Old Logie Green: The History of a Forgotten Football Ground
In the landscape of early 20th-century Scottish football, few venues tell a story of transition and utility quite like Old Logie Green. Originally known as Powderhall, and later as the Heriot Cricket and Football Ground, this site served as a vital hub for several clubs navigating the challenges of the era, including the disruptions caused by the First World War.
Geographically, the ground was situated in a bustling sporting district, located southeast of the Powderhall Grounds (which later became New Powderhall) and northeast of New Logie Green.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Leith Athletic Era
Leith Athletic first arrived at the ground in 1904, moving from Chancelot Park. Their tenure began with a successful league debut on August 27, 1904, where they secured a 3–1 victory over Hamilton Academical. The infrastructure of the ground was modest but functional, featuring a covered stand on the eastern side and embankments surrounding the rest of the pitch to accommodate spectators.
The venue also served as a neutral site for critical matches. On May 11, 1907, it hosted a Division Two play-off between Raith Rovers and East Stirlingshire to determine the tenth and eleventh positions in the league, with Raith Rovers emerging victorious with a 3–2 win.
Attendance Records and War-Time Suspension
The ground saw its peak popularity in January 1910. On January 22, a probable record attendance of 15,000 people gathered to watch a Scottish Cup first-round match against Clyde, though the visitors won 1–0. In contrast, the highest league attendance during this period was 5,000 for a scoreless draw against Raith Rovers on February 5, 1910.
The momentum of the Scottish Football League (SFL) was halted by World War I. Leith Athletic played their final SFL game at the ground before the suspension on February 20, 1915, defeating Albion Rovers 3–0. Following the war, Leith did not immediately return to the SFL, instead playing matches at Wardie Park and Chancelot Park.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]St Bernard's and the Post-War Transition
As Division Two football resumed for the 1921–22 season, St Bernard's moved into Old Logie Green. Their move was born of necessity; their own Royal Gymnasium Ground had been commandeered by the Army as a heavy transport depot, which destroyed the pitch and drainage system. St Bernard's played their first match there on August 27, 1921, a 0–0 draw against Arbroath attended by 800 fans.
St Bernard's remained at the ground until April 12, 1924, when they suffered a 2–1 defeat to Broxburn United. Because their lease had expired, the club spent a brief period playing at Tynecastle before returning to the Royal Gymnasium Ground in November 1924 once it had been fully rebuilt.
The Final Years and Legacy
Leith Athletic returned to Old Logie Green for the start of the 1924–25 season after being readmitted to the SFL. Their return match on August 23, 1924, resulted in a 2–1 win over Clackmannan. However, this second stint was short-lived. By 1926, the club moved to the adjacent New Powderhall.
The final league match at Old Logie Green took place on April 17, 1926, where Leith defeated Johnstone 4–1 in front of 1,500 spectators. After the closure of the football ground, the site was repurposed as kennels for the New Powderhall greyhound racing track, and eventually, a supermarket was constructed on the land.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Original Names: Powderhall and Heriot Cricket and Football Ground.
- Record Attendance: Approximately 15,000 for a Scottish Cup match against Clyde in 1910.
- Primary Tenants: Leith Athletic and St Bernard's.
- Final Match: April 17, 1926 (Leith Athletic 4–1 Johnstone).
- Current Status: The site was later used for greyhound racing kennels and eventually a supermarket.
| Year | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1904 | Leith Athletic Arrival | First league game won 3–1 vs Hamilton Academical |
| 1907 | Neutral Play-off | Raith Rovers beat East Stirlingshire 3–2 |
| 1910 | Attendance Peak | 15,000 spectators for Scottish Cup match vs Clyde |
| 1915 | WWI Suspension | Final pre-war SFL game: 3–0 win vs Albion Rovers |
| 1921 | St Bernard's Arrival | Moved in after Royal Gymnasium Ground was damaged |
| 1924 | Leith Athletic Return | Returned to ground after SFL readmission |
| 1926 | Closure | Final match played; club moved to New Powderhall |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Old Logie Green originally called?
The ground was originally known as Powderhall and was later renamed the Heriot Cricket and Football Ground before becoming Old Logie Green.
Why did St Bernard's move to Old Logie Green in 1921?
St Bernard's moved there because their Royal Gymnasium Ground had been used as a heavy transport depot by the Army during World War I, which destroyed the drainage system and the pitch.
What was the highest attendance ever recorded at the ground?
The probable record attendance was 15,000 people, which occurred on January 22, 1910, during a Scottish Cup first-round match against Clyde.
When did Leith Athletic finally leave Old Logie Green?
Leith Athletic played their final league match at the ground on April 17, 1926, before moving to the adjacent New Powderhall.
What happened to the site after football ceased?
The site was first used as kennels for the greyhound racing track at New Powderhall, and later, a supermarket was built on the location.