Allan: Euro plans can get Accies fans back in
HAMILTON chairman Allan Maitland reckons a successful Euros holds a big key to unlocking the gates of Scottish club grounds.
Scotland will be able to play in front of 12,000 fans at Hampden games in the summer tournament.
Clubs are awaiting updates from Scottish Government on when they might be able to have fans in attendance with Record Sport revealing there could be supporters at SPFL play-off matches before the end of this term.
The Scottish Cup Final could also have punters if the game is moved from Hampden.
Maitland believes that UEFA’s staging of Euros in Glasgow could be important to future plans.
He said: “Without getting drawn into it, I think the Government will be guided by what happens with UEFA. We’re completely dictated to by the Scottish Government.
“I saw a thing saying 500 fans will be at games but how does that work? Is it the same 500 fans inside our stadium as Celtic’s? They are having to make it up as they go along. The Euros will help to see how that works.
“Hopefully by August or certainly
October, there will be a clearer pathway to supporters getting back.
“I genuinely don’t know, although the Euros is a big thing. They’ll take a lot from the Euros because UEFA are guiding that.
“It’s hard to say there’s 12,000 people going into that game then two weeks later there’s a Scottish game on and no one’s getting in.”
Clubs are eager for information as they plan for season-tickets sales.
Hamilton took a decision not to sell any campaign-long briefs for last term and Maitland said: “We are less reliant on season tickets than other clubs as we have a smaller fanbase.
“But percentage-wise, if you look at the income that comes in – or the lack of income coming in – it’s a massive thing for us. I didn’t think it was fair on the fans. It was impossible to charge people without knowing what you are getting for it.”
Meanwhile, Maitland says he will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with boss Brian Rice after he was charged by the SFA for a pop at officialdom.
He said: “We stand by him in everything. If I do something wrong, he might say I’ve said a mess of it but he’ll back me in front of everyone.”