Amateur chiefs at loggerheads over Livingston switch

National amateur football's end-of-season showpiece match will be played at Livingston's Braidwood Motor Company Stadium - leaving Hampden Park for only the second time in the competition's 98-year history.

Lothians officials of the game are lauding the decision to move the final of the Scottish Saturday Amateur Cup to a West Lothian venue that has attracted bumper crowds to regional and national finals in recent years.

Those at the head of the Scottish Amateur FA, meanwhile, say Hampden chiefs could have done more to maintain a near-century-long tradition and expressed sympathy to its 35,000 registered players who have been denied the prospect of future cup finals at the National Stadium due to pop concerts and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The President of SAFA, Graham Harkness, said: "From our perspective and for those who participate in the Scottish amateur game, not to have it at Hampden is disappointing, but we're delighted that Livingston FC has stepped in. The association in the past has always had Hampden, but unfortunately this year they could not accommodate us. They have said to us that last year's final may be the last (at Hampden] for some time, because of pop events and the Commonwealth Games."

The chief of the amateur body was offered use of Hampden on a Monday or Wednesday evening - dates he says are wholly unsuitable for a final that can attract an attendance of between 1000-2000 - and feels the Scottish FA has lent the same disdain to the country's amateur game as it did in past years to the national youth association.

Harkness said: "The youth association hasn't had finals at Hampden for a while now. Like them, we've been shunted aside, which is sad from an amateur perspective. They did give us dates, but a Monday or Wednesday night does not suit us for a cup final. I would have been looking for a bit more support from the Scottish FA."

Meanwhile, the head of the Lothians' biggest amateur football association, Charles Gallacher, says hosting the final is a great opportunity for the area. Gallacher, President of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur FA, is delighted that the area will now stage the national Saturday final alongside its Sunday equivalent and the game's biggest regional event.

He said: "From the point of view of LEAFA members and myself, it's a massive feather in our cap. The (hosting of the] East of Scotland final is a given for the area but to have both national trophies being played at Livingston indicates the standing of the area and our support for the (Saturday Cup] final. It's a huge opportunity for LEAFA to show its support for Scotland's amateur game by attending the event.

"This is a direct result of the good attendances we attract for the East of Scotland and national Sunday trophy, where we get 2000 or more people. The local area comes out in force to support amateur football.

As Chairman of the East of Scotland amateur set-up, Gallacher intends to make the most of the region's day in the limelight of football at this level.

"My objective is to turn the day of the final into more of a family occasion, with additional side events to attract more families. Within LEAFA, we have a well-supported team of enthusiastic volunteers within the association and member clubs, who take secondary responsibility for the wellbeing and success of the association and fellow members." The final of the Scottish Saturday Amateur Cup has been held at Hampden - bar one season at Kilmarnock's Rugby Park during the redevelopment of the National Stadium - since 1913.