Wallace Mercer

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Alexander Wallace Mercer

Scottish football club Heart of Midlothian from 1981 to 1994.[2]

Hearts

Mercer became chairman on 25 May 1981 when he bought a controlling interest in Hearts for £265,000. He is remembered mainly for improving the fortunes of Hearts during the early 1980s.

Mercer is also remembered for his attempt in 1990 to merge the two major

merger" was more of a takeover by Hearts and they strongly resisted Mercer's bid to acquire a majority share in Hibs. The fans of Hibernian did not take kindly to the threat of a takeover and Wallace received death threats and other various abuse. One supporter was apprehended outside Mercer's house with an axe. Mercer was eventually forced to abandon his plans as some key shareholders refused to sell to him, denying him the level of shareholding needed to liquidate Hibs.[4] Sir Tom Farmer eventually took financial control of Hibs instead.[4]

In 2010, Mercer's widow and children issued a statement to the Edinburgh Evening News reiterating the reasons for the proposed merger of Hearts and Hibs.[5] The statement also claimed that the increased dominance of the Old Firm since 1990 had vindicated the proposal.[5]

Death

Mercer died of

home match was an Edinburgh derby against Hibs.[6][7][8]

References

  1. ^ "Register of Deaths 2006 A Wallace Mercer". www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. National Records of Scotland. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Paterson, Liam (17 January 2006). "Wallace Mercer dies". The Scotsman. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Wallace Mercer Businessman and former chairman of Hearts FC" The Herald, 18 January 2006 (subscription required)
  4. ^ a b "Mercer Merger – 20 years on: Wallace Mercer decides to call it quits as David Duff digs in". Edinburgh Evening News. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  5. ^ a b Hardie, David (4 June 2010). "Wallace Mercer's Hearts/Hibs merger vision 'proved right'". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  6. ^ "Mercer applause tribute for derby". BBC Sport. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  7. ^ Picken, Andrew (25 January 2006). "Hibs fans to turn backs on derby day Mercer tribute". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  8. ^ Grant, Michael (29 January 2006). "Derby debut gives Rix reason to believe". The Herald. Retrieved 21 February 2011.(subscription required)

External links