The Evening Times shines the spotlight on one of Glasgow's best known areas - The Gorbals. 

Here are 26 things you need to know about the area.  Do you have a better Gorbals memory? Comment below:

 

1. Heard of the Jeely piece song?

“Ye canne fling pieces oot a 20-story flat, 700 hungry weans will testify to that…” It is a song we all sang as children but did you know it was inspired by the Gorbals? The children’s street song illustrated what life was like for children in the Gorbals.

 

2. Gang culture

Glasgow gang’s will forever be known as young teams, and if you are from the Gorbals…you belonged to the Young Sooside Cumbie. The gang also goes by the names Young Crossie Cumbie and Hutchie Boyz. Bitter rivals included Posso Fleeto and Bridgeton Derry. The YSC sign was graffiti at the boundaries of the Gorbals, so young teams knew who the area belonged to.

 

3. Bridges

If you are from the Gorbals, and you want to ‘dive into the toon,’ there is really only one way…via the bridges. The St Andrew’s Suspension Bridge is perhaps the most fun. With no beams underneath it, the wind can make it quite a rocky experience when you walk over.

 

4. Art Décor

Clearly people in New York are decorating with wallpaper featuring high-rise flats like Stirlingfauld Place. Just imagine, eh?

 

5. Brazen Head

The Gorbals is home to one of Glasgow’s most famous Celtic pubs…The Brazen Head. Although we usually pronounce it, ‘heid’. Those of a certain generation will remember it as the Granite. The pub has actually been on that site since 1862.

 

6. The Laurieston

If you have taken part in a subway pub crawl, the chances are you ended up at The Laurieston. The pub is ran by John Clancy and is like no other in Glasgow. It has a retro 1960s theme and it is famed for serving McGhees oven fresh hot pies. There is also a juke box, and John takes a picture of all those taking part in pub crawls who visited the pub. So even if you don’t remember being in the pub, John might have a picture of you.

 

7. The Gorbals Boys statue

You can’t miss this statue when walking through the Gorbals – it is based on Oscar Marzaroli famous image of the 1960s, and it captures the essence of mischief beautifully.

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Our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has even said the image, which shows three young boys playing in the street wearing high heels, is one of her favourites. Gorbals resident Liz Peden recreated the image with this statue which was unveiled back in 2008. It features local lads Lee Barton, Joe Ridge and Nicky Giblin who modelled for the sculptor.

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8. Caledonia Road United Presbyterian Church

This church on Caledonia Road is one many motorists will recognise as they pass it on their way into town from the South Side. The church was designed by Scottish architect Alexander Greek Thomson and was one of his first. The church is no longer used, but it is a fine example of architecture in the 19th century.

 

9. Glasgow Central Mosque

Located on the south bank of the River Clyde, the Glasgow Central Mosque has been in the Gorbals since 1983, and it officially opened in 1984. The iconic building cost millions to build and has retained authenticity with its courtyard which keeps with traditional Arabesque style.

 

10. Gorbals Cross

Who remembers this? This photo was posted on a Facebook memories page for Gorbals residents and signals just how much the area has changed. Gorbals Cross ran from Ballater Street to Norfolk Street and was bustling with shops.

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11. Facebook page

If you are from the Gorbals, the Old Gorbals Pictures Facebook page is fantastic for bringing old residents together. It is a closed group but you can click here to join 

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12. Benny Lynch

You can’t mention the Gorbals without talking about one of our most famous residents…Benny lynch. The wee man from the Gorbals won the World, European and British fly-weight boxing championships after beating Jackie Brown at Belle Vue, Manchester in two rounds.

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More than a 100,000 lined the streets to see Lynch parade his trophy around Glasgow. Local woman Lynne Lees is currently campaigning to get a statue erected in his honour.

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13. The next generation

Gorbals lad Joe Ham is making a name for himself in the world of boxing. He turned professional after representing Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Sons of Anarchy star Tommy Flanagan is also a fan. He has tweeted his support for Joe.

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14. Frank Bruno

Remember that time Frank Bruno lived in the Gorbals? Yeah, this really did happen. The boxer was dating hairdresser Nina Coletta back in 2012 who lived in the Gorbals. The story made national press at the time as he was spotted in and around the area.

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15. Dolly hooses

If you’re from the Gorbals, these houses will always be called the ‘dolly hooses’. Why? Well they look like dolls houses, don’t they or is it just us ‘soosiders’ who think that?

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16. O2 Academy Glasgow

Those of a certain age will know just how much this building has reinvented itself. It was the Bedford Picture House and became one of the city’s busiest bingos until it closed in 1993. The Academy Music Group restored the building and reopened in 2003 with Deacon Blue performing. The building has welcomed so many international artists over the years and is one of Glasgow’s favourite music venues.

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17. When US superstar Alicia Keys had a nosey around the Gorbals

Alicia Keys spoke about her love of Glasgow when she visited the city for the MTV EMAs in 2014. She is pictured with police officers close to the o2 Academy – and you can spot the ‘dolly hooses’ in the distance. 

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18. Heard of Lipton’s tea?

The man behind of the world’s most famous tea brands Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton is a Gorbals boy. He was born in a tenement in Crown Street in May 10, 1848. His parents from County Fermanagh and came to Glasgow to survive the potato famine in Ireland. His parents also ran a small shop in the Gorbals.

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19. Ever wondered why the Argentinians are so good at football?

Alexander Watson Hutton is considered “The Father of Argentine football” – and he was born in the good old Gorbals in 1853. He was a schoolteacher and keen sportsman who taught the sport to his pupils. In 1891, he established the Association Argentine Football League – the first outside the British Isles.

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20. Chris Burke

Footballer Chris Burke is probably best known in Glasgow for playing for Rangers. The 32-year-old winger has played for a number of clubs since including Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest but did you know he was raised in Gorbals? Chris was a pupil at St Francis Primary School before becoming a professional footballer.

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21. Perry v Butt

Those who lived in the high rise flats of Norfolk Court and Stirlingfauld only knew of two corner shops – Perrys and Butts. The shops probably had proper names but locals named them after the owners. The usual thing though was that the shops faced each other with no other shops in sight.

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A picture of Perrys shop which has been shared by Gorbals residents on Facebook and posted by Chrissy Mccrory

 

22. Ann’s Fry

The chip shop now in Crown Street used to be down from Queen Elizabeth Square and has fed many Gorbals families over the years.

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23. Demolitions

Many high rise flats were built in the Gorbals which have since been replaced with new housing. As a result, there has been many demolitions over the years. From Stirlingfauld Place to Sandyfield…the Gorbals skyline has changed dramatically over the last few decades.

 

24. Comedian Des Clarke

He grew up in Norfolk Court and went to St John’s Primary, you can’t be anymore from the Gorbals then comedian Des Clarke. The presenter often talks about his childhood on his breakfast show on Capital, and has built up a successful career in Scotland’s showbiz circuit as a host, panto star and stand-up comedian.

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25. No Mean City

The novel is an account of life in the Gorbals and many say it is a true account of the area’s hard men and razor gangs.

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26. The Citizen's Theatre 

The Citizen's Theatre is a Gorbals landmark and has been in the area since 1878. It was built by Campbell Douglas and many famous actors have treded its boards including Pierce Brosnan, Rupert Everett, Sean Bean and Gary Oldman. 

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What are your Gorbals memories? Comment below: