View Full Version : Dundee grounds in 1922
worcesterhibby
02-07-2025, 09:04 PM
I came across this picture of Dens park and Tannadice today and it really is quite something. The two factories in the picture are both Jute mills and the workers worked a 6 day week finishing at 2.00pm on a Saturday. So when Dundee built their “new” ground in 1899 they situated it right next to the biggest factory, so the workers could head straight for the football after work. By 1909, the Catholic community decided they wanted to follow the lead of the mighty Hibernian FC of Edinburgh and set up a team called Dundee Hibernian. Their first match was a friendly against Hibs. This picture was taken a year before they changed their name to Dundee UTD in 1923 and as you can see there is no stand of consequence and the open countryside on one side of both grounds.
i know most folk on here will know the history of “Dundee Hibernian” but it’s such a good picture I thought it was worth giving some historical background.
if the pic is a bit small, here’s a link https://www.flickr.com/photos/192045631@N07/54629559320/in/dateposted-public/
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Pagan Hibernia
02-07-2025, 09:07 PM
Amazing picture mate. Love football history generally and scottish football history specifically.
Can't get enough of old photos like that
worcesterhibby
02-07-2025, 09:21 PM
Amazing picture mate. Love football history generally and scottish football history specifically.
Can't get enough of old photos like that
cheers mate, here’s a link thst might help you see it better. https://www.flickr.com/photos/192045631@N07/54629559320/in/dateposted-public/
tamig
02-07-2025, 09:30 PM
That Dens Park main stand still looks the same to this day. Huge changes in the surrounding area since the pic was taken. Also love seeing this old stuff 🙌
badabing67
02-07-2025, 09:30 PM
The closest mill in that photo is still there.
But can you spot anything interesting in this photo
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/sites/all/libraries/aerofilms-images/public/580w/SAW/024/SAW024456.jpg
worcesterhibby
02-07-2025, 09:39 PM
The closest mill in that photo is still there.
But can you spot anything interesting in this photo
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/sites/all/libraries/aerofilms-images/public/580w/SAW/024/SAW024456.jpg
railway station next to the ground that has since disappeared?
DIXIHIBS
02-07-2025, 09:41 PM
Bridge of doom....
Caversham Green
03-07-2025, 07:00 AM
The closest mill in that photo is still there.
But can you spot anything interesting in this photo
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/sites/all/libraries/aerofilms-images/public/580w/SAW/024/SAW024456.jpg
A lack of Tannadice?
tamig
03-07-2025, 08:04 AM
A lack of Tannadice?
Is that not because that is a pic of ER? I’m not sure what question the poster of that photo is asking though.
Caversham Green
03-07-2025, 08:08 AM
Is that not because that is a pic of ER? I’m not sure what question the poster of that photo is asking though.
Ah! I assumed it was Dundee because of the thread title, but I think you're right.
Pagan Hibernia
03-07-2025, 08:35 AM
The closest mill in that photo is still there.
But can you spot anything interesting in this photo
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/sites/all/libraries/aerofilms-images/public/580w/SAW/024/SAW024456.jpg
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Am I right in saying that's the site of the original Hibernian Park?
JeMeSouviens
03-07-2025, 09:36 AM
28963
Am I right I'm saying that's the site of the original Hibernian Park?
No, it was a bit further toward the top L corner of the pic.
Bushwoof
03-07-2025, 09:51 AM
Interesting for me is that the stands at ER and Dens both have that odd shape. Must have been the thing to do at the time.
Since452
03-07-2025, 10:16 AM
Quite astonishing that a Premiership club still have the same stand as they did back then.
Billy Whizz
03-07-2025, 10:21 AM
railway station next to the ground that has since disappeared?
The line is still there
Quite astonishing that a Premiership club still have the same stand as they did back then.Like top flight super-duper Super League Pittodrie.
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Aubenas
03-07-2025, 11:25 AM
Interesting for me is that the stands at ER and Dens both have that odd shape. Must have been the thing to do at the time.
A lot of Archibald Leitch stands were built like that- "cranked" they called it.
The idea was that folk in the wing stands would get a better view of the far end of the pitch.
The one at Dens has a particular crank because it was also following the angle of the road outside.
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Trinity Hibee
03-07-2025, 12:06 PM
A lot of Archibald Leitch stands were built like that- "cranked" they called it.
The idea was that folk in the wing stands would get a better view of the far end of the pitch.
The one at Dens has a particular crank because it was also following the angle of the road outside.
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Interesting character. It’s funny how Easter Road never seems to be mentioned when people talk about the stadiums designed by him but I think folk seem sure he did build the old main stand?
Aubenas
03-07-2025, 12:33 PM
Interesting character. It’s funny how Easter Road never seems to be mentioned when people talk about the stadiums designed by him but I think folk seem sure he did build the old main stand?
Not sure I've seen proof either way. He did design the old Tynecastle main stand I think, and our old stand, built in 1926, certainly looked like a Leitch design, if not one of his premier efforts.
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Interesting character. It’s funny how Easter Road never seems to be mentioned when people talk about the stadiums designed by him but I think folk seem sure he did build the old main stand?
Quick check of ChatGPT threw this back so doesn't appear that our old main stand was one of his?
Easter Road – Hibernian FC (Edinburgh)
There is no definitive evidence that Leitch designed Easter Road in full, but:
He may have consulted or advised on stand development.
Early 20th-century improvements to the ground show stylistic similarities to his work.
Dens Park – Dundee FC
Designed in 1921 by Leitch.
The main stand was one of his typical criss-cross steel-baled designs.
Though modified, its structure reflected Leitch’s style.
Trinity Hibee
03-07-2025, 01:02 PM
Quick check of ChatGPT threw this back so doesn't appear that our old main stand was one of his?
Easter Road – Hibernian FC (Edinburgh)
There is no definitive evidence that Leitch designed Easter Road in full, but:
He may have consulted or advised on stand development.
Early 20th-century improvements to the ground show stylistic similarities to his work.
Dens Park – Dundee FC
Designed in 1921 by Leitch.
The main stand was one of his typical criss-cross steel-baled designs.
Though modified, its structure reflected Leitch’s style.
Maybe ours wasn’t then, stood the test of time though. Guess once Leitch had built so many others will have followed his lead
Maybe ours wasn’t then, stood the test of time though. Guess once Leitch had built so many others will have followed his lead
That's the thing though, it doesn't say it was but can't fully confirm it wasn't.
The old ER main stand certainly looked very similar to the design of the Dens Park stand so who knows?:hmmm:
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