HAMPDEN is worth tens of millions of pounds to the Glasgow economy and the city would suffer if the SFA decide to move and ditch the national stadium, the games bosses have been warned.

The historic case for keeping the old stadium as the home of Scottish football is based on tradition and emotion with many fans most cherished football memories rooted in the venue.

Yesterday the Evening Times gave its backing to saving the Hampden roar, warning off the Edinburgh based Scottish Rugby Union, who want to poach the SFA from the city, that Glasgow and Hampden is the home of Scottish Football

However the cold, rational economic case that Glasgow should fight for the stadium to retain its status is equally strong and just as important.

Should the SFA move to Murrayfield, in Edinburgh one option being considered, Glasgow would lose out on hosting top European and international matches.

Glasgow Life economic impact assessments show that the 2007 Uefa cup Final, the last major European final in the city was worth more than £15m as fans of Seville and Espanyol took over Glasgow for several days.

Tens of thousands of Spanish fans turned the city centre into fiesta of football in George Square and the city centre.

Hotels, bars, restaurants and shops got a multi million pound boost from the second major final in five years in the city after Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen had contested the Champions league final in 2002.

The 2012 Olympic football matches held at Hampden are estimated to have brought in almost £7m.

Hampden is pencilled in as a host for the 2020 European Championships and the stadium is due to hold four matches.

These matches are expected to produce a higher return that then the Uefa Cup Final.

No projections have been completed but Cardiff, which is hoping to also be included, has estimated a boost of £110m if they are selected to also host four matches in the earlier stages of the competition.

Businesses, especially in the hospitality, licensed and retail trade are big beneficiaries of the National Stadium being in the city.

The city gets the benefit of fans travelling from all over the country and beyond to Glasgow for several Scotland international matches a year.

Scottish Cup and League Cup finals and semi-finals also see fans of clubs making a day or weekend of the match, boosting hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said he would be surprised if the SFA would be willing to “subordinate themselves” to the Scottish Rugby Union and see football playing second fiddle to rugby at Murrayfield.

He said losing Hampden could damage the city’s reputation and international status and have a knock on effect on other sports as well as football.

He said: “Hampden adds to the city overall keeping Glasgow as a top ten sporting city. That makes it easier to attract other events to other venues.

If that status is diluted it could have a negative impact.

Mr Patrick said the Chamber was keen to see the economic evaluation being prepared by Glasgow Life on Hampden.

He added: “We are aware of the importance of football clubs in the city in bringing people in from outside on a regular basis.

“The internationals will have a similar impact on the city’s hotel, leisure and retail industries.”

Mr Patrick said the existence of Hampden as the home of Scottish football has a substantial impact on jobs in the city and also a knock on effect on the airport and transport network.

As well as football, Hampden is capable of hosting major outdoor concerts and in recent years has sold out gigs by world famous acts including Take That, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Beyonce and Coldplay.

Without the stability of being the home of Scottish football the stadium would cease to be viable and unable to host the other events.

Alan Hutchison, Queen’s Park President, said in a blog: “Which other facility in Scotland can host football, athletics, concerts, and national and international conventions, while at the same time boasting the Scottish Football Museum and the Sports Medicine Clinic?”

These events also bring income to the SFA, which would be lost if it was to do a deal to use another stadium.

Queen’s Park FC, which owns Hampden and leases it to the SFA said it a statement earlier this month the decision cannot be made purely on the basis of cost to the SFA.

The Club stated: “The City of Glasgow and indeed Scotland could be greatly affected by the loss of the iconic Hampden Park, recognised worldwide as the home of Scottish Football.”

The club said Hampden is the only stadium with the level of facilities to host top level matches in Scotland.