THE Scottish Football Association’s pursuit of a home for finals and internationals has taken an unexpected twist after the owners of the National Stadium at Hampden, Scotland’s oldest football club Queen’s Park, confirmed that they have been formally approached to enter into discussions about selling the ground to the game’s governing body.
At present the SFA lease the 115-year-old stadium which also houses their administration offices, as well as those of the SPFL and other organisations and plays host to their highest profile matches on a 20-year deal that runs until 2020.
After a detailed consultation last month, plans from Celtic to use Celtic Park as the new home of Scottish football were ended as were Rangers’ hopes of using Ibrox.
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The SFA narrowed their choice down to staying at Hampden or using Rugby’s BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh and relocating their administration offices elsewhere.
The directors of Queen’s Park briefed their members at a specially-convened meeting last night to discuss Hampden after being asked the question by their tenants. Queen’s Park are discussing their options.
Scotland’s oldest club want to see top games remain at Hampden and acknowledge the benefits of what they bring to Glasgow, and have therefore not ruled out the possibility of selling their home at this time.
But they recognise that giving up ownership would be an extremely difficult decision to make. The club have stressed that no detailed discussions have been held with the SFA and there are multiple and complex issues that will need to be addressed.
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A Queen’s Park spokesperson said: “We have a long and proud history in Scottish football and that includes being the owners of the first, second and third Hampden Parks. No-one can take that away from us.
“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 National Stadium.”
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