The Hearts Youth Development Committee, which makes significant contributions to the future of Hearts through the wide range of fundraising activities that they organise and lead are eager that the importance of this organisation is stressed to all Hearts supporters through heartsfc.co.uk.

Consequently, for the first time, we have provided profiles of the various people who make up the committee. Where profiles are not available at this time, they will follow shortly...

Robin Beith  chairman
Robin's membership of the Hearts Youth Development Committee has lasted through five managerial regimes. In addition to chairing committee meetings and fund-raising dinners since 1994, he has had the additional role of social convenor. This to a great extent is an extension of his activities as Vice-chairman of The Federation of Hearts Supporters' Clubs - a position he relinquished earlier this year. Over the years Robin has been the principal organiser of many special events in honour of such Hearts stalwarts as Walter Kidd, Gary Mackay, John Robertson, Henry Smith, Craig Levein, Gilles Rousset, Stephane Adam, Thomas Flogel, Steve Fulton and Alan Rae.

Now in his 50th season of watching Hearts and notwithstanding the many excellent players that have come through the clubs more recent youth programme, Robin's favourites are of course the heroes of his boyhood, in particular Dave Mackay, John Cumming, Alec Young, all of the "Terrible Trio" but especially "The King", Willie Bauld himself. He is sure that the excellent facilities now available at Riccarton will play a great part in attracting future talent of this calibre to the club and in developing these players into top class players to equal many of the aforementioned.

Douglas Russell  secretary
As the Secretary for the HYDC, it is Douglas who minutes the meetings held by the Committee and has them distributed to each of the Committee Trustees prior to the following meeting. Douglas is a Partner in Scott and Paterson Chartered Accountants specialising in Audit and Corporate Services. He is also a lifetime supporter having attended his first match in 1969 at the age of 5 years old. Now a long term Season Ticket Holder and Shareholder he is educating his four children into Hearts ways and all regularly attend matches home and away. He is also a keen golfer with memberships at Kilspindie and Turnhouse Golf Clubs.

Alex Jones  treasurer
Alex is one of the longest serving members of the HYDC. As the Treasurer, it is Alex who is responsible for all the finance's of the Youth Development Committee and reports to the Committee at each meeting what the current financial position is. An avid Hearts fan and former Hearts Federation Secretary, Alex is noted for his controversial views and opinions. Alex, is also a Shareholder at the club, has a Hearts Season Ticket and is a staunch follower at home & away games, including trips abroad. Alex believes very much in the Hearts Youth Academy and the long term benefits it has for Hearts and its youth development policy.

Russell Lawson
More details about Russell will appear soon...

John Murray
As academy director for Hearts at the Football Academy, at Heriot Watt Unversity, Edinburgh, it is John and his youth teams who are in fact the principal beneficiaries of the efforts of the HYDC. As part of the committee, it is John who reports on the developments at the Academy with the youth teams and also what the financial requirements are for each of the youth teams which includes training kit, boots and trainers and with the trips away during the summer to places such as Belfast and London.

Lee Turner
Lee joined the HYDC in August 1995 whilst working on the publicity for the events to celebrate Craig Levein's testimonial year as a player at Hearts, during the same year. Since then, Lee has been responsible for the communication and publicity for the committee which includes liasing with the Hearts Commercial Office, handling the print management of posters, tickets and other promotional literature required for advertising events, organised throughout the season. Lee has supported Hearts since he was a youngster and as a season ticket holder for several years, along with his twin brother Gary, he has cheered the Jam's on from his seat in the Wheatfield Stand.

Fraser Kerr
Fraser is the membership co-ordinator for the Hearts Youth Development Committee who's role it is to ensure that membership of the monthly draw scheme is updated and that the members are obtaining the relevant updated information. Fraser is Senior Partner in Edinburgh for Haines Watts, a national firm of Chartered Accountants. As a life long Jambo, he has experienced more downs than ups but is still optimistic of seeing some exciting matches and further silverware at Tynecastle in the years to come, as a result of the continued development of youth at Hearts.

Colin Mackay
More details about Colin will appear soon...

Andrew Frame
Andrew joined the committee in May 2004 as successor to Fran Thompson who had until then been the Hearts Shareholders Association representative on the Hearts Youth Development Committee. Acting as a Liason between the two groups, Andrew ensures that the Shareholders are provided with all the relevant details on events and activities being conducted by the Youth Development Committee as well as ensuring that his own contacts regularly attend the various fundraising events. Andrew lives in central Edinburgh and works with a large Investment Company at Edinburgh Park. He is, of course a lifelong Hearts fan, has a season ticket in the Wheatfield Stand and has followed the boys on their European travels including trips to Munich, Prague and Bordeaux.

Colin Sked
A recent appointment to the Hearts Youth Development Committee, Colin is responsible for co-ordinating the events organised by the HYDC, to the Committee Trustee's. Formerly Customer Services Manager with Hearts until 2002, Colin has since set up his own UK based Health and Sports Nutrition Company and when he is not away on business, he manages to get to watch his beloved Hearts. Colin is very excited to be actively involved in HYDC, assisting with its supporter led funding initiatives that assist the Academy and Youth Development people to plan ahead for specific key footballing projects.

Bryan Dow
More details about Byan will appear soon...

George Nicolson
More details about George will appear soon...

Steven Pressley

Steven 'Elvis' Pressley joined Hearts in the Summer of 1998 from Dundee United.. Since then he has established himself as Club Captain who is not only a strong leader but has an excellent way of encouraging and motivating his fellow team mates both on and of the field. It is for this reason that Steven was approached to join the Hearts Youth Development Committee in the Summer of 2005. Steven ensures that any activity and events organised by the Committee are attended by both himself and some of the first team squad, on a regular basis.

Derek Lambie

A season ticket holder for 20 years, Derek joined the Committee in December 2004. He is Editor of the Scottish Sunday Express and a keen amateur footballer. Excited by the influx of quality overseas players in recent years, Derek still believes in the importance of promoting youth talent at Tynecastle.

Heart of Midlothian FC are currently represented by commercial account and events manager Ross Easton.