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The Story of Stepps

Sports & Recreations
Football

The principal ground locally for association football was the "MOSS", situated about 150 yards to the south-east of the old railway station. In winter the ground was often water-logged and very heavy, but on warmer days it became hard and very springy, giving the ball a tremendous "bounce". Teams playing there during the 1920s and 1930s included Stepps United and later Stepps Amateurs. There was also Cardowan St Joseph, better known as "The Joes", which was formed in 1921. Their strip was similar to Celtic's, with green and white hoops. For a dressing room they used the old woodwork room adjoining St Joseph's School. The team was registered in the Juvenile section of the league. In 1923 they won the Chapman Cup, the Smyllum Cup and the Jackson Cup, and in 1923-24 reached the Scottish Juvenile Cup Final. This achievement was marked by a special function in the Public Hall, when the famous Patsy Gallagher presented the runners-up medals. Their success resulted in six of the team joining the Junior ranks, however, leaving the team short of good players. It eventually faded from the scene.

During the 1930s a grass park was laid out in the field opposite Edward Place. It was often referred to as the "glass park" - because the growth of grass was so verdant that it glinted in the daylight. This pitch was used by local youth teams, including those of the Boys' Brigade and Boy Scouts. In more recent years a recreation ground has been created by the Council at Mount Harriet, and is now used by various football teams.
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