Leslie Deans
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Leslie Deans | |
|---|---|
| Born | Leslie George Deans August 1951 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 15 December 2022 (aged 71) Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Education | George Watson's College |
| Occupations | Solicitor, football executive |
| Known for | Chairman of Heart of Midlothian F.C. |
Leslie George Deans (August 1951 – 15 December 2022) was a Scottish solicitor and football executive. A lifelong supporter of Heart of Midlothian, he and businessman Chris Robinson took control of the club from Wallace Mercer in 1994. Deans later became chairman and held the position when Hearts won the Scottish Cup in 1998. After leaving the board, he remained a substantial shareholder, opposed plans to sell Tynecastle Park and later sold his shareholding to Vladimir Romanov during Romanov's takeover of the club.
Early life and legal career
[edit]Deans was born in Edinburgh in August 1951, the son of George and Marlene Deans.[1][2] He attended Clermiston Primary School and later George Watson's College. He developed mobility problems during childhood and was diagnosed with brittle bone disease at the age of 17.[1]
Deans supported Hearts from childhood. When he was nine, the club allowed him to sit on the trainer's bench at Tynecastle to watch matches because of his disability. He later recalled Willie Wallace as one of his childhood football heroes.[3]
He graduated in 1972 and spent his career as a solicitor, becoming a Writer to the Signet. He founded the Edinburgh solicitors and estate agency business which became Deans Properties.[4] Deans was involved with the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre throughout most of his professional career.[4]
Heart of Midlothian
[edit]Takeover and chairmanship
[edit]In 1994, Deans and Robinson bought control of Hearts from Mercer for about £2.1 million.[5] Companies House records Deans as becoming a director on 17 June 1994.[2] He initially served alongside Robinson, who was chairman following the takeover and later became chief executive.
During the following years the club redeveloped much of Tynecastle. By 1998, Deans said around £9 million had been spent over approximately three years on three new stands and other improvements, including undersoil heating, floodlighting and corporate facilities in the Gorgie Stand.[3]
By April 1997 Deans was chairman, with Robinson serving as chief executive. That year Hearts became the first Scottish football club to obtain a full listing on the stock market. A placing of new shares raised £5.06 million and valued the club at £14 million.[6]
Under manager Jim Jefferies, Hearts challenged Celtic and Rangers for the league title during the 1997–98 season. They defeated Rangers 2–1 in the 1998 Scottish Cup final, winning the club's first Scottish Cup since 1956.[7]
Deans stepped down as chairman in June 1999 but initially remained on the board as a non-executive director.[8] His registered directorship ended on 3 September 1999.[2]
Dispute with Robinson and Tynecastle
[edit]Relations between Deans and Robinson subsequently deteriorated. In November 1999 it was reported that Deans was prepared to offer £2 million for Robinson's shareholding, although Scottish Media Group said that pre-emption rights attached to its investment prevented such a transaction without its consent.[9] Deans was subsequently involved in further attempts to bring new investment into Hearts. In 2000 the club rejected a £2.25 million proposal from a consortium which included him and sought Robinson's removal as chief executive.[10]
As Hearts' debts increased, the board proposed selling Tynecastle to property developer Cala and moving home matches to Murrayfield Stadium. Deans publicly opposed the plan and in 2003 urged supporters to campaign for the club to remain at Tynecastle.[11] In September 2004 Hearts shareholders approved the sale of the stadium, although the agreement allowed the club to withdraw if an alternative source of finance was found.[12]
Romanov takeover
[edit]Deans met Lithuanian banker Vladimir Romanov in early 2004 after the two were introduced by Edinburgh councillor Steve Cardownie. Deans was still one of Hearts' major shareholders and became involved in discussions over Romanov investing in the club.[13]
Romanov bought a 10.3 per cent shareholding from Deans in October 2004.[14] Romanov subsequently acquired Robinson's holding and secured sufficient support to cancel the proposed sale of Tynecastle.
In November 2005, after meeting Romanov following a period of boardroom upheaval at the club, Deans agreed to sell his remaining stake. The transaction took Romanov's shareholding to approximately 73 per cent, close to the 75 per cent required to remove Hearts from the stock exchange.[15]
Death
[edit]Deans died on 15 December 2022, aged 71, following a short illness. He had been receiving treatment in the high dependency unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.[16] Hearts paid tribute to him following his death, describing his chairmanship and the 1998 Scottish Cup victory as central to his involvement with the club.[7]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Leslie Deans". Scottish Legal News. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Heart of Midlothian PLC: officers". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- 1 2 Robertson, Rob (14 March 1998). "A terracing 'mad Jambo' who rose to be chairman". The Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2026 – via London Hearts Supporters Club.
- 1 2 "A much-loved institution – 50 years of ESPC through the eyes of a solicitor". ESPC. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ Conn, David (9 November 2005). "The problem at Hearts is the trouble with British football". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ Grimond, Magnus (19 April 1997). "Scottish football club Hearts gets full listing". The Independent. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Leslie Deans". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Sporting Digest: Football". The Independent. 16 June 1999. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ Nixon, Alan (26 November 1999). "Football: Johnson's spell at Everton cut short". The Independent. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Soccer: Hearts seek new investor". RTÉ. 28 July 2000. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hearts plan big cover-up". The Guardian. 18 December 2003. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Tynecastle sale confirmed". UEFA. 14 September 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Heart of Midlothian FC: Broken Hearts". The Independent. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ Murray, Ewan (22 October 2005). "Romanov poised to increase his stake in Hearts". The Scotsman. Retrieved 27 September 2026 – via London Hearts Supporters Club.
- ↑ Gordon, Phil (5 November 2005). "Hartley puts the life back in Hearts". The Independent. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Leslie Deans". Deans Properties. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2026.