Cappielow
Encyclopedia
Cappielow is a district of Greenock
in Inverclyde
, west central Scotland
. It is home to Scottish First Division
side Greenock Morton F.C.
The name Cappielow, taken alone, usually refers to the Cappielow Park stadium, but it can also refer to a small area of housing or the adjoining industrial estate.
n origin, although details of this are sketchy. It has been home to Greenock Morton F.C.
since 1879. Cappielow hosted a Scotland
v Wales
match in the 1902 British Home Championship
and was used for other events, including public lectures, track cycling and athletics, in its early history. The record attendance of 23,500 was for a league-deciding match against Celtic
in 1922. This match ended in a riot, however, which caused damage to Cappielow and the surrounding area. Floodlights were first used at Cappielow for a league match against Third Lanark
in 1958.
Cappielow presently has a capacity of 11,100, with 5,741 of these being seated. The area behind the western goal is known as the Wee Dublin end, which contains non-backed bench seating. This was converted from the old terracing in 1978, when Morton were promoted to the Premier Division
. It is known as the Wee Dublin end because the Irish immigrant population of Greenock was once housed behind that stand. The main stand, built in 1931, contains plastic bucket seating that replaced the wooden benches that were a fixture of the ground until the late 1990s. The Cowshed lies to the north of the pitch; formerly a fully terraced area for both home and away supporters (complete with segregation fence down the middle), it is now for home supporters only, with much of the frontal terracing removed, and plastic bucket seats occupying its place. Behind the eastern goal is the "Sinclair Street" end, with uncovered terracing.
On 12 December 2008, Morton announced the purchase of a stand from longtime rivals St. Mirren
, who were leaving their Love Street home to move to Greenhill Road
. It will be re-erected at the "Wee Dublin end". It was also announced two of St. Mirren's floodlights had also been purchased, to be put at either end of the Cowshed.
, by the A8 road towards Port Glasgow
and Glasgow
. The uncovered home terrace behind the goals on the turnstile side runs along Sinclair Street. The ground is approximately five minutes walk from Cartsdyke railway station
, which is served by the Inverclyde Line
. The railway line runs immediately behind the Main Stand and passengers have an excellent view of the Cappielow pitch over the stand roof.
(after Boghead
was closed) and Ayr United
(whilst new flood lighting was installed at Somerset Park
) have played home matches at Cappielow.
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
in Inverclyde
Inverclyde
Inverclyde is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Together with the Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire council areas, Inverclyde forms part of the historic county of Renfrewshire - which current exists as a registration county and lieutenancy area - located in the west...
, west central Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is home to Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
The name Cappielow, taken alone, usually refers to the Cappielow Park stadium, but it can also refer to a small area of housing or the adjoining industrial estate.
History
Cappielow's etymology is supposedly of ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n origin, although details of this are sketchy. It has been home to Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
since 1879. Cappielow hosted a Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
v Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
match in the 1902 British Home Championship
1902 British Home Championship
The 1902 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations which was meant to herald the arrival full professional game of football as both England and Scotland fielded fully professional teams for the first time...
and was used for other events, including public lectures, track cycling and athletics, in its early history. The record attendance of 23,500 was for a league-deciding match against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in 1922. This match ended in a riot, however, which caused damage to Cappielow and the surrounding area. Floodlights were first used at Cappielow for a league match against Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
in 1958.
Cappielow presently has a capacity of 11,100, with 5,741 of these being seated. The area behind the western goal is known as the Wee Dublin end, which contains non-backed bench seating. This was converted from the old terracing in 1978, when Morton were promoted to the Premier Division
Scottish Football League Premier Division
The Scottish Football League Premier Division was, from 1975 until 1998, the top division of the Scottish Football League and the entire Scottish football league system...
. It is known as the Wee Dublin end because the Irish immigrant population of Greenock was once housed behind that stand. The main stand, built in 1931, contains plastic bucket seating that replaced the wooden benches that were a fixture of the ground until the late 1990s. The Cowshed lies to the north of the pitch; formerly a fully terraced area for both home and away supporters (complete with segregation fence down the middle), it is now for home supporters only, with much of the frontal terracing removed, and plastic bucket seats occupying its place. Behind the eastern goal is the "Sinclair Street" end, with uncovered terracing.
On 12 December 2008, Morton announced the purchase of a stand from longtime rivals St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
, who were leaving their Love Street home to move to Greenhill Road
St. Mirren Park
St. Mirren Park, more commonly known as Love Street, was a football stadium located on Love Street in Paisley, Scotland. At one time the stadium was capable of accommodating almost 50,000 spectators, however in its final years it had an all-seated capacity of 10,800. Until its closure in 2009, St....
. It will be re-erected at the "Wee Dublin end". It was also announced two of St. Mirren's floodlights had also been purchased, to be put at either end of the Cowshed.
Location
Cappielow Park is across East Hamilton Street from the River ClydeRiver Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
, by the A8 road towards Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow is the second largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16617 persons...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. The uncovered home terrace behind the goals on the turnstile side runs along Sinclair Street. The ground is approximately five minutes walk from Cartsdyke railway station
Cartsdyke railway station
Cartsdyke railway station serves part of the town of Greenock, Scotland. The station is on the Inverclyde Line, west of .The station is situated between Bawhirley Road and McDougall Street and it serves passengers going to and from Gourock and Glasgow....
, which is served by the Inverclyde Line
Inverclyde Line
The Inverclyde Line is a railway line running from Glasgow Central station through Paisley and a series of stations to the south of the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde, terminating at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, where it connects to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services...
. The railway line runs immediately behind the Main Stand and passengers have an excellent view of the Cappielow pitch over the stand roof.
Temporary tenants
In recent years, both ClydebankClydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
(after Boghead
Boghead Park
Boghead Park is a former football ground in the town of Dumbarton, Scotland. It was formerly owned by Dumbarton F.C., who had played there since 1879, making it one of the oldest sporting venues in the United Kingdom. It was used by the club until the end of November 2000, when they moved to their...
was closed) and Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
(whilst new flood lighting was installed at Somerset Park
Somerset Park
Somerset Park is a football stadium located in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland.It has been the home of Ayr United since they were founded in 1910. Prior to that, it was the home ground of Ayr F.C.. It currently has a capacity of 10,185 of which 1,597 is seated, making it one of the largest capacity...
) have played home matches at Cappielow.