Cathkin Ghosts
Words: Glenn Poulton
Images: Glenn Poulton
On a trip to Glasgow I decided to finally make a venture to Cathkin Park, the abandoned, old football ground that has a serious history.
It is now home to a junior/Sunday league side with a small club house. At first glance you might think it's an ordinary park with people walking their dogs but, looking closer, you see that nature has claimed back the terraces.
It once held around 20,000 people and was home to Third Lanark FC for a significant period, as well as hosting Scottish cup finals and even international fixtures.
©Glenn Poulton. Cathkin Park.
Opened in 1872, by 1884 Scotland had beaten England 1-0 in the first ever all-ticket game, with around 10,000 people in attendance. Celtic’s victory over Rangers in the 1902 British League Cup final saw 12000 at Cathkin Park in a tournament to raise money after the Ibrox Stadium disaster.
Queens Park moved out of Cathkin Park in 1903 with Third Lanark taking over the lease and playing there till 1967. If my memory serves me correctly, one of the volunteers of the Sunday side told me it was the second Hampden Park, of what is now four grounds, all within a stone’s throw of each other.
Number one is now home to Hampden Bowling Club; the second being Cathkin Park, the third is the national stadium and the fourth, Lesser Hampden, home of Queens Park FC.
The leaves fall like ghosts at Cathkin Park.
©Glenn Poulton. Cathkin Park.
©Glenn Poulton. Cathkin Park.
©Glenn Poulton. Cathkin Park.
You can follow Glenn on Twitter and Instagram: @PoultonOwl
