Links Park (Montrose)

Links Park is a football stadium in Montrose, Scotland. It has been the home ground of Montrose F.C. since 1887.

General information

Arena capacity: 4,936 spectators

Address: Wellington St, Montrose, DD10 8QD

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 56°42′50.17″N 2°27′32.70″W

Year of construction: 1887

Field: artificial turf lawn with dimensions of 113 x 70 yards

Seating plan of Links Park

The ground is a largely open one, with one side having no terrace (just a small path) and one end being a small open terrace, comprising of just six rows. The Main Stand is a single tiered covered stand, which is all seated and has just over 1,300 seats. It has a cantilever roof, meaning that there are no supporting pillars to obstruct your view. This stand only runs for around half the length of the pitch and straddles the half way line. The Wellington Street End is a small covered terrace that is a strange looking affair. It is set well back from the pitch, does not run the full width of it and on one side the covered terrace kinks around towards the pitch itself, but not around the corner flag as you would expect. This is because at some point the playing surface was moved over to one side, creating this effect. There are also a row of supporting pillars in this end, plus a small fence that runs across the front of it. Opposite is a small open terrace, that is overlooked at the back by a number of houses. There is some protective netting there, to help prevent balls being kicked out of the ground. The ground is completed with a set of four modern unusual looking floodlight pylons, one in each corner. The club also have an artificial playing surface.

Normally segregation is not in force at Links Park. However, if it is enforced, then half the Main Stand (around 700 seats) is allocated, with away fans also being allowed to stand around the perimeter of the ground, on the two sides that are normally unused. Links Park is normally a good day out, the pies are great, however at times the ground lacks a little in atmosphere.  Jon Blackwood adds; ‘Links Park rarely sees crowds of more than 500 these days, although Montrose could count on 800-1000 in their days in the first division. Pre-season friendlies against Aberdeen and Dundee United, and derby games against Arbroath, always attract four figure crowds. Other than the odd lively atmosphere for derby games against Montrose’s bitter rivals, Arbroath, there is never, ever any trouble and the home fans are friendly. There’s not a huge amount to do in Montrose but if its a sunny early or end of season game the beach is great and it’s worth looking at the distinctive Auld Kirk building’.

Where to buy tickets?

Match day tickets can be purchased online via club’s official website.

Home supporters can pay at the gate. For segregated matches, tickets for away supporters must be purchased online prior to the match.

How to get there?

The ground is signposted from the A92, as you enter the town.

From The North

Take the A92 into Montrose. Just as the road turns towards the seafront, turn left into Rosehill Road. Take the 4th right into Warrack Terrace and then third left into Wellington Street for the ground.

From The South

Take the A92 to the outskirts of Montrose. Turn right into Wharf Street (B9133 sign posted football traffic) and then bear left into Hill Street. Continue straight on up this road going over a crossroads into Panmore Place (sign posted Sports Centre). Follow this road passing the Town Hall on your right and then as you run alongside a small strip of park on your right, you should be able to see the floodlights of the ground just beyond it. Turn right into Wellington Street for the ground.

Street Parking

There is a fair-sized car park at the ground, otherwise street parking.

By Train

Montrose Railway Station is approximately one mile away from Links Park and should take around about 15 minutes to walk. From the train station, cross over the Somerfield Car park and head towards the spire of the Auld Kirk. Turn left onto Hume Street, then left again onto the High Street. Cross the road, then right down John Street. Keep straight ahead, crossing over Mill Street and Provost Scott Road. Turn left up Eastern Road, then right when you come to Wellington Street. You’ll see the home turnstiles straight ahead of you. Otherwise a taxi from the station up to the ground should cost about £3.

Where to eat and sleep?

The nearest bar is the Golf Inn on Mill Street. It is only a five minute walk away from the ground. Whilst John Laidlaw adds; ‘There is a British Legion Club near to the turnstiles, that from a distance looks more like a house rather than a Club (there is a small yellow sign attached to a wall above the entrance). It will sometimes allow non members to be signed in, which is worth the effort as it serves a cracking pint’. Otherwise if you are walking from the train station then the Corner House Hotel next to the Auld Kirk is worth a visit. Otherwise there are plenty of pubs in Montrose Town Centre which is around a 15 minute walk away. These include the Market Arms on the High Street, which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

Why not extend your footy experience and stay a while? There are great places to stay in Montrose within walking distance of the stadium.

• The Juniper Rooms
• Grey Harlings Hotel
• Park Hotel
• The Links Hotel
• The George Hotel

History

Links Park was opened in 1887 on land rented from the ‘Auld Kirk’. To help finance the new ground, Montrose F.C. rented the pitch out for circuses and livestock grazing. The club was eventually able to raise £150 in 1920 to buy a stand, that had been previously used by the Highland Games. A roof was built over the Wellington Street end of the ground in the 1960s. Floodlights were installed in 1971 and first used in a match against Stranraer. The record attendance at the ground was 8,983, for a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Dundee in March 1973.