The Online Supporters Club of Heart of Midlothian http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums Fri, 18 May 2012 17:10:29 +0000 2 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/style_images/header.jpg http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24152
Got some of the grass in my wallet for good luck


]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 17:10:29 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24152 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24151

For those remotely interested in this Uncle Nod BS, here is the story.



http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/scottish-cup-final-and-lo-it-is-written-hibs-have-cup-nod-in-2012-1-2296648]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 15:53:18 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24151 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24150
http://www.realradio...price-tag/939a5]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 08:15:24 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24150 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24149
Even going back to the days of when Stewart Brown was the chief sportswriter of the EEN, my old fella would claim it was a 'Hibs paper'.

Usually I just shrug it off.

However, I cannot help but to notice that today is Thu, and just about every lead story, back page headline, this week, has been devoted to THEM. I have not seen today's EEN, however, it would not blow me away if they had another lead story (which usually turns out to be a non story), while coverage of Hearts is pushed to the edges of the back page, or the inside pages.

I am also getting a bit bored of Fenlon playing up the Irish card.

Do we really need more of that in Scottish football, esp in Edinburgh football?

I think not.

HC]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 16:16:10 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24149 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24148
Even with one arm and a blindfold he would be better than the 'keepers on the books right now and more than good enough to cope with Hibs.

SP]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 14:29:50 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24148 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24146
Big Flag and streamer display

Members will recall we had a collection for a flag and streamers to display at the cup final on Saturday. The organisers have asked me to give you an update,including some information about the display that they'd like you to read and pass on to anyone else you know who is going to the game.



Plans are going well and we're still working out what goes where but we're aware that as from tomorrow you might well all be caught up in cup fever so we want to give you an idea of what's happening in advance.

STREAMERS
On Saturday 9,000 streamers will be placed by seats in the West Stand. We don't yet know which rows and seats, but the streamers will either be attached to your seat or placed on the floor under the seat (the seats fold down so you will be able to see them. We're asking supporters to hang on to their streamers andlaunch them into the air when the players emerge from the tunnel before kick off. We're getting word out via as many channels as possible (supporters clubs, bus conveners and so on), so we're asking members who read this to pass the word on to as many people as possible.

THE BIG FLAG
We know that the Big Flag will be displayed somewhere in the West Stand. But until we get a proper look at it and test it out at Hampden, we can't say exactly where. You might find yourself beside it, you might find yourself watching it from afar....or you might find yourself being pressed into service to assist it along its journey. It will be unfurled before the players emerge from the tunnel and will be on display until just before kick off.If you find yourself nearby and able then please do your best to help us unfurl it and then guide it back to a rolled up position afterwards at kick off.

We'll try to give you more information as and when we can, we'll also be communicating directly with those who provided contact information for bus conveners on the previous thread. Thanks again to all JKB members who organised, donated and volunteered in order to make this possible. ]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 00:19:38 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24146 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24145 Let’s Make This Precious

“We’re striving over here
(Ever nearer?)
I think so
(Visions clearer)
Of course, of course.
But still we must forsake all to win
(All temptation?)
Everything
(For salvation?)
Now you’re talking
Then let this apply to all we do
(And then?)
Our striving will guide us
And somehow I think that we’ll win”

I’ve been here before of course.

Colin Cameron and Stephane Adam to bring the Cup back to Gorgie for the first time since before I was born.

Rudi and the horror of a penalty shoot out to deliver a tangible reward for the most remarkable of seasons.

Bright sunshine, my father, my brothers.

When the final whistle blew in ’98 I turned to my youngest brother and whispered in his ear “Remember this, it might never happen again”. Who knew that his wait for a repeat would be a mere 8 years...which in the history of this club of ours is no more than the blink of an eye.

When the final whistle blew in ’06 I couldn’t watch the penalties...I went to the toilets and stood with other grown men who’s nerves just couldn’t cope. With each roar from our support I edged closer to the door until finally I was standing at the top of the steps watching the final penalty, the winning penalty hitting the back of the net and then I was off and running into the arms of my dad.

Supporting a team like ours isn’t easy.

We don’t have the promise of even moderate success every year, let alone actually enjoying the sight of silverware in the trophy cabinet. Our ground is tired in places, our squad of players is threadbare, there is no money to improve either of those situations and in recent times we’ve “enjoyed” more than our fair share of, at least, moderate embarrassment thanks to our colorful owner.

It’s a similar story for most clubs in Scotland of course...we are not unique in being a bit rubbish most of the time.

I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I don’t like the arrogance of the Old Firm support...the sense of entitlement.
I want to be competitive, sure, of course I do.

I want to see us win the league and the cups and to be in Europe and to be the best and...you get the idea.

But when a day like Saturday arrives it feels like something unusual, surprising and to be savored. You wouldn’t get that if you were doing it every year, sure it would still be exciting and sure you would love the day but the sense that this might be the last time (at least for a long time) makes it all the more thrilling.

This cup final though is something...else.

It’s history.

The chances of us reaching another Scottish Cup final are...there!

The chances of Hibs reaching another Scottish Cup final are...there!

The chances of Hearts and Hibs reaching the final together again...there but I think we all know that it isn’t likely.

This is it.

A once in a lifetime opportunity.

Remember the semi against Hibs?

Of course you do.

Paul Hartley and his three fingered salute.

Janny rolling the ball into the net.

Sproules moment of madness.

The hundreds of empty seats in the Hibs end.

We all thought that it was a big deal.

Hibs tried to convince themselves that the 7-0 and 6-2 games somehow meant more...but deep down they knew that they had been on the receiving end of a real drubbing in the biggest derby match in many, many years.

We reveled in the occasion.

How many of us have gone back to the highlights of that game and gloried in it all over again?

What happens on Saturday will dwarf every other derby match in history.



7-0?

So what.

“So Mark De Vriesy!”?

Big deal.

6-2?

Nobody cares.

4-0 in the semi of ’06?

Nice day out but...meh!

Can you even picture the scenes along Gorgie Road on Saturday night if the team bus is heading home with that famous old cup?

A heaving mass of maroon clad bodies clambering for a sight of the hero’s of 2012.

Thousands upon thousands of men, women and children all together in heart and soul.

More people outside the stadium than could ever be squeezed inside of it.

“H-E-A-R-T-S”

Hairs on the back of the neck standing up yet?

There has been a lot of talk about starting line-ups, the quality of the respective squads, the abilities of the managers, omens and signs.

None of that really matters though.

Only one thing really matters on Saturday...

H-E-A-R-T

Who has the heart for the battle that lies ahead?

Who will emerge from the dressing room ready to give everything they have to be successful?

Not who wants to win, not who thinks they might have a good game, not who has a “wee feeling” about how the game “might” go but who knows that they can do it, who knows that inside of them is the better man and the better player, who knows that they won’t give up, won’t stop running and won’t stop believing until the final whistle blows?

John Robertson called it right...it’s not about arrogance, it’s about confidence.

Remember when “believe” was the buzz-word around Tynecastle?

When the whistle blows on Saturday to start the festivities the eleven men in maroon have to believe.

Believe they can win.

Believe they are the best player on the pitch.

Believe they can take their chances.

Believe they are stronger.

Believe they are faster.

Believe they are going to be successful.

When they look around Hampden they should see those scarves spinning, the flags flying, the streamers pouring down onto the pitch...

When they look around Hampden they should hear the roar of the Hearts support, the hands clapping and the famous words of the Hearts song spilling out of the stands and rising high above the stadium...

When they look around Hampden they should see the Hibs support and the Hibs players...they should them and believe that only one team can deliver for their support and at that point they should make a commitment that it will be them doing it for us.

A lot of noise has been emanating from Hibs in the run up to this match.

“This is OUR year”

“1+9+0+2 = 12...it’s a sign!”

“The last time we won...we had an Irish manager”

“Everybody wants a Hibs win”

“We have to win it at some point”

“Hearts are im a tit it”

“James McPake...Leigh Griffiths...Gary O’Connor...are the greatest”

The bile and the hatred spewing from their fans forums is bordering on psychopathy.

A quick look around the cyber world of the Hearts support reveals a different approach...confidence, sure but a quiet and calm that is being perceived as fear. More focus on us and what we can do than on them and what they can’t.





I don’t believe in omens and signs.

I don’t believe that teams “have” to win things...eventually.

I don’t believe that teams have “years”.

I believe in the ability of the players in maroon to do what is asked of them on Saturday.

I believe in the strength of character that these players have shown throughout a difficult season.

I believe in Hearts.

Can we win the Cup against our near neighbors?

We can.

Of course we can.

Will we win the Cup against our near neighbors?

That will be determined by the boys in maroon on Saturday and by their belief.

I want to be basking in the glory of the most famous victory in our history.

I want to be on my feet applauding every man who takes the field on Saturday as they step up to collect their winners medals.

I want to close my eyes and listen to the roar of the Hearts support when the club captain holds aloft that Cup and confirms that we are winners.

I want to be stood on the Gorgie Road with my dad and my brothers singing, clapping, cheering, laughing and collating memories as we wait for the team bus to wend its way towards the stadium.

I can’t do anything to make that list of wants a reality.

I can’t make the players believe or want it as much as I do.

But I know that they want it, I know they believe it...

So as we head towards Saturday and the game that will rewrite history for both clubs...

LET’S MAKE THIS PRECIOUS.

SP]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 21:48:59 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24145 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24144
SPs Team

Ridgers (I don't see it as a gamble in any way, shape or form given the performances of McDonald since the semi-final)

RB: McGowan

CB: Webster
CB: Zaliukas

LB: Grainger

RM: Suso

CM: Black
DM: Barr
CM: Skacel

LM: Holt

CF: Smith

Subs:

McDonald
Mrowiec
Templeton
Prychenkyo
Elliott

4-1-4-1

Predicted Team:

McDonald

McGowan

Webster
Zaliukas

Grainger

Barr

Black
Robinson
Skacel
Driver

Elliott

SP]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 13:46:03 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24144 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24143 GET HIM ON FROM THE START Paulo.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 11:54:10 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24143 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24142
Supposed to be a Cup final special but I'm hoping a few of the gathered supporters ask some pointed questions of the West coast media...

Updates to come.

SP]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 17:11:58 +0000 http://www.boysinmaroon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24142