Hearts chairman 'totally disillusioned'

George Foulkes resigned as Hearts chairman in protest at the decision to sack chief executive Phil Anderton and described himself as “totally disillusioned” with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.

The former Labour MP left after spending the weekend in a vain battle to save Anderton from the sack.

Unhappy with the decision to remove George Burley as manager just over a week ago, Anderton’s departure was the last straw for Foulkes.

“I’m devastated at the way in which some of my colleagues on the board took a decision against my advice to sack Phil Anderton as chief executive,” Foulkes told Sky Sports News.

“I was unhappy last week about the sacking of George Burly but we got bounced into it and we had to go along with it.

“And this weekend we get another situation where all weekend we’ve had the Lithuanians trying to twist my arm into going along with the sacking of Phil Anderton.”

He added: “I just don’t want to be part of that. I just find the ruthlessness unacceptable.”

Romanov’s son, Roman Romanov, will replace Foulkes as chairman and he will also take on the chief executive’s role until a permanent replacement is found.

Through a spokesman, Vladimir Romanov told Reporting Scotland that both men were shown the door because “they’ve had over one year and not been able to do the things I’ve wanted to do for Hearts”.

However, Anderton was only appointed as chief executive in March after departing from a similar job at Scottish Rugby Union in January.

Foulkes – who was appointed chairman in April last year – maintains Romanov’s investment in Hearts has helped the Edinburgh club retain their Tynecastle home and recruit the players which saw them set the pace in the Bank of Scotland Premier League until Saturday’s defeat to Hibernian.

And he still hopes the Lithuanian will be successful.

But he added: “He seemed like a saviour and I supported him but I must say I’m totally disillusioned now.”