THE famous Hampden roar could be silenced forever if Scotland’s football bosses decide to leave the National Stadium.

If international matches are moved to Murrayfield, one of the alternatives being investigated, Glasgow would lose out on the multi-million pound economic boost big matches bring.

The other proposals being considered are using Celtic Park or Ibrox for major matches and taking some internationals round the country to stadiums in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and elsewhere, also depriving the city of cash.

Leaving would almost certainly mean the loss of what is nothing short of an iconic stadium in world football with Queens Park unlikely to be able to maintain the stadium without SFA income.

Hampden has hosted some of the most famous matches of all time including legendary European Cup Finals, memorable Scotland v England matches as well as domestic finals providing lifelong memories for generations of fans of many clubs.

It was also the main venue for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 when it was transformed into an athletics arena.

Politicians in the south of the city have backed the retention of the national stadium.

James Dornan, Cathcart SNP MSP, grew up in the shadow of the old stadium when it regularly hosted crowds of 100,000 for big matches.

He said as a football fan losing Hampden would be to destroy more than a century of history and as an MSP it would be a huge blow to the southside of the city.

Mr Dornan: “I was brought up round the corner from Hampden and now represent the area as Cathcart MSP.

“Most of my earliest football memories are from Hampden. Football is about history and tradition and that is what Hampden means to Scottish Football.”

Mr Dornan said his first match was as an eight year old at a Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Dunfermline.

He also remembers great matches like Celtic V Leeds United in the European Cup in 1970 and famous Scotland World Cup Qualifiers in the 1970s.

On a practical level Mr Dornan said the southside as well as the city could suffer if Hampden was no longer the national Stadium.

He said: “I spoke to a shopkeeper last week before the League Cup Final.

“He told me having the big matches was fantastic as it can be the difference between a bad week or month and a good one.

“The local impact on the economy would be huge if we lost Hampden.”

The SFA’s current leasing arrangement runs out in 2020 but it has an option of another 20 years if it wants to renew the lease.

Stewart Regan, SFA Chief Executive however, has said it would cost millions of pounds to stay.

He said officials were analysing the costs and benefits of four options of staying at Hampden, switching to use either Murrayfield, Celtic Park or Ibrox and pay the Scottish Rugby Union, Celtic or Rangers for the use of their stadium.

He says a decision will be taken within the next few months.

If the SFA was to say at Hampden it says it would need funding from public and private bodies to finance it.

Glasgow City Council has been asked to work with the SFA to ensure Hampden is retained as he home of Scottish football.

Archie Graham, Labour councillor for Langside, will present a motion next month calling on the council to work with the Scottish Government to keep Hampden.

Mr Graham said there is more at stake than the finances of the SFA and urged the games bosses to consider the impact on the city and on the image of Scottish football.

He said “The SFA cannot simply look at the cost to them for retaining Hampden as their stadium; there is a much bigger issue at stake here.

“There would be significant damage to Glasgow’s economy and to the viability of other clubs in the local area. It is certainly not in our city’s interest for the SFA to move from their historic home.”

He appealed to their sense of tradition and history of Scotland as a footballing nation.

He added: “Scotland has always had a national stadium. Hampden Park is recognised the world over. To move from Hampden would be a blow to the City, and to Scotland.”

Council leader Susan Aitken said the council has provided financial backing to support events being staged at Hampden.

Ms Aitken, also a Langside councillor, said: “We are committed to Glasgow remaining the home of Scottish football for a host of social, economic and cultural reasons. In recent years our commitment to Hampden has seen infrastructure improvements for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and further investment in advance of the 2020 European Championships, where it will be a showcase venue.”

She said the decision was a matter for Hampden Park Ltd, the Scottish Football Association and Queens Park FC.

She added “However, we are awaiting the outcome of an economic impact study by our partners in Glasgow Life around the various scenarios facing Hampden and this will help shape our views.”

Ms Aitken said a meeting will take place with the SFA early next year once that report is concluded.