Exclusive: Foundation of Hearts outline its future as new chairman Gerry Mallon talks cash, Europe and fans

Pretty serious business, then. The incoming Foundation of Hearts chairman lacks nothing in status, profile or experience after six years as head of the Northern Ireland Football Association. He is also chief executive of Tesco Bank having previously worked for Danske Bank and Ulster Bank.

Can all his expertise benefit Hearts? That’s why we’re on Whatsapp trying to arrange an interview. Mallon is more than accommodating despite suffering mild Covid symptoms.

He was voted onto the Foundation board last December and will officially become chairman on June 1 when Stuart Wallace steps down. Mallon will also join the club board at Hearts in Wallace’s place.

Like his predecessor, relatability is one of his best attributes. Wallace oversaw Hearts’ move into fan ownership through the Foundation, the club are back in European competition, and his last official act as a director will be the Scottish Cup final on May 21.

Mallon knows it’s a hard act to follow. “My timing has been good stepping into the Foundation and now onto the club board, which is a tremendous honour,” he says. “I was fortunate at the Irish FA, too. We hadn’t been to a major tournament in 30 years when I joined the board. Then we qualified for the [2016] Euros within a couple of years.

“Maybe there’s something about being a lucky general rather than a good general. Hopefully my luck will continue at Tynecastle. I understand football and I know where to draw the line: Let football people make football decisions and leave the business people to make business decisions.

“I hope I’m experienced enough to know when to stick to my lane. Sometimes football boards don’t. I come at this is a fan. I’ll have the sentiment and emotion of a fan but hopefully with the clear