The story of Celtic Park and sports pitches as “multi-use games area”proposed | OneFootball

As you may know, Celtic has submitted plans to build a “multi-use games area” next to Celtic Park. Located at the west side of the ground, the pitch would be available for local youngsters to use free of charge…

Celtic Park, Photo Matthew Marr

The proposed new games area has gone to Glasgow City Council for planning permission. The sports pitch will be run by the Celtic Foundation. Access will be free for local children. You can get full details HERE.

This will continue a tradition in the area surrounding Celtic Park. Over the years, there’s been numerous pitches close to the Bhoys’ home venue.

Celtic FC 1888. Team photo via The Celtic Wiki

The most obvious is the first Celtic Park, which was open from 1888-1892. Even after Celtic moved, it continued to be used for football for a period after this. Following this, it has at various times been flats, an Irn Bru factory and is once again homes.

The proposed new pitch will be located at the west side of Celtic Park. Another venue that was near to this was the Nelson athletic ground (also sometimes known as the Olympic stadium). This was used for different races (running, cycling and greyhounds) from the early-1900s to the 1930s.

Glasgow International Arena. Photo social media

In the modern day, a very obvious sports site is the Glasgow International Arena. This is better known as the Emirates Arena although the sponsorship deal for this recently came to an end. It was built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and hosts athletics and other sports, as well as having a cycling velodrome.

Close to the Glasgow International Arena was the Queen’s Recreation Ground. In the 1800s, this venue (found at Nuneaton Street) hosted different sports such as running, horse racing and cycling. It was sometimes used for football too.

Heading east, Springfield Park was a short walk from Celtic Park. This was the home venue for Strathclyde FC and was used until the 1960s.

The new Barrowlfield. Image Celtic FC

It was also close to Celtic’s Barrowfield training venue, which has recently been upgraded and is now used for training by the youth teams and sometimes women’s team too.

Just over a mile south from Celtic Park is arguably the most interesting site. Barrowfield Park was once home to Clyde FC. In May 1889, this was where Celtic won the North Eastern Cup, their first competition victory.

For more on grounds across Parkhead and Glasgow, you can read the book ‘Played in Glasgow’ by Ged O’Brien, or visit the Parkhead History website HERE.

The new sports pitches will be a welcome contribution by Celtic to the east end community. And, who knows? Maybe building this new pitch will give Celtic ideas for finally upgrading Celtic Park too!

Matthew Marr

PS – There’s no recent update on the museum, hotel and new superstore that the club proclaimed was happening a few years ago, but since then it’s been a case of All Quiet on the Eastern Front…

Proposed Celtic Park hotel and museum

Matthew Marr

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