Hearts have played a few European games at Murrayfield as Tynecastle is not up to standard. I think it is because the stands are very close to the pitch.

International, Old Firm and other big games are often well attended as the Scottish are passionate supporters but many of the smaller teams struggle to get over 1,000 at 3rd division game. The total capacity of the list is 714,875 which is more than about 1/7 of the Scottish population. About 1/18 will attend a sport during the week at some point. The lists doesn't include some sport stadiums like ice hockey, shinty and some other smaller sports.

Many of the stadium are quite small - on a world scale - but none have parts that are more than 15 years old other than a few. Some old stand remain such as that of Partick Thistle but Scottish football at the moment doesn't get big enough crowds for expansion. This is probably due to the amount of teams and the large following of the Old Firm. A majority of the fans prefer older stadiums to new ones anyway as most clubs have gone for function over style due to a lack of money.

There are a few stadiums on the horizon but mainly small teams. Cowdenbeath have sold Central Park and are to build a small stadium, as are Ayr. Hearts are looking to get permission to redevelope the main stand. Rangers have recently increased the capacity of Ibrox aswell. Aberdeen have talked for some time about a new stadium and Gretna have proposed a few stadia including on ein the middle of the Solway estuary!

If Scotland bid with Wales for a Euro it is likely a few stadiums will be upgraded and a joint Dundee stadium built.

Nice stadiums considering the population of Scotland.
Why don't they expand Ibrox Stadium and Celtic Park? They are at capacity it seems.

Ibrox is a particularly difficult stadium to expand to any great degree - the corners can't be because of the "goal post" supports. The main stand can't be developed further because it's a listed building and there's no where to go. Essentially, this leaves the goal ends and one touchline stand that could be developed and doing so would leave the stadium with an enormous imbalance in how it looks. It seems Rangers are more content to add 1000 or so seats by doing a few minor modifications each year.

Celtic Park, for the most part, could be developed much more easily, so the decision not to could be more reflective on the fact that Celtic feel it wouldn't be a good investment to increase capacity - given expected return to costs. It would also be a huge cost at Celtic Park. They'd need to demolish the "main stand", which, in all respects, suffers from main stand syndrome - it houses a lot more than just seats and that may be an expense, in more than just cost, that the club are unwilling to undertake.

You don't have any pictures of the proposed new stand at Tynecastle? I've seen a lot about it in the papers here, but I've never seen what it's supposed to look like?

I have seen pictures of it but I'm not 100% certain those are the final design. The council have also decided to make it harder for Hearts to expand as there is a nuresery behind it which Hearts would have to relocate aswell as buy the land and demolish the currant structures.
I can't find the render I saw, though. I'll show it later if I do.

They also considered having a whole new 38,000 seater stadium but it was going to be more difficult so who knows?

Cetic Parks main stand facade is also listed is it not?

I'm loathe to say that, no, Celtic Park's main facade isn't listed, given the petty club rivalries that go on, or at least, have gone on on this messageboard, however, I have severe reseverations to accepting that Celtic Park's main facade is a listed building.

A brief summary of reasons are as follows:

1) The old main facade, by Leitch, would be worthy of listed status.

http://www.glesga.ukpals.com/profiles/picspro/CFCfoldfront1b.jpg

2) The current facade isn't:

http://www.bischofshol.de/fremde/celtic1.JPG

3) The current facade was built in 1988 as part of renovations (or at least, that's the truth, as far as I am aware. If anyone can, factually correct me, I'll be happy to accept that. Assuming that it was built in 1988, and it is a listed building, it would be the most modern listed building in Scotland, as far as I am aware.

4) Any search of listed buildings in Scotland would suggest that Celtic Park is not a listed building.

I'm really not sure that it is a listed building, to be honest.

Does anyone know what this is? It's in the Ibrox picture gallery on www.photobucket.com it could be redevelopment plans? (main stand obviously far side) :)
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f378/julie_rotti/ibroxpark.jpg

It would possibly have been if Glasgow hadn't lost the super casino bid to Manchester.

NeilF: I always thought it looked quite modern but I thought I had heard on STV that it was listed. The old one was better.

I've heard it about Celtic Park before, but there's nothing on Historic Scotland about it:

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/listedbuildings

I really wish someone could shed some proper light on it, to be honest, but right now, I'm siding with it not being a listed building. As I said, I find it difficult to see why it would be. Especially since it would be the youngest listed building in Scotland, I'd assume that information on it would be easier to find.

There's stuff on a few stadium websites about it, but I'd be more inclined to go with Historic Scotland and say no.

Yeh, I doubt it is. Would be good to see the ground expanded if it isn't listed, though. Either of the Old Firm could fill larger stadia.

Nice thread. Scotland has very nice stadiums, hopefully I can visit someday.

PS, its nice to have a thread w/ Parkhead & Ibrox that isn't totally trashed by trolls

PPS, Go Celtic (I hate AC Milan)

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TyneCastle/0,,10289~1091618,00.html

For anyone that's interested here's the plans for the new stand at Tynecastle.

With the way this project has been talked about all over the media here, I'm actually quite disappointed with what I see. To spend £51m to increase capacity by 6,000 seems excessive, without a lot of gain for the club, even with the other developments, like the hotel and leisure facilities, that are to come. From a construction point of view, I quite like the stand, especially the glass panelling at the sides and rear, but for that sort of money, it seems that a lot more could be achieved.

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/c4/48/0,,10289~3360964,00.jpg
http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/c9/48/0,,10289~3360969,00.jpg

Current Main Stand:

Capacity: 4,500
Built: 1914
Architect: Archibald Leitch

http://www.apwj49.dsl.pipex.com/hearts30.jpg
http://www.rainbowhearts.co.uk/Images/Tynecastle.jpg

£51m does seem excessive but as you mentioned there's going to be hotel, leisure facilities but also Flats, conference facilities, restaurants and bars as well so I think the majority of the budget is going on everything else rather than the stand itself.

Being a Hearts fan I'm excited by the prospect of the whole project but at the same time a bit worried about our debt level. Although we're now part of the UBIG Group / Ukio Bankas portfolio it's still a bit worrying !!

stand looks good, but should eventually try and match the other stands with this

Given the massive fight to get this built, and the lack of space on the other sides, I can't see future expansion happening. I really thought a totally new build (perhaps right next to Murrayfield, given the SRU's debt problems :p), would have been a better option for future expansion.

Ahhh, is £51m the price tag for the whole redevelopment then, including this?:

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/d6/48/0,,10289~3360982,00.jpg

I thought it was £51m for the stand and hotel alone and more for the other developments on top of that. £51m still seems a little much, but not as excessive as I thought.

We cant move to any ground around Murrayfield as it's one of the main flood plains for the water of Leith.

With regards to future development , the plans are to knock down and rebuild the School End Stand (to the right of the main stand) followed by the Wheatfield Stand (opposite the main stand). This would take the capacity up to 40,000 with the corners filled in.

We cant touch the Gorgie End as there are flats directly behind them so were at the maximum height / width a stand can be at that end. Unless we buy all the flats and knock them down which will never happen.

Neil,

The £51million quoted is for the whole development which includes:

The Main Stand,
Underground Parking,
150 Room Hotel,
Leisure Facilities,
Flats,
City View Restaurant,
Bars,
Conference Facilities,

Still a lot of money to spend !!!

I'm not sure how to describe this: But, the dent on the Eastern side of the Gorgie Rd Stand has been resolved on those new renders. Is that part of the project or are the architects just not bothering with the detail?

I thought they were going to build it to 40,000 and then it would look like this:

http://www.stadiumguide.com/tynecastlenew1.jpg

I thought they were going to build it to 40,000 and then it would look like this:

http://www.stadiumguide.com/tynecastlenew1.jpg

That was an old render from one of the companies that didn't get the contract.

the plan is still to go for 40,000 but that's going to be by 2014 or something like that.

I'm not sure how to describe this: But, the dent on the Eastern side of the Gorgie Rd Stand has been resolved on those new renders. Is that part of the project or are the architects just not bothering with the detail?


Architects not bothering I think. The dent will always have to be there due to the flats behind the stand. It's not worth our while changing that stand as we cant get any increase in capacity.

So, you have a full answer to the weird dent in the roof, then? I've often wondered about it.

Thanks for the breakdown. I wasn't aware that there was going to be so much going on with the project.

So, you have a full answer to the weird dent in the roof, then? I've often wondered about it.

Thanks for the breakdown. I wasn't aware that there was going to be so much going on with the project.

Yeah the 'Dent' in the Gorgie Road end was put in to allow enough light into the flats behind the stand. As the flats dont run quite parallel to the stand they couldn't do it any other way. Cant really see it from those pictures but if you look on Google Earth you'll see what I mean.

Big project and big bucks for a team like Hearts

I'm familiar with the flats, taking a bus straight past them every morning... I'd always wondered as to the reason; I'd guessed it was something to do with those flats, but never quite worked out exactly what. It never seemed like the easiest or most 'traditional' way of dealing with that sort of problem, so I always wondered if there was some other reason as to why. Indeed, I brought up this curiosity in another thread on here.

You don't, perchance, know the reasons for the upper tiers of the end stands at Easter Road being stepped in, do you? Like here:

http://www.apwj49.dsl.pipex.com/hibs.jpg

I'm aware that asking a Jambo anything to with Hibs may be akin to taking my life in my hands, but it's something else I've always wondered about. At one end, it seems like it may be a space issue, but not, seemingly, at both ends. It's especially odd since both affected stands maintain their height above the stepped in part.

Looks really good, fits with the current stands.
But £51m is really a lot, even if it includes other facilities.

Nice stand although I'm a little confused as to why bubomb is having conversations with himself again.

With regards to future development , the plans are to knock down and rebuild the School End Stand (to the right of the main stand) followed by the Wheatfield Stand (opposite the main stand). This would take the capacity up to 40,000 with the corners filled in.


If such plans exist, the person who drew them up should be committed. Hearts will never fill a 40,000 seater stadium, FFS, they only fill their present one twice a year against Rangers. They don't even fill it against Celtic, what chance do they have of ever filling a 40,000 capacity stadium? I'll tell you... NONE!

For the record though, I do like the renders for that new stand thats being proposed, however I seriously doubt that will ever be built either.

I hope they get this done, it's vital for Hearts' dream to challenge the Old Firm.

Hearts getting a new stand, looks good

I like the new stand, the old main stand is completely out of date.

If such plans exist, the person who drew them up should be committed. Hearts will never fill a 40,000 seater stadium, FFS, they only fill their present one twice a year against Rangers. They don't even fill it against Celtic, what chance do they have of ever filling a 40,000 capacity stadium? I'll tell you... NONE!

For the record we've sold out every game for the last 2 seasons apart from 2 games............ Gretna at the weekend and I think it was Kilmarnock in the cup.

Get your facts right !!!

I'm familiar with the flats, taking a bus straight past them every morning... I'd always wondered as to the reason; I'd guessed it was something to do with those flats, but never quite worked out exactly what. It never seemed like the easiest or most 'traditional' way of dealing with that sort of problem, so I always wondered if there was some other reason as to why. Indeed, I brought up this curiosity in another thread on here.

You don't, perchance, know the reasons for the upper tiers of the end stands at Easter Road being stepped in, do you? Like here:

http://www.apwj49.dsl.pipex.com/hibs.jpg

I'm aware that asking a Jambo anything to with Hibs may be akin to taking my life in my hands, but it's something else I've always wondered about. At one end, it seems like it may be a space issue, but not, seemingly, at both ends. It's especially odd since both affected stands maintain their height above the stepped in part.

Again if you look at Easter Road on google earth you will see that there are roads behind each of the stands. Both roads kind of cut the corners at the back of the stand thus being the reason they had to slightly cut the funny shape at the back of the stand.

For the record we've sold out every game for the last 2 seasons apart from 2 games............ Gretna at the weekend and I think it was Kilmarnock in the cup.

Get your facts right !!!

http://backspin.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/pinnochio.jpg

Codenine: "We can fill a 40,000 seater stadium"

Nurse: Put him back in his cell

http://www.freaksprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/StraightJacket.jpg

Sorry, Johnny, but Hearts have sold out their stadium for the last 2 years as the official attendances shown below highlight. Hearts averaged around 35000 in the 60's so there is no reason why they can't get back to those days. The attendace for their friendly against Barcelona at Murrayfield was over 57000. You sound like a typical daft old firm fan to me - would it not be a much better and more exciting SPL if Hearts had a good team and a big support rather than the same predictable 2 winning the league every year?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/6920774.stm

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3522/attpp5.jpg

sounds like boubomb again

I live in Fife, and a part from hating the Old Filth I really couldn't be arsed traveling to the West coast to watch a game. But if Hearts were to build bigger so I had a chance of a ticket for big games and stopped arsing about on the field i'd be hapy to watch them instead of the English Premiership on telle. I think many are the same, so yeah 40,000 is easily done, the East coast needs a "big" club!

Where in Fife. The shitty side or the Central/East?

St. Andrews :cheers:

Ah, not so bad. :lol:

I'm new to this forum but do you always get weirdo's like this Johnny Hooker on ?? Seems a very strange character to me. :nuts:

There are a few, yes. :(
Just like anywhere, though. I'm sure your stay will be a positive one, though.

Why not head over to the Glasgow Section (also Scotland) of the UK Forum? :)

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/d6/48/0,,10289~3360982,00.jpg




This stadium intergrates excellently with the surrounding buildings! I enjoy it when a stadium's architecture blends in nicely with the neighborhood it is in.

The building shown there isn't the external facade of the new stand. If you look at this picture, you can see where this new building will be in relation to the new stand:

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/c9/48/0,,10289~3360969,00.jpg

Sorry, Johnny, but Hearts have sold out their stadium for the last 2 years as the official attendances shown below highlight. Hearts averaged around 35000 in the 60's so there is no reason why they can't get back to those days. The attendace for their friendly against Barcelona at Murrayfield was over 57000. You sound like a typical daft old firm fan to me - would it not be a much better and more exciting SPL if Hearts had a good team and a big support rather than the same predictable 2 winning the league every year?


First of all, 57000 people turning out to see what is essentially the biggest game Hearts will have (friendly or not) in each of the present supporters lifetimes, does not mean even half of them would turn out to see the same Lithuanian XI play against Motherwell, Dundee, Flakirk, Gretna or any of the other dross the SPL has to offer.

To illustrate, consider today's attendance v league leaders Rangers: 15,948 capacity: 17,402. :ohno:

This stand will never be built, and even if it was, big stadiums do not necessarily make good teams. Look at Wembley and England fuxake :lol:

First of all, 57000 people turning out to see what is essentially the biggest game Hearts will have (friendly or not) in each of the present supporters lifetimes, does not mean even half of them would turn out to see the same Lithuanian XI play against Motherwell, Dundee, Flakirk, Gretna or any of the other dross the SPL has to offer.

To illustrate, consider today's attendance v league leaders Rangers: 15,948 capacity: 17,402. :ohno:

This stand will never be built, and even if it was, big stadiums do not necessarily make good teams. Look at Wembley and England fuxake :lol:


Sunderland AFC - average attendance in Roker Park, 96/97, EPL, approx 18000.
Sunderland AFC - average attendance in Stadium of Light, 97/98, 1st Div, approx 35000.

You put in extra seats, you make space, you virtually guarentee ticket availability for all games, you allow for 'walk up' business, etc., etc. Attendances can increase dramatically. Any club that is close to capacity on a regular basis is likely to see a jump in attendances once it becomes possible to get more in.

The facts are that this stand WILL be built. Everything is in place and the contracts have been signed, sealed and delivered. Of course, this doesn't guarantee Hearts success (I hope it does as it will help Scottish football become more competitive), but an estimated 36% increase in attendance, as well as a huge increase in turnover because of the retail constructions....well...it's not going to do Hearts any harm!

Maybe this will inspire other Scottish clubs to improve their stadiums, some of them are shocking.

Nice design for the new stand, fits in well.

They aren't shocking: maybe to similiar and small but not bad (apart from Love Street (getting demolished)) and some lower league teams.

^^

Ok maybe shocking wasn't the right word to use but there are some which could do with some improvements, better facilities etc.

Which? Sticking witht the SPL. Love Street is getting turned into a Tesco and I can't think of any others.

Which? Sticking witht the SPL. Love Street is getting turned into a Tesco and I can't think of any others.

In my opinion there are stadiums in the 1st division which are superior to some of the stadiums in the SPL.

For example in the 1st division we have Douglas Park, Dens, Firhill, Almondvale, East end and McDiarmid.

Compare them to Raydale, Caledonian Stadium, Love St and Fir Park, poor show when clubs from a lower division have better facilities then out so-called 'premier league' clubs.

But you could say that of Leeds, Nottingham, etc in the English.
Yes, they are pretty good stadiums in 1st compared to the SPL but clubs in Scotland aren't exactly rolling in it to upgrade.

PS: What team do you support? I'm guessing a 1st Div team but who? :)

^^
I suppose its the same in every country. Maybe when the madness stops in football Scottish clubs will be under less pressure financially.

As for my team, well its always been Celtic with me. We've had a couple of results go against us but hopefully we can avoid first division football for a while yet.

Is it Rovers for youself?

Ofcourse I'm a Rovers man! :D

I thought you were a 1st Div team supporter because you said 'we' when referring to grounds in the 1st.

from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7109057.stm
Salmond in Scots Euro 2016 study

Salmond recently celebrated the 2014 Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow
First Minister Alex Salmond has revealed that a feasibility study will take place regarding the possibility of Scotland hosting Euro 2016.
Salmond said that initial talks had taken place with the SFA but these were only exploratory at this stage.

"I talked about this with the SFA and we will have a feasibility study," he told The Scotsman.

"There are a number of factors to be considered, such as the number of teams which will be in the tournament."

Scotland would require new or significantly upgraded stadia to meet Uefa's requirements for the tournament, and if the number of teams involved rises from the current 16 that could pose difficulties.

A joint bid with the Republic of Ireland to stage Euro 2008 failed, and Salmond has previously stressed that any push to stage Euro 2016 should see Scotland look to stage the tournament independently.


Can't help think this may be 1 tournament too early for a Scottish bid given the number of redevelopments that would be needed, would be great hosts though, real passion for the sport. Anyway, any guesses about which grounds may make up such a bid?

from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7109057.stm



Can't help think this may be 1 tournament too early for a Scottish bid given the number of redevelopments that would be needed, would be great hosts though, real passion for the sport. Anyway, any guesses about which grounds may make up such a bid?

The 2 stadiums for only 1 city rule will cripple them severely. And if the amount of teams will go to 24 it would become even harder.

I would be fine with the Scottish organizing it though. Real passion for the game that few other countries still show nowadays.

Scotland by itself? Scotland is too small in my opinion. Only 5 million people, and only two large enough urban centre. There is little hope for this bid.

The 2 stadiums for only 1 city rule will cripple them severely. And if the amount of teams will go to 24 it would become even harder.

I would be fine with the Scottish organizing it though. Real passion for the game that few other countries still show nowadays.Is it possible to have two cities with two stadiums?

In that case:
Glasgow: 2 of the following: Hampden/Ibrox/Celtic Park (pop. 579,000)
Edinburgh: Murrayfield, Easter Road/Tynecastle (expansion) (pop. 449,000)
(Other cities: Dundee (143,000, stadiums 14,000 and 12,000), Aberdeen (202,000, stadium 22,200), and euhm, what other towns? One or two of the following:
Paisley (74,000, Saint-Mirren 11th in 2006-2007, St Mirren Park 10,800)
Inverness (55,000, stadium 7,500, 8th in 2006-2007)
Kilmarnock (pop. 44,000, 5th in 2006-2007, Rugby Park, 18,000, built 1995)
(Falkirk (pop. 32,000, 6th in 2006-2007, Community Stadium, 10,000, built 2004))
(Motherwell (pop. 30,000, 10th in 2006-2007, Fir Park, 14,000))

Except for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen we're talking about small cities/towns, even compared to the Dutch-Belgian bid ;)

Except for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen we're talking about small cities/towns, even compared to the Dutch-Belgian bid ;)

Yeah, Scotland basically has only 4 cities! Considering the rule that only one city can have 2 stadiums (which would obviously be Glasgow), I don't see how Scotland can make a successful bid unless they hook up with one of the other Celtic Nations. They'd make a great host though!

Bid with Ireland again! That was a great bid when the two countries tryed to host euro 2008. :)

Bid with Ireland again! That was a great bid when the two countries tryed to host euro 2008. :)There were too many stadiums for too little cities back then (and the GAA didn't want Croke Park to be used), and the stadium contribution was far from 50-50 (6 in Scotland, 2 in Ireland).

Bid with Ireland again! That was a great bid when the two countries tryed to host euro 2008.

That was the worst bid ever. Ireland came in at the eleventh hour and wasn't able to guarantee a single stadium. A bid with Wales or Norway might be a better option.

We might get away with having more than one city with two stadiums since the country is so small. Or is it a set-in-stone rule?

If we did go alone (unlikely and only if it stays 16 teams) then I think:

Hampden
Ibrox
Murreyfield
Pittodrie
Dundee
Inverness
Kilmarnock

We might get away with having more than one city with two stadiums since the country is so small. Or is it a set-in-stone rule?

I wonder if it really is a rule, if so, it must be a recent one. In 2004 two cities had two stadiums (Porto, Lisbon). But that was the only time in EURO history.

Portugal used 10 instead of the required 8 stadiums which is why they could use two stadiums in both Lisbon and Porto.

At best, Ireland would have one stadium to offer - I can't see three cities being allowed two stadia at any level, so even if the GAA did sanction the use of Croke Park, it renders the use of either Croker or Lansdowne Road redundant. There simply isn't the demand in the local game for larger soccer stadia in places like Cork, Limerick or Galway - given the lack of demand, large stadia would simply be a long-term financial burden to those clubs.

The GAA grounds take most of their capacity from standing space; that's not to mention the complete lack of facilities in these stadia. I can't see the GAA opening up the use of all GAA stadia, ad infinitum and without the GAA being willing to do that, I can't see the Irish government offering any cash for that sort of redevelopment and if the GAA wished to carry out these redevelopments, it would probably choose to do so itself; certainly, the money recently spent at St Tiernach's Park and the new plans for Casement Park in Belfast suggest that the GAA has the money to redevelop its stadia but is choosing a redevelopment path that, rightly, follows the needs of that sport.

Outside of Dublin, the best stadium in Ireland in 2016 will probably be the redeveloped Thomond Park, which, with a capacity of around 26,000, with only 15,000 seats, is hardly going to make the grade. The suggestion of Ireland coming into a bid really doesn't offer a whole lot and would probably make a Scottish bid weaker, given the lack of facilities Ireland would offer, versus the complications of a joint bid.

Similiarly, beyond the Millennium Stadium, I'm left to wonder if there is any need for European Championship sized stadia - if I'm right, the capacity must be a minimum of 30,000. Even Liberty Stadium comes in a good 10,000 short of that. As much as I would love to see a Scotland / Celtic Nations bid, even if Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland submitted a four-way bid, I still think they'd struggle to have enough stadia, given the restrictions that UEFA impose. That said, I don't think a Scottish bid would be any better off with the inclusion of any other Celtic Nation as, at best, they could really only offer a maximum of two more stadia, one of which could well be unsustainable for the future, yet I also doubt the ability of Scotland to host the competition on its own - when you start looking at the redevelopment of Pittodrie or Tannadice, for example, you have to wonder where the space for such redevelopment is going to come from, given the location of those stadia. With the degree of redevelopment required, we are looking at five new build stadia, all of which would have artificially high capacities for the teams that play there and at least three of which would require new sites. Beyond the sustainibility question, and regardless of Mr Salmond's pontifications to the contrary, I cannot see this happening by any stretch of the imagination.

Sadly, without a shakeup of UEFA's restrictions, with regards to how many stadia can be in one city, Scotland doesn't have a hope of producing this on its own and can't really rely on great contributions from Wales or either part of Ireland to bolster the bid.

If it did happen, I'd imagine:

Glasgow - Hampden and Ibrox / Park Head
Edinburgh - Murrayfield
Aberdeen - New Build
Dundee - New Build
Inverness - New Build
Falkirk - New Build
and a new build somewhere in the borders.

It doesn't seem feasible to me.

I dont think its a good idea.

Glasgow is home to Scotland only three decent football stadiums (Hampden, Celtic Park and Ibrox) and you would probably have to ignore one of the three for the tourliment, unless you are aloud 3 stadiums in the one city?

To ignore one of Scotland's only good existing stadiums and build a number of new ones that will never fill half there capacity ater 2016 is just madness.

PS, Glasgows population is much higher than the 500,000 quoted above, the real population is around 1.5million with a metro population of 2.7million.

I think you guys are forgetting that not all seats need to be permanent.

If we are talking about temporary seats then I think we're really only ruling out the sustainability issue for the clubs. If anything, however, temporary seats could stand only to make the potential problems worse - firstly, it means that money needs to be spent on putting seats up and then taking them back down again - unless we are talking about not having roofs on some parts of stadia, which is clearly mental since we're talking about Scotland here, the savings from temporary seating are unlikely to be enough to make it a viable solution. The cost of building a 20,000 seat stadium in the UK and building a 30,000 seat stadium in the UK isn't as huge as one might expect as shown by some recent examples:

KC Stadium, Hull - Capacity; 25,404 - Cost; £44m
St Mary's Stadium, Southampton - Capacity; 32,689 - Cost; £32m
Walkers Stadium, Leicester - Capacity; 32,500 - Cost; £37m
Liberty Stadium, Swansea - Capacity; 20,532 - Cost; £27m

To take this a step further, Nottingham Forest are currently talking about spending £45m - £50m on a stadium with a capacity of between 40,000 and 50,000. Given the times these stadia were built, I'd say we're probably looking at an average of about £1.3m per 1000 seats for a 30,000 seat stadium and about £1.5m per 1000 seats for a 20,000 seat stadium. In terms of 5 new build stadia that meet the minimum requirements and including 10,000 temporary seats for each of the 5 required new build stadia, you're probably looking at a cost of about £30m - £35m per stadium, with a tendancy towards £35m. Given that a 30,000 seat stadium could be built for about £40m, I'm not sure that temporary seats really offers a solution.

Unless we're talking about only having permanant seating along two sides of the stadium and temporary seating in the crudest possible terms, as shown below, I don't think there would be enough difference in terms of absolute cost, so I still cannot believe that Scotland is a viable host for the Championship, as much as I would love to see them played here.

http://images.scotsman.com/2007/02/17/1702casb.jpg

I agree with you Neil, a Scotland-hosted Euro 2016 seems like an unlikely prospect. The likelihood is that one of the big countries like Spain, Italy or Russia are going to bid for this so there's no way we could win against one of them or even a Swedish-Norwegian bid.

In addition, Hampden is now looking a bit on the small side for a major final - I know its the same size as the Ernst Happel Stadion, but by 2016 we can expect that UEFA will be going down the same path for the Euro Champs as it has done for the champions league final and saying capacity needs to be 70,000 ish. I seem to recall you posting diagrams showing why it would be difficult to dig down at Hampden and expand it that way and I'm reasonably sure there's not enough room behind the north stand to add on an extra tier. Am I correct? Of course, Murrayfield is plenty big enough, but I cant see the SFA or the tartan army being able to swallow their pride and have the final played there.

I think our best hope is to see england miss out on world cup 2018 and go in with them for a joint Euro 2020 bid.

It depends who England miss out to. If we miss out to a nation outside of Europe I'd hope we'd be back in again for 2022.

I think our best hope is to see england miss out on world cup 2018 and go in with them for a joint Euro 2020 bid.

Do you not think Scotland could put in a Joint bid with Wales, they could put in 4 or 5 stadiums.

Cardiff. Population: 349,500
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/wales/cardiff_millennium1.jpg
Millennium Stadium: 74,500 built 1999.

And if Cardiff was allowed a 2nd stadium then it could be this one.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/cardiff_david.jpg
St Davids Stadium: 30,000 built by 2008

Swansea. Population: 169,880.
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/wales/swansea_stadium1.jpg
Liberty Stadium: 20,000 at moment but could be expanded to 30,000. Built in 2005.

Newport. Population: 140,100.
They have Rodney Parade which is a small ground with 11,700 seats so maybe a new stadium of 30,000 seats that maybe could be reduced after.

Wrexham. Population: 63,084.
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/wales/wrexham_racecourse1.jpg
Racecourse Ground: 15,891 would need expanding to 30,000 with maybe reduction afterwards.

Kobo, the trouble is where to expand Liberty Stadium to? We are talking about an extra 10,000 seats at least - half of the current capacity of the stadium, yet growth would be restricted by a river / river valley on one side and potentially a road on another. An extra 10,000 seats could well make the stadium footprint far too large for the site. On top of that, niether Swansea City or Ospreys really need the extra capacity - average attendances for Swansea City come in at around 12,000 - 14,000 over the last couple of season and for the Ospreys about 6,000 - 10,000. With the stadium being council owned, this is probably less of a problem than it could be for a privately owned stadium but I still don't see it as viable. The same goes for The Racecourse Ground - there's not a lot of room to redevelop and, given the age and facilities of the stadium, it would become practically a new build anyway.

With a united Scotland / Wales bid, we're looking at having 8 stadia: if we take this as four from each country, Scotland requires one new build stadium and Wales would probably require three new build stadia, which really doesn't improve the situation a great deal - four new build stadia in two countries against five new build stadia in one country. The only way I could see that being more popular would be if the new stadia were exchequer funded and I can't see that happening.

I really don't mean to keep forcing the point - I'd love to see a major championships come to Scotland, at least in part, but I think we have to be realistic here and look at the degree of planning, the infrastructure improvements and the sheer scale and cost of developing stadia in Scotland / Scotland and Wales / Wales to the required level.

legslikeaspider, I don't remember doing any drawings - perhaps another member here? - but there are certainly problems with digging down at Hampden, mostly stemming from the fact that the stadium is already fairly dug down on three sides - you can see in this picture by comparing the depth of the stands that you can see with the height of the external walls of the stadium:

http://www.liv.ac.uk/footballindustry/Hampden.jpg

You're already looking at entrances that enter the stadium about two thirds of the way up the bowl. Therefore, digging down further could well cause egress problems and whatnot. I think there also could well be problems with the differing rake of the stands - I'm not sure of the specifics but the stands that run along side the pitch have a slightly steeper rake than those at the end.

I think you can also see from the above picture that there's a road that would restrict growth on the North Side of the stadium but there is plenty of room for an increased upper tier on the South Side as well as on the East and West sides, as shown here:

http://www.aerialphotography.com/images/uploads/141.pjpeg

The trouble is about whether or not the foundations would be strong enough for a new tier on the East and West sides or a larger upper tier on the South. If not then the room for expansion could be fairly incidental.

I've just been looking at the Scottish stadiums on worldstadiums.com, and I must say that besides the stadiums in Glasgow, they all look like a dump. Isn't there a need for new stadiums in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen regardless of a Euro 2016 bid?

And could Murrayfield possibly be used as one of the two Glasgow venues? Or won't the rugby union allow that?

Murrayfield is in Edinburgh and the SRU are perfectly happy to let it be used for football; Hearts played their 2006 champions league qualifiers at Murrayfield and also played Barcelona there in a pre-season friendly. SRU also offered Murrayfield for use by the SFA as an alternative to Hampden for a Scottish Cup semi-final between Hearts and Hibs because of road-works on the major routes between Edinburgh and Glasgow at that time. Murrayfield would definately be a part of any bid.

And yes, places like Dundee and Aberdeen do need new stadia but Aberdeen FC have a current capacity of around 22,000 but only average about 15,000 spectators. Dundee play at Dens Park, with a capacity of around 12,000 but average about 7,000 spectators while Dundee United play at Tannadice which has a capacity of around 14,000 and average attendances of around 8,000. New stadia probably are needed in these places but not 30,000 capacity UEFA championship standard stadia.

Murrayfield is in Edinburgh

I've obviously been spending too much time in front of the PC today, I knew Murrayfield is in Edinburgh :nuts: Nevermind my previous post.

legslikeaspider, I don't remember doing any drawings - perhaps another member here? - but there are certainly problems with digging down at Hampden, mostly stemming from the fact that the stadium is already fairly dug down on three sides - you can see in this picture by comparing the depth of the stands that you can see with the height of the external walls of the stadium:

You're already looking at entrances that enter the stadium about two thirds of the way up the bowl. Therefore, digging down further could well cause egress problems and whatnot. I think there also could well be problems with the differing rake of the stands - I'm not sure of the specifics but the stands that run along side the pitch have a slightly steeper rake than those at the end.

I think you can also see from the above picture that there's a road that would restrict growth on the North Side of the stadium but there is plenty of room for an increased upper tier on the South Side as well as on the East and West sides, as shown here:

The trouble is about whether or not the foundations would be strong enough for a new tier on the East and West sides or a larger upper tier on the South. If not then the room for expansion could be fairly incidental.

That's a very informed and informative reply Neil - thanks.

I'm fairly certain that I read somewhere that the angle of the E,W & N stands is such that if further digging occurred then the people at the back of these stands wouldn't be able to see the far side of the pitch. Plonking a new tier on top the North stand might be possible, depending on the strength of the foundations, but there are the issues of integrating it well with the two curved stands at the ends of the ground and the troublesome issue of light to the flats located behind the stadium.

Perhaps the most feasible way to increase the stadium's capacity would be to completely remodel it and turn the pitch through 90 degrees - there's plenty of room at the site, especially if Lesser Hampden was bulldozed, but the space is in all the wrong locations. That way, you could get rid of the much maligned running track and possibly build a stadium sufficiently architecturally adventurous to merit the title 'National Stadium'. However, with the Commonwealth games athletics due to be held there, that's not going to happen before 2014.

If UK got Euro 2016 after OG 2012 (London), Rugby WC 2015 (Scotland) and Comonwealt Games 2016 (Cardiff), England won't get WC 2018.
So, I think that:
- Scotland should host Rugby World Cup 2015
- Spain should host Euro 2016 and WC 2026
- England should host WC 2018.

If UK got Euro 2016 after OG 2012 (London), Rugby WC 2015 (Scotland) and Comonwealt Games 2016 (Cardiff), England won't get WC 2018.
So, I think that:
- Scotland should host Rugby World Cup 2015
- Spain should host Euro 2016 and WC 2026
- England should host WC 2018.

Dude, another ill-informed post of yours. There are no commonwealth games in 2016, and Cardiff certainly won't host them. Glasgow will host the 2014 commonwealth games, and they really don't have anything to do with UEFA or FIFA.

I don't know where you got the idea that Scotland will host the Rugby WC in 2015, but they are far from capable of hosting a rugby wc. As far as I know, they haven't even shown interest in hosting it.

Facts are that the 2012 olympics will be in London, and that the 2014 commonwealth games will be in Glasgow. Besides that, everything is open. And Fifa and Uefa don't give a rat's ass where the commonwealth games or rugby world cup are.

Dude, another ill-informed post of yours. There are no commonwealth games in 2016, and Cardiff certainly won't host them. Glasgow will host the 2014 commonwealth games, and they really don't have anything to do with UEFA or FIFA.

Thanks for your correction...but it's even worst for Scotish bid to host Euro 2016 !!!


I don't know where you got the idea that Scotland will host the Rugby WC in 2015, but they are far from capable of hosting a rugby wc. As far as I know, they haven't even shown interest in hosting it.

Just from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup
If England doesn't send any bid, Scotland could get it.


Facts are that the 2012 olympics will be in London, and that the 2014 commonwealth games will be in Glasgow. Besides that, everything is open.

Hosting the 3 most important sport events in the same country within 6 years could be difficult even for UK that got a very high sport tradition. But if you add CG 2014 and Euro 2016, it becomes crazy...
3 majors event for Scotland between 2014 and 2016...hum, hum.


And Fifa and Uefa don't give a rat's ass where the commonwealth games or rugby world cup are.
You are wrong: Spain lost Euro 2004 because several sport events occur in the country during the past. WC 1982, OG1992, Athletics Worldchampionship in Sevilla...

Eomer - you must remember that most of the stadium infrastructure for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is already in place - 7 or 8 of the 11 venues already exist and require, at most, some temporary modification. Beyond the long-overdue extension of Glasgow's underground into the eastern side of the city, there is nothing with the 2014 Commonwealth games that will stretch available investment. By 2020 at worst, I'm sure this update of the Subway in Glasgow would have happened anyway, so it really doesn't have much, if any, bearing on the ability of Scotland to hold a European Championships.

You must also remember that, in terms of stadia, a rugby world cup requires little to no investment - certainly, the games in France used unmodified, existing stadia. Especially with nations within UK and Ireland, a Rugby World cup is only indicative of where the final will be played and nothing more - the last UK-based Rugby World Cup was in 1999 when Wales hosted it and that used a plethora of stadia in England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales with the final being played at the Millennium Stadium. Were Scotland to hold a rugby world cup in 2015, you'd see the final held at Murrayfield and other games held at a few other selected stadia in the country, like Hampden and possible smaller games at Scottish club rugby grounds like Netherdale in Galashiels or Hughenden in Glasgow. Assuming that Scotland were to hold the 2015 rugby world cup, it would place little to no financial strain on Scotland or the UK and Ireland as hosts.

I don't think Scotland or a Celtic Nations bid for the European Championships would be viable, simply because these nations do not need the required amount of large stadia in the long term - I think, between Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, there is a need for no more than ten stadia with 30,000+ seats:

Northern Ireland - New Build National Stadium (wherever it be)
Republic of Ireland - Croke Park, Lansdowne Road
Scotland - Celtic Park, Hampden Park, Ibrox Park, Murrayfield, Tynecastle (redevelopment)
Wales - Millennium Stadium, New Build Stadium in Cardiff

The trouble is that this is across four nations; the best any two nations could produce would be seven stadia in only three cities, which would not work on any level. I don't think the other events being hosted around the UK and others that could be hosted around the UK around the same time would have any effect.

For the record though, I do like the renders for that new stand thats being proposed, however I seriously doubt that will ever be built either.

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TyneCastle/0,,10289~1216407,00.html

Stage 2 in place Johnny.

What negetive spin are you going to put on it this time ??

I was watching Hibs - Hearts earlier and i've noticed that east stand is missing on Easter Road... do you guys have some renders of the new stand?

I was watching Hibs - Hearts earlier and i've noticed that east stand is missing on Easter Road... do you guys have some renders of the new stand?

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/javaImages/d6/74/0,,10290~8615126,00.jpg

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/javaImages/d7/74/0,,10290~8615127,00.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/rumlnp.jpg

To bad! It would look much better if the stands were same as other three. Is there a reason for this one to be diferent/lower/shorter?

I would guess cost. Simpler means cheaper and Hibs is not flush with cash

It was decided to make it a one tier stand after consultation with the fans as they think it will increase the atmosphere at easter road. I however agree it would have been better to have four stands that are 2 tiers as oppose to an odd on out like the new one.

Wow. Shocked I missed that news. I recall a few years ago when it seemed Hearts would be the first of the two to renovate their fourth side. Still curious about the viability for either one to do this, however, given their avg. gates remain below capacity. Surely they'll fill for Old Firm matches but even some derbies don't sell out. Hmmmmm.

SPL needs fairer distribution of funds. Would help for the country to absorb another 1,000,000 people or so, too! :D

Proposal for new Aberdeen FC stadium at afc.co.uk

Capacity 21000

http://www.afc.co.uk/page/images/0,,10284,00.html

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad155/Lotty1995/Outside1.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad155/Lotty1995/outside1a.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad155/Lotty1995/facilities.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad155/Lotty1995/CSA1.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad155/Lotty1995/CSA2.jpg

Site Plan
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad155/Lotty1995/plan.jpg

^^ Very nice. The league really needs the Edinburgh pair, Aberdeen and Dundee United to try and sustain next level performances and, more importantly, larger avg attendances. Aberdeen has such great potential as essentially the only club for the city and some nice history to boot.

How realistic does this opportunity appear? Is there potential for expansion? I know Scotland would still like to someday host the Euros, with or without help, and getting 30k in this facility would go a long way to helping their appeal.

Wouldn't it be cheaper just to build a few new stands to accompany that massive end stand?

Wouldn't it be cheaper just to build a few new stands to accompany that massive end stand?After reading the material the club is suggesting that the Pittodrie site can't handle it. I know the one side abuts a road and the other is within modest proximity of an adjoining utility(?) use, leaving only the other end for real potential. Considering the club is aspiring for more quality seats and concession areas along the main sides there just isn't a cost effective scheme for renovating the ground, sadly. I recall the same message being carried forth when they bid with Ireland to host the Euros.

I'm not overwhelmed by the location, which seems decidedly American in its suburban form. Likely a compromise between availability, costs and feasibility that.

The location is SHIT, no getting away form it, another bland (although, not as bland as other stadia) out of town stadium, it reminds me in some respects of the cake tin in Wellington, HOWEVER it does have some redeeming features, it is on the main road into Aberdeen and as such is great to get to for away fans, will reduce congestion from the city centre and allow the stadium to be accessed from the south for Scotland (rugby and football matches).

My main worry for this is funding, Aberdeen city council are BROKE and Stuart Milne is the tightest bastard on the planet, tenth richest chairman in UK (yes that is right, not Scotland UK football) and he resides over a team that only takes on players for free.

I have all but given up on my beloved Aberdeen who i supported whilst still in Scoltand through some of the worst embarrassments in the nineties, the problem with thise terrible days is we seem to have gone from total shite to constant mediocrity with no sight of getting to be the third force in Scotland ever again, Hearts and Hibs by all accounts have overtaken Aberdeen and Mr Milne has that to put on his grave when he pisses off eventually.

Hope you are happy Milne, you spiteful, evil bastard.

Stand Free!

Aberdeen ground looks nice n slick!

Any idea whose designed it?

Any idea whose designed it?

http://www.millerpartnership.com/

http://www.millerpartnership.com/

got e thinking, if this is not able to be expanded to 30000, what chances will it have of ever holding Euro Championships or Rugby world cups, which i belive Scotland still has hope of co-hosting with ireland?

got e thinking, if this is not able to be expanded to 30000, what chances will it have of ever holding Euro Championships or Rugby world cups, which i belive Scotland still has hope of co-hosting with ireland?Euros require 30,000, even if some of it is temporary seating, and given that Scotland has so few options for such size venues I'd have to guess that if they can't make it work in Aberdeen then Scotland would not be eligible to bid. Unless they went in with England, but that would be unlikely.

Euros require 30,000, even if some of it is temporary seating, and given that Scotland has so few options for such size venues I'd have to guess that if they can't make it work in Aberdeen then Scotland would not be eligible to bid. Unless they went in with England, but that would be unlikely.

agreed although I would have thought that bid should it come from Scotland would have Ireland as the partner and not England (they don't need us).

Given that being the case expansion to 30000 would have to be a precondition, i am surprised both the Scottish executive and SFA are not speaking with Aberdeen about the design because of that contingency, going down this route, will mean absolutely no chance for a Euro or Rugby world cup being on Scottish soil!

Given that being the case expansion to 30000 would have to be a precondition, i am surprised both the Scottish executive and SFA are not speaking with Aberdeen about the design because of that contingency, going down this route, will mean absolutely no chance for a Euro or Rugby world cup being on Scottish soil!I wouldn't panic. There's nothing to indicate that the stadium can't be expanded in the future, and I'm sure that's part of the idea behind relocating to a larger property. Further, the club is surely aware of the conditions since they were party to the previous Scotland/Ireland bid. Combined with their ambition to have a venue capable of hosting European matches for the club I'm confident they're at least thinking about being EURO worthy, even if that's farther off into the future.

As for future bids, I've heard they might consider one with Wales (Cardiff and Swansea), as another option. Still means Scotland would need 6 venues.

2 from Glasgow
Murrayfield
Aberdeen
Dundee
???

Be nice if they could use just Hampden in Glascow and use the event to upgrade venues in Falkirk, Kilmarnock, Dunfermline, etc.

The 'new' East Stand at Easter Road:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1134/13thjulyeast17.jpg

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/4255/18julyeras5.jpg

Sad that Hearts hasn't been able to do similar with Tynecastle. These two clubs need to become bigger if the SPL is to ever evolve.

Hearts are swimming in red ink, no way they can afford to expand Tynecastle at the moment.

Wrexham would probably be the other city in a Scotland-Wales bid.

Oh, I know, being the passive HoM fan I am. Really disappointed in the ownership the past few seasons, obviously. The plans for a larger stadium were nice, if shortsighted, but I can't help but think both clubs would benefit by having such proper stadiums. Hearts should have invested in Tynecastle instead of making some foolish purchases, creating the opportunity for increased revenues in the future. Alas... Will be interesting now to see if Hibs see any notable increase at the gate. It's about the only source of revenue clubs outside the Old Firm can improve upon.

Wrexham could work but their stadium would obviously need some improving and I don't think they've quite the same support as Swansea and Cardiff City.

In lieu of the Old Firm's hopes of joining the Premiership I occasionally daydream about Welsh clubs playing in the SPL. Might be a pointed step down for the three sides that currently play in the FA, but it would certainly make for a more interesting SPL to see the likes of Cardiff vs Rangers.

Will be almost impossible to get Euro to Scotland / Wales if 24 team format stays in future (I think it will broke down after France 2016, when UEFA will find out they made mistake). So only possible is 16 teams, in like 2020 or further (like Croatia and smaller countries in Europe).


And for your possible candidature:

Glasgow X 2
Edinburgh
Aberdeen

Cardiff X 2
Wrexham
Swansea

Ideal. Like in Portugal 2004, two cities with two venues, and four other cities, one venue each.

Seems to me the issue is whether or not UEFA will require more than 8 stadiums. Based on their previous bid Scotland could able to accommodate 5 stadiums through Glasgow (2), Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. If UEFA requires, say, 10 stadia then there's a chance Edinburgh uses 2 or they call upon someplace like Kilmarnock in a pinch.

wouldn't Glasgow get three grounds, hamden, Celtic park and ibrox. and not sure the SFU would allow murryfield to be used.

apparently the Fa asked the RFU if they would allow twickers to be used in the England 2018 bid but they said no as football has never been played there. has football ever been played at murryfield?

ps. sorry for the terrible spelling

wouldn't Glasgow get three grounds, hamden, Celtic park and ibrox. UEFA, like FIFA, prefer to see their events hosted by as many cities as possible. Thus the rule that only one city may have 2 venues and the rest may only have 1. There may be more flexibility within UEFA if they feel the need to get smaller nations involved, but for now the idea is to see these events used to help spur investment in the game and economic development in as many cities as they can.

It may be possible Glasgow could use 3 venues but only hosting the volume of games allotted for 2 stadiums, with Ibrox and Parkhead perhaps taking turns in lieu of one stadium.
and not sure the SFU would allow murryfield to be used. apparently the Fa asked the RFU if they would allow twickers to be used in the England 2018 bid but they said no as football has never been played there. has football ever been played at murryfield?I'm reasonably sure Hearts had to use Murrayfield some time ago for a European game, since Tynecastle isn't fully eligible. Regardless, Scotland has fewer options and their RFU isn't as hard headed as the folks behind Twickenham. Further, a Scotland bid would need as many larger venues as possible, and better to get 60k+ in Murrayfield then to settle for the min 30k at a renovated Easter Road or Tynecastle.

Did I hear on the news last night that the East Stand at Easter Road was open for the Europa League game last night?


Also, does anyone on here have pictures of the proposed redevelopment at Firhill (all I have been able to find is pictures of phase 1, but looking away from the city so you cant see the stand), or the construction of the NISA/Velodrome and the National Indoor Arena at the SECC?

Did I hear on the news last night that the East Stand at Easter Road was open for the Europa League game last night?
Game report lists Easter Road as the venue, but the attendance was only 12k+, so whether or not it was open I can't say.
Also, does anyone on here have pictures of the proposed redevelopment at FirhillAll I've seen are the old concept sketches for the site as a whole, and nothing about the actual venue. I imagine that was on hold until the residential portion became committed since PTFC needed that incoming cash to launch the improvements to the stadium.

All I've seen are the old concept sketches for the site as a whole, and nothing about the actual venue. I imagine that was on hold until the residential portion became committed since PTFC needed that incoming cash to launch the improvements to the stadium.

the concept sketches from several years ago, as part of the wider Firhill Basin redevelopment?

They have revised their plans again since then, and have apparently applied for planning permission to build a new housing/comercial development on the old city terrace, with a new stand with 300 seats (4 rows) infront of it! (I know it will look seriously stupid next to the JH, especially when they do the same (but only 1 row of seats) on the main stand side, but would like to see some picutres to confirm that)

They have revised their plans again since then, and have apparently applied for planning permission to build a new housing/comercial development on the old city terrace, with a new stand with 300 seats (4 rows) infront of it!4 rows?!!! What's the point? Seriously, at that I imagine they're not providing concessions or utilities for such a small populace, meaning the value of the seats is minimized. I'd rather see the/a club leave the one side as an appealing wall and then do the remaining 3 sides correctly.

Not a graceful dilemma, but hopefully they'll do right by their fans.

Partick are a mess. The board are slowly destroying the club and the stadium.

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/3189/72378484.png

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8057/41957533.png

http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20100812/AFC-lodge-arena-planning-application_2275060_2118783

Still too suburban for my taste, but if it benefits the community and club overall then I'm all for it.

Its never gonna happen, the club are FLAT Broke!

Even if they did sell the Pittodrie site for 25m, they are ten mill in debt and would need to find another 25 mill to get this built, the council are bankrupt and the managing director would rather shoot his own children than spend any money on Aberdeen, even though he is Britain's tenth richest club owner.

Drum Roll Please................

http://www.afc.co.uk/javaImages/24/ce/0,,10284~8965668,00.jpg

http://www.afc.co.uk/javaImages/26/ce/0,,10284~8965670,00.jpg

http://www.afc.co.uk/javaImages/2d/ce/0,,10284~8965677,00.jpg

http://www.afc.co.uk/javaImages/27/ce/0,,10284~8965671,00.jpg

http://www.afc.co.uk/javaImages/2f/ce/0,,10284~8965679,00.jpg

http://bouzoq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pgDkeD0MUBlSlWnGMlYQbA19P0vh14CqAWb2XcRgOZQc0OoEDQ-7ORtF2CybMaOHH7XIkynuYrie6QQ7IFxImGuf6HXXTYDa3/Stadium.jpg?psid=1

East Fife plan new stadium complex
East Fife hope to move away from their New Bayview home

By Jim Spence

East Fife have announced ambitious plans to move to a new state-of-the-art stadium at a cost of almost £5m.

The Second Division side want to relocate from New Bayview to a 3,000-capacity ground one mile away from their present location.

The proposal will include a hotel and supermarket complex and is set to go before planners in the next few days.

"At a time of doom and gloom this is a good news story for Scottish football," said chairman Sid Columbine.

A fourth generation artificial surface would be laid and there would be a similar synthetic training pitch, as well as a grass training pitch.

The facilities would be available for community use.

There are also plans to include a 'college-type' facility at the new development, which Columbine hopes will be ready in two years.

"The ground is there and we are ready to start right away if we get planning permission," he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_fife/8926227.stm

The new East Stand at Easter Road opens tomorrow with the visit of the Champions:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8933064.stm

Partick are a mess. The board are slowly destroying the club and the stadium.

that could be any club in Scotland you are describing though...

Not really. Most clubs in Scotland turned a corner a short time ago and are trying to turn their clubs around by looking at the long term. The Thistle board really is killing the club.

If Scotland are thinking about a bid for Euro 2020 we would be better making it a joint Scotland-Northern Ireland bid instead of using Wales. UEFA will be more accepting of this because the 2 countries are just across the water from each other whereas England is between Scotland and Wales. In football terms we are all different countries so if Scotland and Wales can bid together it would be like Portugal and Belgium bidding together. We would need 9 stadiums so the problem would be that Northern Ireland would probably only be able to provide 1 stadium and Scotland would have the other 8. I'm not sure what UEFA's rules are about the number of stadiums per country but surely they would have to be flexible and accept this. The stadiums we could use are:

New national stadium in Belfast - 40000
Hampden - 50000
Ibrox - 50000/Celtic Park - 60000
Murrayfield - 67000
Expanded Tynecastle/Easter Road - 30000
New Aberdeen stadium - 30000
New Dundee stadium - 30000*
New Inverness stadium - 30000*
New Kilmarnock stadium - 30000*

*these would only be 30000 for the tournament and then reduced to a more sensible size.

If Scotland are thinking about a bid for Euro 2020 we would be better making it a joint Scotland-Northern Ireland bid instead of using Wales. UEFA will be more accepting of this because the 2 countries are just across the water from each other whereas England is between Scotland and Wales. In football terms we are all different countries so if Scotland and Wales can bid together it would be like Portugal and Belgium bidding together. We would need 9 stadiums so the problem would be that Northern Ireland would probably only be able to provide 1 stadium and Scotland would have the other 8. I'm not sure what UEFA's rules are about the number of stadiums per country but surely they would have to be flexible and accept this. The stadiums we could use are:

New national stadium in Belfast - 40000
Hampden - 50000
Ibrox - 50000/Celtic Park - 60000
Murrayfield - 67000
Expanded Tynecastle/Easter Road - 30000
New Aberdeen stadium - 30000
New Dundee stadium - 30000*
New Inverness stadium - 30000*
New Kilmarnock stadium - 30000*

*these would only be 30000 for the tournament and then reduced to a more sensible size.

Screw Northern Ireland and screw Scotland, if bloody Qatar can host the world cup then I think Glasgow should bid for the championship alone!

:-)

That's the problem though, NI can only offer one venue. I can't possibly see Coleraine playing in a 30,000 seater.

Wales, on the other hand, can offer four. Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport/Llanelli. Five if you want to double-up Cardiff.

Ireland is out of the question with their budget hell.

On wikipedia it says that the proposed bids so far for Euro 2020 are:

Romania and Hungary
Czech Republic and Slovakia
Slovenia, Italy and Croatia
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_European_Football_Championship#Bids_for_future_tournaments

Looking at what our competition would be makes me think that this would be a great opportunity for us to bid. I can't see UEFA giving it to a 3 country bid and eastern Europe already has Euro 2012 and the 2018 World Cup so UEFA might not want to give it to Romania-Hungary or Czech Republic-Slovakia. I really hope that Scotland make a serious bid for this tournament along with Wales or Northern Ireland. Or maybe we could even do a solo bid if we were allowed to use all 3 Glasgow stadiums.

On wikipedia it says that the proposed bids so far for Euro 2020 are:

Romania and Hungary
Czech Republic and Slovakia
Slovenia, Italy and Croatia
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia


Tell me that Slovenia, Italy and Croatia are 3 solo bids, and not 1 combined bid!! Please! Out of all that i'd really hope it would be held in Italy.

Im sure its a mistake. Slovenia does not have stadiums for hosting EURO.

Slovakia haven't stadiums or money for EURO ... i think on wikipedia are very old informations...

If Scotland are thinking about a bid for Euro 2020 we would be better making it a joint Scotland-Northern Ireland bid instead of using Wales. UEFA will be more accepting of this because the 2 countries are just across the water from each other whereas England is between Scotland and Wales. In football terms we are all different countries so if Scotland and Wales can bid together it would be like Portugal and Belgium bidding together. We would need 9 stadiums so the problem would be that Northern Ireland would probably only be able to provide 1 stadium and Scotland would have the other 8. I'm not sure what UEFA's rules are about the number of stadiums per country but surely they would have to be flexible and accept this. The stadiums we could use are:

New national stadium in Belfast - 40000
Hampden - 50000
Ibrox - 50000/Celtic Park - 60000
Murrayfield - 67000
Expanded Tynecastle/Easter Road - 30000
New Aberdeen stadium - 30000
New Dundee stadium - 30000*
New Inverness stadium - 30000*
New Kilmarnock stadium - 30000*

*these would only be 30000 for the tournament and then reduced to a more sensible size.

A combined Dundee Stadium? There is the serious chance that their may only be one Dundee clun by 2011, never mind 2020, so it would be a new Dundee United Stadium, I do not like the idea of a cookie cutter bowl stadium, of 30,000 which will be reduced by taking off the top tier after the championships. I guess I speak the opinion of many of United fans but we want to stay at Tannadice Park, just do up the Shed End, and rebuild the Jerry Kerr!

Also SFA, get the finger out and complete the upper tier at Hampden so it wraps round the whole stadium, at 70,000 seats, you could really milk revenue from the great demand there is to see Scotland international football matches.

Also SRU, get the finger out and even out the one stand at Murrayfield that is not identical to the others, it looks wrong, and once done would take the capacity up to 70,000-75,000!!

Qatar's win could possibly aid Scotland in its bid for the euro. The precedent of one city hosting an entire world cup should be enough to shame UEFA into showing some compassion and let Scotland use all three glasgow venues. Those and murrayfield is a good start.

I'd be furious to see us bid for anything like this instead of putting serious money into the infrastructure of our game. Far too many of our players, even the young ones coming through, are so lacking in things you should take for granted that a professional football player should be able to do.

Honestly, it would show how out of touch the priorities of our ruling bodies (thats 2 national governments and 3 football ruling bodies!!!) are with what our game needs.

If Scotland are thinking about a bid for Euro 2020 we would be better making it a joint Scotland-Northern Ireland bid instead of using Wales. UEFA will be more accepting of this because the 2 countries are just across the water from each other whereas England is between Scotland and Wales. In football terms we are all different countries so if Scotland and Wales can bid together it would be like Portugal and Belgium bidding together. We would need 9 stadiums so the problem would be that Northern Ireland would probably only be able to provide 1 stadium and Scotland would have the other 8. I'm not sure what UEFA's rules are about the number of stadiums per country but surely they would have to be flexible and accept this. The stadiums we could use are:

New national stadium in Belfast - 40000
Hampden - 50000
Ibrox - 50000/Celtic Park - 60000
Murrayfield - 67000
Expanded Tynecastle/Easter Road - 30000
New Aberdeen stadium - 30000
New Dundee stadium - 30000*
New Inverness stadium - 30000*
New Kilmarnock stadium - 30000*

*these would only be 30000 for the tournament and then reduced to a more sensible size.

For a joint bid to work, NI would need to provide AT LEAST a second ground. If they only provide one, it begs the question of "why don't Scotland just go it alone"

Screw Northern Ireland and screw Scotland, if bloody Qatar can host the world cup then I think Glasgow should bid for the championship alone!

:-)

Glasgow may struggle, but Strathclyde sounds like a good 'un! :D

A combined Dundee Stadium? There is the serious chance that their may only be one Dundee clun by 2011, never mind 2020, so it would be a new Dundee United Stadium, I do not like the idea of a cookie cutter bowl stadium, of 30,000 which will be reduced by taking off the top tier after the championships. I guess I speak the opinion of many of United fans but we want to stay at Tannadice Park, just do up the Shed End, and rebuild the Jerry Kerr!

Also SFA, get the finger out and complete the upper tier at Hampden so it wraps round the whole stadium, at 70,000 seats, you could really milk revenue from the great demand there is to see Scotland international football matches.

Also SRU, get the finger out and even out the one stand at Murrayfield that is not identical to the others, it looks wrong, and once done would take the capacity up to 70,000-75,000!!

I will be amazed if there is only 1 Dundee club in 2020 - may not be the same ones as present (probably not actually) but I am sure something will rise from the ashes.

Hampden would need to be totally re-done, and Murrayfield is fine as it is!

Qatar's win could possibly aid Scotland in its bid for the euro. The precedent of one city hosting an entire world cup should be enough to shame UEFA into showing some compassion and let Scotland use all three glasgow venues. Those and murrayfield is a good start.

Too right, a world Cup in Qatar sets the precedent.

How about this for a Euro Championship in 2020?

Hampden 55k - Closing Match
Ibrox 52k -
Parkhead 67K

Murrayfield 67K - Opening Match
Tynecastle - 30K expanded
Easter Road - 30K expanded

Aberdeen - The new 30K stadium

Dundee Stadium - New 30K

Kilmarnock - 30K with temp seating

Inverness - New 30 K

That's 10 stadiums, granted there are 3x in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is not as by the time the Champoinship comes round Glasgow would not already have experience of hosting the Commonwealth Games. In addition, the Edinburgh Festival is a massive event every year which Edinburgh is able to host.

There is also the option of removing either East road or Tynecastle and replaced with McDiarmid Park in Perth with additional temporary seating.

I don't see how Scotland could not hold it alone and would certainly be a favourable solo bid if the other rumoured joint bids are real.

:cheers2:

Too right, a world Cup in Qatar sets the precedent.

How about this for a Euro Championship in 2020?

Hampden 55k - Closing Match
Ibrox 52k -
Parkhead 67K

Murrayfield 67K - Opening Match
Tynecastle - 30K expanded
Easter Road - 30K expanded

Aberdeen - The new 30K stadium

Dundee Stadium - New 30K

Kilmarnock - 30K with temp seating

Inverness - New 30 K

That's 10 stadiums, granted there are 3x in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is not as by the time the Champoinship comes round Glasgow would not already have experience of hosting the Commonwealth Games. In addition, the Edinburgh Festival is a massive event every year which Edinburgh is able to host.

There is also the option of removing either East road or Tynecastle and replaced with McDiarmid Park in Perth with additional temporary seating.

I don't see how Scotland could not hold it alone and would certainly be a favourable solo bid if the other rumoured joint bids are real.

:cheers2:

Why not the final in the biggest ground? Rugby and stuff? That shouldnt be a problem for once?

Too right, a world Cup in Qatar sets the precedent.

How about this for a Euro Championship in 2020?

Hampden 55k - Closing Match
Ibrox 52k -
Parkhead 67K

Murrayfield 67K - Opening Match
Tynecastle - 30K expanded
Easter Road - 30K expanded

Aberdeen - The new 30K stadium

Dundee Stadium - New 30K

Kilmarnock - 30K with temp seating

Inverness - New 30 K

:cheers2:

I do not think a bid for Scotland could have Murrayfield and Tynecastle - the stadiums are only 0.4 miles apart. The SFA would have to choose, and simple economics, coupled with previous allowance from the SFA would suggest they will choose the 67,000 seater Murrayfield Stadium. This stadium can be expanded by rebuilding the smallest (East) Stand to match the other stands - there is space around the stadium, and a capacity of at least 75,000 would be reached.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/18/68748436_1ea9b2ea8f_z.jpg
Murrayfield Stadium, 67000: Credit "poity_uk" from flickr

Hampden Stadium is a former Uefa 5 star stadium, and as a result has become an Elite stadium, one of only two in Scotland. The current capacity is 52,000 but it will be getting reduced for the Commonwealth games to 46,000 in order to accomadate a 400m athletics track. The capacity will have to be increased to 70,000 in order to become eligable as a 'final' venue for UEFA Championships ( seem criteria for hosting Champions League finals). The SFA have previously expressed interest in making Hampden a 70,000 venue. They also wanted to make sure that the stands behind the goals were brought closer to the goals. However any expansion of this kind would require a (very costly) total rebuild. I cannot see this happening any time soon, given Hamden is barely 15 years old. However a more reasonable expansion which has the potential of making Hampden 75,000+ is the complation of the upper tier ( currently on one side) all around the stadium. A new roof would be required, and the new upper tier would have to cantiliever over the lower tier so the back rows of the lower tier could still see the game! :lol:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45569000/jpg/_45569105_hampden_sns416.jpg
Hampden Park, 52000: Credit 'BBC Sport'

Ibrox is a 52,000 Uefa Elite stadium and in it's current state would be suitable for hosting matches at the European Championships, up until the semi final stage. No work is needed to be honest.

http://www.rangers1.co.uk/images/ibrox-inside.jpg
Ibrox Stadium, 52000: Credit Rangers1

Celtic Park is a great size, the biggest football ground in Scotland. However it has the problem of restricted view seating in both upper corner sections because of the old stand blocking sightlines. There has been talk in the past of rebuilding the old stand to match the rest of the stadium, and the chances are this alteration would make Celtic Park an elite stadium with a 70,000 capacity. Alternatively, a new roof on the old stand would relieve the stadium of restricted views, whilst keeping the current 60,000 capacity.

http://www.scottishgrounds.co.uk/celtic32.jpg
Celtic Park, 60000: Credit Duncan Adams from Scottish Grounds.

It is well publicised that Aberdeen want a new stadium. They have released the designs and it will be located away from their current Pittodrie beach site. The internal design of this stadium is the cookie cutter bowl design, which suggests a permanent tier of 20,000 could be constructed with a long term legacy of hosting Aberdeen FC matchs, and a temporary upper tier of 10-15,000 which would be taken away after the UEFA CHAMPIONSHIPS.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48709000/jpg/_48709296_aberdeen_new_stadium_464.jpg
Proposed New Aberdeen Stadium: Credit 'BBC Sport.'

Kilmarnock currently have an 18,000 seater ground, 3 stands were built in the early 90's, and there is an older stand with steel columns holding up the roof running along one side of the pitch. The ideal solution for Kilmarnock would be to knock down the Old Stand, and replace it with one with corporate boxes - something Rugby Park currently lacks, and also have a tempory upper tier. You would also want to raise the roofs of the two stands behind the goals, and put temparory upper tiers their in order to maximise the capacity. Because of the close proximity of housing, it would not be possible to do anything with the stand opposite the old stand.

http://images.teamtalk.com/08/07/800x600/Rugby-Park-Kilmarnock_1074220.jpg
Rugby Park, 18000: Credit Teamtalk.com

Now for the controversial Dundee Proposal which has been discussed previously, sees both Dundee clubs, SPL side Dundee United and first division Dundee moving to a new stadium in the city to groundshare. In the process both clubs lose 100 years of history that goes with their respective home grounds, Tannadice and Dens Park. It would be impossible to expand either of these stadiums because they are located (100 yards apart) in the inner city ring of Dundee in amongst Tennemant style housing.

The proposal would see a new stadium built next to the Kingsway Bypass at Caird Park, and would be called Caird Park Stadium. It would most likely be a generic bowl stadium, as seen with many English Championship sides. A temporary top tier would lift the capacity to 35,000 which would likely be removed leaving a 20,000 bottom tier which United could only fill against the Old Firm and Aberdeen, and the capacity would likely never be filled by lower league side Dundee. Dundee are heading towards liquidation so it would end up becoming Dundee United stadium only - and the majority of fans would rather stay at Tannadice and improve that to the clubs own needs rather than create a white elephant in the city of Dundee.

>>Just noticed I commented on this same topic very recently, and sort of said the same things about Dundee stadium twice :lol:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x11/MartinLeRoy/KillieLogo.png
KILMARNOCK FC
EST 1869
Scotland's Oldest Professional Football Club

1x Scottish League Champions:
1965

3x Scottish Cup Winners:
1920, 1929, 1997


RUGBY PARK
Opened: 1899
Renovated: 1946, 1961, 1994-95

1955
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x11/MartinLeRoy/1955.jpg

1993
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x11/MartinLeRoy/1993.jpg

1995
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2263156821_1ee2a75b3a_b.jpg

It seems so odd that the original design for Rugby Park was an oval, the terraces behind each goal were miles away, even though there was no athletics track. :nuts:

I have only been in the most modern rendition of Rugby Park, and I must admit it hasn't been a happy hunting ground for me as a Dundee United fan.

The 3 modern stands are very steep which is a plus, although there is little/no leg room between seats. I belive this is the only stadium in the SPL (outwith the Old Firm) which has 2 scoreboards.

Also, Rugby Park has been used as the set for a football film called _____? ;)

Also, Rugby Park has been used as the set for a football film called _____? ;)

A Shot At Glory. Awful awful film. I think it was called something like Premier Park in the movie. Hosted the Kilnockie vs Kilmarnock semi-final. Ally McCoist was playing for us while the movie was being filmed and Marvin Andrews played in that on-screen fictional Kilmarnock team. The film also featured the worst Scottish accent ever, played by Robert Duvall.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3451126041/

I belive this is the only stadium in the SPL (outwith the Old Firm) which has 2 scoreboards.



Extend that to Scotland, and I believe the only ground that can be added is Hampden (not counting Murrayfield)

Infact, I believe they are the only grounds that have even 1 electronic scoreboard in Scotland? (Firhill also has one, but it isn't used by Partick Thistle so doesn't count)

Hampden, National Stadium has 2
Celtic Park has 2
Ibrox (Rangers) has 2
Rugby Park (Kilmarnock) has 2

Fir Park (Motherwell) has 1
Mcdiarmud (St Johnstone) has 1
Easter Road (Hibernian) has 1

That is all I know in the SPL (plus Hampden)

i hope scotland does host a tournament one day be it a Euros i think they would be best of dual hosting with Ireland, even though imo Scotland could host a Euros themshelves if Fifa use there common sense for once a give 3 venues to glasgow, 2 edinburgh, and then other big cities 1 stadium each like aberdeen, dundee etc. you only need about 9 venues.

i have a feeling that the Fa and SFA may look to bid for the Centenary World Cup in 2030 anyway, which i think would stand a high chance of winning, taking the world cup to the 2 countries that effectivly invented the game, us the rules, you the art of the passing game.

Wembley-
Twickenham-
Old Trafford-
Anfield or Stanley Park-
Elland Road-
Villa Park-
portsmouth or southampton/plymouth-
Ipswich or Norwich-

Hampden
Murrifield
Celtic Park
Ibrox
Aberdeen

seems are pretty fair spread to me, or do you not think that ground apart from the big 4 in scotland could ever expand to over 40 k

I have a feeling that the Fa and SFA may look to bid for the Centenary World Cup in 2030 anyway, which i think would stand a high chance of winning, taking the world cup to the 2 countries that effectivly invented the game, us the rules, you the art of the passing game.

Uruguay are already preparing a joint bid with Argentina. I think that stands more of a chance than us TBH. But yeah It'd be a great bid. I reckon by then that Ibrox and Hampden will have had renovations.

i hope scotland does host a tournament one day be it a Euros i think they would be best of dual hosting with Ireland, even though imo Scotland could host a Euros themshelves if Fifa use there common sense for once a give 3 venues to glasgow, 2 edinburgh, and then other big cities 1 stadium each like aberdeen, dundee etc. you only need about 9 venues.

i have a feeling that the Fa and SFA may look to bid for the Centenary World Cup in 2030 anyway, which i think would stand a high chance of winning, taking the world cup to the 2 countries that effectivly invented the game, us the rules, you the art of the passing game.

Wembley-
Twickenham-
Old Trafford-
Anfield or Stanley Park-
Elland Road-
Villa Park-
portsmouth or southampton/plymouth-
Ipswich or Norwich-

Hampden
Murrifield
Celtic Park
Ibrox
Aberdeen

seems are pretty fair spread to me, or do you not think that ground apart from the big 4 in scotland could ever expand to over 40 k


I really like the idea, but FIFA will probably celebrate 100 years of World Cup football by awarding it to the Gilbert Islands

This thread would be a much better 'SCOTLAND STADIUM DEVELOPMENT THREAD' if the first 8 or 9 pages were deleted because they ae jut filed with petty and offensive digs between Old Firm supporters, the las 1 or so pages are proper discussion of Stadium development in Scotland however.

Hopefully a mod can look into this. :cheers:

Shame there is little chance of any real stadium development work being done in Scotland any time soon! Wish we could contribute more to this section of the forum, jealous of the boom in Poland and other places!

Shame there is little chance of any real stadium development work being done in Scotland any time soon! Wish we could contribute more to this section of the forum, jealous of the boom in Poland and other places!

Don't speak too soon...

New Aberdeen FC stadium recommended for approval

Planners have recommended approval for Aberdeen Football Club's new stadium on the outskirts of the city.

The Dons hope to build the stadium, capable of holding about 21,000 fans, at a cost of up to £40m, at Loirston Loch in the south of Aberdeen.

However, there have been more than 100 letters of objection.

The council meets on Wednesday 23 February, with potential economic benefits among the reasons for the recommendation for approval.

AFC is seeking permission for the "iconic" stadium which would include a gym, a club shop, museum and cafe.

The plan is for the whole facility to be lit at night by a red glow.

The application follows a public consultation.

Scottish ministers will have the final say.


BBC NEWS (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-12479857)

Not like those teauchters from Aberdeen to complain about progress! Just look at the opposition to the Donald Trump investment and development! Convinced they would be happy still to live in stone cottages with straw roofs!

Would love to see some new grounds of a good standard built, and see the back of places like Tannadice (toilet of a ground), Fir Park (Motherwell are my most local senior side, would like to see them do well and get a new purpose built ground) and even see Hearts get their new main stand.

Of course, the stadium works i'm most interested in seeing are comparitively modest, I just want to see some money spent on getting Ibrox back up to the standard expected, as it's starting to age just a little, and needs a good couple of million spent giving it a bit of tlc!

Over 100 letters of objection?! Really? The site doesn't appear to be interfering with any noteworthy adjoining uses, or displacing bunches of people, threatening resources, etc. So, what are they opposing?

Not like those teauchters from Aberdeen to complain about progress! Just look at the opposition to the Donald Trump investment and development! Convinced they would be happy still to live in stone cottages with straw roofs!


It's 'teuchters' and 100 letters out of a city population of about 215,000 hardly represents a complaint against progress. It is the usual nimbys worried about losing a few acres of grass in a country which is nothing but fields of grass.

I'm not going to get into the Trump debate, but once again that was a couple of people desperate for their '15 minutes' who objected to it, which they have every right to in the democratic process.

Looks like Livingston's Almondvale Stadium could soon be demolished. it's fairly new. Only 16 years old

http://www.scottishgrounds.co.uk/living10.jpg



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13007258.stm

Livingston poised for switch to a new stadium
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Page last updated at 18:11 GMT, Thursday, 7 April 2011 19:11 UK
By Jim Spence

BBC Scotland

Livingston have been at Almondvale since they formed in 1974 Livingston could be in a new stadium for the start of season 2012/2013.

A deal to sell their current home, Almondvale, and move to a new stadium around one mile away could be imminent, BBC Scotland has learned.

The new stadium would have a capacity of more than 6000 and would be fully Scottish Premier League compliant.

State of the art training facilities, including a full-size indoor pitch, will be included in the development along with a youth football academy.

The deal hinges on West Lothian Council, the owner of Almondvale Stadium and the land surrounding it, concluding a deal with a supermarket for the sale of the current stadium and land.

It is understood that the negotiations for the deal are at a very advanced stage with the prospective retailers.

Livingston began life as the Ferranti Thistle works team in 1943 and renamed Meadowbank Thistle when admitted to the Scottish Football League in 1974.

They initially played their matches at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh but were renamed when they relocated to their present 10,000-seat stadium in Livingston in 1995.

The club rose to Scotland's top flight in 2001 but were relegated in 2004 amid financial problems that led to liquidation proceedings beginning and their relegation to Division Three five years later.

Livingston presently lead Division Two by 18 points and are poised to win the title and a return to the First Division.

They will secure the one automatic promotion slot if they win on Saturday away to Stenhousemuir while Brechin City fail to beat East Fife, or if they draw and Brechin lose.

Almondvale's current official name is the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium because of a three-year naming rights sponsorship deal.

New Tynecastle? | 30,000| Edinburgh

Heart of Midlothian have calculated the cost of building a replacement for their old main stand will cost £20m for a small 1900 capacity increase, and have decided against it. The club chairman Vladimir Romanov has already agreed a fee of £20m from a house building company should they get planning permission to build the new stadium and move away from Tynecastle. 30,000 is the planned capacity for 'New Tynecastle.'
This news comes after Aberdeen proposed and got planning for a 20,000 seater stadium on the edge of Aberdeen, and Livingstone talked of moving to a new 10,000 arena.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13499889.stm

Attendances have been going down religiously is Scotland recently. Not sure what a 30k stadium will achieve.

Doesn't UEFA require larger venues for some of their competitions? If so that could be one reason. Plus Scotland is still hoping for a shot at hosting the Euros, and if they get dispensation to have 2 venues in each of Glascow and Edinburgh (or if they opt not to use Murrayfield) then this would now be an option.

More importantly there's the notion that if the club are to ever grow and challenge the Old Firm then something better than Tynecastle will be necessary. Having the right amenities in a stadium is critical these days to lure players and higher paying sponsors and fans. True, the SPL is not a big league and Hearts are a distance away from averaging 30k, but if they don't aspire for that then odds are they'll never reach it.

Might be that they're getting permission for 30 but will start out at something smaller. Either way, the SPL won't improve until the rest of the pack has better stadia and can increase revenues, seeing as the Old Firm isn't going to help them any.

Kilmarnock followed that plan back in the mid 90's. We were the 4th force in Scotland for a period of time but never came close to filling our 18,000 stadium on a regular basis. Scotland just doesn't have the population to support stadiums of that size.

If a team were to challenge the old firm it will be through money injections, not an increased fan base. Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen's fan bases are probably next biggest after the old firm, but they are still significantly smaller and far more localised.

With the expansion of the Euros, it's safe to assume that we'll never host a big tournament now.

Interesting idea, and quite right the club are exploring the avenue considering the cost of redeveloping the main stand at Tynecastle. But, not being any sort of expert on the Edinburgh locale as i'm rarely through there, where would they get a suitable site close enough that the fans would be happy?

Will reserve real judgement until they draw up and release plans. Would be a devastating shame to lose Tynecastle for a soulless new concrete wilderness.

Kilmarnock followed that plan back in the mid 90's. We were the 4th force in Scotland for a period of time but never came close to filling our 18,000 stadium on a regular basis.A bit of bad timing, that, with the evolution of TV/UEFA monies and global media further entrenching the caste-system of the SPL. Safe to say, though, that Hearts have a larger population base to draw from to potential fans. Again, I agree with you and doubt they'll sustain 30k, but what's the sense of building anew without any planning for a potentially brighter future?
Scotland just doesn't have the population to support stadiums of that size.Agreed, but it can do better. That there isn't one club outside the Old Firm drawing better than 20k is a sad indictment of the SPL, even with the economy and the competitive gap.
If a team were to challenge the old firm it will be through money injections, not an increased fan base. Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen's fan bases are probably next biggest after the old firm, but they are still significantly smaller and far more localised.Again, we agree, but if that investment is going to come it's with a plan for growth and some sense of retrun on investment. The overspending-sugar daddy model is unsustainable and bad for football, so the plan must be to build the popularity of the club to ever higher levels of sustained support. Hearts may never truly challenge for the SPL in the near future, but they may at least become a more recognizable candidate for the role and experience better results in European play. At the least, neither Hearts nor the SPL desired to remain with the status quo.
With the expansion of the Euros, it's safe to assume that we'll never host a big tournament now. Maybe, but such actions at least bolster the opportunity. And if that never pays off in a Euros, then maybe one of the lesser FIFA tournaments, like the U-21 WC? Such could also be done without needing to partner with Ireland or Wales if you had enough venues of the calibre proposed here.

Combined with the vision in Aberdeen and potential upgrades in Dundee, it might be that this renaissance gives the SPL the jolt needed to spur a few more fans and sponsors to pick the league back up. Think Portugal and the recent growth of the Superliga after the Euros there, as now many middling clubs like Braga have flourished (comparably, for them) since. Scotland may have missed out on a Euros, but having the infrastructure throughout the league can itself be a draw. Right now your Rugby Park is among the better venues going, which says a lot. The more SPL clubs that can claim attractive venues the better.

Doesn't UEFA require larger venues for some of their competitions? If so that could be one reason. Plus Scotland is still hoping for a shot at hosting the Euros, and if they get dispensation to have 2 venues in each of Glascow and Edinburgh (or if they opt not to use Murrayfield) then this would now be an option.

More importantly there's the notion that if the club are to ever grow and challenge the Old Firm then something better than Tynecastle will be necessary. Having the right amenities in a stadium is critical these days to lure players and higher paying sponsors and fans. True, the SPL is not a big league and Hearts are a distance away from averaging 30k, but if they don't aspire for that then odds are they'll never reach it.

Might be that they're getting permission for 30 but will start out at something smaller. Either way, the SPL won't improve until the rest of the pack has better stadia and can increase revenues, seeing as the Old Firm isn't going to help them any.

Few years back the dutch league were dominated by 3 big clubs. 2009 and 2010 were actually won by non big 3 and 2011 was one match from also.

A club like Twente has become a title contender and took 2010 championship because they slowly rebuilt their ground.

All big sub topclubs in netherlands has bigger grounds than before and thus bigger income, but take twente they are with the next expansion going to 32.000 and their income is actually on same level as PSV eindhoven today.

It is possible for clubs like Hearts and Aberdeen to atleast once in a while be a championship contender if they succeed to raise their income stream.

Isn't there a bit of chicken and egg problem in scottish football? Clubs need bigger attendances to challenge the old firm but would it be correct to say a lot of fans are disillusioned with their league prospects and are resigned to their fates so they stay home?

^^ Indeed, and all the more reason for the other clubs to act on things they can control. Who knows if they'll ever be able to rattle the Old Firm enough to create more balance in the distribution of TV revenues, but until then they need to build the grassroots support so that the next generation sees more fans supporting local clubs rather than holding out for the big two and their European exploits. It's very reminiscent of Italy whereby it's tough to get locals to support the likes of Bari because they place so much (nationalist-like) pride in the continental and global brands of Milan, Inter and Juve.

If at least one club outside the Old Firm could make anything of a name, via Europa League or winning a couple domestic cups, that might shake the foundations enough to start this change. Given the population distribution and club pedigrees it stands to reason we're looking towards Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee United. If those clubs could collectively avg. 15k as opposed to the current 10k, that would mean wonders to their finances and build the local support for the future.

The SPL will ever be a shallow league until the nation doubles or triples its population, but those four clubs have potential to be bigger than they are. Hopefully the folks in Glascow will realize this would be to their long-term benefit, as well, if this happens.

How are the non-OF clubs supposed to compete when the league placing prize money is unfairly distributed? Consistent £0.08m rise in prize money from 12th up to 4th, a tiny extra prize for 3rd and then a huge jump in prize money to 2nd place and 1st place. The differance in prize money from 2nd to 3rd is greater than that fro 3rd to 12th. It is unfair. That is part of the problem. :/


1: Rangers £2.72 million (4%+13% = 17%)
2: Celtic £2.4m ( 4%+11% = 15%)
3: Hearts £1.52m (4%+5.5% = 9.5%
4: United £1.36m (4%+4.5% = 8.5%)
5: Killie £1.28m (4%+4.0% = 8.0%)
6: Motherwell £1.2m (4%+3.5% = 7.5%)
7: ICT £1.12m (4%+3.0% = 7.0%)
8: Saints £1.04m (4%+2.5% = 6.5%)
9: Hibs £0.96m (4%+2.0% = 6.0%)
10:Aberdeen £0.88m (4%+1.5% = 5.5%)
11:St Mirren £0.8m ( 4%+1.0% = 5.0%)
12:Hamilton £0.72mn (4%+0.5% = 4.5%)


At least the Barclay's Prem League has a consistent £0.8m drop in prize money from the £16m given to the Champions. A fairer system rather than a huge differance in the top 2 to ensure Rangers and Celtic get that extra advantage every year.

2009/10 Prize Money
Chelsea - £16,000,000 (WINNERS)
Manchester United - £15,200,000
Arsenal - £14,400,000
Totenham Hotspur - £13,600,000
Manchester City - £12,800,000
Aston Villa - £12,000,000
Liverpool - £11,200,000
Everton - £10,400,000
Birmingham - £9,600,000
Blackburn - £8,800,000
Stoke - £8,000,000
Fulham - £7,200,000
Sunderland - £6,400,000
Bolton - £5,600,000
Wolves - £4,800,000
Wigan - £4,000,000
West Ham - £3,200,000
Burnley - £2,400,000
Hull - £1,600,000
Portsmouth - £800,000

How are the non-OF clubs supposed to compete when the league placing prize money is unfairly distributed?That's what we're saying. The issue, of course, is wresting the control from the OF so that such a change can be implemented. And to do this with all league revenues.

On top of that I wish UEFA would pay the leagues rather than the clubs for their involvement in UEFA competitions. Sure, give each side a stipend to cover real costs with the extra games, but this idea of giving the CL winners 30-40M euros is nonsense as it entrenches the caste system we have today. I'd rather those funds get disperesed to the leagues and then that pot is distributed along the same lines as the formulas we're discussing here.

But I digress. Here's to hoping Hearts and Aberdeen can spur some change and grow as clubs.

On top of that I wish UEFA would pay the leagues rather than the clubs for their involvement in UEFA competitions. Sure, give each side a stipend to cover real costs with the extra games, but this idea of giving the CL winners 30-40M euros is nonsense as it entrenches the caste system we have today. I'd rather those funds get disperesed to the leagues and then that pot is distributed along the same lines as the formulas we're discussing here.


^^THIS.

Isn't there a bit of chicken and egg problem in scottish football? Clubs need bigger attendances to challenge the old firm but would it be correct to say a lot of fans are disillusioned with their league prospects and are resigned to their fates so they stay home?

That's exactly right. A lot of fans of the non-OF teams simply won't accept spending money to watch their team being steam-rolled by the OF every week.

Coupled with rising ticket prices, extremely dubious refereeing decisions in favour of the OF, games on TV kicking off at 12.30pm etc and most have simply given up. Given the populations of Aberdeen and Edinburgh respectively the three teams should be averaging far greater attendances than they do. Hopefully some investment in new stadia, grass roots coaching etc shall yield change in the future.

However there's more intelligently expressed thoughts on this one thread than the SPL, SFA etc currently manage so I won't hold my breath.

I remember everyone wearing football strips to PE class at high school, and it was usually a sea of blue and green, this in a school under 15 miles from both Dundee and Perth. Quite shocking that in my 6th year at school I was the only Dundee United fan and we are only just 30 minutes dow the road from Dundee, We also had two Saints fans but the huge majority were the traditional 'Glory Hunters' who rarely/never we to Old Firm maches.

Kids want to be part of success, they get that supporting the OF rather than watching a 'lesser local team.' it mist take away from the great feeling of success though when they win something every year as overwhelming favourites.

Kids want to be part of success, they get that supporting the OF rather than watching a 'lesser local team.' it mist take away from the great feeling of success though when they win something every year as overwhelming favourites.Like all things with youth it's a matter of guidance. Left to their own devices of course they'll gravitate to what's easy and what provides instant gratification. My approach with my kids in this manner is to inform them why I support certain teams in certain sports. For college sports in the US my alma mater (Georgia Tech) isn't exactly a power, but I vehemently support the sports programs because of my love for the school. With the pro teams it's a measure of the local ties or family origins, and I make sure they understand the faults in simply latching onto a team/club because of their success. Thus, my 10 yo knows why rooting for ManU isn't a noble thing, and why supporting Chelsea or Man Citeh is outright wrong! :D

Found this on a football forum, just came across it while browsing.
Hearts new 25,000 stadium, cookie cutter, looks like many English stadiums, and is located by the future tram link and to the West of Murrayfield.

http://i52.tinypic.com/14b7ofb.jpghttp://i52.tinypic.com/14b7ofb.jpg

That aerial render IS the Riverside Stadium. I think that might just be a fan's proposal.

Would be terrible to see Hearts leave Tynecastle for something so unimaginitave!

Very good if they could locate a new stadium there though, close to where Tynecastle is now and not such a huge wrench to their support (I would imagine). Will watch the developments of their proposals over the next few months as I will Aberdeens, which at least seem closer to something happening.

That aerial render IS the Riverside Stadium. I think that might just be a fan's proposal.

I certainly hope so - the back pitches are important part of Murrayfield (provide training pitches for the National team, aswell as pitches for national cup finals, age-grade national teams, the festival of sevens that goes with the IRB World Series, warm-up pitches for World Series teams, and ofcourse for Murrayfield Wanderers)

If any 'Lesser Murrayfield' was going to be build on the back pitches, I would far rather see a 4,000 seat stand built for Edinburgh Rugby (aswell as age-grade/Womens internationals, and a potential second pitch for 7's events - although the RWC7's has been scrapped now) whilst retaining as many pitches there as possible (im sure you could have a smaller ground there, whilst still retaining two other pitches).

Hearts can find somewhere else - or preferably just stay at Tynecastle, since it's one of the few decent football stadiums we have!

A report jointly commissioned by Heart of Midlothian Football Club and City of Edinburgh Council has concluded that the redevelopment of the club's Tynecastle Stadium is "not a viable option"
http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20111025/stadium-update_2241384_2493727

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_2362.jpg

I have a question: what are the chances of all football within United Kingdom being unified in British-wide competitions? That would bring Premier league to Glasgow and Edinburgh (likely) and boost the stadia profile in Scotland with tons on new money.

I have a question: what are the chances of all football within United Kingdom being unified in British-wide competitions? That would bring Premier league to Glasgow and Edinburgh (likely) and boost the stadia profile in Scotland with tons on new money.

ABSOLUTELY NON EXISTENT!! :ohno:

Heart of Midlothian scrapping this idea: £15m construction of a 2 tier stand with hospitality between tiers...

http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/271011ts1064tynie_stt3_1_1931854!image/1881975972.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1881975972.jpg
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/271011ts1064tynie_stt3_1_1931854!image/1881975972.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1881975972.jpg

...For this, council backed multi use stadium, for the football, rugby and athletics:
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/191011en1005p1_1_1918266%21image/3605759854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/3605759854.jpg
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/191011en1005p1_1_1918266%21image/3605759854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/3605759854.jpg

Heart of Midlothian scrapping this idea: £15m construction of a 2 tier stand with hospitality between tiers...

http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/271011ts1064tynie_stt3_1_1931854!image/1881975972.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1881975972.jpg
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/271011ts1064tynie_stt3_1_1931854!image/1881975972.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1881975972.jpg

...For this, council backed multi use stadium, for the football, rugby and athletics:
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/191011en1005p1_1_1918266%21image/3605759854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/3605759854.jpg
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/191011en1005p1_1_1918266%21image/3605759854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/3605759854.jpg


Ugh!! Awful

^^
I would be amazed if that new proposal went ahead. Seriously there's no need for a multi-use stadium in Edinburgh. As it is Murrayfield caters for rugby while i'd imagine the old commonwealth stadium is sufficient for athletics.What is required is that Edinburgh rugby get a new small stadium that fits into the back pitches of Murrayfield ala Cardiff.

I was at tynecastle over the summer and i think a redeveloped main stand would serve the best interests of Hearts and Edinburgh as a whole. A small increase in capacity with better premium seats should be the goal here.Hearts wouldn't fill a 25k stadium regularly.

Heart of Midlothian scrapping this idea: £15m construction of a 2 tier stand with hospitality between tiers...

...For this, council backed multi use stadium, for the football, rugby and athletics: Where did you hear this? I can't find any news links confirming that second option is what's preferred, only that the club now considers Tynecastle no longer viable for the long-term. Last I heard the City wasn't going to overinvest in an athletics stadium like that, anyway, since it wasn't worth the money. So if this idea has been resurrected and pushed by the club, that's news to me.

I think there should be a multi purpose stadium in Edinburgh for Hearts, Edinburgh Rugby and Athletics, the difference between the stadium that should be delivered and the pic below is that it should be a smaller version of the Stade de France, where the seats are retractable over the athletics track and for all other games of football and rugby the capacity is higher and the track is covered.

I think if that was the spec I would have no problem is both public, and private money being used for a facility like this. Rugby got the bum deal having to pay for their stadium on their own when football got Hampden mostly funded by government. It is time to redress the balance

Where did you hear this? I can't find any news links confirming that second option is what's preferred, only that the club now considers Tynecastle no longer viable for the long-term. Last I heard the City wasn't going to overinvest in an athletics stadium like that, anyway, since it wasn't worth the money. So if this idea has been resurrected and pushed by the club, that's news to me.

Perhaps preferred is the wrong word, but the majority of fans in the supporter's survey 'would welcome a move away from Tynecastle' and the Hearts board, as you point out, are saying 'a future at Tynecastle is not vialble.'

Maybe 'more likely' is a better phrase, logically speaking it would financially make most sense to build a new out of town stadium that the community can use, and that Hearts can use for better facilities and better match day money generating hospitality seating. With the council part funding it as a rugby (Edinburgh need a ~20,000 seater rather than 70,000 Murrayfield)/athletics/concert venue.

Perhaps preferred is the wrong word, but the majority of fans in the supporter's survey 'would welcome a move away from Tynecastle' and the Hearts board, as you point out, are saying 'a future at Tynecastle is not vialble.'

Maybe 'more likely' is a better phrase, logically speaking it would financially make most sense to build a new out of town stadium that the community can use, and that Hearts can use for better facilities and better match day money generating hospitality seating. With the council part funding it as a rugby (Edinburgh need a ~20,000 seater rather than 70,000 Murrayfield)/athletics/concert venue.All well and good, in which case make a stadium that's suitable for football and rugby, but for goodness sake leave the track out of the picture. At least the team sports have the potential for occassional events drawing sizable crowds, but not so general athletics. Plus the national events can be held in Hampden, anyway.

Hearts would be foolish to abandon Tynecastle only to move into a new venue with an athletics track.

Hearts would be foolish to abandon Tynecastle only to move into a new venue with an athletics track.

"A new stadium must be self-sustainable and commercially viable and Hearts acknowledge that the stadium facility would also be capable of hosting other top class sports, corporate, arts and entertainment events although the club has categorically excluded the option of an athletics track in the stadium." - http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20111025/stadium-update_2241384_2493727

...For this, council backed multi use stadium, for the football, rugby and athletics:
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/191011en1005p1_1_1918266%21image/3605759854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/3605759854.jpg
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/191011en1005p1_1_1918266%21image/3605759854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/3605759854.jpg

Where is that??




And speaking of multi-purpose grounds, Glasgow Warriors have recently announced they are leaving Firhill for Scotstoun Stadium as of the start of next season, and have plans in place to raise the capacity to 12,000 with temporary stands behind each end.

Also been reported that the Scottish leg of the IRB 7's World Series (currently held at Murrayfield) will be moving there as of this season, with the Commonwealth 7's to follow in 2014, but as yet there has been no announcement on that.

Scotstoun is a cracking wee ground. Played my 5's & 7's football at the sports center beside it while it was being redeveloped.

I'd like to think that the 7's Rugby will stay at Ibrox though. Hopefully there will be a crowd to justify it.

Stadiums with running tracks around them are just awfull !

Council’s economic leader rules out funding new Hearts ground (http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/around-the-capital/council_s_economic_leader_rules_out_funding_new_hearts_ground_1_1942890) - Edinburgh Evening News

The closing date has arrived for bids to buy Aberdeen Football Club's home - Pittodrie Stadium.

The club put the 107-year-old ground on the market earlier this year after securing outline planning permission for 350 homes on the site.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48708000/jpg/_48708149_aberdeen_new_stadium_304.jpg

The club says the sale of the 13.7-acre Pittodrie site is key to securing the £38m needed to build a new stadium, capable of holding about 21,000 fans.

This would be at Loirston Loch on the southern outskirts of the city.

Barr Construction - which has built many stadiums - has been named as the preferred contractor.

It is hoped the stadium - which is planned to be an iconic landmark - could be ready for the 2013/14 season.

In March, Scottish ministers decided against calling in the proposals.

The new stadium project was subject to 140 objections from local communities and groups concerned about the environmental impact.

:cheers:

SPL Statement: Rule Changes

At today’s SPL General Meeting, clubs approved changes to SPL rules on safe standing and Unacceptable Conduct.

The SPL Board will now have the ability to approve requests from clubs to pilot safe standing areas for use in Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches.

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPL, said: “Since I joined the SPL in 2009, there has been widespread support amongst fans to re-introduce safe standing areas. I am delighted that we have been able to respond positively to supporters’ views on improving the match day experience.

http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s2&newsid=10907

Enlightenment!?! Yay!!

http://p.twimg.com/AtBzGroCIAMtb-i.jpg

(Indoor Arena for Glasgow's hosting of the 2014 Commonwealth Games)

(From Here (http://twitter.com/#!/DavidCushnan/status/202788541854523392/photo/1))

According to the blurb over at Glasgow Life (http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sport/our-facilities/Upcoming%20Venues/Commonwealth%20Arena/Pages/default.aspx), this will end up being a multi-use sports facility, with a:-

7,000 seat indoor arena
2,000 seat Velodrome/extreme wheeled sports centre
3 sports halls/1500 capacity event area
Dance Studio
Glasgow Club Gym (55 equipment stations)
4 outdoor 5-a-side pitches
Conditioning Suite
Café
Conference facilities

Spa facilities (including beauty treatment​)