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Budge signs off at Hearts but insists 'I'm not going anywhere'

Story byBrian McLauchlin and Andrew Petrie - BBC Sport ScotlandThu, December 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM UTC·2 min read"I'm not going anywhere!"Okay, it may not quite be the scene from The Wolf of Wall Street, Leonardo DiCaprio with microphone in hand, telling his adoring workers that he's staying put. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, it's the - now former - chair of Hearts, Ann Budge, reminding people that while she has stepped down from her role, you'll still see her out and about at Tynecastle. As honorary club president, her shock of blonde hair will still be more than visible in the comfy seats in the main stand - a project that will go down as a key part of her legacy. Eleven years after she stepped in to save Hearts from the brink of liquidation, and about six years after she originally foresaw herself leaving the role, Budge departs - sort of."When I first got involved, I thought [I'd be involved for] three to five years," she told BBC Scotland following her final AGM as chair. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"One of my objectives was get a plan in place over that time to fix it, replace the stand, do whatever we had to do."But I learned very quickly that I didn't have three years. We had to move, and that just rolled on. I suppose I was enjoying it so much, it just kept going."While there was a relegation on her watch, and a spell on the SPFL board that disappointed her, there have been many highs along the way. The building of the new main stand at Tynecastle, completed in November 2017, ranks highly for Budge, as does qualifying for Europe on four occasions. Now, she leaves Hearts top of the Premiership, and although that could change on Sunday when they visit Celtic Park, this season remains a dream. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"There is no way I would have ever thought that [leaving with Hearts top of the Premiership] would be the case," she said.

Budge signs off at Hearts but insists 'I'm not going anywhere'

Credit: Yahoo

Key Highlights

  • "If we weren't top I would be saying 'Well, it doesn't really matter,' but actually it's a lovely feeling."It's been earned by the people who are working hard to achieve these things.
  • We may succeed, we may not, but I know it won't be for lack of trying."Would she be there at Tynecastle at the end of the season, lifting the league trophy if Hearts were to prevail?"Over the last few months people keep saying 'Oh, you're leaving' - I'm not going anywhere. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I am not doing that job [as chair] any more, but fortunately I've got a position that ensures I have every right to come to the club whenever I choose to and I will do that."I'll keep in touch with people.
  • Everybody knows if they want to talk to me, they know how to get hold of me.".
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Sources

  1. Budge signs off at Hearts but insists 'I'm not going anywhere'

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

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