SFA board must listen to fans over Hampden’s future

Next week the Scottish Football Association’s board will make one of the most important decisions in its history.

The decision will be whether Scottish football should abandon its spiritual home, Hampden, for pastures new.

Murrayfield, the home of rugby, is one venue waiting in the wings to host Scotland internationals and cup finals.

History, many would argue, favours sticking with Hampden.

Classic matches with England, Zinedine Zidane’s wonder strike in the Champions League final and many wonderful cup games have been played out in Mount Florida.

However, one cannot make decisions on history and emotion alone.

The future financial health of Scottish football is a critical consideration.

Does Hampden still make sense in terms of cold hard cash which has to then be filtered through the rest of the Scottish game?

However, the most important factor in this debate is not money, nor the opinions of ex-players. It is the views of the supporter.

Ever since Hampden was redeveloped, many fans, from the Old Firm and beyond, have complained bitterly about our national stadium.

A lack of atmosphere, terrible views from the stands, and chronic traffic problems are among the criticisms levelled at the stadium.

It’s clear that huge mistakes were made when the old lady was given its multi-million-pound makeover.

But now the days of football fans having to accept their lot are long gone.

Football is a game with competition. It’s not the only show in town and that it has to accept.

Therefore, the views of supporters up and down the country must be top of the mind when the SFA board considers its decision.