Hearts choose Lee Deans, in their Magnificent 7 team

Heart of Midlothian Football Club have launched a new initiative, which aims  to ensure a new generation of supporters are attracted to Tynecastle. The new scheme - called 'Magnificent Seven' to reflect the age of the majority of P3 pupils - is designed to do exactly that.

The programme, which has been approved by the six local authorities in the South East, including Scottish Borders Council, is building on the success of Hearts' Education and Community Trust, which was launched last year.

Hearts fan and Earlston Primary School pupil, Lee Deans represented the Scottish Borders at the launch at Tynecastle on Tuesday 18^th September. Lee along with 6 other children from other participating authorities, were presented with their replica strip and had the chance to have a kick about on the Tynecastle Park pitch with first team players, Marius Zaliukas, Michael Stewart, Steve Banks, Robbie Nielson, Christophe Berra, Kestutis Ivaskevicius and Ibrahim Tall.

Magnificent Seven is also being run with the co-operation of schools, with 11 Primary Schools in the Scottish Borders signing up. The primary schools in Ancrum, Chirnside, Coldingham, Earlston, Eddleston, Ednam, Glendinning, Newtown, Sprouston, Stirches and Swinton can look forward to being invited to a pre-match event where they will be given a stadium tour before being presented with their tickets and replica shirt before the game they are attending.

 "This is the biggest project involving children that any Scottish club has ever embarked upon," said Alan White, the Trust's programme manager.

"We have a long-term and very focused plan to ensure that Hearts is at the heart of Scottish sport, from here in the capital, Edinburgh. We want to introduce football to thousands of potential new supporters and their families and make them aware that watching Hearts at Tynecastle is exciting, entertaining, exhilarating, but also very safe."

Scottish FA Football Development Officer, Drew Kelly said “ Hearts are obviously planning for the future and new initiatives like this not only are a great attraction for existing hearts fans, but might also attract the undecided youngsters. Any initiative which encourages children to start playing football are to be commended and from the initial response from schools in the Scottish Borders, I expect to see plenty Hearts strips on the SFA October Holiday Coaching Courses”.