Hampden Park (Queen's Park v Albion Rovers)

Last night I took a train to Mount Florida to see Queen's Park take on Albion Rovers. Although I had been to Hampden many times before I had never visited it to see a home game of the Spiders. Queen's Park, founded in 1867, are the oldest football club in Scotland and are the only amateur team in the Scottish Football League. The National Stadium is their home ground but they usually fill only about one per cent of the stadium's capacity.

This was supposed to be my second game of three in five days, the first one being the Manchester derby last Saturday. Unfortunately however, AZ were unable to fly from the Netherlands to Scotland to take on Celtic at Celtic Park due to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland so game number three was postponed to a later date, which has not yet been decided.

Both Queen's and the Wee Rovers are looking for a play-off spot and last night's 1-0 win means things are starting to look good for the amateurs. The game started off in spectacular fashion when Queen's goalie Mark McGeown fouled Marc McCusker after only four minutes but he managed to save Paul McLeod's spot-kick. After this frantic start both teams showed they were scared to lose this important game and this nervy affair had 0-0 written all over it. However Paul Douglas's 86th minute goals ensured the three point stayed in Glasgow.

Not the pre-match buzz I experienced on my previous visits to the National Stadium.

Pay at the gate but no queues at the turnstiles.

The only video screen in the Third Division.

The empty stands make for a somewhat bizarre atmosphere.

Mark McGeown saved Paul McLeod's penalty.

The loud contingent of Albion Rovers supporters can be seen in the background.

Celebrations after Barry Douglas scored a late goal and sent the Wee Rovers back to Coatbridge empty-handed.

Tuesday 20th April 2010
Scottish Football League Third Division
Queen's Park 1 Albion Rovers 0
Goal: Douglas 86.
Att: 522

Cliftonhill Stadium (Albion Rovers v Celtic XI)

Today I visited my second new ground of the new season, Cliftonhill Stadium in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, home of Scottish Third Division side Albion Rovers. Today they were playing a Celtic reserve team, led by Neil Lennon for the first time, for the (apparently annual) Jock Stein Friendship Trophy. The Wee Rovers had never won this pre-season cup and today was not their day either even though they came close this time. There was a no crowd segregation and the Celtic fans, who were in the majority, created an excellent atmosphere.

From Glasgow Queen Street it is only a 20-minute train journey to Coatdyke station and from there it is a 10-minute walk to Cliftonhill. The ground can be accessed from Main Street only which I did not know at first so I starting looking for the entrance when I noticed a couple of guys walking up a hill in Albion Street from which it turned out you have an excellent view of the pitch. Obviously I did not mind paying the £5 to get in but there were some good photo opportunities.

The first half was quite entertaining but the second half was a right bore and there were no goals so a penalty shoot-out was required to decide who would win the 2009 Jock Stein Cup. After 16 penalties Celtic won 5-4, meaning that for seven players the pressure was already too much which does not bode well for the new season I suppose, considering the irrelevance of this match.

The Main Stand seen from outside the ground. It is possible to watch the action on the pitch without having to pay admission.

These are the only turnstiles in use nowadays.

The club shop remained closed and has remained closed now for a while by the looks of it.

The covered terrace opposite the Main Stand does not seem to be in use anymore.

No stands behind either of the goals. Some freeloaders can be seen in the background.

Also here some non-paying supporters.

The Jock Stein Friendship Cup

The Main Stand seen from outside the ground after the match.

The Albion Street Terrace seen from outside the ground. It is starting to get overgrown and I cannot imagine this terrace in use again any time soon.

Another picture of the Main Stand, this time taken from behind the roofed terrace. The Celtic players can be seen celebrating winning what surely is not the most important trophy of the season.

Monday 20th July 2009
Jock Stein Friendship Cup
Albion Rovers 0 Celtic 0
Celtic win on penalties 5-4
Att: about 1,000