Ashfield (Scotland)

Ashfield FC is a Scottish football club representing the area of the same name in the Possilpark district of north Glasgow. 'The Field' was formed in 1886, with its early history being steeped in success.

Within their first twenty-four years, the club had lifted the Scottish Junior Cup on four occasions. The first win came in 1893-94 Renfrew Victoria were defeated 3-0. The trophy was retained the following season once West Calder Wanderers were beaten after a replay. 

In 1904-05, Victoria were once again seen off before the 1909-10 final saw controversy. Holders Kilwinning Rangers won the game 1-0, but the match was ordered to be replayed after Field had protested. They went on to win the rematch 3-0.

During this period, the club became champions of the Glasgow Junior League on six occasions between 1905-05 and 1920-21. Progression followed to the Scottish Intermediate League, where another league title was collected in 1928-29.

Meanwhile, more honours were challenged for in the Scottish Junior Cup 1913-14 and 1920-21, the club reached the final but lost out to Larkhall Thistle and then Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. Honours were spread out, although a decent period in the early 50s, just before future Celtic Lisbon Lion Steve Chalmers had three years at Saracen Park.

The Central Junior League was won in 1952-53 and again in 1954-55. The C Division title in the same competition was collected in 1968-69. By this point, Ashfield had won the Glasgow Junior Cup on eleven occasions. Division Two of the Central League was won in 1990-91.

Once into the new millennium, Ashfield had an upturn in form after a fire at Saracen Park led to the club losing kits, equipment and club records. The team won the Central League Division Two in 2007, before winning promotion from Division One two seasons later.

Ashfield were crowned West Super League First Division champions under manager Steve Rankin in 2010-11, leading to a place in the Premier Division. The 'Field' were relegated at the end of the 2012-13 season. The club continued under manager Paul Maxwell from July 2018 until becoming members of the SFA West of Scotland League.

Initially, sides were placed in Conferences to determine which level they should play in the following season. Ashfield were placed in the seventh tier Division Two, with Michael Oliver being appointed as manager in June 2022. At this point, the club left Saracen Park, after a series of disputes with the owners, and moved to the Stepford Football Centre in Swinton.

While being a distance from their traditional home, lacking spectator facilities for their meagre support, the artificial pitch was a far superior option playing-wise, as the team won promotion to the First Division in 2022-23. However, after an initial promising campaign, Ashfield were relegated in 2024-25, with Peter Hill arriving as manager towards the end of the season.

Ashfield FC will play in the West of Scotland Second Division in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Saracen Park

Wednesday 27th January 2010

Having done some research on the Scottish Junior FA and looked into some of the clubs, I was determined to visit several during a three-day break in Glasgow, which was to also include getting to a couple of games, calling in at some league clubs and of course the obligatory socialising.

Ashfeld intrigued me as Saracen Park looked to be a decent venue. I found out that it doubled up as a speedway stadium, which was shared by the Glasgow Tigers team. It certainly looked to be one to visit, so after a morning of getting to five grounds and a quick call at Petershill to make it six, I walked for twenty minutes or so past wasteland along Carlisle Street and then into Hawthorn Street to the stadium's entrance.

I wandered in through an open gate past the Ashfield Bar. Two gents were working in the stand, and after a quick explanation and request, they allowed me to take some photos, although they weren't overjoyed by it. 

I was right. Saracen Park was a quirky old ground with lots of character. The Main Stand was an old raised seating deck with a few steps of terracing, which continued on either side. The far end had a cover to keep standing punters dry. Many outbuildings were scattered around the rest of the open arena, no doubt to cater for the speedway. 

There were also a few crush barriers scattered around with an occasional patch of terracing. I went on my way on the ten-minute walk to Ashfield station and eventually back to my digs for a pre-match sleep before heading off to the Celtic against Hibernian clash.