Links Park
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- Ground Layout
Last Update:
May 16, 2024
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’.
Douglas Walker informs me; ‘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.
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.
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.
Thanks to Jon Blackwood for providing the above directions.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
All areas of Links Park
Adults £15
Concessions £8
1 Adult + 1 Under 16 £18
Official Programme £2.
Arbroath, Forfar Athletic and Brechin City.
There are five wheelchair spaces available in the Main Stand, as well as two disabled toilets. Spaces should be booked in advance by calling 01674 673200.
Montrose FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.
Record Attendance
8,983 v Dundee
Scottish Cup 3rd Round, 17th March 1973.
Average Attendance
2018-2019: 789 (League One)
2017-2018: 682Â (League Two)
2016-2017: 606 (League Two)
If you require hotel accommodation in Montrose then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.
Official Web Site: www.montrosefc.co.uk
Unofficial Web Site:
Supporters Club
Special thanks to Geoff Jackson and Brian May for providing the photos of the Links Park football ground in Montrose. Check out Geoff’s Cumbrian Groundhopper blog.
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Montrose v Airdrieonians
Scottish League 1
Saturday 20th April 2019, 3pm
Alister Ryrie (Doing the 42)
Montrose v Stenhousemuir
Scottish League One
Saturday 11th March 2019, 3pm
Brian Moore (Stenhousemuir)
Montrose v Dundee United
Scottish Cup 4th Round
Saturday 19th January 2019, 3pm
Thomas Inglis (Dundee United)
Montrose v Queen of the South
Challenge Cup
Saturday 7th October 2017, 3pm
Phil Graham (Neutral fan)
Montrose v Edinburgh City
Scottish Football League Two
Saturday 1st April 2017, 3pm
Brian May (Edinburgh City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Links Park?
I was looking forward to ticking another new ground 'off the list' (this was my 34th Scottish league ground). City had won the first meeting at Links Park earlier in the season and had been having a good run of late to earn a real prospect of avoiding relegation in their first season back in the league since the 1940's. With Montrose still in with a chance of a playoff place it promised to be a good game.
Main Stand
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We travelled to Montrose by direct train from Edinburgh so our journey was easy and took just under two hours.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As I had my kids in tow, the pub wasn't on our agenda but we had planned to visit the Montrose Air Station Museum – an easy 20-25 minute walk from the train station. Situated in original wartime buildings, if you're interested in aircraft or just history in general, this is well worth a visit. We saw everything in the hour we had, although you could easily spend longer there. We then walked to the Links Park ground which took roughly 20 minutes and didn't really come across any home fans until we got to the ground entrance, where everyone was friendly enough. We did pass a couple of pubs on the way but being brutally honest, they didn't look particularly inviting. There was a British Legion club closer to the ground, but I didn't check whether non-members were welcome.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Links Park?
The floodlights of Links Park are visible from some distance and then the ground appears between terraced houses – a real traditional football ground! You need to approach the ground from Wellington Street – Google maps was trying to suggest a short-cut but that would have meant arriving at the wrong end and having to walk all the way around anyway, so don't trust it. There is a large entrance 'porch' over the turnstiles and you enter the ground behind the main terrace with club shop and refreshment kiosks right in front of you. There was no segregation in place so there wasn't an away end as such, but many fans went behind the goals and changed ends at half time – love it! The largest terrace has an old tin roof and is set slightly back from the pitch.
The Main Stand is steep with the roof free of supporting pillars so affords a great view of the (artificial 4G) pitch. However, there are no windshields at the side so you want to be in the middle if there is a downpour, and the last few rows of seats were covered in faeces from the birds perching on the roof beams. Behind the other goal is a small banked terrace and opposite the stand is another standing area but this isn't banked – it's a strip of tarmac.Overall impression is that this is one of the better grounds at this level with a nice modern stand fitting in nicely with the older part of the ground and the neat standing areas.
Wellington Street End
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Catering options were fairly limited with hot food a choice between Scotch pies (you either love them or you hate them – I'm in the latter category!) or hot dogs, both priced at £2 with all drinks £1. The stewards and other club staff were all friendly. The crowd was around 400 with very few travelling fans so the atmosphere was pretty quiet overall. The game took a while to get going and was pretty scrappy but Montrose ran out deserved 3-0 winners including two great goals either side of half time – I can't remember the Montrose keeper being called into any serious action.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The crowd dispersed very quickly after the game and we had time to kill before our train home so went for fish and chips at the Little Mermaid on the High Street – sat in, very good. The whole uninterrupted walk from the ground to the train station would take around 15 minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Links Park is a nice neat little ground and easy travel links. Montrose still have a chance of promotion and other results mean Edinburgh City face being dragged back into the relegation dogfight.
Arbroath v Montrose Scottish Football League Two Saturday 25th March 2017, 3pm Angus Robertson (Montrose fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Gayfield Park?
I was looking forward to the atmosphere and the intensity of the Angus Derby.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Gayfield Park is very easy to find. Parking is not the best, on the grass either side of the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Came straight from work in a hurry. Arbroath fans are mostly friendly, although there is a rivalry between our two clubs, which has led to a few problems in the past, but I noticed a more family friendly environment compared to recent years.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Gayfield Park?
Gayfield Park is fine and well kept. The old ancient stands with the low roofs are quaint looking!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The pies are the best I've tasted from any game, a great credit to the people of Lichtie SmokeyVille. Stewards were very friendly and helpful. Atmosphere was a little tense, owing to the rivalry between the two clubs. I made sure the Montrose Tammy was hidden in the pocket whilst leaving the ground, though to be honest I generally find the Arbroathers friendly enough. The Montrose fans and team seemed to be more on form than the Smokeys.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It's was a bit of a nightmare to get away with cars coming from all directions, will take the train next time.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great entertaining football, friendly stewards, pies were magic. A very enjoyable afternoon at Gayfield Park for what is always a lively entertaining fixture. I think this derby is becoming more family friendly than before.
Aberdeen Development v Motherwell Development
At Links Park Montrose
Scottish Development League
Tuesday 20th December 2016, 2pm
Welsh Exile (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Links Park Ground?
I was looking forward to seeing the youngsters from both teams to see how they compare with rest of the Development League and also to see any potential future stars in the making. Plus a friend was running the line so went to see him also.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I went by train, there's a taxi rank right outside of the station if need be. The Links Park Ground is set by the sea and among back streets so you would be looking around a 15-20 minute walk to and from the station. Links Park isn't sign posted so best have sat nav on if trying to find the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I met up with a friend and went straight to the match. Admission was free, as development games only get around 50 or so spectators. There was a pub just outside the ground call the Legion and the town is a short walk away with plenty of food and drinking outlets.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Links Park?
Links Park is an old fashioned kind of ground that is part of the social fabric and sneaks up on you. I was impressed with it from the moment that I walked into the ground. It's a good mix of old and new. On the one side there is the new Main Stand which provides a good view where ever you sit. To the left of this the is an oddly shaped covered terrace which has a curve on one side. Opposite the Main Stand there is a flat standing area and to the right hand side there is also another open end with a few row of steps on it. From what I was told if segregation is in force teams get half the Main Stand as well as the open terrace behind one goal.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
There is adequate facilities within the stadium itself and very good disabled facilities without easy access to the Main Stand.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Wasn't much of a crowd so was very easy.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed my day out at Links Park and would like you go back to see an actual Montrose game at some point. Liked the ground a good mix of old and new. Cracking game as well. Motherwell were a great team to watch and ran out 9-1 (yes nine) winners with some real prospects in their line up. Also wrap up warm as it's windy and cold there being so close to the sea.