a result of this, a juvenile member was given the chance of being the official club mascot at a game against Dunfermline. The honour went to 7 year-old Gordon Hanratty, yes the same Gordon who has now celebrated his 40th birthday!

   

  To be continued………..

   

  Alan Owenson

  Chairman PHSC

  June 2014