Ben Reilly

The Hampden Campus The impression I got from the meeting was that we are keeping our options open for where exactly within that campus we can play.

Well said. After a number of members raised concerns about this at this weeks meeting, and being told that it would be reviewed, it was quite disheartening to receive the circular email the next morning promoting the current prices.

The ideal option would have been along the lines of a stand that ran the length of the west side of the pitch, with hospitality seating built over the changing rooms that could be accessed directly from the pavilion, the 40ish "elite" seats still in their current position in front if the new suite, and then the rest filled with seating for ordinary supporters. However, it seems that the money only went so far, and what we have, from the affordable options available, is the one which will supposedly bring in the most revenue going forward. It's far from perfect, but having had the rational explained, along with some of the bigger picture stuff regarding the use of Lesser and where we'll play our home games in the coming years, I understand why those decisions were made.

Nothing that we didnt know already. Just that there were various things that held it up (material shortages, changes to design, retrospective planning consent etc) and that construction costs went up considerably, meaning that we can't afford to build any more permanent stands for now, as the majority of the money we received upfront from the SFA for the sale of Hampden has been spent on Lesser already. There was a bit of explanation on the reasoning for the hospitality stand. Mainly that, for various reasons, it has potential to bring in more income than we would make from having a stand for 800ish fans at our home games. Personaly speaking, while so much about the Lesser redevelopment has been very frustrating, having had the bigger picture laid out last night, I am a bit more understanding of, and content with, why things have turned out the way they have. However, none of the above justifies the kiosk prices!

There was a specific question asked about whether we'd have access to the centre section of the south stand (the comfy seats) as we didn't have that for the two games in December. The answer to that was that it's still all under discussion. Like you, I'd expect however that we'll be in the west side of the South stand and away fans in the east.

We were told last night that negotiations were still ongoing with the SFA regarding the specifics of where fans will be seated, stewarding, access to hospitality spaces etc

It was on show at a members meeting this evening. It was said that it was ready to be revealed online after the meeting, so I assume that will mean tomorrow morning. And I agree, it's a very disappointing effort from our much hyped new partnership with Adidas. Looks like it's just one of their standard templates in Black and White (with red '3 stripes') At least the training gear looks good.

There's a free carpark right outside Lesser, which is a continuation if the even bigger free carpark outside Hampden. Both will be available on Monday night and there will be plenty of space. Enjoy the game.

True, but with only one league game at Lesser, even in the unlikley event that we do sell every seat in there, once we move to Hampden there will be loads of room and a season ticket is still worth buying as it's cheaper than 17 individual games.

I hadn't spotted that. I wonder if it was added later or I just didn't see it when I read it the first time. Either way, it would certainly explain things.

I noticed the tweet, Facebook post and website article announcing that Brown and Eze had been released have all disappeared from the various platforms. While looking for them I then noticed that the posts, videos and articles with Veldmans 'first QPTV interview' and his first meeting with the press have also all been removed. I'm sure there's a perfectly sensible explanation for all this, but it seems a bit strange.

We are sharing the catering staff with the Burnside Hotel (owned by Haughey and where the first team meet, eat and travel from for away games) although I noticed we are also advertising for more hospitality staff. We don't seem to be using the same kiosk staff as Hampden, but if we're hiring for hospitality staff, then it's likley we'll use them when we play there. The same staff working at the kiosk at the stadium on Saturday were then behind the bar in the social club afterwards I dont know who's supplying the pies etc. but it could be the same supplier as Hampden. I was quite surprised by the prices, and had hoped that when we returned to Lesser we would be more reasonably priced, but it could well be that we're matching the Hampden prices so they're the same all season?

I'm sure I read/heard an interview with Coyle at something where he mentioned that he'd been in communication with people at QP as far back as the switch to turning pro. Not necessarily in terms of joining us, but taking an interest in the progress and possibly offering some advice etc.(?) I can't remember the source so I may be misremembering the details. While i'm sure Beuker signed off on Coyles' appointment, I'm not convinced Coyle would have been top of his contact list. I wouldn't be surprised if the initial suggestion may have come from Haughey, as I believe they know each other well. Veldman however is 100% a Beuker appointment.

Yes, you are correct. I suppose it takes a while to develop players into saleable assets, but I fully expect it will happen in the coming years. That's why we seem to be only signing players in there early 20's, so we can get a few years out if them and sell them on when they're in their prime (and most valuable). There was apparently some interest in Savoury towards the end of last season, so it would have been interesting to have seen whether we'd have received some offers over the summer if he hadn't been injured in the playoffs. In fairness we did receive a fee for Murray (first player we ever RECEIVED a transfer fee for), though he doesn't quite fit the youth development model (perhaps that's why we cashed in when we did?). Liam Brown (first player we ever PAID a transfer fee for) has slso moved to EK while under contract. EK have announced it, but we haven't yet. I have no idea if a fee was involved.

I forked out for one in the ground at half time. I wasn't impressed. Best Chippy or Arturo's Deli from now on?

I spoke to someone yesterday who said he's recently moved out his flat and is back in Nigeria. Doesn't look like we'll be seeing him again. It's a shame it didn't work out, as this time last year we were all getting quite excited about his rumoured signing, and he seemed like a really likeable guy on the couple of occasions I spoke to him. Hopefully he finds a club where he can be the cult hero he almost became here.

Especially when Greggs is genuinely about 100 yards away from the kiosk.

I see the club have posted photos from the first week if training on Facebook. Longridge is included, so I'm guessing that means he's signed up for the coming season. No sign of Fox unfortunately. Also no Eze, even though he's under contract for next year.

That is quite possible, the post i saw didnt mention whether it was the genuine kit or a mock up. I notice that the badge isn't in a shield like it is in the training gear we've seen pictured, so that could indicate its a photoshop job. However, I also saw someone point out that the red with the chevron design is very similair to what you can see in the image at the top of the article on the website announcing the partnership with adidas.

Saw this on Twitter. I'm assuming it's our new away kit.

When do the players start back for pre season training? I thought it might have been this week, or perhaps next week at the latest. I wonder who will be leading that? Possibly the Sports Science guys?

Sorry to hear this, but also a bit surprised. I've always found the folk in the office very helpful and easy to deal with. I went in on Friday afternoon and there were 2 people dealing with the renewals (1 male & 1 female). There were a number of people in the queue in front of me, each with their own requests/queries, and every one was dealt with quickly with every effort made to meet people's requirements to sit beside friends, get an aisle seat etc. Hopefully your friends experience was just an unfortunately timed one off, and he gets his ticket sorted soon.

I thought it was interesting that the club officially announced that Coyle had left, then a few days later announced Coyle jnr had left, but there has been no mention of Sandy Stewart. I'm assuming he's also left, and will go with Coyle to his next post. He has been removed from the staff section of the website last time I looked. However given he hasn't been mentioned or thanked by the club, is it possible that he'll still be around next season? Wouldnt be the worst option to have as an experienced Scottish coach and would keep some continuity from last season.

Ah, sorry, i'd misunderstood your previous post. That makes a bit more sense, but I still think it's probably unlikely as the SFA have been making a faifmr biymt if noise about Hampden being the home for the women's national team. Of course they could quite easily change their mind and tour the country.

Can't see that happening. The women's games at Hampden have been getting attendances of around 3,000 up to 10,000. Even when finished Lesser won't hold any where near that many.