Third Lanark were founded in 1872 by members of the Third Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers and began playing on a piece of land that formed part of a drilling field for the regiment.

[2] The ground was considered good enough to host the Scottish Cup final in 1881–82, as well as its replay, with 14,000 turning up to watch Queen's Park beat Dumbarton 4–1.

[7] The ground was used for play-offs again on 20 May 1896 when a match took place to decide which club would finish third and fourth in Division Two; Renton beating Kilmarnock 2–1.

[1] In June 1902 the final of the first major Anglo-Scottish club competition, the British League Cup, took place at Cathkin (att: 10,000), won by Celtic against Rangers 3–2 after extra time.

[1] After the new Hampden opened, Third Lanark used it for much of the 1903–04 season (which ended with them winning the league title) whilst building work was carried out at New Cathkin Park.