First Hampden Community Interest Company Joins The Football’s Square Mile Alliance

On 28th February 2026, Hampden Bowling Club will close. Since the news broke that this small pocket of Crosshill was now under threat, local residents have pulled together to develop a plan to protect this heritage site and preserve it for community benefit.

The site is steeped in some of the world’s most important football history, as the site of the 1st Hampden Park. More importantly, these grounds are part of the community’s everyday life. The beds of Kingsley Rose Gardens are cared for by the local residents, providing a space of contemplation and relaxation for all those who venture into this hidden gem. The Bowling Club has been a constant fixture of the community for the last 120 years, protecting this green space, offering gentle sporting recreation, and providing hospitality in the famous Hampden Pavilion.

The Bowling Club chapter is coming to an end, and since the announcement, the community has rallied and formed the First Hampden Community Interest Company, with a vision to ensure that this site remains protected. Their vision is clear: 'We are residents of Glasgow's Southside working to make sure this site of international football history remains a community asset serving generations to come’.

1st Hampden Pavilion draped in Saltire light with 3rd Hampden in the background - Photo courtesy of George McLaughlin

Calum Cameron, Director of First Hampden CIC and FSM Alliance Ambassador, explains, ‘People who live around here know how special this site is — both for its place in football history and as a precious green space. When the news broke about the bowling club, residents didn’t hesitate to step up to start writing the site’s next chapter. We formed the CIC to make sure local people have the leading voice in what happens next, as we work to celebrate the past while serving the needs of the community today. We’re delighted to join the Alliance and look forward to making First Hampden a site we can all be proud of.’

Over the last 10 years, The Hampden Collection and Football’s Square Mile have had one central theme: to protect, preserve and promote the 3 Hampden Parks and all those who played on them, and then, in 2021, widened the project to build the World’s Biggest Open-Air Football Museum. The cornerstone of this mission has been Project No. 1, #Restore1stHampden, launched in 2016 to save the site and create a sustainable community asset.

Kingsley Avenue and Looking across Glasgow City - Photo courtesy of George McLaughlin

Graeme Brown, Football’s Square Mile Director, explains, 'In 2016, the First Hampden Park was the stuff of legend. It's incredible to think that virtually no one knew the story of the 3 Hampden Parks, and that Hampden Bowling Club, which championed itself as being on the site of the first one, was keeping safe one of the world’s most important football heritage sites. We are delighted that the community has come together to form this enthusiastic, community-driven organisation, which will do everything possible to create a sustainable future for this community green space.'

The Football’s Square Mile project is seeking designation for all of the 21 sites within this precious square mile of footballing heritage, and continues to work with Historic Environment Scotland on their review of the First Hampden Site. This designation process for all 21 sites is the essential first step toward seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for the world’s most ambitious football heritage project.

The First Hampden CIC joins the network of 26 fellow Football’s Square Mile Alliance partners, including the Scottish Football Association, Glasgow City Council, Queen’s Park Football Club, Cricket Scotland, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, and Archaeology Scotland, who are all supporting the mission to protect our footballing heritage in the Southside of Glasgow.

This was further cemented by the call from the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), who last year called for the 1st Hampden site to be saved. NTS' intervention explained, 'The site is intrinsic to the development of the game of football as we know it, so making a vital contribution to Scotland’s culture and modern identity. A place of such significance needs to be protected and respected.'

You can find out more about the First Hampden CIC at their new website here, and follow their evolving story here.

We encourage everyone to support their mission - https://firsthampden.org/