A Hearts fan’s riposte to ‘Warm welcome to Jim Jefferies’
February 5, 2010 by Guest Writer · 3 Comments
By SHAUN MILNE
Jim Jefferies and a trinket Hibs have not seen for a while
Upon it is etched an image of Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown kissing the Scottish Cup trophy at Celtic Park in 1998, moments after ending Hearts 40-year silverware famine.
It is among my most prized possessions, because it was presented to me by my late grandfather George.
He was a dyed-in-the-wool Hibee but the beers had barely stopped flowing in celebration down Gorgie way when he braved the official club shop to buy it as a keepsake for me.
He remarked that I’d remember the win forever, that I didn’t need a picture, because it would be seared in my memory forever.
How very right he was.
Nine years have passed since JJ left the club in curious fashion, and as is often the case, the fans were then divided on his popularity.
Yet in the turbulent times that followed the Jim Jefferies reign, the club has limped from one crisis to the next.
Under Vladimir Romanov, and a second cup win, some thought they’d seen just about enough to convince them that maybe there really was a new dawn looming, and few shed tears for previous teams, or managers.
But the conveyor belt of coaches and chaos that has followed since, how many Jambos have secretly yearned for JJ to come home?
Each day throughout this self inflicted misery, I’ve gazed upon that same picture, and wondered how it would be to have a real Hearts man in the chair again?
Jefferies at least always got Hearts. As a Musselburgh boy, first a fan, then player and manager he understood. For others, it was simply a stepping stone.
The lack of passion, zeal or dare I say talent that has graced Tynecastle in his absence has worn me down. At the end of last term, I chucked my season ticket in frustration.
I felt cheated, that my beloved Hearts had been infiltrated by imposters, not a Gary Locke or Stephane Adam among them. Now the gaffer is back though, and I’m quickly re-assessing my options.
Jefferies has already signed Ryan Stevenson from Ayr, branded an attacking midfielder. As someone who until recently lived in Ayr and saw him play many times, I can assure you he is more of goal getter than Hearts have had for two seasons.
Curiously, JJ must have had his sights for him for some time, but there would be no way he could cross that Ayr v Killie divide.
In Edinburgh, he’ll fit right in, as long as he can keep out the clubs and bars. He’s a player with Jefferies like grit.
JJ has built formidable experience now, not just at Hearts.
At Falkirk, Berwick Rangers, Gala Fairydean and Bradford, he learned how to tease the best from people while working under limited budget. And he’ll need to draw upon on that savvy to turn around the Jambos.
Laryea Kingston, unarguably one of our best talents, now has a chance to come out of sulk under a manager who won’t give him any room to hide. Marius Zaliukas and his hot temper, will benefit from the wisdom of the former defender. The young boys barely yet shaving who have been denied their chances, Gary Glen for one, will suddenly find someone who believes in them.
How do we know? Because we’ve seen it before.
After all it was he who bloodied the likes of Gary Naysmith and Paul Ritchie.
Others, however, well, they will be shown the door. He has no patience for shirkers.
Signing Jefferies is perhaps the shrewdest move the Romanovs have made to date.
What few people know, is they had the chance to lure him back one before, but failed to take it, plumping for Csaba instead.
Don’t be surprised if we see a few more ex Jambos coming back too, Gary Locke and Adam possibly among them. And watch as his presence helps heal the rift with the fans too.
My son is now exactly a week old. One day I look forward to taking him to Tynecastle. If he likes it, a season ticket will follow too.
Joshua John was born on the same day that Jim Jefferies returned to Hearts. Of course it was co-incidence. But I couldn’t help but notice that made it two JJ’s joining the Hearts family that day.
Shaun Milne is a former editor-in-chief of Planet Hearts
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You’re making an assumption that JJ junior will want to follow Hearts…
Craig,
As one who has inflicted his jamboism on my own son, im sure JJ wont have much choice in who he supports. My son is 8 now, his sister recently asked him why he didnt change his team and support the winners like Rangers, “Erin he said, you cant change your football team, you support one team for the rest of your life” To be honest I did contemplate what I had subjected him too, but the lows just means the highs are so much higher.
Shaun, Congrats on the birth of JJ, and I look forward to seeing him in Maroon one day.
Not really …
“My son is now exactly a week old. One day I look forward to taking him to Tynecastle. If he likes it, a season ticket will follow too.”
… just hoping.
He’ll make up his own mind.