SFA PLAN TO BUY HAMPDEN FOR £2M
Queen’s Park hold talks over bid that would stop switch to Murrayfield
THE SFA have asked Queen’s Park to sell them Hampden Park in a cut-price deal that could be worth just £2million.
Football bosses have moved to safeguard the national stadium’s future. But an insider warned that if a deal isn’t
reached, matches will end up being played at Murrayfield.
Members of amateur side Queen’s Park met last night to discuss a formal approach from the SFA to enter into discussions about a sale.
Sources say any deal is likely to be worth “significantly less” than £5million.
More than £60million was spent on redevelopment of the stadium in the late 90s, including £40million from the public purse.
Sources claim the stadium, which has stood since 1903, would be all but worthless without football as the costs associated with clearing a mothballed site would be huge.
An insider said the SFA are deadly serious about their proposal.
They said: “If a deal to buy Hampden doesn’t stack up, they’ll move to Murrayfield. They’re not kidding on.
“Hampden stands as a monolith and more must be done to engage it with the local community, as well as provide a greater experience for fans.
“Rule nothing out for the future. Everything is on the table and up for discussion. Scottish football is changing.”
Queen’s Park confirmed an approach had been made.
They said: “Scottish football has changed since we were formed in 1867 and from when we moved into the existing Hampden in 1903, so perhaps this is the time to look at a new ownership model for the stadium.
“The request was presented to members of our club. Their responses will help inform how the club moves forward.”
The SFA lease Hampden from Queen’s Park, Scotland’s oldest club, for £800,000 a year and the current deal expires in 2020.
The stadium has been criticised by fans who say the atmosphere is poor and the sloping stands leave them too far from the action.
The SFA are looking at putting safe standing areas behind the goals before redeveloping the east and west stands to bring fans closer to the action.
They also want to make the stadium more of a community hub and it’s understood Glasgow City Council would move offices and services to the ground.
The Scottish Rugby Union are keen to bring major club and international football fixtures to Edinburgh.
The SFA board recently threw out a proposal from Celtic and Rangers to host big games at their Parkhead and Ibrox stadiums.
They prefer to keep them at Hampden or host them at Murrayfield, not least because the SRU tendered a bid at a fraction of the cost of the big two.
The seven-strong SFA board will meet tomorrow to discuss developments and some members are keen to move along the M8 on the basis of cost.
However, others are anxious to remain at the home of Scottish football and are mindful of its place in sporting history.
An announcement is expected later this year and if Queen’s Park members agree to a sale, the SFA are expected to fund a new stand at Lesser Hampden, a training pitch beside the main stadium. They will also be given financial security for at least a decade.
But the source said: “The SFA appreciate the need to protect their oldest member club but give them finance that would allow them to do a Gretna and run through the leagues? No chance.”
The Scottish FA said: “We are working with all key stakeholders to consider the strategic, financial, operational and supporter-related aspects of each option with a view to making a decision later this year.”