Who will follow Elton?
Elton John
Music fans voted the first-ever concert at Falkirk Stadium a huge success.
Now they want to know which performer will follow in the footsteps of Sir Elton John.
Falkirk FC bosses are delighted that Sunday’s event at the community venue ran so smoothly and pledged this would not be a one off.
Over 13,000 were in the audience with a further 800 working at the event, including club staff and volunteers, stewards and catering staff.
Fans of the music legend came from all over Scotland and further afield – one couple even journeying from Watford where Elton used to be chairman of the football club.
Andy Thomson, Falkirk FC director, said everyone involved was pleased with how months of planning had come to a successful fruition.
He said: “This is a community stadium and yes, we wanted to make money, but more importantly we wanted to give something back to the community.
“Elton John was fantastic – we couldn’t have asked for a better performer for the first venture of this type – and everyone enjoyed themselves. We achieved what we set out to do.”
However, he admitted that finding the next act to appear at the stadium would be a challenge.
He added: “It’s certainly something we want to do again and by holding a concert at the end of May/beginning of June allows us to get in before the big events, such as Rock Ness and T in the Park, and also gives the playing surface time to recover from being covered up to allow the audience on the pitch.”
West Lothian singer Susan Boyle was spotted in the main stand and there were suggestions she may be the next to appear, but Mr Thomson said she was a guest there to see the concert.
However, she was given a name check by Elton and invited backstage to meet him after the concert.
Restaurants, pubs and taxi firms in Falkirk and Grangemouth were all kept busy catering for fans. However, one unlikely beneficiary was Johnsons dry cleaners in Kirk Wynd, Falkirk.
Manageress Liz Donoghue opened specially after being contacted by the club and promoters.
She was asked to do some VIP laundry which included the band’s Dolce and Gabbana shirts and trousers, and a pink shirt Sir Elton wore during the Diamond Jubilee concert.
Liz said: “We don’t normally open on Sundays but when I heard who it was for, decided to do it.”
Her daughter Michelle (31) helped out and received two tickets to attend the concert with her friend courtesy of the promoter.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Falkirk
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
