Mapping Sporting Glasgow

Glasgow has a long and illustrious sporting heritage. In 2010, when Ged O'Brien's Played in Glasgow was first published, he identified 16 sports clubs across the city that were at least 150 years old. That figure has risen since 2010, and several younger clubs will have now reached the centenary mark. Small sports clubs face many challenges and pressures - declining memberships, decaying buildings, poor accessibility and facilities and a general lack of capacity and resources. They also serve as vital community hubs and significant green spaces in our increasingly built-up city environment.

The landscapes of sport and play is not an area of research that has previously received much attention. In the context of a rapidly changing city, how and where do we find places to play, and how has this changed over time? Played in Glasgow mapped many grounds and facilities but unfortunately, the original files have been lost.

Begun over lockdown by West Boathouse volunteer, Tam McCann, this pilot project aimed to recreate the original maps, expand this research and create an interactive, map-based, digital resource to raise awareness of the importance and value of sporting heritage. Tam has mapped over 1000 sites and the project continues to evolve.

Masthead image of an old drawing of the West Boathouse in early stages of being built West Boathouse

Outputs and Goals:

Engage with, and support, local clubs and sporting heritage enthusiasts in conducting research.
Publish research via an interactive, online map resource – ideally with an interface that supports user submissions, allowing them to add images, memories, and other content.
Supply decision-makers in planning and heritage management with new and enhanced content for historic environment records.
Create a multi-purpose resource that can support the needs of researchers e.g. academics, students and journalists, sports heritage enthusiasts, and those with a more casual interest.
Raise awareness of the significance and value of sporting heritage and sportscapes.

Key Tasks:

Develop a methodology for digitisation and survey, adhering to established standards for polygonisation and correct use of monument thesauri terms defined by Historic Environment Scotland.
Systematically map the physical remains, past locations and associations of sport and games across the city over time (historic map regression) including parks, pitches, courts, stadia, factories and manufacturing, placenames etc using a Geographic Information System (GIS)
Research and evaluate how spaces and provision for sport and games have changed and evolved – where are they located, which sports/clubs are occupying spaces, and why they're where they are

We would be interested to hear from anyone who would like to take this project further, as potential funders, participants, contributors or end users.

Please contact Ingrid Shearer (ingrid@gbpt.org) for more information.

A potential methodology for Phase Two of the project would create an accessible, interactive, map-based resource derived from the baseline data. Users can add their own material to the resource, e.g. a family photo of a football game at Cathkin Park in 1967 along with associated memories.