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Scottish fans in favour of move away from Hampden Park, survey finds

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07:  A general view during the Scotland training session at Hampden Park on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Mark Run
Image: Only 15 per cent of fans polled said they favoured Hampden as the national stadium

The case for retaining Hampden as the home of Scottish football has been dealt a blow after a survey found just 15 per cent of fans were happy to stay put.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is weighing up whether to quit the national stadium when its lease expires in 2020 and have assured supporters that their views will be considered before a final decision is made.

It will cost "many, many millions of pounds" to maintain the historic venue on Glasgow's south side over the span of a new 20-year lease according to SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.

Now a poll of fans has suggested many believe that cash could be better spent elsewhere.

Scotland fans during the Euro 2000 play-off first leg match against England at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.
Image: The current stadium has been the home of the Scotland national team since 1903

The Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) carried out a survey of just under 3,000 of its members and found only a sixth wanted to see major internationals and cup finals staged at Hampden.

SFA bosses have already held talks with their rugby counterparts about staging showpiece fixtures at Murrayfield and that prospect was backed by 34 per cent of the poll's respondents.

Meanwhile, another 25 per cent called for major matches to be taken on the road around the country, a policy previously adopted by the English FA.

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Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the Men's 4x100m Relay at Hampden Park, during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Image: Usain Bolt in familiar pose at Hampden during the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Just over half of the supporters rate the overall experience of Hampden - which is owned by League Two side Queen's Park - as 'bad or very bad'.

Now SFSA chairman Simon Barrow has called on Regan to consult fans before making a final decision on Hampden's fate.

He said: "The results of the research is concerning.

The Scottish Rugby Union own Murrayfield in Edinburgh
Image: Twice as many fans questioned preferred Murrayfield over Hampden

"Clearly the status quo is not working, and with such widespread views on the question of the national stadium we believe that a full independent consultation should be conducted before any future decisions are made about Hampden Park.

"It is too big an issue for the SFA to consider alone. It is also clear that fans themselves must be involved as key stakeholders in this decision.

"Given the issues that have been highlighted by the research we would also be in favour of further work being done to explore the options to update and improve the current stadium."

An SFA spokesperson told Sky Sports News that any final decision on the national stadium would only be taken after widespread consultation with all interested parties.

02/10/17  HAMPDEN PARK - GLASGOW 
 Scotland's Callum McGregor (centre), John McGinn (R) and Matt Phillips (L)
Image: Callum McGregor and John McGinn training at Hampden in October

The said: "The SFA has entered into a period of consultation with key stakeholders on the tenancy agreement with Queen's Park which expires in 2020.

"All of this feedback will be considered alongside proposals received from other interested parties so that the SFA board can consider all options for the possible hosting of international and Scottish Cup matches after the lease expires.

"Only when the board is presented with the full documentation will they be in a position to evaluate all options available and make a recommendation."

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