Romanov Podcast by martin geissler ( updated )

[Morgan]

12 minutes ago, the posh bit said:

 

I've never met him, seen him at many matches, however I have a pal who knows him well and says he's a top bloke. 

He really is a good lad.

 

On the weekend of 19/05/12 it seemed that every pub we went into, he was there!

[Morgan]

4 hours ago, William H. Bonney said:

 

He used to live on Lockharton avenue, stones throw from the centre court. He was my grans neighbour for a few years. 

Very nice area. 👍

 

Another long-standing poster on here lives in that street too.

 

A really good bloke whom my wife and I have known for over 40 years!

[Morgan]

5 hours ago, davemclaren said:

Of course. 🥸

Thought so.

 

John used to say that you looked, and played, like Borg.

 

Without the cross eyes though.

[Hearts007]

On 29/01/2025 at 18:07, **** the SPFL said:

There’s a street named after him down opposite ocean terminal 

Romanov? is that where the submarine is docked? 😛

Edited January 30 by Hearts007

[davemclaren]

22 minutes ago, Morgan said:

Thought so.

 

John used to say that you looked, and played, like Borg.

 

Without the cross eyes though.

The Borg. 😀

[Rudy T]

Just been advertised on Radio Scotland sounds like an absolute must listen.

[Morgan]

38 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

The Borg. 😀

Funny you should say that - he said your nickname (amongst others) was Iceborg McLaren.

 

 

[davemclaren]

Just now, Morgan said:

Funny you should say that - he said your nickname (amongst others) was Iceborg McLaren.

 

 

Haven't seen Jonno in a long time now.  Hope he is well. 

[Morgan]

53 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

Haven't seen Jonno in a long time now.  Hope he is well. 

I had a wee word with him before Christmas.  He sounded very chipper. 👍

[davemclaren]

24 minutes ago, Morgan said:

I had a wee word with him before Christmas.  He sounded very chipper. 👍

👍

[Fxxx the SPFL]

2 hours ago, davemclaren said:

Haven't seen Jonno in a long time now.  Hope he is well. 

He sits just four seats from me he’s doing great as @Morgan has said.

[Hearts1975]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq5gq2dl842o

 

thread bump here.

Really looking forward to listening to this.  

[colinmaroon]

On 29/01/2025 at 20:00, Fitzroy Pointon said:

Listened to the trailer and looking forward to it. 

 

Does anyone remember Geisler presenting a Hearts TV show on some Scottish cable channel in the 90s? 

 

Yes.  Had them all on VHS.

 

[Morgan]

On 30/01/2025 at 21:00, **** the SPFL said:

He sits just four seats from me he’s doing great as @Morgan has said.

The proud grandad!

 

👍❤️

[Mr Sifter]

That’s the first three episodes available now 👍🏼

[Fire_At_The_Disco]

Flying down to London today for work, downloaded the 1st 3 of these to kill the boredom. 

[Mr Sifter]

Thoughts on episode one - to hear the AGM and the vitriol against Robinson again, it made my heart sing. I did forget that Vlad strode into that meeting ten minutes after it started, to rapturous applause. A good listen though which fair takes ye back. 
 

Episode 2 - Charlie Mann tryin to convince Vlad that there was no bias among refs in this country, off the back of the Andy Davis fix 🙄 Thankfully Vlad never listened to him. Robbo gettin punted the very day he received the manager of the month award 😬

[Mr Sifter]

Thoughts on episode 3 - Lying in my bed listening to it with goosebumps. That start under Burley, wondering by just how many goals we were going to blow teams away. Bednar on the podcast comparing scoring against Rangers to having an orgasm 🤣, listening to the hurt, anger and general disbelief over Burleys sacking. These three episodes have taken me back to a happier time, genuinely believing we could win the league. We had a swagger that’s never been seen since in Gorgie. Why oh why oh why did Vlads ego have to **** it all up 😢😢😢

[johnking123]

Used to sit section S 

 Couple of seats along from me. Always bloody late!! Having to stand up to let him through 😡. But nice guy otherwise 😄

[rudi must stay]

Excellent well worth a listen 

[jambo89]

I got quite emotional at the end of the 1st episode. For better or worse, Romanov ultimately saved hearts that day. 

[Dallas Green]

That was a very good listen. Enjoyed those episodes.

[Mr Sifter]

2 minutes ago, jambo89 said:

I got quite emotional at the end of the 1st episode. For better or worse, Romanov ultimately saved hearts that day. 

Ive absolutely no doubt this thread will descend into a “Vlad was a hero/Vlad was a *****” bunfight, but your right. He DID save us. 
 

My tuppenceworth? He’s a hero. He came in, saved Tynie (and in turn, us) and gave us some magical memories. He stuck it up the authorities, spoke with distain about the old firm and Hibs, and was sure to separate the ownership of Tynie from the rest of his companies once he knew the shit was hitting the fan. That one final act showed me he cared to the very end. 
 

Egomaniac? Yup. A genuine love of Hearts? Probably not initially, but he certainly grew to love us. 
 

It’s often forgotten that we were around £20 million in debt when he took over…when he left it was around £24 million BUT we owned Tynie. 
 

Well worth it. Man’s a hero 🫡

[Mr Sifter]

Mods, can I suggest a title change? I’m sure Martin Geissler has another podcast re all things Scottish politics. I think that’s the one called Scotcast. To avoid any confusion, our podcast is called “Romanov - Czar of Hearts” 👍🏼

[Dallas Green]

2 minutes ago, Mr Sifter said:

Ive absolutely no doubt this thread will descend into a “Vlad was a hero/Vlad was a *****” bunfight, but your right. He DID save us. 
 

My tuppenceworth? He’s a hero. He came in, saved Tynie (and in turn, us) and gave us some magical memories. He stuck it up the authorities, spoke with distain about the old firm and Hibs, and was sure to separate the ownership of Tynie from the rest of his companies once he knew the shit was hitting the fan. That one final act showed me he cared to the very end. 
 

Egomaniac? Yup. A genuine love of Hearts? Probably not initially, but he certainly grew to love us. 
 

It’s often forgotten that we were around £20 million in debt when he took over…when he left it was around £24 million BUT we owned Tynie. 
 

Well worth it. Man’s a hero 🫡

My thoughts on him too. 

 

No doubt his interference probably cost us the league that season though and he left us staring down the barrel of not having a club but what a ride it was!

 

I think we can look back more fondly now because of Ann initially and then us through the FOH saving the club from admin.

 

[speaker]

On episode 2. Absolutely brilliant listening so far 👍

[Barney Battles.]

I love it. 

Never got so emotional at a radio programme in my life! ❤️ 

[Archie White]

Just listened to the 1st episode. Brilliant. Audio from THAT AGM brought it all back. Tear in the eyes at end.

[flem]

Just for finished the first 3 episodes, well worth a listen 🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

The first three episodes were excellent with a good cross-section of Hearts voices amongst them. I got goosebumps when SPH talked about how the players were buzzing under George Burley and reaching new heights. That 8 game run to start the season was still something else.

 

And then they had to finish the first three with Vlad's here aka the sex offender.

Edited February 2 by Geoff Kilpatrick

[Costanza]

Really enjoyed the first 3 episodes and some great memories, especially being reminded of those early games,  especially Tannadice away. That day felt like we were on the verge of something really special.

Never knew we were close to Bobby Robson before Burley, I'd always thought he was approached after he was sacked.

Also loved hearing David Begg's radio commentary; never been topped.

[Lord Montpelier]

An excellent listen. Well done to those involved. Dickens words summarised that period for me

 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..."

[BRY]

I listened to the first 3 episodes in the drive to Dundee yesterday. 

Very well put together podcast. 

Although I'm old enough to remember the Romanov shenanigans, there was some things that I didn't know, and learned from the podcast. 

 

 

Edited February 2 by BRY

[kingantti1874]

Hopefully Martin Geissler checks in on the thread. I know he’s active on here!!

 

see on the Sunday Show, when you ask someone a question.  Gonna let them answer? Gets on my tits 

[Rogue Daddy]

On 01/02/2025 at 10:03, Mr Sifter said:

Ive absolutely no doubt this thread will descend into a “Vlad was a hero/Vlad was a *****” bunfight, but your right. He DID save us. 
 

My tuppenceworth? He’s a hero. He came in, saved Tynie (and in turn, us) and gave us some magical memories. He stuck it up the authorities, spoke with distain about the old firm and Hibs, and was sure to separate the ownership of Tynie from the rest of his companies once he knew the shit was hitting the fan. That one final act showed me he cared to the very end. 
 

Egomaniac? Yup. A genuine love of Hearts? Probably not initially, but he certainly grew to love us. 
 

It’s often forgotten that we were around £20 million in debt when he took over…when he left it was around £24 million BUT we owned Tynie. 
 

Well worth it. Man’s a hero 🫡

When you look back..... *indirectly, it's lead to the fans owning the club - and where we are now. It's been some emotional journey! Good summation.... although he was MAD! 😂 But absolutely love how he stood up to the uglies and SFA... wish we had a wee bit more of that about us these days, although the managerial journey was just bonkers!

 

This podcast is excellent! Would urge everyone to listen - like me, you'll probably realise just how much nonsense that went on that you'd probably forgotten!

 

Well done Martin! Fantastic!... wish it was a documentary, just for the goals! 😂🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻

Edited February 2 by Rogue Daddy
*maybe that should be 'directly'

[Spitonastranger]

Hi 

 

Can someone post a link, I can't find it TIA

[Rogue Daddy]

4 minutes ago, Spitonastranger said:

Hi 

 

Can someone post a link, I can't find it TIA

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq5gq2dl842o    👍

[jimthejambo]

Hi all

 

I’m the producer of the podcast. Just wanted to say thanks for all the comments so far. Glad people are enjoying it…..we’ve only just got started 

[GinRummy]

Top podcast. Might be controversial but still my most enjoyable period watching Hearts. We’d have been absolutely goosed if it wasn’t for Vlad it’s just a shame he was stark raving mad. 

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

1 minute ago, jimthejambo said:

Hi all

 

I’m the producer of the podcast. Just wanted to say thanks for all the comments so far. Glad people are enjoying it…..we’ve only just got started 

Can I suggest some additional material would be a follow-up retrospective from fans over 10 years on? I read Tom English's comments about whether fans would still sign up for it had they known how things would have transpired? Personally, I would still do it every time and twice on Sundays. Vlad truly upset the applecart of Scottish football and played a part, ironically, in the demise of Rangers when we qualified for Champions League qualification in 05/06. That lack of money, coupled with the banking crisis which helped to undo Vlad's own empire, started to expose the Murray empire and then the tax cases also came out.

 

So Vlad's impact was felt not just on us obviously, but across the rest of the game. No one has ever spent as much money on Hearts. No one has ever wasted as much money on Hearts. And today, we still have Tynecastle and we are still the same club, unlike others.

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

Just now, GinRummy said:

Top podcast. Might be controversial but still my most enjoyable period watching Hearts. We’d have been absolutely goosed if it wasn’t for Vlad it’s just a shame he was stark raving mad. 

This in spades

[Rogue Daddy]

18 minutes ago, jimthejambo said:

Hi all

 

I’m the producer of the podcast. Just wanted to say thanks for all the comments so far. Glad people are enjoying it…..we’ve only just got started 

👍👌

[indianajones]

Is it not Tsar?

Edited February 2 by indianajones

[jambogemz]

By the comments it sounds like it is well worth a listen.

 

I was thinking it was just going to be another chance for the idiots of sportsound to have a laugh at Romanov and Hearts once again but sounds like this one is a bit different thankfully 

[OTT]

This would have been brilliant as an extended TV series, rather than a podcast. I think seeing the various interviewees and maybe some animations/ showmanship would have added a lot more production value. 

 

Interesting listen though! 

[jimthejambo]

24 minutes ago, indianajones said:

Is it not Tsar?

we had this discussion a few times. Tsar is the traditional Russian spelling. Czar is a more contemporary spelling used in the UK/US especially when talking about someone in charge of a company. We felt that fit with Romanov. 

[Hungry hippo]

27 minutes ago, indianajones said:

Is it not Tsar?

 

Same word. Can be written either way like grey or gray.

[indianajones]

2 minutes ago, jimthejambo said:

we had this discussion a few times. Tsar is the traditional Russian spelling. Czar is a more contemporary spelling used in the UK/US especially when talking about someone in charge of a company. We felt that fit with Romanov. 

 

1 minute ago, Hungry hippo said:

 

Same word. Can be written either way like grey or gray.

 

👍

[Regular John]

Really enjoying it so far. Personally far prefer the podcast medium to a TV series, more scope for exploration in to the detail and the insights rather than relying heavily on archived video clips.

 

Interesting insights from the likes of Fedetovas and Charlie Mann too.

 

 

[michaeljambo22]

What could have been if Romanov was sane! 😓but it was fun lol