Heart of Midlothian

Kit History

1873-1876 a b k

1876-1877 b k o

1877-1878 a b k o

1878-1883 k

1885-1889 k

1889-1891 k

1895-1900 a

1900-1910 a k

1910-1911 a k

1911-1912 a k

1912-1919 a k

1919-aug1920 a k

sept1920-1923 a k

1923-1935 a k

1927-1929 away k

1935-1940 a k

1945-1946 k

1946-1948 k

1948-1951 a

1951-1958 a k

1957-1959 alt k

1958-1959 a k

1959-1965 a k

1965-1966 a k

1966-1967 a k

1967-1968 a k

1968-1969 a k

1969-1970 a k

1969-1970 a k

1970-1971 a k

1970-1972 a k

1970-1972 a k

1972-1973 a

1973-1974 a

1974-1977 a

Umbro

1977-1982 a

Umbro

1982-1984 a

Umbro

1984-1985 a

Umbro

1985-1986 a

Bukta

1986-1987 a q

Bukta

1987-1988 a q

Bukta

1988-1989 a i q

Bukta

1989-1990 a j q

Bukta

1990-1991 a q

Admiral

1991-1992 a q

Admiral

1992-1993 a q

Asics

1993-1994 a q r

Pony

1995-1997 a q

1997-1998 a

Olympic Sports

1998-1999 l q

Olympic Sports

1999-2000 h q s

Errea

2000-2001 d q

Errea

2001-2002 h q

Reebok

2002-2004 d g q

Reebok

2004-2005 d f n

Hummel

2005-2006 d e n

Hummel

2006-2007 c

Umbro

2007-2008 c p

Umbro

2008-2009 c p

Background

The club takes its unusual name from a dance hall, which some of the founders used to frequent: this was in turn named after the novel "Heart of Midlothian” by Sir Walter Scott. The badge is based on a mosaic to be found on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. There is a legend that the founders played football in the street, using the mosaic as a centre spot. Players originally turned out in all white shirts and trousers with maroon trimmings and a heart sewn into the shirt. In 1876 they adopted red, white and navy hoops with the letters MFBC (Mid Lothian Foot Ball) but these were unpopular with the players, presumably because they were more expensive than the plain jerseys available from local gentlemen's outfitters, so in 1877, the lettering was removed and the shirts dyed a deep maroon. This colour has continued to be associated with Hearts ever since.

After a nomadic early existence, the club settled into the Gorgie area of the city in 1881, moving to their present Tynecastle site in 1886. Several Edinburgh clubs have played in the Scottish League including Edinburgh City, St Bernard’s and Leith Athletic but Hearts’ traditional rivals are Hibernian. Although there is an element of sectarianism in the background of both clubs, this is by no means as evident today as that which exists between Celtic and Rangers. Indeed, Hearts risked the wrath of the Scottish FA by playing Hibs when they were refused membership.

Hearts became the only east coast club to join the Scottish Football League on its formation in 1890, by which time they were the strongest side in the city. They were champions in 1895 and 1897 and won the Scottish FA Cup four times between 1891 and 1906, including a 2-1 victory over Hibernian in 1896, played in Edinburgh, the only time this match has been hosted away from Glasgow.

During the Great War, the entire playing staff joined up en masse. Seven of their number were killed and a Remembrance Service is held every year at Haymarket, where their memorial stands.

Between 1906 and 1954, Hearts failed to win a single trophy and the balance of power shifted firmly to Glasgow. The mid-1950s however brought a change of fortune, with victories in the Scottish League Cup (1955, 1959, 1960 and 1963), Scottish FA Cup wins in 1956 and League championships in 1958 and 1960. Inevitably their best players were tempted away to play in England and the club went into decline.

In 1972 the club broke with tradition to adopt an all-white kit with a broad maroon panel, a style obviously borrowed from Ajax. They returned to a more traditional outfit for their centenary season.

When the Premier Division was formed in 1975, Hearts struggled to retain their position and were relegated to the First Division three times. They have remained in the top flight since 1983. In 1986 they narrowly missed out on the championship, losing out on goal difference on the final day of the season and were Scottish Cup finalists - a heartbreaking experience. Hearts became established at the top of the Premier League, regularly finishing in third place and competing in the UEFA Cup (without, it must be said making much impression). In 1998 they beat Rangers to win the Scottish Cup for the sixth time.

A new era arrived when Lithuanian banker Vladimir Romanov became the club’s major shareholder and and appointed his son, Roman as CEO and Chairman. The Romanov's wealth enabled the club to mount a serious challenge to the Old Firm. In came new stars, including several east European internationals and for a while it seemed as if Hearts could win the Premier League. In the end they could not quite manage it but they did win the Scottish Cup once again in 2006. The Romanov’s regime has, however, not been smooth sailing. Amid repeated allegations of interference with team selection, there have been a number of high-profile departures, including manager George Burley. Valdas Ivanauskas was later appointed to the position of head coach, cementing the link between Hearts and Lithuania.

The club are often known as the "Jambos" from the rhyming slang, "Jam Tarts" = "Hearts."

Historical Football Kits

Kit History

Background

Sources