World's first international football stadium given protected status

World's first international football stadium given protected status 3 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleGlasgow Football TourRemains of the original football stadium were confirmed at Kingsley Avenue following an archaeological excavation in 2021The site of the original Hampden Park, considered to be the world's first international football stadium, has earned protected status from Historic Environment Scotland.Fears were raised last year that the grounds on Kingsley Avenue in Glasgow's southside could eventually be turned into flats because of the closure of the bowling club which was based on the land.This meant the area could become available for commercial use or redevelopment, to the dismay of campaigners. They argued that the original Hampden - which hosted internationals and Scottish Cup finals from 1873-1883 - should be celebrated.HES has now designated it a scheduled monument in recognition of its place in football history.The aim of a scheduled monument is to preserve significant sites in Scotland as much as possible in the form they have been passed down to people today.More stories from Glasgow & West ScotlandMore stories from ScotlandRemains of the original football stadium - where Scotland famously routed England 5-1 in 1882 - were discovered following an archaeological excavation at the site in 2021.When Queen's Park built the stadium, Scottish teams usually played on converted cricket pitches, such as the West of Scotland ground in Partick where Scotland and England played the world's first international in 1872.The Hampden ground has long been considered the first stadium where many of the aspects now common to a football stadium - such as grandstands, turnstiles and season tickets for entry - originated.Dara Parsons, head of designations at HES, said: "It feels timely to recognise the central role that Scotland played in the development of the sport, and the place of First Hampden within that story. "...