FOOTBALL in Scotland is drying up.

Quite literally.

As attendances throughout the country plummet, inquests into how our national game is in such a sorry state start to rise.

The lack of alcohol at grounds is just one of many problems. For decades the Scottish football supporter has been treated with contempt and a lack of trust not afforded to other sporting fans around the nation.

That fact has never been better highlighted than in the last couple of years as many turn their backs on the game they grew up with to try something new.

For clubs in west central Scotland, they don't need to look far to see how it should be done.

At the weekend Glasgow Warriors played in front of a sell-out crowd of over 6000 while St Mirren struggled to mobilise half that amount for their crunch tie with Motherwell.

A banner of "Heavy hands, empty stands" could also be seen in the half-filled away end in Paisley after a drum was reportedly refused entry into the ground. Heaven forbid.

Rugby is just one outlet offering, in the opinion of an increasing number, a better alternative.

Ice hockey club Braehead Clan have become a phenomenon in Scottish sport since their inception in 2010. First playing in front of a couple of hundred people at Braehead Arena, the EIHL side now regularly pack out the 3,600 capacity stadium, something they are expected to do this very weekend when Belfast Giants come to town.

"The difference between football and ice hockey is that right now we are selling it as an entertainment package. Football is still very much seen as a day out for the guys," said Gareth Chalmers, Clan's hockey director.

"Don't get me wrong, it has changed in the last decade or so where it is a bit more family-orientated, but I think it still has that side.

"I don't see us competing with football, though. Our competitors are the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing. Even the cinema to an extent.

"It's a niche market. In Scotland, you go to the football, it's not the best standard and it's overpriced for what it is.

"Football needs to be made into more of a package., it's a day out not an afternoon out."

While Chalmers is reluctant to compare ice hockey and football, one thing that he believes is transferable is the policy on alcohol in Scotland.

As things stand, only those sipping away in corporate boxes and hospitality suites can enjoy a drink at a match in the SPFL as Joe Bloggs has to settle for a piping-hot Bovril to stave off hypothermia.

At Braehead, and Warriors to that extent, you can buy alcohol at the bar in whatever volume you like and take it back to your seat during the match.

It's a factor which isn't lost on the Braehead director.

"It's 100 per cent a problem for football up here going forward that you can't drink at games," he said.

"There may have been issues in the past but it's a trust issue. The football authorities just need to get past it. For the state of football it needs to be brought back.

"Lots of people like to have a drink when they go out and it must cripple clubs financially that they can't get bums on seats. Being able to offer alcohol would help that.

"I think that's why people like to come here. It's entertaining, you can have a drink and watch the game, and it's the right environment. Even when we lose the majority people have had a good time."

While Chalmers is of the mind change is needed in Scottish football, his opinion on the haste of its radicalisation is also just as clear.

He said: "From my perspective, it looks like football is dying on its feet in Scotland.

"It's not going anywhere and it's a shame. They do need to do something. What it is , I don't know. They may have to think more outside the box to try and get it right.

"Football is a traditional sport, and that in many ways is its problem. It's in winter, at 3pm on a Saturday, more men go than women etc.

"It's difficult, but it's time to try new things."