Inside abandoned stadium that hosted England before falling into disrepair

AN ICONIC stadium lies abandoned after falling into disrepair despite previously hosting England matches.

Cathkin Park was once a mega 50,000-capacity stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

9

9

9

9

The stadium was opened 140 years ago in 1884 and was originally known as Hampden Park.

It was located in Mount Florida, on the south side of the Scottish city.

It was the second stadium to be given the name as it succeeded the original Hampden Park.

It was the home to two different football clubs in its history, the first being Queen’s Park FC between 1884 and 1903.

It was then the host ground to Third Lanark A.C, who moved in and played there until 1967.

The stadium was also the venue for multiple England matches against Scotland.

This included two Home Championship clashes in 1888 and 1890.

However, when Third Lanark went bust in 1967, the ground fell into disrepair.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

The last ever match to be played at Cathkin was the Glasgow Challenge Cup final between junior sides Cambuslang Rangers and Rutherglen Glencairn.

The pavilion was eventually demolished, and an open space has remained.

9

9

9

9

The stadium’s old stands can still be seen around the pitch.

The empty space was taken over by the Jimmy Johnstone Academy in 2022.

Earlier this year a legal battle was won against the Glasgow City Council for a fence being built around the pitch in December 2023.

The football academy constructed a three-metre fence after it was granted planning permission by the council.

It was built in an attempt to ensure the safety of children who trained with the academy and was needed after vandalism.

The historic venue is also on the route of Glasgow Football Walking Tours, which take in all three ‘Hampden’ sites.

9