Queens Park - Lesser Hampden

20^th March 1999

Queens Park 2-1 Cowdenbeath

Look at an aerial view (or Google Earth view) of Hampden Park and you may see a small relatively undeveloped football ground just to the west of the main stadium.  

This is Lesser Hampden.  Just after the Great War Clincart Farm lay on the site, and in 1923 the land was purchased by Queens Park with a view to developing a ground for the club’s youth and reserve sides to play on.  Rather wonderfully, the club chose to retain the old farm buildings and convert them into a pavilion and dressing rooms; facilities which stand to this day.

On two occasions – once during the 1970s and again during the 1990s, Lesser Hampden was used by Queens Park to play Scottish League matches whilst development of it’s big brother was being undertaken.  And it was during the latter period I visited whilst the Spiders were hosting Craig Levein’s Cowdenbeath.

In a fairly one-sided affair Kevin FINLAYSON and Jim BROWN had the hosts two up within the hour.  It took until 10 minutes from the end for Cowdenbeath to start to wake up and, although Ally HAMILTON pulled one back with four minutes remaining, they never looked like pinching an undeserved point.    

This shed served as the club shop whilst at Lesser Hampden.

The original Clincart Farm buildings, converted to pavilion and dressing rooms.

Quite the prettiest steward I saw during my travels,
even with the look of unutterable boredom on her face.



Lesser Hampden, Glasgow.