HEARTS have been slammed by supporters after announcing that children could fulfil their dream to be a club mascot – for almost £200.
The Scottish Premiership club announced their package for an upcoming friendly against English League One side Leyton Orient next month.
The Gorgie side left supporters irate after the Jambos posted online telling fans that they could give their “wee Jambo” the “experience of a lifetime” – for a whopping £190.80.
Whilst some might consider paying the fee, several Hearts fans were quick to rubbish the club for the fact they were charging such an extortionate rate for a friendly.
Several Scottish Premiership sides offer cheaper alternatives including Hearts themselves who offer a £15 membership to the Junior Jambos.
Those spots are not guaranteed, however, leaving parents and carers facing coughing up hundreds to ensure their child walks out with their idols.
Some supporters of the Jam Tarts have defended the side arguing that for the £190 price tag, children get a variety of gifts.
For the friendly against Leyton Orient a child will receive a full matchday kit, tickets for the mascot and two guests as well as pictures and a kickabout on the turf pre-game.
They will also be featured on the team sheet and be on the big screens at Tynecastle alongside a signed matchday programme from the first team squad.
The advert was spotted by Scots comic and Hearts supporter Richard Cobb who shared the post to social media yesterday.
He wrote: “£190 for a wee kid to be a mascot in a friendly against Leyton Orient really is disgraceful.
“I had one of the best days of my life being a mascot at the age of seven and that would never have happened with prices like they are today.
“[It] should be more open to all young Hearts fans.”
His post received more than 200 likes and dozens of comments from Scottish football fans who were quick to offer their views on the situation.
One said: “This is a really bad look for Hearts who claim to be an inclusive family club, there should be no charge for this.
“Open access, names in a hat and so many pulled out.”
Another replied: “That’s for a friendly, imagine the prices for the Premiership.”
A third added: “[Leyton Orient] are a big attraction right enough, that is scandalous though.”
Another commented: “Wow, I didn’t realise clubs charged for this, I just presumed it was a random draw of names.”
Hearts face Leyton Orient before former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou brings his Tottenham Hotspur side to Gorgie in pre-season.
