Hearts owner Ann Budge fielded a variety of questions from the club's most dedicated fans at the Tynecastle AGM on Thursday afternoon.
It's typically an event when supporters are able to finally get an answer to a long-burning query and there were plenty of those with Budge answering 13 in total from fans.
They ranged from an existential threat to the Scottish game in Covid-19, to the prospect of leaving said game entirely.
It's a massive week for Hearts with the prospect of finishing 2020 as Scottish Cup winners with victory over Celtic in Sunday's Hampden Final.
They also top the Championship by four points but not everyone is happy with Robbie Neilson's side as one disgruntled punter asked Budge if the players "care" following their Betfred Cup exit to Alloa.
Here are the highlights of an intriguing Q&A.
Q: While there is still a long way to go before we are over the Covid 19 virus, the board is to be congratulated, together with the support of our benefactors and supporters, particularly our season ticket holders, that the June 2020 accounts show that the club has indeed coped well during the extremely difficult and unique circumstances that 2020 has thrown at us.
Given the above, the effects of Covid 19 are still with us. What are the most serious issues that Hearts and Scottish football will face over the next twelve months?
A: There are many serious issues impacting both Hearts and Scottish football as a whole. The most serious issue facing everyone is the lack of fans allowed in stadia. Ticket income is the lifeblood of Scottish clubs and without that, the majority of clubs face a challenging future.
Q: Following the appointment of a chief Executive officer, are there any plans to make more appointments to the board. Ann has talked about appointing a sporting director or a director of football. Is that still work in progress?
A: As explained in my chairman’s statement, our new sporting director was appointed earlier this week. We are delighted to have Joe Savage onboard. Joe will join the executive board of the club and will report to the main board.
We will continue to strengthen the main board as needed as we further grow and develop the business.
Q: The SPFL has hardly covered itself in glory in 2020 both in original thinking, finding fair and just solutions to issues they have had to face and, indeed, unsuccessful in raising finance from lucrative TV and commercial sponsorship deals. Is it time now to look at radical plans on how Scottish football is run by looking at the structures currently in place at the SFA and SPFL?
Given we have a fabulous stadium in one of Europe’s great cities, is it time to move away from Scotland and maybe look at playing in a Northern European League for example? UEFA, Scandinavian countries and Belgium, Netherlands etc may be interested. Playing successfully in the English Leagues could be very lucrative.
A: In connection with the SFA and SPFL, yes - I think we have demonstrated over recent months that we believe change is required.
As we have previously said, we believe there will be a number of changes in the European football landscape. Indeed we have already seen this with the introduction of the Nations League. We will keep close to all developments in Europe.
Q: Can you provide an update on when the level 2 area in the main stand will be finished and what is the current cost so far on the new main stand being built?
A: The level 2 update has been covered in question 3 above.
The current cost of the Tynecastle Redevelopment project is fully disclosed in the 2020 statutory accounts at £20.9m. This includes all major capex undertaken from late 2016 through to June 2020.
Q: Is the Alloa result in the league cup the worst result since Hearts being putting out the Scottish Cup by Forfar Athletic in 1982 and do the players care?
A: The Alloa result was disappointing, no question. I can absolutely assure you that the players do care very much. They are professionals and are committed to the success of the club.
