Ex-Hibs striker's firm sues Hearts

Northamptonshire-based Cre8 Publishing, which was founded by former Hibs striker Lee Power, is pursuing the Tynecastle side for the cash it says it is owed after its contract to produce the match-day programme ended.

But Hearts are set to "rigorously" defend the action, which is understood to have erupted after the publisher consistently printed far too many programmes for home games.

The case called for an initial hearing in Edinburgh Sheriff Court this week.

Cre8 Publishing director Danny Lake said his firm had worked with the club until April this year. He said: "In short, we are suing Hearts for payment of just over 40,000, which is due to us in respect of match-day programmes and it is us that have issued proceedings.

"We parted company in April this year. There had been several issues where we had experienced problems in getting paid from Hearts and there were some contractual obligations we felt weren't being met or adhered to."

Mr Lake said he could not disclose any further details surrounding dispute costs until they came up in court, but that some costs owed were agreed on.

He said: "Effectively they are disputing some of that money, not all of it. I can't go into figures because of the court case but we don't feel any of it should be in dispute and that's why we are doing this.

"I think we initiated proceedings back in August and it's been going back and forth.

"These are costs we have incurred from producing programmes and contractual terms which we think, and we've been advised by solicitors, should be honoured."

Mr Power, 38, who played for Hibs in 1997-8 and went on to serve as chairman of Cambridge United and become a racehorse owner, is no longer thought to be a director of the firm he founded.

He is best known during his short spell at Easter Road for scoring on the opening day of the season against Celtic in his side's 2-1 win.

Cre8 Publishing has supplied programmes for Rangers and Celtic and continues to publish for clubs including Aberdeen, Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle United. It also published all 48 match programmes for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Lake said that he had attempted to solve the dispute out of court, but was unable to come to a settlement.

It is understood that issues came to a head on the day of a home fixture against Rangers in late March, after which Cre8 and Hearts parted company.In response, Hearts have said they will stick by their contract.

A spokesman added: "As this is now a legal case it would be inappropriate to comment further, other than to say Hearts will be rigorously defending its position in court."

The case, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, continues in January.