Hearts could leave Tynecastle

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Hearts might eventually have to leave Tynecastle according to new owner Ann Budge.   The stadium has been neglected for some time and is in a state of disrepair.  In particular, the neglected 100 year old main stand is a problem.

The stadium is being patched up, with particular attention to the requirements of safety, but there are limits to what can be done given the prudent financial approach of the new regime.

Top clubs boost Cup attendances

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The average attendance at FA Cup matches from the first round to the quarter finals was 11,818 over the last decade compared to 11,398 between 1994 and 2004.   Does that mean that the ‘magic of the Cup’ has not gone away?   In fact, it seems largely down to top clubs building bigger stadiums.

Bayern pay off stadium debt

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Further evidence of how well run Bayern Munich is as a club comes with the news that they have paid off the debt on their Allianz Arena stadium.   The debt of £346m was taken out in 2005 and was supposed to be paid off over 25 years rather than just nine.

All this has been achieved alongside success on the pitch.   However, as always, a note of caution is needed about the ‘German model’.   It doesn’t always translate easily elsewhere.