97/98 POLL RESULTS

Ok, ok this season's results are different from any which have taken place before as for obvious reasons the cup final features heavily which has distorted one or two categories. However, since this is the biggest mailbag we have ever had, this is the most worthwhile postbag we have ever had, and I can't thank you all enough, and I include the Internet readers when I say that.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1997/98
1. Paul Ritchie 56%
2. Steve Fulton 18%
3. Neil McCann 9%
Davie Weir 9%

A deserved win for Paul who was clearly the most consistent player this season. Cameron and Adam received a couple of votes each

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 97/98
1. Gary Naysmith 71%
2. Paul Ritchie 29%

Gary walked it because Paul was mostly included in the Player of the year. There are no other serious contenders.

BEST HEARTS MATCH 97/98
1. Cup final 43%
2. Killie 5-3 (h) 18%
3. Aberdeen 4-1 (h) 14%
4. 'Well 4-2 (a) 6%

Some votes for Celtic 1-1 (because of Jose's last gasp goal), and a few votes for 4-1 ('Well and Aberdeen away)

WORST HEARTS MATCH 97/98
1. Hibs 1-2 (a) 52%
2. Rangers 2-5 16%
3. Motherwell 1-1 (h) 11%
4. Dunfermline 1-2 (a) 7%

had to give them something to celebrate in the worst season in their history!

BEST GOAL SCORED BY A HEARTS PLAYER
1. Naysmith v Dons 46%
2. Naysmith v Saints 22%
3. Adam Cup final 20%
4. Robbo's free kick 4%

Cameron (twice), McCann and Salvatori all received honourable mentions.

BEST GOAL SEEN ALL SEASON (TV INCLUDED)
1. Bergcamp v Agrentina
2. Naysmith v Aberdeen
3. Roberto Carlos v Tenerife
4. Lambert v Rangers
5. Patric Viera
6. Olafsson vs hibs (the one that got them relegated)

BIGGEST DONKEY IN PREMIER LEAGUE
1. Gottskalsson
2. The hibs team
3. Yogi Hughes
4. Brattbaak
5. Dean Windass
6. Brian Welsh
7. Craig Moore

BEST PLAYER IN PREMIER LEAGUE
1. Craig Burley
2. Paul Ritchie
3. George Albertz
4. Neil McCann
5. Brian Laudrup
6. Jackie McNamara

I think Laudrup lost a lot of votes because he was leaving the Premier league for England. Honourable mentions for Weir, Fulton, Adam, Lambert, Rieper and Larsen.

HIGHLIGHT OF 97/98
1. The cup final
2. Hibs going down
3. Cup final Sunday
4. The league campaign
5. The whole season

This is usually a good question, since every season ends in disappointment. What a pleasant situation to be in! Croatia got a mention, as did the feeling when Jose's goal went in against the tims.

IF HEARTS HAD HALF A MILLION TO SPEND, WHO WOULD YOU BUY?

Difficult question! Who can you buy at that price these days and who would be better at that price than those we've already got. The positions of midfield, full back and forward were all mentioned so we know things aren't perfect so here goes, in order of most votes..... Phil Scott (Saints), George O'Boyle, Scott Crabbe, Andy Smith, Mark Hughes, Alan Johnstone, Danny Griffin, Gary Holt (Killie), Lee Clark (Sunderland), Graham Hyde (Sheff Wed), Scott Booth, Glass, Kevin Harper (Yeah, right - ed), Olaffsen.

To sum up, one of our entries said "Reading signed Jim McIntyre for about that amount so how will it improve the team anyway"

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE FROM THE CLUB SHOP BUT CAN'T?
1. Fanzines
2. A replica of the Scottish Cup
3. 1956 Cup final video
4. Actual shirts worn by players
5. Videos of classic games
6. More summer casual wear
7. Ladies underwear
8. Alarm clock with Hearts Song
9. Old style tops (Ajax)
10. Video of the fans on Cup final Sunday
11. A better cup final video
12. Hearts lager
13. Hector Nicol Hearts vinyl record
14. A miniature stadium
15. Pictures of old Tynie
16. More affordable clothes
17. lifesize Robbo poster
18. Toilet roll with hibs on it
19. Cup winners peanuts
20. Leather jacket
21. A date with Claire!

Food for thought for our great leader there. Actually, there were some people who said the choice in the shop was shit and I can't disagree (see separate article in this issue).

a) HAVE YOU BEEN INSIDE THE NEW GORGIE SUITE
YES - 23%
NO - 77%

b) DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND THE PRICES
YES - 28%
NO - 72%

c) WHEN NOT FULLY SUBSCRIBED WOULD YOU PAY A REDUCED PRICE AT SHORT NOTICE?
YES - 36%
NO - 44%
MAYBE - 20%

This question may have been a daft idea but I remember back to 1980 when a crowd of us were allowed to get into the hospitality for £25 instead of £50 at short notice rather than have the hospitality looking sparse. Admittedly times are different now, but I am of the firm opinion that empty seats in the hospitality is a sure indication that people are not getting their moneys worth, and I am positive that Hearts could do more to ensure that these seat are always filled by having a pool of people who would be prepared to pay £60 instead of £120. Clearly there's something wrong if only 28% of Hearts fans actually know what is on offer - public relations - don't make me laugh!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO DURING THE CLOSE SEASON TO ENHANCE THE ATMOSPHERE WITHIN TYNIE ON MATCHDAYS?
1. A SINGING SECTION
2. A band
3. Hand out leaflets with songs
4. Get rid of allocated seats
5. Seats out of the enclosure
6. Hearts fans in the School end
7. Half time entertainment
8. Cheerleaders
9. Sack Harty Harry!

Plenty more suggestions, some printable some not. (see separate article on atmosphere)

SHOULD A PERSON WAVING A UNION JACK FLAG BE EJECTED FROM THE GROUND?
NO 49%
YES 40%
YES, if they don't heed a warning 7%
DON'T CARE 4%

Jambos split down the middle on this issue.

WHICH HAS GIVEN YOU MOST ENJOYMENT THIS SEASON (in order of 1-5 where 1 is most)
1. Hibs bottom avge 1.53
2. Rangers failing avge 2.37
3. Falkirk going bust avge 3.90
4. Man U failing avge 3.50
5. Newcastle directors avge 3.81

What did this tell us? Absolutely nothing!

16) I asked this question before Livingston's bottle went. Anyway, most people wanted us to play Dunfermline (which we are, but not on New years day). Juventus in a friendly received plenty votes (some chance!)

ABOUT THE FANZINE

YOUR FAVOURITE BITS?
1. Cartoons
2. Ritchie's diaries
3. Slagging Hibs
4. Jokes
5. Everything
6. Catch 22
7. Letters

LEAST FAVOURITE BITS?
1. Bigotry issues
2. How we saw it
3. Anti Scottish views

That's all - really. We have to cover the bigotry issues because that's what people write to us about, simple as that.

ANY TOPICS/ARTICLES YOU'D LIKE TO SEE?
We've taken them all under advisement, but we'll keep them under wraps in case our imitators try to use them first.