I watch a lot of YouTube videos in bed at night in an attempt to lull myself to sleep. I have mixed results with this tactic. It sometimes works if I am in the mood to listen to some soft rock, but most of the time I opt for punk rock bands of the 70’s or Britpop anthems from the 90’s.These tracks only serve to energise me, but last night I found myself having to make the conscious decision to turn off my tv in the wee small hours of the morning. I had been watching the vlogs of Footy Adventures, which I would heartily recommend to those of you who are interested in football stadiums and architecture.

I stopped watching one video where our knowledgeable guide was visiting all 42 football league grounds in Scotland. I did not want to switch this off, but if anyone needs their beauty sleep then it is me.

These vlogs reminded me of a series of articles that I was sharing with my blog readers, back in 2015/16.

Between 2002-2008 I was Scottish Correspondent for the wonderfully professional Groundtastic – The Football Grounds Magazine. I can not speak highly enough of the editors and contributors to this glossy magazine that is jam-packed with interesting information and photographic gold.

I haven’t been a subscriber to the magazine since my marriage imploded in 2008 and I was forced to leave Scotland. Since then my dexterity has deteriorated to such an extent that I now find it impossible to simply thumb through a magazine.

Imagine my excitement then when I visited the Groundtastic website to discover that they now have a digital edition available   I’ll definitely be subscribing.

Anyway, over the next few months I will be sharing a number of articles that I penned during my time North of the Border, including my regular Scots Scene news round-up of potential football ground developments and improvements. The following is from Spring 2007 and it will be evident to ground enthusiasts and football fans just how much has changed from the era in which it was written…

To view the previous Scots Scene articles that I wrote in Winter 2002, Spring 2003, Summer 2003, Autumn 2003, Winter 2003, Spring 2004, Summer 2004 , Autumn 2004, Winter 2004, Spring 2005, Summer 2005, Autumn 2005, Winter 2005, Spring 2006, Summer 2006, Autumn 2006 and Winter 2006, click here.

Enjoy a short step back in time.

***

HEARTS took a step closer to redesigning their Tynecastle home when they were given permission to purchase land adjacent to the stadium. Once the £6m sale has been agreed, Hearts can then press ahead with plans to expand their main stand. The Edinburgh club want to construct a new 12,000-seater stand and take the stadium capacity up to 26,000. If the plans get the go-ahead, Hearts are likely to have to switch games to Murrayfield while the work is done. Tynecastle’s location in the Gorgie district, with businesses and educational establishments in close proximity, has proved a troublesome obstacle to overcome. However, the Executive of City of Edinburgh Council decided that they would, with provisos, help Hearts achieve their ambitions. A club spokesperson told Hearts World: “Heart of Midlothian welcomes the outcome of today’s meeting by the Executive Committee of City of Edinburgh Council. The sale of the former Adult Training Centre and – subject to further consultation on proposals for a permanent location – of the nursery school, is a major step forward for the proposed redevelopment of Tynecastle Stadium. This provides future opportunities for Hearts to create a top European stadium. The combined effect of today’s meeting is that Hearts will be able to finalise a planning application that will, in the first instance, comprise a proposed new main stand development of approximately 12,000 seats bringing total stadium capacity to 26,000. In total Hearts will, subject to approval of its imminent planning application, invest over £6m in land purchase simply to allow it the potential to redevelop Tynecastle into a top class European stadium. Further details of stadium redevelopment plans and related investment information will only be issued after submission of a planning application to City of Edinburgh Council.”

GRETNA and QUEEN OF THE SOUTH have denied reports that they have discussed ground sharing at Palmerston Park. A national newspaper claimed the clubs were studying the move if the Raydale Park team won promotion to the SPL. Gretna have planning permission to build at their ground but it will not be completed by the league deadline. Palmerston is not up to SPL standards either, but the report suggested a temporary stand at Raydale could be moved there to take it to 6,000 seats. Gretna issued a statement denying that discussions had taken place. “Gretna FC can confirm that the club has held no official talks on a ground sharing option, other than holding preliminary talks with Motherwell FC,” it said. “If Gretna were to achieve promotion this season, SPL rules state that any ground share option must have 6,000 seats in place by 31 March. That would obviously rule out any possibility of a ground share option with the club’s near neighbours at Queen of the South or any other club that at present does not have 6,000 seats. Queen of the South chairman David Rae also said the proposal was a “non-starter”. “There have been no discussions between Queen of the South FC and Gretna FC regarding ground sharing at Palmerston Park,” he said on the club website.

AYR UNITED are poised to sell their Somerset Park stadium and replace it with an £18m, 7,650-seat replacement in the town’s Heathfield district. The Second Division club have secured a 20-acre site in the north of Ayr and concluded a conditional contract to sell their ground to Barratt Homes. Phase one of the new stadium would provide 3,650 seats in a main stand. It would also include 29,000 square feet of commercial office accommodation for lease, plus car parking. Later phases will include a “state-of-the-art” indoor training and multi-sports facility, accompanied by a 1000-capacity covered terracing, a 3,000-capacity second stand and a further 55,000 square feet of office accommodation for lease. In addition there will be up to 700 car parking spaces. Ayr say there will be “a major boost to the local economy during construction phases at Heathfield and at Somerset Park”. The new site at Heathfield is located to the south east of the King George V playing fields close to the new Bridgend Autoplex and on the opposite side of Lochside Road from the former RHM Bakery site.

A man who described himself as “a lifelong Airdrie fan” has become the first person in Scotland to be banned from every football ground in the UK. Izak Cowie, 38, a member of Airdrie’s Section B hooligans, was banned at Airdrie Sheriff Court from football stadiums until 11 November, 2009. The order is the first of its kind since banning orders were introduced in Scotland.  Cowie, of Craigneuk, said: “At least when the order is up in three years, Airdrie United will be in the SPL.”  The writ cited a variety of football disorders Cowie was alleged to have taken part in since October 2001. These included being on the pitch at Somerset Park, Ayr, in May 2002. He was captured on CCTV at a match between Airdrie United and Dundee at New Broomfield, in February 2006, making Nazi salutes. The ban means he is not allowed within 170 metres of New Broomfield, Airdrie, three hours before or three hours after a day when a match is taking place. He is banned from being within one kilometre of all other grounds in the UK when games are taking place. He must surrender his passport whenever Scottish teams are travelling abroad in Europe or the Scottish international side are playing abroad. A breach of the order can carry a maximum fine of £5,000 or six months in prison. Outside the court, Cowie said: “I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself on Saturday’s now – maybe go to the bookies or just listen to the radio or watch the football on TV.” Chief Supt Kenny Scott, who has led operations to combat football hooliganism, said: “This shows even those not arrested for hooligan activity at football matches are not beyond the scope of this new legislation.  We hope that the order sends a clear warning to those intending causing trouble that negative behaviour will not be tolerated at football grounds within Scotland.” Football banning orders were introduced in Scotland on 1 September 2006 but have been enforced in England and Wales since 2000.

All senior clubs in the SPL and SFL are in the process of being assessed for a club licence. To help achieve this, clubs can apply for a grant from the Scottish Football Partnership. This body has replaced the Football Trust in Scotland and is making funding available to help clubs raise their standards and help to invest in better facilities. Its role is to aid Scottish football in grant funding worthwhile projects. The SFA has written to all member clubs to make them aware of the funding possibilities, which could be worth up to £10,000 per club. Jim Clydesdale, Chairman of the Scottish Football Partnership, explained that the while the SFP is the successor to the Football Trust in Scotland, it has nothing like the same amount of money available. He said: “The SFP will have a limited budget for all of Scottish football. Our income is derived entirely from the Scottish FA’s contributions. There is no financial input from government or sportscotland, but we can still make a worthwhile impact. We have a responsibility for all of football, and in addition to these grants to SFA member clubs, we have already taken steps to aid grassroots football within Scotland with other initiatives. These have helped, for example, the purchase of minibuses, create dressing rooms and portable mini-pitches.” David Findlay, SFA Head of Football Administration, added: “Some clubs have found it hard to finance improvements to floodlighting or other essential facilities. In addition, the development of the next generation of players and coaches requires funding. We are delighted that the Scottish Football Partnership is able to help our members in this way, and hope that clubs will take advantage of this opportunity.”