Thirds are on the ball with plans to rebuild stadium
Talks held as club bids to create ground for football and also cricket
REBORN Third Lanark AFC are planning to rebuild their historic stadium and use the ground for both football and cricket.
The club, which has returned from the ashes after going bust in 1967, have confirmed it is in talks with Glasgow City Council to restore the dilapidated stadium at Cathkin Park.
Third Lanark currently play in Glasgow’s amateur league structure, ground-sharing at Vale of Clyde’s Fullarton Park in Tollcross, but have ambitious plans for returning to the Scottish professional circuit.
Constructive discussions have taken place this month between club officials and the local authority.
Club chairman Ian Alexander said: “We met representatives of the council to reintroduce Third Lanark AFC to them and demonstrate our enthusiasm to return to Cathkin Park in the near future.
“We are also committed to re-establishing Third Lanark as a community-based football and sporting club.
“The meeting was constructive and positive and we outlined the aspiration and plans for a return to include initial rejuvenation of the pitch and to make provision for other sporting activities to include cricket and involve Govanhill residents and the wider community.
“The club may have ‘died’ in 1967, but it has been resuscitated big time with a massive following and support from across the world. Thirds are a worldwide ‘brand’ and we can tap into this financially and emotionally.
“I told them if we introduced cricket, this would be the first time this has been achieved in the UK.
“The council was keenly interested and positive in what we had to say and they have confirmed further meetings will follow and they have asked for further information.
“It is all very positive and we feel things are moving in the right direction. We have already planned a series of events in the coming months, but we are looking at the bigger picture.”
A council spokesman confirmed the talks had taken place and the delegation’s ideas had provoked plenty of positive discussion.
The plan to integrate football and cricket has been welcomed by Imam Sohaib Hussain, at the Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre in Crosshill, Glasgow.
He wrote to Thirds officials, stating: “Your aspiration to return to Cathkin Park would be most welcome. We could team up with you and continue to enhance our own commitment and involvement with all nationalities in Govanhill to improve their lifestyle and health.
“With your assistance, we could use Cathkin Park for physical activity and play cricket and practise there. Your coaches can help our youngsters with good physical training.
“You know about our great community work based at Dixon Avenue and how we weed 200-plus people every week from the food bank, and the students who attend squash classes as well as badminton every week.”
“Playing outdoor sport and physical exercise on a proper surface will be good for them.”
Third Lanark enjoyed significant success throughout their 95-year history and finished third in the Scottish League in 1961, just six years before folding.
Known as the “Hi Hi”, they attracted many supporters who felt disinclined to follow the Old Firm.
Mr Alexander added: “Govanhill is just a short step across from Cathcart Road and is the most racially mixed part of Scotland with an estimated 42 nationalities in one square mile, bounded by Victoria Road and Cathcart Road.
“Thirds are also planning a major Jamboree in August.
“The plans include a mini World Cup to embrace as many nationalities as possible and play a tournament at Cathkin Park.”