Labour MP John Grady has backed a community campaign to protect the site of Scotland's first national football ground and transform it into a heritage and social space for future generations.
The Glasgow East MP is supporting First Hampden CIC, a community-led group seeking to secure the historic Crosshill site in Glasgow's southside and prevent it being lost to commercial redevelopment.
Grady said:
The team at First Hampden are campaigning to save the site of Scotland's first national football ground.
He urged people to support plans for a community-led heritage and social space and directed residents to the First Hampden campaign website.
Birthplace of the modern football stadium
First Hampden opened in 1873 as the home of Queen's Park Football Club and became Scotland's first national football stadium five years later. Historic Environment Scotland describes it as Scotland's first purpose-built football ground and one of the earliest anywhere in the world.
The ground helped establish features that later became standard in football stadiums, including an enclosed pitch, controlled entry, separation between spectators and players, terracing and a dedicated pavilion.
It also hosted early Scotland internationals and Scottish Cup finals, including Scotland's famous 5-1 victory over England in 1882.
Site now faces uncertain future
For more than a century, the site was home to Hampden Bowling Club, but the club closed in 2026.
First Hampden CIC says the closure has left the site's future uncertain. City Property Glasgow, an arm's-length company owned by Glasgow City Council, is planning to market it for commercial use or development.
Campaigners want the land instead brought into community ownership and developed as an accessible local facility celebrating its international sporting significance.
Their proposals include an affordable events venue, recreation space and heritage installations telling the story of the ground and its influence on the development of modern football.
Historic protection already secured
The campaign received an important boost earlier this year when Historic Environment Scotland gave the archaeological remains of the First Hampden pavilion protected status as a scheduled monument.
The designation followed consultation and recognition of the site's national significance to Scotland's sporting history.
However, campaigners say statutory protection of part of the site does not guarantee that the wider area will remain available for community use.
Community ownership campaign
First Hampden CIC has been formed by local residents working with heritage, sporting and community organisations.
Its stated aim is to create a viable, community-led future for the site that safeguards its history while giving people in Glasgow's southside a useful and welcoming space.
The campaign is currently asking individuals to sign a statement of support, organisations to provide backing and supporters to contribute towards feasibility and business-planning work.
Grady urges public support
Grady's intervention adds parliamentary backing to the campaign at a crucial stage.
His message is that First Hampden is not simply an old football ground but a nationally significant part of Scotland's sporting heritage - and that its next chapter should be shaped by the community rather than by commercial value alone.
