A petition calling for Braehead Arena to be handed over to the Glasgow Clan has attracted almost 7,000 signatures.

The Aspray Glasgow Clan is looking to become the new operating company of the venue in a bid to maintain and develop ice hockey in the area having entered negotiations with the new owners of Braehead Shopping Centre, Global Mutual.

With an agreement yet to be reached, following the collapse of Intu in November, almost 7,000 people have signed the petition calling for the facility to be handed over to the club. 

Currently, there has been no indication an agreement has been reached between the two parties, with the club putting plans for a 2021/22 season, season ticket sales and the appointment of a new head coach and players on hold.

A fan-launched petition however launched on Change has given fans the opportunity to back the club with almost 7,000 fans signing up.

READ MORE: Glasgow Clan future in doubt over Braehead Arena ownership, claims CEO Gareth Chalmers

This was something keenly noted by a Glasgow Clan fan account which pointed out: “That’s the equivalent of filling every single car parking space in the 3 car parks at Braehead.”

Many Clan fans have been active on social media calling for the facility to be handed over to the Clan, with others stating that ice hockey is the only reason they visit the shopping centre. 

The petition read: “We are asking you to step up, vote and show your support to help secure the future of the Glasgow Clan and many other community groups and users of the ice facility at the Braehead Arena.

“With no current home ice to play out of, and already a huge lack of other local ice facilities in Scotland, a change of arena used by the current ownership Global Mutual is a threat. Not only a threat to the future of a team, that many support and love, but also to a facility that is used by many of the local community via multi ice sports, at all levels, across the area and Central Belt of Scotland.

READ MORE: Glasgow Clan provide Braehead Arena plan update and address new head coach announcement delay

"It would be a travesty if we lose access to this facility within our local community which would threaten the existence of a team that brings so much financially to the area on match days via the huge home and away fan bases, as retail tries to recover from the current pandemic.

“Over the past 11 years, the Glasgow Clan has been the main tenant in the building at Braehead Arena, with the owner a customer for over 20 years and the Paisley Pirates a tenant for 14 years. Following the collapse of Intu Braehead Leisure in late 2020 the Glasgow Clan have been in negotiations with London-based new owners of Braehead Shopping Centre with the objective of becoming the new operating company of Braehead Arena.

“This long-term commitment by the Glasgow Clan to maintain and grow ice sports at Braehead Arena, in addition to ambitious and substantial infrastructure plans for the venue, will secure the future of this facility for the benefit of the local community and surrounding areas. 

“We would ask Global Mutual to enter positive discussions imminently with the Glasgow Clan to help secure their future as well as that of the Paisley Pirates, all ice users and the wider community. By providing the current Glasgow Clan organisation with the security of ownership we believe this will secure future access to this premier ice facility for all community users.”

Last week a spokesperson for Global Mutual said: “We are committed to finding the best possible solution to ensure the long term viability of the Braehead Arena. Our team is currently evaluating proposals from a number of interested parties and we will communicate our decision as soon as possible, most likely by the end of this month.”

You can sign the petition HERE