FANS want improvements now that the SFA have committed to staying at Hampden.
Throughout the debate and campaign to save the stadium, supporters groups have been clear that Hampden in its current state does not give the experience supporters expect.
Issues have been raised both inside and outside the stadium and today we take a look at what could be done and how much it could cost.
The SFA has acknowledged the concerns and complaints and said it will now look to find solutions.
Inside the stadium fans have long complained, since the stadium was redeveloped in 1999 that the stands behind both goals are too far from the pitch and the bowl design leaves it with a poor view of the action.
Paul Goodwin, of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, listed the issues that need attention and investment.
The sight lines in the East and West stands are a priority he said for fans paying high ticket prices then having a poor view.
He said: “You need binoculars to see the game.”
One model proposed is to redesign the stands and have a steeper stand instead of a bowl, with seats brought closer to the pitch.
Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga had a stand similar to Hampden with a track around the outside the pitch. The club spent around £60m on two new stands to bring fans closer to the pitch.
Ian Maxwell, SFA Chief executive said it was one of a number of stadium issues that required consideration.
He said: “Hampden is 20 years old now. Whether it’s the seating deck or hospitality there’s a lot of different things, there are various elements to this.”
Mr Goodwin said safe standing is a priority for fans but he added, like redesigning the stands: “How do you fund that?”
He suggested debentures for fans for priority to tickets in the future for matches and concerts at the stadium.
The rail seating which bolt upright for standing like those used by Celtic and most clubs in Germany are reported to cost around £80 per seat, which is around £20 or £30 more expensive per seat than normal flip down seats.
That could be part of the SFA’s general maintenance.
Mr Maxwell said: “Safe standing is something we will look at. There’s going to be replacement of the seats. There’s no reason why it can’t be with rail seats.”
The big issue outside the stadium is transport and accessibility especially from outside Glasgow.
Mr Goodwin said if like him you travel from Stirling it is difficult to get home from an evening kick- off using public transport.
And he said parking around Hampden is notoriously difficult because of restrictions, which he said could be relaxed.
He said: “An idea like buses running form towns like Stirling or Kilwinning and other places, direct to Hampden on match days would help thousands of fans.”
Glasgow City Council said it will be working on an Event Traffic Plan to make transport easier.
Council leader Susan Aitken said on a range of issues the council is supportive of ideas to improve the matchday experience.
She said: “Like Ian Maxwell, I’m under no illusion that Hampden is perfect, or even as good as it should be – but I was very pleased to hear him describe it first and foremost as an asset, recognised across the world, and also acknowledge that Hampden presents the SFA with potential and real opportunities.
“Of course, the matchday experience needs to meet fans’ expectations – and we have already made it clear to the SFA that we are ready to discuss things like safe standing, if that’s something it wants to invest in.
“But the fan experience starts well before kick-off and work that will better connect Hampden with the rest of the city through walking, cycling and public transport are already underway.
“We’re also working on an Event Traffic Plan, which will make travelling by public transport to international games, domestic cup matches and concerts at Hampden markedly better.
“It’s also worth making the point that Hampden will continue to benefit from huge, unseen, benefits as part of this city.
“We have already been part of the team that supported Hampden’s bid to be a host venue for Euro 2020 European Championships – and involvement in these kind of events is a central plank in the city’s branding and international marketing.”
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