For myself the sad day was when Hampden changed to an all seater stadium and a huge main stand was built in the 90’s. Due to personal circumstances I couldn’t attend as many QP games during the renovation and have always been disappointed in any visits I’ve made to the National Stadium in the BT Stand.
Having to sit away from the action with stewards watching your every movement and being offered food and refreshments at exorbitant prices whilst the Club blamed the lease holders, it seemed that it was never “our” ground. How away supporters felt sitting even further away from the action, whilst sharing the same concourse at half time, I shudder to think.
There is so much angst among some people online with the SFA but losing Hampden lies firmly at QPFC’s door in my opinion with the decision to build a new main stand that Queen’s weren’t going to live in being bizarre to say the least.
I remember hearing a Club President talking up the new stand and waxing lyrical about the dressing rooms, the medical facilities, the warm up areas, the access for team buses straight into a tunnel at the ground and the many hospitality lounges that were available. It seemed the ground was only upgraded so that Queen’s could get a huge pat on the back and hundreds of gold stars from UEFA rather than try and improve all things QPFC.
At no time was the needs of the humble Queen's supporter ever taken into consideration and the Club preferred to live in ramshackle portacabins rather than use one of the many offices in the new stand. The only upside of the portacabins was an excellent social club which was far better than anything before or since.
When I started supporting Queen’s the Club used to lease the ground to the SFA not the other way around.
Anyway, I started going to see Queen’s in 1974 and I was in awe when I walked up the stairs into the North Enclosure. I’d been at a couple of Scotland games in the North Stand before that but this was different. You could hear the players, you had plenty of space to yourself (!) and you felt part of the game even though there was a small crowd.
I went to the home games myself but later that year I went to my first away game on the Supporters Bus and met Keith and, like he has done for so many people, he transformed my life. I was invited to stand with his gang under the North Stand above the stairs into the Enclosure as he took me under his wing at home and away games.
Eventually we moved down to the front of the Enclosure and the camaraderie and laughs meant that even the worst of games would leave you with happy memories. Disappointing performances were dissected in the Social Club in the Main Stand, which was a glorified tea bar, but livened up by nights with Higgy, Ian the Alky and the much missed Vicar.
There was something about the old Hampden that made you want to be there and I was lucky enough to be on the pitch many a time, including some half time QPSA Penalty Kick competitions, and we sneaked on a few times with a ball for an impromptu kick about.
After a Scotland v England Home International we took some Meadowbank supporters onto the pitch a couple of hours after the game was finished and they were blown away by being there, and I’m sure there were tears in their eyes. We were more concerned with getting back to the Club for more drink!
The new ground doesn’t hold as many memories for me apart from a 4-0 win over Clyde (I also saw one of them in the 70’s) and standing in the Director’s Box with the Kelly family for a minute’s applause for the wonderful Martin.
As Queen’s have taken the decision to go full time professional, having been professional on the park for 20 odd years since loan players were allowed, the move to Lesser can only be a positive one once the upgrade is eventually completed. A smaller ground will generate a better atmosphere and push the Club forward and at least the new Lesser will look like a Queen’s Park ground and be something for supporters to be proud of.
Looking back on my Hampden memories I think of the iconic floodlight pylons (my Dad used to change the bulbs when they went out), the Press Box which gave a unique view of the pitch and the playing surface which the late John Docherty tenderly cared for.
I also think of Hugh McGill putting himself about up front and scoring leaping headers; Bobby Cameron saving penalties and Gerry Colgan scoring them; Jimmy Rooney “Walks on Water” scoring a Boxing Day hat trick against Celtic; a 7-0 midweek win against Alloa when every shot at goal found the bottom corner; Jim Gillespie being magnificent; John McGregor taking on players in his own area, just because he could; Jimmy Gilmour scoring the winner against Hearts as their fans threw rocks at us in the Enclosure; Ross Caven knocking Dumbarton out the Cup and celebrating by running to an empty Mount Florida End; Mick Hendry doing a forward roll to the fans after he scored; Gerry McCoy scoring the goal which won the 2nd Division Championship in 1981; and Bobby Dickson following in the footsteps of so many greats of the game as he climbed the wooden stairs to collect the Championship Trophy.
Great days, great memories and hopefully plenty more to come at the new home of QPFC.
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