The Council of Patrons of former Premier League champions Hearts of Oak have issued a goodwill statement to the club on the occasion of its 102nd birthday.

Below is the statement

GOODWILL MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF 102ND ANNIVERSARY

On the occasion of our 102nd anniversary, we wish to salute all members of the Accra Hearts of Oak family.

We would have loved to be commending ourselves for redeeming ourselves after a dismal run-up to our centenary two years ago. Regrettably, we continue to be absent from the roll of honour even at the domestic level, not to mention the continental level.

However we have noted with excitement and anticipation that this season, Hearts of Oak is putting up its best Premier League performance in five years. It is our prayer that all stakeholders will work harder to win not only the ongoing Premier League but also, the FA Cup – a feat that our great Club alone has done on five occasions with no other Club having done it even once.

We have also observed the recent upsurge in supporters’ morale as evidenced by the improved attendance to the Club’s Home and Away matches. We urge the Management of the Club to capitalize on the renewed zeal of the fans to reorganize the supporters’ front for more effective contribution to the Club’s development. In particular, the National Chapters Committee election, which is almost two years late, must be held as soon as possible to give the supporters’ front a new lease of life, energy and efficiency.

The reorganization of the Chapters, as a key element of the process of “Restoring Phobian Glory” must be pursued with all the urgency that it deserves. That is the best tribute we can pay to the memory of Wofa Henry Quartey, the doyen of the Chapters organ of Accra Hearts of Oak, as well as Kweku Adusei Kanawu, one our most eloquent advocates on radio, both of whom left us this year.

It is a rather depressing moment to celebrate our anniversary without our Abusuapanin, Harry Sawyer who passed away last Friday, and who, but for this sad event, would have presided over our “birthday party.” Working together to build a stronger Hearts of Oak is the ultimate homage we can pay to the memory of the departed president of the Council of Patrons. We wish to express our condolences to the relatives of Harry Sawyer, and renew our sympathy for the relatives of Wofa Henry Quartey, Kweku Adusei Kanawu and George Alhassan, one of our playing heroes, and to the entire phobia fraternity at the loss of these gallant sons of the Oak Tree.

The selfless services of these departed Phobians should inspire us to work harder at developing our club into the model that we want it to be. The long-standing Pobiman Project in particular should be tackled aggressively. We are aware that the training pitches at Pobiman are undergoing some facelift to enable the Club return to training there. We hope that, in the near future, the full complement of facilities envisioned under the project would be put in place for the Club to move there permanently.

It is our fervent prayer that, come next year, we will be celebrating our 103rd anniversary with the Premier League trophy and boasting a strong squad poised for a credible return to Africa.

Beloved Phobians, we wish to repeat that we owe it to ourselves and the memory of our departed comrades – Uncle Harry Sawyerr, “Wofa” Henry Quartey, Kwaku Adusei “Kanawu,” George Alhassan “Ga Mantse” and indeed all departed members of the Hearts family, to build and sustain a vibrant Hearts of Oak brand and ultimately return our club to the top of local and continental football.

Phobia!!! Masters!!! Never Say Die!!!

Thank you very much and a Blessed Anniversary to us all!