A SIGN first installed at the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club almost a century ago is being reinstated... and an East Lothian man is playing a key role.

As part of the Edinburgh side’s Maroon Mile Project and to mark the club’s 150th anniversary, work is under way to reinstate the historic Tynecastle Park sign at the Gorgie Road entrance.

Thomas Payne, of Thomas Paints, is at the heart of the project and has been working alongside a team to ensure that the new version of the sign accurately reflects the one first installed in 1928.

The 37-year-old spoke to the Courier as he was driving away from the 19,852-seat stadium on Friday afternoon.

He said: “We got some photographic references from the National Library of Scotland.

“We took those references and they were at various angles and resolutions.

“My job is to redraw it so it can be repainted accurately onto the side of the stand.”

Last week, the basecoat was applied and lettering was to be added at the beginning of this week.

The work to the sign has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Maroon Mile Project.

The Maroon Mile is a community-led heritage project which aims to highlight, capture and share the history of the diversely rich and vibrant working-class area and explore the role the club has played in the lives of multiple generations.  

A firm fan favourite for many years, the hand-painted sign was a symbol for many that they had arrived at the stadium.

Although undergoing design and font changes over the years, the sign is still lovingly talked about by many fans today, with its absence above the large museum gates on Tynecastle Terrace being noted.

It was installed in 1928, where it stood for more than 60 years before being taken down in 1994 as part of the ground redevelopment.

The whereabouts of the original sign are unknown, as it went missing shortly after the redevelopment to the grounds was completed.  

Thomas, who lives in Longniddry with his wife and two children, has been busy researching to ensure that the sign is as true to the original as possible.

He said: “Sign painting and sign writing are traditional arts.

“It is most certainly in keeping with doing things and a nod to the history of a building.

“If I get the opportunity to, I will do something with a historical aesthetic.

“It is two-fold: people appreciate it for its quality but aesthetically people see stuff and, if it has got that historic look or typographical style, it is a nod back to the history and origin of what it is."

Thomas, who admitted that he was “neutral” when it came to football, has previously done work for the village shop, primary school and Scouts.

Lianne Parry, head of the heritage department at the Capital club, was pleased to see the project progressing.

She said: "I am thrilled to see this cherished traditional sign replicated on the Gorgie Stand as part of the Maroon Mile Project.

“This is a wonderful nod to our club's rich history and a testament to our commitment to preserving and celebrating it.

"I am eagerly anticipating phase two of the project, which will see the reopening of the Museum entrance at Tynecastle Terrace.

“This final step will beautifully complete the mile-long heritage trail, culminating at our beloved museum.

“It’s an exciting time for all Hearts supporters as we continue to honour our legacy through the 150th anniversary year."