Brighton Owner Makes £10m Bid for Stake in Heart of Midlothian
In a significant development in Scottish football, Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has made a formal offer to acquire a 29% stake in Heart of Midlothian for just under £10m. The proposal, which was reported by the BBC, will be put to a vote by the fans’ group Foundation of Hearts (FoH), the major shareholder in the Scottish Premiership club.
According to the BBC, the offer will be considered by FoH, with a consultation period set to end on 26 May, followed by an extraordinary general meeting and a vote by its members. The bid requires approval from more than 50% of FoH’s members to be successful. As reported by the BBC, Bloom’s proposed investment would be in the form of non-voting rights shares, which would not impact the 75.1% voting rights currently held by FoH.
The BBC understands that if the offer is accepted, Bloom would be entitled to one place on the board, although it is expected that he would appoint a representative rather than take up the position himself. FoH has recommended that its members accept the terms of the offer, which would then require approval from the Scottish FA to be concluded. In a statement issued to its members, FoH emphasised that the proposed investment is a personal one and that Hearts would not become a feeder club for Premier League side Brighton or Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise, where Bloom is a minority shareholder.
As quoted by the BBC, FoH stated that Bloom believes Hearts can "disrupt Scottish football" and that he wants to be a part of a "glorious chapter" in the Edinburgh club’s history. The development has significant implications for the future of Heart of Midlothian, with Bloom’s investment potentially providing a boost to the club’s resources and ambitions.
The BBC reported that Bloom’s interest in Hearts is seen as a significant show of faith in the club’s potential, with the Brighton owner having a reputation for being a shrewd businessman and football investor. According to the BBC, the proposed investment would provide a significant injection of capital for Hearts, which could be used to strengthen the squad and improve facilities at Tynecastle Park.
The outcome of the vote will be closely watched by the Scottish football community, with many fans eager to see the impact that Bloom’s investment could have on the club. As reported by the BBC, FoH has urged its members to consider the offer carefully and to make their views known. The development is a significant one for Heart of Midlothian, and the BBC will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
The proposed investment in Heart of Midlothian by Tony Bloom has been reported as a £10 million bid for a 29 per cent stake, by the BBC.
