Rangers set to host revamped fan zone at Ibrox ahead of first home game

[pete 2,499]

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/...d_fan_zone_at_Ibrox_ahead_of_first_home_game/

Rangers are set to host a revamped fan zone experience at the Ibrox Football Centre at the first home game of the season.

Supporters will be able to enjoy drinks, activities and a legends Q&A before and after the St Mirren match on August 11.

The event, which is being seen as a precursor to the club’s long-term matchday experience plan, will see 2,000 fans flood into the football centre on Edmiston Drive.

Last season the club held similar fan zones in the Edmiston House car park.

But licensing agent, Stephen McGowan, acting on behalf of the club, said: “Rangers want to create a better matchday experience for the fans. A decision has been taken to proceed with a one-off event.

“There will be food and beverages with a bar and entertainment, including sports activities for kids, inflatables and beat the goalie. There will also be other kiosks relating to Club 1872.

“At 12pm the bar will open and the activities will continue. There will be a legends question and answer session at 2pm.”

The fan zone will close while the match is ongoing, with fans then able to go back into the football centre once the final whistle goes until 6pm.

Mr McGowan added: “The driver here is a wider aspiration from the football club to demonstrate that they can operate a fun facility which is safe and in which families can come and enjoy themselves. The club wants this to be a civilised experience.

“The next steps for us is to look at other similar events we might be able to hold.

“This is dipping our toes in. Thereafter there’s a long-term vision. But that’s some months away at least.”

Rangers were granted the licence to sell alcohol and operate between 12pm and 6pm on August 11.

The club has also lodged an application for a temporary public entertainment licence which is due to be heard before the start of the season.

It’s all in preparation for Steven Gerrard’s first home league game as manager.

A spokeswoman for the Gers said: “Rangers are delighted to announce that for the first home game of the coming season a new fan zone will be created at the Ibrox Football Centre directly opposite the iconic Bill Struth Main Stand entrance.

“This area will be significantly larger than the current test site and will create a new family-friendly environment where supporters can gather before and after the game to participate in a variety of activities, meet ex-Rangers players, listen to live music and enjoy a range of food and drinks, including alcohol, from local suppliers.

“The fan zone will open from 11am and will be free to enter.

“It will be carefully managed by stewards to ensure a safe and secure environment for supporters and their families to enjoy the pre-match entertainment.”

1.  

[MacK1950 2,231]

Continual forward movement and thinking an excellent idea.

[Barebear 37]

Inflatables? Will we be seeing Sammy the Snake??? ?

 

[Bill 13,717]

Saw this on Twitter - anyone know what’s going on?

[Gonzo79 13,637]

I'm sure I read Dornan was up to his usual tricks.  He wants the parking restrictions implemented too.

 

I agree with Peter Kelman 100%.  We know exactly what the SNP are - Scottish Sinn Fein.

[pete 2,499]

Rangers fan zone CANCELLED after objections from community council

By Eddie Harbinson Local Democracy Reporter

Rangers fan zone CANCELLED after objections from community council

 

 

RANGERS have been told they will not be allowed to host a fan zone at the Ibrox Football Centre next month.

49 comments

 

The club announced last month that it would allow 2,000 fans into the Glasgow Life-owned pitch before and after the team’s first home game against St Mirren on August 11.

And Gers chiefs had secured a licence to sell alcohol during the event.

But those plans have been thrown into disarray after community council bosses raised objections against the fan zone over fears it will stop kids playing at the football centre.

 

Govan councillor Stephen Dornan said: “The Community Council took a vote and they decided to retain their opposition to the fan zone.

“The number of people who would be admitted entry at the St Mirren game would be 2,500 but I’ve been told by Rangers’ managing director, Stewart Robertson, that they’d want more than 7,000 eventually.

“Rangers want to hold four pilot events to help them see what they need to do to make it a success.

“The fact is that they’ll want every match eventually to have a fan zone there.

 

“My concern is that these matches are controlled by the likes of Sky Sports. If you look at the football schedules the pitch would never be available for kids football ever again.

 

“Rangers should be investing in youth football in the area. They shouldn’t be trying to replace it with burgers and booze.

“I can’t sit back and watch a kids’ football pitch being taken away like that.”

Rangers had planned to hold a legends Q&A as well as kids activities during the event – as they did in the Edmiston House car park last season.

But Mr Dornan insisted that allowing club and TV bosses to dictate when the pitch is used would be wrong.

 

He added: “The idea of replacing a kids’ football pitch with a fan zone really beggars belief.

“The impact stretches further than just kids football. The fact that they’ll be selling alcohol could affect pubs and other businesses in the area could suffer. There would need to be some sort of business impact assessment.”

In a statement, Glasgow Life confirmed that the fan zone won’t go ahead unless matters with the community are resolved.

A spokeswoman said: “Following a licensing objection from Ibrox and Cessnock Community Council, Glasgow Life has communicated to all involved parties that no Rangers family fan zones will take place in our Ibrox Football Complex while the objection is still in place.

 

“This remains our current position.

“Should the objection be withdrawn we would, of course, reconsider any proposals to utilise the facility as a family fan zone.”

The revelation comes just over a month after Rangers announced they would be holding the event.

At that time a spokeswoman said: “Rangers are delighted to announce that for the first home game of the coming season (Rangers v St Mirren on Saturday August 11th) a new Fan Zone will be created at the Ibrox Football Centre directly opposite the iconic Bill Struth Main Stand entrance.

“This area will be significantly larger than the current (test) site and will create a new family-friendly environment where supporters can gather before and after the game to participate in a variety of activities, meet ex-Rangers players, listen to live music and enjoy a range of food & drink (including alcohol) from local suppliers.”

[Gonzo79 13,637]

Dornan.  Knew it.  

 

Glaswegians don't half vote for some questionable characters.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Never be a kids game again?

Lying scum.

Hope he loses his seat.

[cooponthewing 1,139]

2 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

Dornan.  Knew it.  

 

Glaswegians don't half vote for some questionable characters.

Gonzo the amount of middle class bears that do would frighten you. Ok, it’s a bit of a generalisation but not without substance. We have collaborators within who vote for these people.

 

How often do we highlight this? I had actually just told my neice about this and she was looking forward to it. It’s a family area and had it been at the piggery it would have been promoted by this poisonous bitter republican. His narrative is Burgers and Booze? What the actual f@&k? It’s a fan zone family area around the stadium.

 

Your quite right Gonzo and it needs said time and time again until we vote them out.

Edited July 28, 2018 by cooponthewing

[Gonzo79 13,637]

It's a form of treachery, in my view.  

 

Dornan is what he is.  All we can do is repeatedly point out his hypocrisy and double standards and hope Scots who vote for him and his pals develop some sense.