Let clubs cash in with fanzones to drink in big -day atmosphere
SCOTTISH football is struggling for cash.
Which makes it all the more frustrating to see money which is due to our clubs from their own customers getting flushed away elsewhere when it should be landing in their coffers.
It’s a not a new issue. Remember Csaza Laszlo? The old Hearts manager was saying it way back when he was the boss at Tynecastle.
Sitting with him during a pre-season trip to Germany, he insisted the European style of supporter experience was the way to unlock much-needed funds for our teams.
Laszlo couldn’t understand why Hearts supporters lined up along Gorgie Road queuing to get into pubs on matchdays when the club was not allowed to do anything itself.
The Hungarian made the point that technically this was Hearts’ money.
It was their fans, going to their games, who would far rather see their hard-earned going to the club.
No one wants to see local businesses killed but he was right back then and the argument stands.
Hibs fans are eating and drinking up and down Leith Walk and Easter Road prior to kick-off and the money they spend doesn’t go to Hibs. True, the club do have the Behind the Goals bar which is packed out most matchdays but they’re still missing out.
That’s not their fault. There’s nowhere for them to go really if they are not taking hospitality packages, bar a couple of function suites.
There are a few clubs who now dabble in the pre-match Sports Bar.
Several clubs have a small area where you can go for a pint, a juice or a bite to eat beforehand,
It would be nice if clubs could push a little more towards the overall experience and let’s get away from the idea this is all about creating a place for bevvy. It’s more than that.
Manchester City are a good example south of the border. City Square right outside the Etihad Stadium is a fantastic fanzone, with a great atmosphere. There is food and drink available, things for kids to do and music playing.
It’s free to enjoy and opens three hours before kick-off. It’s covered and heated so you can use it all the year round if you wish.
It’s the type of idea Celtic seem keen to follow. Today before Celtic and St Johnstone play at Parkhead there will be thousands who will mill about in the sunshine outside the Main Stand with nowt much really to do other than take selfies.
Celtic would love to house them in a fanzone – a controlled environment with music, entertainment for youngsters, food outlets. Places to get a cup of tea or even a beer if you wanted one.
It’s about making it a full-day experience and it would be great if authorities outside the game could recognise the value and grant permission for these things.
Rangers, just like Celtic, have the size of support on matchdays and enough space around Ibrox to have one and make it work.
Instead, fans fill up pubs in Paisley Road West and use the chip shops there and hand the money over to companies when they would rather give the money to the club and, indirectly,
Fans will mill about outside with nowt much really to do other than take selfies
Pedro Caixinha’s transfer budget.
Hearts won’t have huge areas in front of their new Main Stand but wouldn’t it be brilliant if that was just a big meeting point for Jambos pre-match with old games on screens, music playing, selling Cathro Cheeseburgers and pints of Budge Brew.
Aberdeen have put forward plans for a new stadium. It’s out of the city. Perfect for a Red Zone to be built for punters and kids to get out early for 12 noon and enjoy a full day with their clubs.
Maybe it’s too costly. Maybe it’s too much hassle.
But it just feels like money is being lost to clubs and the experience could be enhanced for fans if we could get these type of set-ups going all around the country.
It’s not just about the game these days. It’s about the whole day out. That’s why more and more folk go to Nando’s and the cinema on a Saturday than into our half-empty stadiums.