I have been pretending to myself that I don’t care whether the SFA choose Hampden or Murrayfield as a future national stadium, where, presumably, Scottish and League Cup semi-finals and finals will be played.
Our trips to Murrayfield for Champions League qualifiers in 2014 were an eye-opener. The stadium had great vantage points and plenty of facilities. But it’s in Edinburgh, so for me, getting into the city along the M8 for an evening game was a traffic nightmare.
You do not need me to tell you Hampden is a dreadful spectator experience for most – apart from those in the South Stand. At ground level behind the goals you would scarcely know what the score was, were it not for the screens and reaction of others.
Jock Stein’s comment, that we need “one neutral acre in Glasgow” had validity when he said it in the 70s, but I’m not so sure now. Most European nations flourish without a neutral acre and Scotland would be no different. The national team would benefit by moving games to venues that better reflect the expected attendance, instead of playing before vacuously empty stands. And if they had a game which required a huge stadium, Murrayfield, Celtic Park or Ibrox would be available.
I get the historical pull of Hampden. It was a theatre to many of football’s greatest achievements – and to the top dozen-or-so of Europe’s highest attendances, but that stadium is long gone. What you will not often hear about the old Hampden, is that it was also a truly terrible place to watch football for anything up to 70,000 people who were huddled behind the goals.
For the most part, in the old ‘Celtic end’, you were further away from play than the modern equivalent, and when it rained, you left covered in muddy ash from the knee down. The ‘terrace’ was latterly just a slope, with wooden uprights which long since gave up the pretence that they supported a flat step.
We complain about modern Hampden and eulogise about the objectively inferior old Hampden because our expectations and standards have changed.
So what’s that got to do with the SFA’s decision on where the national stadium should be, which they will announce this afternoon? The SFA should be considering the next 30-50 years. What will fans in future decades expect from a stadium? It sure will not be Hampden Park. For what it’s worth, the same conclusion could be reached about Celtic Park. But whereas Celtic can afford a continuous programme of improvements, the SFA do not have this kind of budget.
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https://sentinelcelts.com/2018/09/11/the-primary-branch-is-dead-long-live-the-primary-branch/
This site is getting close to sorting out the IT teething problems. It’s back pages are worth a look-especially the comments!!!
I am a bit surprised Wullie Haughey has paid half of this to allow the SFA to buy Hampden,with all the goings on about EBT’s rigged enquiries etc, maybe he is not aware of all this right enough.
DESSYBHOY
I’d expect it to be for the betterment of QP,not the SFA.
I didn’t have an ex-ante preference because I didn’t really care.
My ex-post preference would be for Murrayfield. It would have been Hampden had they chosen Murrayfield.
This is on the basis that the SFA are more likely than not to make wrong decisions.
BMCUW
Just give the money to QP then, or am I missing something.
Is that correct about the liabilities taking the overall cost to ca 19 million?
smiley it is not like the Huns at the SFA to over spend other peoples monies thing
Braw
The remnants of a once proud club, lay in a pile of ashes on a football pitch, in Athens, a few weeks ago.
Watch this space…….
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Away and geeze peace.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 11th September 2018 3:06 pm
Bobby that link took me to a lot of self indulgent pish. Only my opinion of course.
” Most European nations flourish without a neutral acre and Scotland would be no different. ”
Really?
JJ
tully57 on 11th September 2018 1:24 pm
Correct we did make a contribution towards the covering and oldco offered nothing. Think there was a bit of a stink from us at the time.
From Previous Blog on Paying EBT Bill.
JJ on Is Sir Bribe & Lie Untouchable?
https://johnjamessite.com/
Timmy7_noted @ 3:59
I was not particularly impressed either.
JJ
BIGBHOY on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2018 1:04 PM
McLeish is developing a plan to get Rangers Fans supporting the National Team. The replacement of the Celtic players by Rangers players are well developed. McGregor, Jack, Dorrans, Murphy and soon to be Naismith will all be in the team. Suits us that our players don’t have to play
Hampden suits the Huns.
==================
I’m surprised Ibrox wasn’t the choice, it is a home from home after all.
Timmy7 & HotSmoked make that 3 of us.
Auldheid
Sevco might move to Hampden in the future , you never know
Hot Smoked on 11th September 2018 4:09 pm
Maybe Sentinel ‘Not’ Celts would be a better name, a really great example of the Internet echo chamber.
It appears to be a group of individuals who not only no longer support Celtic but would get joy from Celtic failing.
They are free to think any way they wish that is up to them but if they no longer contribute emotionally, financially or in support their opinion is of no consequence.
Saltires
I suspect that those who wanted Scotland to lose last night felt that way because they feel the Scotland Football Team -= SFA. I would imagine those same anti-Scotland Football Team people would sill support Scotland in every other sport. Likewise, I would imagine they would support individual Scots in other sports ( with the exception of Lindsay Sharp :-)) ).
JJ
TBB
Agreed – a lost opportunity to rethink.
A stadium that can hold say 40k for atmosphere, but with remote access via an offical TV channel at same cost to watch as attending with no conflict with other games to consider.
If the number who want to attend for “the match day experience” exceed capacity then put the attendance prices up until demand equals capacity. Those who want to watch remotely can pay a standard price per game,
That is the NOW never mind 30 years ahead.
To get folk who think out the box you need to employ thinkers not in the bloody box!
Last rant. If they come looking for tax payers money from the Scottish Government, then not a bloody penny until they apologise to tax payers for costing them millions because of their incompetence AND a guarantee changes that will satisfy tax payers that football will pay its dues.
Timmy7_noted
” but if they no longer contribute emotionally, financially or in support their opinion is of no consequence.”
I would consider any comment in isolation. Even so, many opinions are given from the perspective of an already entrenched view. I don`t know if it possible to be totally unbiased .
Fact give a viewpoint substance but even they can be used in a manner which leads to an inaccurate assumption.
JJ
Can anything be done to make Hampden a fitting place to be a National Stadium, without millions being spent upgrading it? Doubt it very very much.
Because of the mindset of way too many running (down) Scottish football, we are simply getting worse and worse at playing the game. “Get tore into thum” mentality and the like should be binned. The Mibs should all be sacked immediately and bring in referees from the likes of Belgium and Holland. Hopefully, they would encourage teams to play FOOTBALL and not what passes for it too often in the not so bonny SPFL.
Jamesgang/Saltires
Scotlands champions,that has a ring to it
its who we are,uniquely and beautifully,
things are changing all the time,wee bit by wee bit
nowt static at the home of Scotlands champions
never will be,
HH
:-)
HOT SMOKED on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2018 4:21 PM
How are you doing that? Get out of my head! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh, get out of ma head!!! ?
?⚽️
What ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45483586
Hot Smoked
Could be … and I hope you are right. totally get the anti-SFA thing. 100% -the players are representing Scotland in an International tournament. Ironically, many out on the pitch last night are Celtic-minded…
An Tearmann
Champions of Scotland….always works for me ?
Seven games, two at home five away, three competions, McDiarmid Park twice. The hard yards have arrived, so working overalls on and no passengers.
Broonie signing a new contract…
willie now lord haughey says it all ebts dont matter bought off
Hampden Park was named after Englishman John Hampden, who fought for the roundheads in the English Civil War. And i thought it was the biscuits. Hampden in Glasgow yes, but with a remake – remodel.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2018 4:38 PM
Brownie summed up Hampden perfectly, totally inadequate and the worst atmosphere in a stadium I have watched a game of football. So so dated and the Glasgow and Lanarkshire ends need demolishing.
In short no there is no way of making it fit for purpose without spending a few quid.
I am all for staying at a stadium and was delighted we stayed at Celtic Park. The difference between us the SFA is that we had a man in Fergus that had a plan, including a few quid oh and some of us were fortunate enough to be in a position to chip in a couple of bob.
Raise Hampden to the ground I say.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lord, Willie Haughey, putting in a few million into Hampden,fine,but surely he should have thought about his own Club Celtic, there’s a few things that need to be sorted,and I will ask fans what they would like to see happening,and is Willie Haughey like thousands of cash strapped fans,who only see the corporate things,and not have a look around all the food outlets to see what the ordinary fans are served up,maybe they think that’s all we can afford is a pie and Bovril,so what’s the point in giving them good eating facilities,and lastly why isn’t there outlets like McDonalds KFC,etc in the Stadium,so let’s see all the comments, better than talking about Scotland , Sevco ,for a change.
Quickquiz:
Sanchez who replaced Rab Douglas in a game against EBTco in 2003 ?
IHTCMM
Javier Sanchez Broto fae Spain.
Republic v Poland on SS Mix Channel 121, might be on freeview…
Timbhoy
I enjoy the catering in North Stand lower. The stovies are magic. Dominoes Pizza decent too.
BB
Thanks sir. Ya dancer!
Delaney’s Dunkey,and do you have to wait long ,and could you tell me please,how many food outlets are there,
Timbhoy
Numerous outlets the length of North Stand. All efficient. I never queue longer than 5 minutes at half time at the Soup and Stovie stall. Dominoes Pizza stalls are quicker.
I honestly cannae complain about the food and service in North or Jock Stein lower Stands.
YNWA