(Image: National Trust for Scotland)
The site of the original Hampden Park, regarded as the birthplace of international football, for Scotland, has been put on the market by City Property Glasgow.
The former Hampden Bowling Club in Queen's Park sits on land of major significance to Scottish football history, with strong links to the origins of the national game and Scotland's first international team.
It is now being advertised as an "exciting leisure opportunity" by the property management firm, an arm's-length body of Glasgow City Council.
(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
Fitba150 Celebrating 150 years of International Football at Hampden Park, Glasgow. (Image: Andrew Laing)
The listing is seeking a tenant to take up the site comprised of a small clubhouse building, with bar area, kitchen and toilet facilities, alongside small outbuildings and a former bowling green.
The advertisement comes after a widespread campaign joined by hundreds of local residents to keep the facility off the market.
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A meeting was organised to bring residents together and join the cause. (Image: First Hampden)
First Hampden has previously registered their interest in taking over the site with the vision that it can be preserved and retained as a historical asset.
However, their first bid to take the site into community ownership was refused.
Despite this campaigners say the fight isn't over and they are continuing to explore avenues to save the site.
(Image: Football's Square Mile)
A First Hampden spokesperson said: "City Property Glasgow has advertised the former Hampden Bowling Club site to let — the site of Scotland's first national ground and the world's first purpose-built international football stadium.
"Some recent coverage has suggested the site has been "saved". It hasn't. Our bid to take it into community ownership was refused. The site is now on the open market, and what happens next depends on who bids, and on what terms.
"No closing date has been set and a decision could be taken at any point — and so we're working now to put forward a proposal so there’s a community-led option on the table."
We previously reported how, Calum Cameron, a local campaigner, says he had "no idea" he was living next to a significant piece of the country's footballing history, when he first moved into Queen's Park.
It was only when a team of diggers were out one day looking for the foundation of the pitch, did Calum then dive into its history and discover the rose gardens were actually the site of the original Hampden Park.
The archaeological remains of the First Hampden pavilion in Kingsley Rose Gardens were designated as a national monument by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) in May this year.
A spokesperson for City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP (CPGI), previously said: “This property is part of the commercial investment portfolio owned by CPGI and, prior to being vacated, was leased to a tenant and generated a rental income.
"A bowling club operated the facility subject to membership, which unfortunately dwindled over the years, so this property has never been open to the public. Therefore, to be clear this property cannot be considered in the same manner as publicly owned assets. CPGI relies on rental income from the commercial portfolio to pay the current debt we have with our funder.
"As part of this funding agreement CPGI is obliged to obtain commercially reasonable terms for the sale and lease of our assets. 10 Kingsley Avenue is considered an asset with potential to generate commercial income for CPGI and as such the market should be tested. This is supported by expressions of interest we have already received, some of which are for continued leisure use.
"The subjects are currently on the market for lease and there is no intention to sell for redevelopment. Organisations or groups with an interest in the subjects are encouraged to consider submitting an offer so that their proposals can be evaluated alongside all options.
"We would stress that the outcome of any marketing may not necessarily be commercial and that the wider interest in this asset can certainly be reflected in the assessment of any bids received which will be informed by a robust evaluation process.
"Offers will be assessed on their individual merits including but not limited to community benefits, heritage consideration, deliverability and financial value.”