First Fans Cup Final

Hearts and Dunfermline are to compete for the first ever 'Supporters Direct Scotland Fans' Cup', supported by QTS, at East End Park on 13th of July at 2.00pm.

The game, which will see the gate receipts split equally between both clubs, has been backed by both clubs, supporters groups Pars United and Foundation of Hearts and Supporters Direct Scotland.

Cup sponsor, QTS, is a specialist supplier to the rail industry including plant supply, off-track/lineside works, vegetation management and civil engineering.QTS is also involved in senior football in Scotland as the current shirt sponsor of Kilmarnock FC.

Paul Goodwin, Head of Supporters Direct Scotland said

"Amongst the many pre-season friendlies happening across the country we hope this will become the 'must attend' game for fans of all clubs in Scotland to show backing for the supporters of the Pars and Hearts. The gate receipts will be handed directly to BDO who will split the money between the clubs and will be used immediately for day to day costs in running both clubs.

"Thanks too must go to sponsor QTS who are already great supporters of football through their backing of Kilmarnock FC."

Captains in 1968 Scottish Cup Final: Roy Barry and George Miller

Roy Barry and Alan Anderson - who played against each other in the 1968 Scottish Cup Final, the last time the two sides competed to lift a cup - have also backed the Fans' Cup.

Roy Barry, captain of Dunfermline's 1968 Scottish Cup winning side, said:

"Both Dunfermline and Hearts fans are experiencing very similar emotions and challenges right now and coming together to benefit each other's clubs is typical of the passion both sets of fans have shown already this year as they both strive to save their clubs and ultimately take their clubs over.   I hope fans of both clubs, and fans of other clubs too, come out in force for this game."

Alan Anderson said:

"The one constant that every club has its supporters and they are the ones who are there week in week out, backing the club and the players.Hearts and Pars fans have been through tough times this year and it is to their absolute credit that they have backed their clubs so well.  This game will provide additional income for both clubs and I hope everyone comes out to back the game."

Margaret Ross, on behalf of Pars United, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Hearts and their supporters to East End Park for a quite unique game.Both sets of fans have raised huge sums of money this year to not only help save their clubs but also to put themselves in a good position to buy our clubs.  The gate will be split between the clubs and the match sponsorship, thanks to QTS, will be split between Pars United and the Foundation of Hearts.  We hope that fans of other clubs will come along too as part of the football family that exists in Scotland and beyond.  Our thanks also must go to Supporters Direct Scotland for organising the cup and the match sponsor and for continuing to back our efforts to buy our club."

Ian Murray MP, on behalf of the Foundation of Hearts, said:

"Both supporters groups have faced very similar challenges this year and have also risen to the occasion to back our respective clubs.  Our clubs have rich histories including cup wins and European adventures but importantly both clubs play crucial roles in the communities they are located and with supporters across the world.  Supporters Direct Scotland backs fan groups across the country and has helped us and Pars United in our efforts to take significant community and fan role in our clubs. On that basis we hope that fans of other clubs will also come along and support the game and what it stands for."

Alan McLeish, Managing Director of the QTS Group said:

"Dunfermline and Hearts are two of the great Scottish football institutions and I have been hugely impressed by the fantastic fundraising efforts being made by their fans to get their clubs through what has been an extremely difficult period at East End Park and Tynecastle.

"Scottish football needs clubs like Dunfermline and Hearts to survive and challenge at the highest possible level and I had no hesitation in getting involved to support a fixture which could mean a great deal in terms of each club's survival process.  Football people from across the country are getting right behind this game and everyone at QTS is delighted to be involved in what promises to be a memorable occasion."

Tickets are currently on sale at both clubs. Prices are £10 adults, £5 concessions (U18s/O60s and full-time students with valid matriculation card).

Supporters Direct is part of a wider European fans movement operating in over 20 countries that supports the development of sustainable community owned football clubs. It is also committed to providing a platform for fans of all clubs and to all groups and individuals to make their voice heard.

It was formed in 2000 as an initiative of the UK Government. Its goal is to 'promote sustainable spectator sports clubs based on supporters involvement and community ownership'. Supporters Direct is a Community Benefit Society registered with the Financial Services Authority and owned by its member Clubs and Supporters Societies.