Relichtie
Articles Number 1
This article appeared in the Topical Times Football Book 1973-74
While Gayfield has become synonymous with the name of Arbroath Football Club, it was not the ground the club started out from. This was at Woodville, just outside the town, where on 28th September 1878 the club played host to Our Boys from Dundee in the Scottish Cup. Almost exactly two years later, on 23rd September 1880, Gayfield was officially opened when Perthshire giants of the day, Rob Roy were visitors, again in the Scottish Cup, and the link with the club and ground was established. This was not today's ground, as can be seen from the plan for the new ground from the Arbroath Guide September 15th 1928.
With the extended capacity at "Greater Gayfield" and promotion to the 1st division in 1935, the crowds flocked to see top class opposition.
The club's association with Gayfield nearly ended, when a proposed move to Denfield to a purpose built stadium was refuted by Angus council in December 1998. The club then decided to refurbish the ground, and with an overhaul of the stand football is back on the agenda at Gayfield for the present.
