THE GREATEST GAME IN HISTORY
Our ‘People with Big Hearts’ feature this week delves into the Club’s history as we chat with David Allan, Museum and Collections Manager at Hearts Football Club Heritage Department. He tells us what his role involves and what his focus will be over the next couple of years.
Life-long Hearts supporter, David, became the Manager of the Heart of Midlothian Museum back in 2019. He said “I was a volunteer for 3 years before I was appointed to the role of Museum and Collections Manager. During my time volunteering, I helped to put together the Museum for its opening in September 2016.”
As a Jambo expert, David has run the London Hearts website since 1997, providing match results, scores and statistics. In 2010, he became part of a voluntary archive group who were involved in the initial setting up of the Hearts Museum. “We were responsible for putting together a spreadsheet of all the memorabilia that we had, the contributions of David Speed (Club Historian) and Bill Smith (Club Statistician) were invaluable. It wasn’t until Ann Budge came on board at the Club that the idea of the museum became a concrete plan!”
Day to day, he is involved in the Museum’s collection. “We have a ‘Collection Management System’ which I am responsible for keeping up to date. It’s important that this is kept updated so it’s clear if items have been taken in on loan or received by donation. Of the objects held within the Hearts Heritage collection, around 40% were already in the collection, 30% are on loan and 30% have been donated by fans.”
In 2024, Heart of Midlothian will celebrate its 150th anniversary. “Our focus over the next two years will be to commemorate this date. We are in the early stages of working together with other Club departments to explore potential events and publications around the history of the Club, to mark this special occasion.”
The Hearts Heritage Department runs Stadium Tours around Tynecastle Park, as well as a Heritage Trail Coach Tours around the City. “We hope to be able to introduce a Walking Tour for fans to enjoy. I’m currently working alongside Club Historian, David Speed, on gathering information and building up knowledge to develop this idea further.”
David was full of praise for the many Heritage Volunteers who give up their time each week, to welcome visitors to the Stadium. “We couldn’t run Hearts Heritage without our Volunteers. They play an integral part in keeping both the Museum and memorial garden open. They all do a fantastic job!”
Thank you to David for sharing an insight into his role, in continuing the legacy of our amazing football club!
– February 2022 –