Hearts are thriving now thanks to the FANS and I'm finally ready to spill secrets from dark days – Ryan Stevenson

It's hard to believe it's been a decade since I was moved so much by one kid plundering his piggy bank in a bid to help keep his beloved Hearts afloat.

Back in 2013 there was an administration, a story came out that this wee guy had donated all of his coppers which amounted to around £6, it had a profound impact on me. With the news that the club have posted a record £20.8million turnover for the 2022/23 campaign in their latest financial accounts, I can let a few secrets out of the bag from a time when the Jambos were on the financial brink.

There were a handful of players who paid a monthly direct debit during that time when there was a real fear the institution would go to the wall, myself included. Boys like Danny Wilson and Jamie MacDonald had money taken off them every month and it went straight into the club. Time and time again it's been the fans who have saved the club so I can't think of any other team which would be a safer investment.

The monthly support of the fans via the Foundation of Hearts which pours in thousands every month via pledges has been combined by James Anderson's donations which has swelled the £4.5m received from that arm of support.

If I had £4million I would put it in. As an investment my money would be safe as houses. Even if it was squandered, I'd still throw it into the pot, that's the depth of feeling I have for the club.

I've always felt I owed Hearts and I owed the fans and when the club officially went into administration I was phoned by Gary Locke and told I would need to take a 50-per-cent pay cut. I was given one hour to make a decision and I called him back within five minutes and told him that was fine by me.

I didn't really give it a moment's thought and I also pledged