Latest news with #Budge
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Despite stick, Ann Budge's legacy is as saviour of Hearts
After an 11-year official association with Hearts, Tynecastle chair Ann Budge will step aside after the club's AGM later this year. Naturally, that has led to a poring over of her record at the club, and many a ponderance over what her legacy may well be among Jambos in years to come. Perhaps the most telling clue as to what the answer to that question may be has come in the overwhelming outpouring of thanks that has been expressed since the news of her retirement broke on Monday. For whatever opinions and dissenting voices there may be around the way that Budge ran the club, particularly over these past few years, the fact remains that without the intervention of the lifelong Hearts supporter, there was a very real possibility that there wouldn't be a club in Gorgie at all. It is sometimes easy to forget just how stark the situation was at Hearts before Budge (and of course, the wider fanbase and the Foundation of Hearts) rode to the rescue. The disastrous end to the chaotic Vladimir Romanov regime had left one of the game's great institutions on the brink. A creditor's meeting of his doomed Lithuanian bank Ukio Bankas had the potential to push them over the edge, despite the heroic efforts of The Foundation of Hearts and Budge's offer of £2.5m for the shareholding to parent company UBIG. Scottish football's very own celebrity administrator Bryan Jackson spelled out the peril Hearts were in in no uncertain terms, calling it the worst situation he had ever encountered. (Image: Ross Parker - SNS Group) 'We have to accept now that there is a threat of liquidation, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to avoid it,' Jackson said at the time. 'We need to look at 'can we fulfil fixtures until the end of the season?' Read more: 'To do that I would obviously be looking for help from the footballing authorities for any outstanding monies which may be due to the club. Unfortunately, I would also have to go back to the fans and the Foundation of Hearts and make the usual appeal. I know supporters have been stung time and again, but I don't think there will be anywhere else for me to go. 'We can just about make it to the end of the month. And if it is negative news next week we would have to operate very, very quickly – because money would be running out at some pace. 'I can't employ people beyond the end of the month if I can't pay them.' The only other people circling the club at that moment seemed to be doing so with vulturous intent. Former Livingston owner Angelo Massone, who took the Lions into administration previously, was among them. As too was retired shoe salesman Bob Jamieson, who was branded by a Foundation of Hearts spokesperson as 'a Walter Mitty character' who was indulging in an 'unfunded and fanciful rival bid' for the club. His plan included a proposal to move Hearts to a new stadium next to Murrayfield. Mercifully, the Foundation and Budge were named as the preferred bidders after administrators BDO decided that the alternatives could not provide proof of funding, and the rest is history. Has Budge got everything right? Absolutely not. While there are undoubtedly grumbles from certain, less enlightened sections of the Hearts support over a 'wummin' running their club, a lot of the criticism that she has attracted is not without merit. On the football side, there have been highs and lows, but it is hard to shake the notion that Hearts have underachieved over the past decade or so. (Image: SNS Group) A tendency to appoint people she is familiar with over the people who may be best suited for a particular role has drawn particular ire. Her close relationship with Craig Levein seemed to blind Budge to his own missteps, such as the appointment of Ian Cathro when he was serving as director of football, then inspired misplaced loyalty and far too much patience when he was also appointed as manager. See also the decision to later appoint Steven Naismith. Off the park, the building of the new Main Stand at Tynecastle can on the one hand be seen as one of the crowning achievements of her reign. But on the other, the involvement of JB Contractors in its construction, a firm with familial links to Budge and who Hearts have handed over £9.1m to since 2016, raised eyebrows. Indeed, the bungled delivery of the project, including Budge (initially) throwing herself on a grenade for chief operating officer Scot Gardiner after he seemingly 'forgot' to order the seats, became the stuff of infamy, and sparked pithy jokes this week over the issues Hearts may have now they are looking for a new chair. In time, though, these issues will likely fade from memory. What will never be forgotten is that in Hearts' direst moment, Budge stepped up and saved the club. Without her, there seems little prospect that Hearts would have come from such that perilous position, a veritable financial basket case, to where they find themselves now – the biggest fan-owned club in the UK, stable, and with much to look forward to. With the involvement of Tony Bloom, it feels like a natural time to have that break with the past and place the focus firmly on the future. But it is only because of Budge that Hearts have a future at all, and that will always be appreciated by every Jambo. She may never be revered in the same way as playing legends like John Robertson, Dave Mackay, Gary Mackay or Alex Young, for example, but it could be argued that Budge was an even more important figure in the history of the club than any of those greats. The naming of a stand after Budge may be a fitting way to mark her contribution. Even if, perhaps, someone else should order the new signage.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Despite stick, Ann Budge's legacy is as saviour of Hearts
Perhaps the most telling clue as to what the answer to that question may be has come in the overwhelming outpouring of thanks that has been expressed since the news of her retirement broke on Monday. For whatever opinions and dissenting voices there may be around the way that Budge ran the club, particularly over these past few years, the fact remains that without the intervention of the lifelong Hearts supporter, there was a very real possibility that there wouldn't be a club in Gorgie at all. It is sometimes easy to forget just how stark the situation was at Hearts before Budge (and of course, the wider fanbase and the Foundation of Hearts) rode to the rescue. The disastrous end to the chaotic Vladimir Romanov regime had left one of the game's great institutions on the brink. A creditor's meeting of his doomed Lithuanian bank Ukio Bankas had the potential to push them over the edge, despite the heroic efforts of The Foundation of Hearts and Budge's offer of £2.5m for the shareholding to parent company UBIG. Scottish football's very own celebrity administrator Bryan Jackson spelled out the peril Hearts were in in no uncertain terms, calling it the worst situation he had ever encountered. (Image: Ross Parker - SNS Group) 'We have to accept now that there is a threat of liquidation, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to avoid it,' Jackson said at the time. 'We need to look at 'can we fulfil fixtures until the end of the season?' Read more: 'To do that I would obviously be looking for help from the footballing authorities for any outstanding monies which may be due to the club. Unfortunately, I would also have to go back to the fans and the Foundation of Hearts and make the usual appeal. I know supporters have been stung time and again, but I don't think there will be anywhere else for me to go. 'We can just about make it to the end of the month. And if it is negative news next week we would have to operate very, very quickly – because money would be running out at some pace. 'I can't employ people beyond the end of the month if I can't pay them.' The only other people circling the club at that moment seemed to be doing so with vulturous intent. Former Livingston owner Angelo Massone, who took the Lions into administration previously, was among them. As too was retired shoe salesman Bob Jamieson, who was branded by a Foundation of Hearts spokesperson as 'a Walter Mitty character' who was indulging in an 'unfunded and fanciful rival bid' for the club. His plan included a proposal to move Hearts to a new stadium next to Murrayfield. Mercifully, the Foundation and Budge were named as the preferred bidders after administrators BDO decided that the alternatives could not provide proof of funding, and the rest is history. Has Budge got everything right? Absolutely not. While there are undoubtedly grumbles from certain, less enlightened sections of the Hearts support over a 'wummin' running their club, a lot of the criticism that she has attracted is not without merit. On the football side, there have been highs and lows, but it is hard to shake the notion that Hearts have underachieved over the past decade or so. (Image: SNS Group) A tendency to appoint people she is familiar with over the people who may be best suited for a particular role has drawn particular ire. Her close relationship with Craig Levein seemed to blind Budge to his own missteps, such as the appointment of Ian Cathro when he was serving as director of football, then inspired misplaced loyalty and far too much patience when he was also appointed as manager. See also the decision to later appoint Steven Naismith. Off the park, the building of the new Main Stand at Tynecastle can on the one hand be seen as one of the crowning achievements of her reign. But on the other, the involvement of JB Contractors in its construction, a firm with familial links to Budge and who Hearts have handed over £9.1m to since 2016, raised eyebrows. Indeed, the bungled delivery of the project, including Budge (initially) throwing herself on a grenade for chief operating officer Scot Gardiner after he seemingly 'forgot' to order the seats, became the stuff of infamy, and sparked pithy jokes this week over the issues Hearts may have now they are looking for a new chair. In time, though, these issues will likely fade from memory. What will never be forgotten is that in Hearts' direst moment, Budge stepped up and saved the club. Without her, there seems little prospect that Hearts would have come from such that perilous position, a veritable financial basket case, to where they find themselves now – the biggest fan-owned club in the UK, stable, and with much to look forward to. With the involvement of Tony Bloom, it feels like a natural time to have that break with the past and place the focus firmly on the future. But it is only because of Budge that Hearts have a future at all, and that will always be appreciated by every Jambo. She may never be revered in the same way as playing legends like John Robertson, Dave Mackay, Gary Mackay or Alex Young, for example, but it could be argued that Budge was an even more important figure in the history of the club than any of those greats. The naming of a stand after Budge may be a fitting way to mark her contribution. Even if, perhaps, someone else should order the new signage.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
Man who tried to murder wife by running her over outside Edinburgh home handed increased jail term
A man who tried to kill his wife by running her over with his car twice has had his jail term increased after it was ruled that a more severe sentence was required. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... William Budge drove his car at and over his estranged wife Sandra in the shocking incident outside her home on Muirhouse Parkway on April 14 last year. He then turned the car and drove over her a second time in an attempt to murder her. The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges, including an assault in 2016/17, a course of domestic abuse over more than five years and the attempted murder of his wife, when he appeared at Edinburgh's High Court. He was later sentenced at the same court to seven years and four months in prison. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But after the February sentencing, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) asked the Appeal Court to consider imposing a more severe sentence. William Budge tried to murder his wife by running over her twice | Google Maps The original sentence has now been quashed after the appeal was upheld by a panel of three judges. Budge has now been handed a new sentence of 10 years and 10 months in prison. Sentencing Budge in February, Lord Lake said: 'Your conduct in the attempted murder was caught on video and is quite horrifying to watch. You used your car as a weapon and drove it at and over your wife. Having done this, you made a U-turn and went back and drove over her a second time. 'The callousness and cruelty of your acts are astonishing. There can be no doubt that you showed complete indifference as to whether your conduct killed her. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Having seen the footage, as was recognised by Mr Stewart on your behalf, it is remarkable that your wife was not killed. She suffered serious life threatening injuries including internal injuries and skeletal injuries which meant she was in hospital for two months. 'I have considered the victim impact statement from your wife and it is clear that she still suffers both physically and mentally and, although she has taken advantage of various therapies and treatments, it seems she will continue to do so for some time.' Speaking on the new sentence, Laura Buchan, Deputy Crown Agent, said: 'COPFS is committed to improving the criminal justice journey for victims. Prosecutors have a responsibility to consider appeals based upon undue leniency in sentencing. Such appeals are rare. 'The decision to increase William Budge's sentence provides reassurance that the impact of domestic abuse on victims is recognised by those within the criminal justice system. 'No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner. I would urge anyone affected by this type of offending to report it and seek support.'
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Man who tried to kill estranged wife in Edinburgh hit-and-run handed longer jail term
William Budge was originally sentenced to seven years and four months behind bars at the High Court in Edinburgh in February. A domestic abser who tried to kill his estranged wife by mowing her down with his car has been given an increased jail sentence following a successful Crown appeal. William Budge was originally sentenced to seven years and four months behind bars at the High Court in Edinburgh in February. The 62-year-old earlier pled guilty to a string of serious charges, including attempted murder and domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. But prosecutors argued the punishment was too lenient and now appeal judges have agreed — quashing the original term and replacing it with a sentence of 10 years and 10 months. Budge, who has been described as a "barbaric individual", carried out a horrific attack on 64-year-old wife Sandra outside her home home in Edinburgh on April 14, 2024, claiming she had "embarrassed" him after she left him several weeks before. Sandra was left her with life-threatening injuries and long-term physical damage. The charges he admitted included assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment, danger of life and attempted murder, alongside a charge of domestic abuse. The court previously heard how Budge launched his murder bid three weeks after Sandra had ended their 33-year marriage. He parked his car outside his former partner's Edinburgh home before making attempts to speak to her when she returned to the property. Budge grabbed hold of Sandra and attempted to force her into his car as well as trying to take her mobile phone. A relative of the victim arrived and began shouting at Budge who said: "She's f---ing embarrassed me." Budge got back into his car and drove onto the grass verge, straight at the victim, lifting her onto the bonnet before she fell onto the ground. The wheels of the car went over the victim as Budge drove back onto the road. The victim was lying motionless on the grass when the accused turned his car around and drove back over his former wife again. The relative who was attempting to help had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck. The whole horrific ordeal was captured on camera. Women and children could be heard screaming as Sandra lay motionless on the ground. Budge drove off and police and paramedics attended. The unconscious victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was found to have suffered damage to her lungs and liver, internal bleeding, rib and ankle fractures and other injuries. Budge's car was later found parked unattended at an Asda car park in Dunfermline, Fife. A day later police in Glasgow were alerted to a man in the River Clyde. After being rescued, he was identified as being William Budge and arrested. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Laura Buchan, Deputy Crown Agent, welcomed the decision to increase Budge's sentence and said it reflected the seriousness of the crime: "COPFS is committed to improving the criminal justice journey for victims 'Prosecutors have a responsibility to consider appeals based upon undue leniency in sentencing. Such appeals are rare. 'The decision to increase William Budge's sentence provides reassurance that the impact of domestic abuse on victims is recognised by those within the criminal justice system. 'No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner. I would urge anyone affected by this type of offending to report it and seek support."
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
How 'no ego' Ann Budge saved Hearts and became a 'giant of Gorgie'
Hearts announced yesterday morning that Budge has informed them of her intention to step down as their chair following the AGM in December and so bring an end to her 11 year involvement. The former IT entrepreneur bought a majority shareholding in the stricken Edinburgh outfit for £2.5m through her Bidco 1874 company back in 2014 and so ensured that it exited administration and avoided going out of business. Bidco transferred a 75.1 per cent stake to the Foundation of Hearts seven years later and instantly made the William Hill Premiership side the largest to be fan owned in the United Kingdom. Alex Mackie, a chartered public finance accountant and the owner of insurance brokers Edinburgh Risk Management, was one of the five founding members of the Foundation of Hearts in 2010 and was its original chairman. Read more: He knows how important Budge was to the success of the embryonic fan ownership group and believes that his old associate is owed a debt of gratitude by every Jambo. 'I knew from the beginning, from the very first time that we met, that Ann Budge was right for the foundation and right for the club,' he said. 'We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. The position we're in just now is far better than we could have anticipated at the start. I can't overemphasize how much we are indebted to her. 'Back in the early days of the foundation, my wife and I had our business at one end of Dean Path in Edinburgh and Ann had her Newell and Budge business at the other end. So I knew of her. But it was Gary Mackay (the former Hearts and Scotland centre-half) who suggested I get in touch with her. He knew that she attended games with her daughter. 'Part of my vision for the foundation early on was to bring in people with talent who could cover all the bases of what we needed for a fan ownership group - we needed a lawyer, we needed an accountant, we needed a marketeer, we needed someone who understood about corporate governance and football, we needed someone who was involved in IT. 'We got to a position where we had to move the foundation to a new level and needed to find people to man the board who worked at a high level in their respective fields and who the fans would trust implicitly. The Save Our Hearts boys and the fans who were driving things had never formed a legal entity before. So I was conscious of this. (Image: SNS Group Alan Harvey) 'When we were looking for someone with IT expertise, Gary said, 'Well, do you realise that Ann Budge is a big Hearts fan?' I decided to write her a personal letter. She responded and we met up. From the moment we met, I knew that this was the right thing. We have had a good friendship and working relationship since.' Mackie continued, 'That was always our vision from the very start – that good, professional, credible Hearts fans would not take the club back down the same road that it had been down. We didn't want success to mean the club getting into major debt. That is what happened in the late 1990s right into the 2000s. 'I think that is what Ann liked about us, that we wanted to have an adherence to a high level of corporate governance. We never pressed her for money by the way. We always thought the fans would come up with the money. But things accelerated with the banking crisis and when Ukio Bankas (the Lithuanian bank that was owned then Hearts owner Romanov) went into administration she stepped up. 'I am eternally grateful for her doing that because I was running a business with my wife, and still am in fact, and had a lot of plates spinning. But we always knew that Ann was on board. She advised us and brought other professional people on board who gave us invaluable advice. 'I can remember having a two hour conversation with our solicitor about whether the foundation should be a community interest company or a company limited by guarantee. We have now greenlighted the arrival of Tony Bloom into our midst with 29 per cent of non-voting shares. But the foundation still has controlling interest and can still hold the club accountable. 'But from the first moment that I met Ann I knew she was right for the foundation, that she would do well for us and that we could trust her. I am saddened that she has decided to step down, but I understand why. She has done her stint and has done very well. In fact, she has done a great job. I couldn't say anything negative about her at all.' Read more: Not all Hearts fans feel the same way despite the enviable position the Tynecastle club are now in. Budge, who stayed on as chairwoman after the foundation became the majority shareholders, has come in for criticism from the stands in recent seasons as the team has struggled both at home and abroad. But Mackie feels the flak has been completely unjustified. 'A lot of people who own or run football clubs are full of ego,' he said. 'They think they know how to run a football club, but football clubs are unique entities. The one thing about Ann was that it was never about ego, it was always about the fans. She knew they needed the club, knew it was part of their lives. She was grounded and did what she did on their behalf. 'Fans need leadership and Ann provided that leadership at that time. Now she has to pass the baton on to somebody else. But she was great for the football club and I am sure she will still be around on match days going forward. 'There are people who have been pillars and giants of Heart of Midlothian Football Club over the years and Ann Budge is undoubtedly one of them.'
