The reason for the trip north is because Greenfield Park is rumoured to be on the danger list. There is talk of the club moving to a brand new state of the art facility not far away, with Greenfield Park being redeveloped for housing.
Speaking to someone at the ground they were circumspect in when this is likely to happen or indeed if these rumours are actually true. Regardless, there were to be no chances taken and it was a wise move to get here sooner rather than later. There was concern on the journey up about the weather with heavy thundery showers forecast, the electronic warning signs on the M74 motorway doing nothing to ease the worries, but upon arrival in Glasgow the ground was bathed in sunshine and the pitch was actually being watered!
Greenfield Park is what I would say is a typical old Scottish ground that simply oozes character, despite only being two sided. There is covered terracing that has been converted to seating behind one goal and a enclosure one side of the pitch. There was at one stage two enclosures but one was demolished in anticipation of rotating the pitch, which never happened.
The other two sides, one which runs alongside the railway line, are unused and overgrown. There were previously steps of terracing on both sides but this, I was told, disappeared years ago.
Greenfield Park has been home since 1933 when Shettleston Juniors moved there from their previous ground, Well Park. The club was formed in 1903 and had been known as Shettleston Juniors until a rebranding in early 2021. The name Glasgow United was chosen to appeal to the wider community and, hopefully, bring in new sponsorship and commercial benefits. Some fans are not convinced and are disappointed that a famous name, the club where the likes of Tommy Docherty and Bobby Russell began their careers, has disappeared from the Scottish football scene.
Renfrew were the visitors this afternoon and it was a feisty affair. There were plenty of robust challenges amongst the fitba and there was much to enjoy, especially in the second half.
Josh McCulloch gave Glasgow the lead after five minutes and the home side held on to the advantage until half time. They lost 'keeper Ewan Roche to injury midway through the half and, with no replacement on the bench, left back Craig Thomsen went between the sticks.
Thomsen was beaten five minutes into the second half when Jamie Benton equalised for Renfrew. Conor Woodhouse restored home advantage after 56 minutes with a neat turn and finish before Ciaran Diver scored a second equaliser for Renfrew, his shot going in off the foot of the post.
The game was end to end but neither team could find a winner. Renfrew certainly created enough chances to win the game but Glasgow definitely merited the draw. There was a bit of handbags at the final whistle as tensions boiled over but it was the usual pushing and shoving before things calmed down.
Another great afternoon in Scotland and, if you haven't been already, then I definitely recommend a visit to Greenfield Park but don't leave it too long, just in case...
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