Hampden - the Home of Football (Hampden Stadium (Scotland))

Member Name: carcraig

Product:	Hampden Stadium (Scotland)
Date:	14/08/09 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A world class stadium, historic, excellent atmosphere on most occasions

Disadvantages: Some seats a fair distance from pitch, traffic congestion for local residents

Hampden is Scotland's National Stadium and the home ground for Queens Park Football Club, the oldest Scottish football club and currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League. Built in 1903, Hampden is often referred to as the home of football. It is here that the Scotland National Team play their home games.


***Location***

Situated in the South East of Glasgow, in the Mount Florida area, Hampden is easily accessible by all modes of transport.

Both Mount Florida and King's Park Railway Stations are within easy walking distance of the stadium, and there are a number of buses run from the city centre to the vicinity (the No. 75, for example, runs along Aitkenhead Road right by the stadium).

If you are driving and parking by the stadium, full directions can be found at http://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/go/attending-hampden/ location-map. There is limited permit-only parking at the stadium and plenty of parking to be found in the residential areas around the stadium, but be warned - the police and parking authorities are vigilant in impounding or ticketing illegally parked vehicles. Arrive in good time and don't expect to park TOO close to the stadium. (Or give me a wee shout and you can park outside my house - on a first-come-first-served basis!) The Adsa carpark in Toryglen is used by many for parking, and although it is very handy, it is a total bottleneck when trying to leave after the event.

If all else fails, it is perfectly possible to walk from the city centre to Hampden but this will take in the region of an hour.


***In the Vicinity***

The Mount Florida area is a "dry" area in the main - there are not that many licenced premises in which to imbibe pre-event. There are a few pubs; The Clockwork, Florida Park and the Beechwood are handy- but check before hand in case they are operating on a ticket/regulars only basis. However, a stones throw away, on Victoria Road there are a number of other pubs. (As is the case at all grounds in Scotland, no alcohol is sold at the stadium during football matches.)

There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat pre-match; chip shops, restaurants, Asda and official burger vans etc. - I like the wee coffee/sandwich shop on Aitkenhead Road "Wanamoka" or, for something more substantial, the Anarkhali on Victoria Road for a pre-match stomach-lining curry.

On the street corners approaching the stadium you can find the usual vendors selling their scarves, flags and other merchandise/tat.

(Please note that this will only be during MAJOR events at Hampden and not for an average Queen's Park game - they tend to only attract a small crowd for their league games.)


***The Stadium***

With a capacity of just over 52,000, Hampden was redeveloped most recently in the late 1990's to comply with the all-seater regulations.

It is a bowl-shape with a running track around the outside of the pitch, with the result that the seating behind both goals is some distance from the pitch. However, views from all areas of the stadium are good and there are no pillars to obscure your line of vision. Leg room is acceptable for the average person and the plastic seats are as comfortable as can be expected.

All the stands are of equal height giving a symmetrical appearance and the enclosed nature of the stands serves to generate a noisy and exciting atmosphere when there is a full house.

Facilities inside the stadium vary depending on what part of the stadium you are in. The South Stand, where the majority of the hospitality and debenture seating is situated tends to have superior catering and toilet facilities - that said, facilities are perfectly adequate throughout Hampden. There is the usual pie/hotdog/crisps and coke fare on offer at the tea bars at standard stadium prices. If you are fortunate enough to be invited on a hospitality package, the catering is exceptional good, although to be expected for the prices!

Stewards, on the whole, are helpful, unobtrusive and easily identifiable. During Scotland matches there are whole sections of the ground that traditionally stand throughout the match and, whilst this is not encouraged, it is tolerated and it is certainly not a major issue. The sensible approach seems to be adopted in the main.


*** The Atmosphere ***

I've been at Hampden for Scotland International games, for Cup Semi-finals and Finals and for the 2002 Champions League Final (I was behind the goal when Zidane scored *that* goal - if you don't know what I'm talking about there's a slightly grainy YouTube clip here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FljGc-zny1A). I've also been there for various concerts, and I have never been able to fault the atmosphere on any occasion.

Those who remember the old days of attendances of over 100,000 and the legendary Hampden Roar may bemoan the dilution of the atmosphere following the stadiums redevelopment but when there is a full crowd and the Tartan Army are in full voice, it is had to imagine how it can get it any better.....and, regardless of how the team actually fares, I can't help but feel my heart swell with patriotic pride when Flower of Scotland is sung.

Even outside the ground the atmosphere is special - as long as men in kilts and the bagpipes skirling is your kind of thing!


*** Other Information ***

Hampden also houses the Scottish Football Museum and Hall of Fame with a gift shop and café. Stadium tours are available as part of the Hampden Experience. This merits a review of its own so I won't go into detail here; further information available at http://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/go/the-
hampden-experience.

Disabled access - although I have not experienced this personally, I do know that Hampden has full disabled access with special parking available (I believe this requires to be applied for in advance) as would be expected for such a modern facility. There are disabled/pushchair access ramps at the main entrance for visiting the museum etc.


***Summary***

An excellent venue for sports and music events, Hampden has been earmarked as the venue for the athletics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. And best of all it's only a seven minute walk from my house!

Summary: Hampden - a world class football venue for Scotland's National Team