Readers say Hampden is the home of football
Should the SFA up sticks and move?
Last week the Reformer revealed the Scottish Football Association’s plans to leave Hampden Park would be a major blow to Rutherglen businesses.
The SFA are deliberating over whether to renew the lease on the national stadium which runs out in 2020 - due to high costs of maintenance and a rise in business rates.
But moving the team around other Scottish grounds was not welcomed by everyone.
“Hampden is the home of Scottish football,” said Ian Parker, a Rutherglen Main Street shopper. “It would be a bit drastic for them to move away, but the money rules.”
Craig McCafferty from Croftfoot agreed: “I don’t think they should move from Hampden – even if it is not a great stadium. Edinburgh is for rugby and Glasgow is for football, but I would say Murrayfield is a better stadium than Hampden.”
Damien McCaugharty from Springhall on the other hand was all for it and said: “It’s a good idea to go around the grounds. It gives teams a chance to see Scotland in their own stadium.
“I get the businesses’ point about loss in revenue but if you are from Aberdeen you have to travel all the way down here to see the team.”
Jean McCowan and her husband Gordon, who used to live near Hampden but later moved to Largs, said they’d miss the matches there.
Jean added: “It’s the nostalgia. I think it would be terrible. We used to stay in Kings Park and you remember all the goals and the cup finals.
“Hampden belongs to Glasgow and it brings money into the city and to the district.”
They shouldn’t move from Hampden – even if it is not a great stadium Craig McCafferty