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Home » Media Office » News Archive » January - June 2005 » Old Firm Contribute to Scottish Economy

Old Firm Contribute £118M and 3,056 Jobs to Scottish Economy

 
The Glasgow City Marketing Bureau today (June 29) joined with Celtic and Rangers Football Clubs to reveal the findings of an independent survey which show that the Old Firm Clubs contributed £118 million¹ to the Scottish economy during season 2003/04.
 
The survey also concludes that Celtic and Rangers created 3,056 jobs across Scotland, with 876 people directly employed by the Clubs.
 
The study, conducted by the Fraser of Allander Institute and funded by Glasgow City Council and both clubs, is the most thorough research of the economic impact of football teams on the local economy ever undertaken in the UK. 
 
It was commissioned to understand the full economic impact on Glasgow and Scotland of the Old Firm and in particular to establish the value of tourism expenditure in the city and country as a result of fans attending Old Firm matches.
 
The research revealed that total expenditure by supporters attending Old Firm matches during season 2003/04 was £204 million, of which £192.5 million was spent in Scotland. 
 
More than 75 per cent of total supporter expenditure occurs in Glasgow, with 63 per cent of this spend going to the Clubs and 37 per cent being spent on food and drink, travel and hotels.
 
Old Firm fans living in Glasgow spent £15 million in Scotland as a result of matches compared with £57 million by supporters from the rest of Scotland, and £22 million by fans living outside Scotland.  Fans residing outside Scotland generated 23 per cent of supporter expenditure in Scotland.
 
Councillor Alex Mosson, Chairman of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “This report highlights the significant economic benefit to Glasgow and Scotland of the Old Firm.  The net added value is three times that which was achieved for Scotland as a result of Edinburgh’s Summer Festivals in 2004.”
 
Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive of Celtic FC, said: “We are pleased that the study confirms the positive impact of the Old Firm and demonstrates the huge contribution which both Clubs make to the Scottish economy.”
 
Martin Bain, Rangers Chief Executive added: “The findings of this report demonstrate the huge impact of the Old Firm in Scotland.  Both Clubs are institutions and have a huge influence on society, not just in terms of finance but also in wider terms in the community.”      
 
ENDS                                                                                      June 29,  2005                                   
 
For further information please contact:
 
Nancy McLardie
Head of PR
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0830 or mobile: 07710 349394
 
Carol Patton/Gillian McKelvie                  
Press Office
Rangers Football Club                            
Tel: 0141 580 8606 / 8538 or mobile: 07899 948284
 
Iain Jamieson
Public Relations Department
Celtic Football Club
Tel: 0141 551 4235 or mobile: 07776 143646
 
Notes to Editors:
 
  1. The figure of £118 million is additional income (wages, salaries and profits) generated in Scotland as a result of Old Firm related activity.  This includes the income generated in the two clubs, related tourism income and knock-on effect.
  2. The research project entitled “The Economic Impact of the Old Firm on Glasgow and Scotland”, was conducted over a one-year period during season 2003/04 and includes 19 home Scottish Premier League matches for each club and 8 and 4 European matches respectively for Celtic and Rangers.  Visit http://www.seeglasgow.com/oldfirm to view an Executive Summary of the report.
  3. The Fraser of Allander Institute sent questionnaires to 200 suppliers and 4,000 season ticket holders to find out more about Old Firm supporters’ expenditure and its effects on local economies.  26 per cent of respondents resided in Glasgow, 66 per cent were from the rest of Scotland and 8 per cent lived overseas.  
  4. The increase in income to Scotland as a result of Edinburgh’s Summer Festivals in 2004 was estimated at £38 million and additional employment annualised was 2,900. www.lothianexchange.net for the full report conducted by SQW and TNS Travel & Tourism.        
  5. The new Glasgow City Marketing Bureau was launched on 1st April 2005 to undertake a raft of separate but complementary responsibilities to that of the new VisitScotland - Glasgow network office. Headed by Chief Executive Scott Taylor and funded by Glasgow City Council with contributions from the private sector, the not-for-profit company has 28 staff engaged in national and international activity comprising:
 
  • Conventions, incentives, events, meetings and exhibition sales
  • Conference and event accommodation bookings
  • Development and implementation of the city branding campaign: Glasgow: Scotland with style
  • Public Relations
  • Development and optimisation of the website: www.seeglasgow.com