And the winner is.....

Thank you to everyone who took part in the player of the year vote.

The results are in, and the points are:

Zaliukas: 1 point

Webster: 4 points

Black: 8 points

McGowan: 8 points

Skacel: 15 points

Rudi Skacel is therefore the York Hearts Player of the Year for season 2011/12.

Player of the year

It's time to vote for your player of the year. This is where York Hearts members vote for their best Hearts player of the season - not to be confused with the equally-prestigious vote for our own 6-a-side team's best player. Please vote for your top 2, in order. A first-placed vote gets 2 points; a second-placed vote gets 1 point, and the player with most points wins.

Send your votes to yorkhearts@yahoo.co.uk by midnight next Thursday night please (May 31). If you want a reminder of some of this season's highlights..... -> Only team to keep a clean sheet at White Hart Lane

-> 4 points out of 6 at Ibrox

-> The 2-0 home win over Celtic in October

-> 3 derby wins out of 3 - the first time we've taken maximum points in the derbies since 1962

-> Beating St Mirren 5-2 in January, despite playing with ten men for 80 mins (Skacel hat-trick)

-> The semi-final win over Celtic and Beattie's last-minute penalty

-> The small matter of the Scottish Cup victory on May 19

After the glorious end to the season, it would be great to get lots of votes so the award can truly be said to represent the whole club. So please, get voting!

The greatest weekend....

Well, has it sunk in yet? - What a glorious weekend for the glorious Hearts!

Thirteen members of York Hearts were lucky enough to get tickets for the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, to witness the utter annihilation of our so-called city rivals. Back in York, at the White Horse, more than 20 others packed into the main bar room, to watch the joyous scenes on TV.

We'll lift the H-tax today to name and shame Edinburgh's second team in full, and to revel in the result again: Heart of Midlothian 5-1 Hibernian.

A few had headed up to Scotland on Friday evening, but others began bright and early on Saturday.

Ian Warner, Brian Dall, Sam Outing, Tommy Outing and Gavin Aitchison all gathered at Toft Green at 7.30am, to make the long drive north, to glory or despair. The magnitude of the game was lost on nobody. The Outing brothers even made history by arriving on time, but the nerves were clear for all to see. How needless they would prove!

Badger brought the papers; Gav came armed with Mr Kipling Jam Tarts; and the troops were treated to the sounds of the 20 Jambo Classics CD, as we made our way up the A1 to Scotch Corner, and then across the Pennines and up to Glasgow. Just over the border, we collected two more maroon footsoldiers from the Dall clan, and then it was on to Hampden.

We arrived in Glasgow at noon, met our contacts for tickets, and then sought solace, reassurance and refreshment in the pub - The Clockwork Beer Co.

The flag went up, so did the tension, do did the songs, and gradually more of the York contingent began to assemble. We even recruited a newbie, Sam sharply picking up the dulcet tones of a Heworth dialect near the bar. Many seemed in no doubt we'd win - many weren't so sure. Gav wandered around aimlessly, fleeting between optimism and dread. Badger did likewise, though managed to avoid going near the bar.

And then it was time. To the ground we filed. Programme, check. Pie, check. Dangerous levels of adrenalin, check. And then it happened - possibly the finest 90 minutes of football any Jambo will ever enjoy. Barr, Skacel, Grainger, McGowan and Skacel again ensured that we not only won the cup, but pummeeld, pulverised and humiliated Hibs in the process.

We gave them a goal for the sake of it, but who cares. What a day, what a win, what a weekend, what a team.

Some of us headed back to York that night, where the party continued at the White Horse; others headed for celebrations in Edinburgh. North or south, Scotland or England, the joy and unbridled delirium were the same.

When we've all come down off cloud nine, we'll be organising some sort of York Hearts celebration - possibly a race day, possibly a curry night, possibly a day brewing a celebratory beer. If you've any other ideas, let us know.

In the meantime, all together now...... "5-1 in the cup final, 5-1 in the cup final, 5-1 in the cup final, 5-1 in the cup final......"

Hearts reach Scottish Cup Final

Hearts beat Celtic 2-1 today in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, to set up an all Edinburgh final on May 19.
Rudi Skacel gave Hearts the lead early in the second half, and although Celtic equalised late on, a Craig Beattie penalty in injury time won the game for Hearts.
Hearts' Edinburgh rivals beat Aberdeen 2-1 in the other semi-final on Saturday, so it wil be an Edinburgh derby cup final on May 19 - the first since 1896.
There is likely to be huge demand for tickets, so please let committee members know ASAP if you are interested in going, and please be sure to provide your full details for booking tickets (name, address, DOB and HMFC customer reference number).

Hearts on TV tomorrow

Well done to all who made it to the White Horse or Tynecastle on Sunday for the cup game v St Johnstone. We're waiting to hear whether or not the replay will also be televised.

In the meantime, Hearts are back on the box tomorrow when we host Celtic at Tynecastle in the SPL. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and we'll be meeting as usual in the White Horse, Bootham. All welcome.

Possible February trips

If Hearts beat Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup this weekend, their next cup tie will be on the weekend of February 4. If we win, then as soon as the draw for the next round is made, please let somebody on the committee know if you want to go to that game.
Also, the Hearts v Celtic match originally scheduled for 28 Janaury has been moved to Wednesday 8 February. If anyone is interested in going to the match (up and back by car on the day), please email yorkhearts@yahoo.co.uk

9 in a row for Hearts

Hearts won the New Year derby 3-1 at Easter Road today, to make it nine consecutive games unbeaten in the fixture.
Hearts dominated throughout but the game remained goal-less at half-time, after Ian Black's penalty was saved. Second-half goals from Ryan McGowan, Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel won it for the Jambos though, with the wee team's solitary goal coming via a Marious Zaliukas own-goal.
A small but vociferous group from York Hearts made the trip north. Thanks to them, and those who watched the game in the White Horse.
The next game is on Saturday, when Hearts welcome Auchinleck Talbot to Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup.

Happy new year to all members

Happy New Year to all York Hearts members. Here's to a happy 2012, be it in the pub or at Tynecastle.