Barclays Hampden move courts controversy in more ways than one

Not even SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell, who has said he is “excited” to have Barclays on board, is going to refer to Barclays Hampden in everyday conversation, I’d suggest. Only the heroic Hampden Tannoy announcer might have to alter his schtick slightly: “Here come Scotland - let’s hear the Barclays Hampden Roar!” Or maybe not.

So, given the minimum disruption involved, it does seem a bit of a no-brainer to take the money and invest it in the grassroots game in Scotland, which we are assured is going to happen. Scottish football could benefit to the tune of over £10 million in the final analysis. That’s not to be sniffed at in a period when the SFA are duty bound to surf the good vibes of World Cup qualification.

I mean, would this deal even have gone through had Scotland lost or drawn to Denmark and their World Cup place remained very much in doubt? Perhaps not.

What else is Hampden doing other than just sitting there in Mount Florida priding itself in being the national stadium?

That is, though, one of the problems. The ground’s historical significance does mean it feels like something has died a little with this news. It’s the spiritual home of Scottish football not a bleeding hole in the wall. The new branding is already up: “Our pitch. Our pride. Our home.” Well, one of them at least. Just don’t get it confused with the Barclays Center in New York, home to NBA side the Brooklyn Nets. That venue is also part of the bank’s partnership portfolio.

But did you know that Wembley is officially called Wembley Stadium connected by EE? No? Well, there you go. It is.

Some controversy to this move

Someone posted a picture on X on Monday of Diego Maradona playing at Hampden in 1979. It was of course scene of his first international goal on that June afternoon when, only 18-years-old, he led the Scots a merry dance. Everything about the photograph was perfect. The young, photogenic Maradona in the stylish Argentina top with a bank of packed terracing behind him. No quiz master is going to refuse to accept Hampden as an answer to the pub quiz question: Where did football legend Diego Maradona score the first of his 34 international goals? Or maybe some will. ‘I am sorry, I think you’ll find that due to the wish of an English-based bank to increase their sponsorship partnership portfolio, and the desire of the SFA to hitch up their skirt for anyone that asks, it’s now known as Barclays Hampden….’

There is controversy attached to the rebranding over and above the charge of desecrating such a famous name as Hampden, the stadium holding all of Europe’s attendance records. Barclays stands accused by some of helping fund war in Gaza due to its links to the Israel government, for whom the bank acts as a primary dealer for its bonds.

The FAQ section of the Barclays main website does not include the usual answers relating to products and customer service. Instead, it features questions such as: Why are protestors damaging Barclays branches? In its role as a dealer of sovereign debt the bank stresses it does not provide direct funding to Israel.

It's never straightforward. The SFA will be cognisant of the potential for disruption. Attaching any name to Hampden is a risk. As long as they don’t remove the images of Gordon Strachan and Kenny Dalglish adorning the towers on either side of the front entrance. Now that really would be sacrilege.