View of the South Haugh with Smithycroft situated on the other side of the tree line. This general area, on the outskirts of Hamilton, holds a special place in the early history of Hamilton Academical FC. Smithycroft was the location of the club’s first ever match on 17th October 1874 while the South Haugh was the location of the club’s home field from 1884 until 1888 (when the club opened Douglas Park).
By 1874 there were at least four clubs playing association football in Hamilton. These were Hamilton FC, Gilbertfield, Hamilton Academical and the Hamilton Volunteers. Hamilton Gymnasium, the pioneering club which had been organising football matches from its year of formation in 1866 and had first played the famous Queen’s Park Club in 1869, appears to have been wound up at some point around 1873. We do know that members of this club moved across to Hamilton FC (which was connected to Hamilton Cricket Club). In particular, Robert Abernethy, Thomas Cassels, Archibald Laidlaw and James Mackie moved onto the Hamilton Club having previously been members of the Gymnasium (for more information on them see, https://scottishfootballorigins.org/2026/01/03/short-biographies-of-association-football-club-members-1868-1873/).
Hamilton FC is known to have played their first game in April 1874 and was viewed as being the ‘senior’ club within the town. This may have, in part, been due to the influx of the former Gymnasium club members. Certainly, in the case of the Hamilton Academical and Gilbertfield clubs (with both being closely connected to schools) it is perhaps understandable that they would be viewed upon during this early period as ‘junior’ clubs. A final point to make relates to the claim that the ‘Hamilton Thistle Cricket and Football Club’ was formed in 1862. This is an inaccurate assertion. The cricket club could certainly claim to date back to 1862 but the football section connected to this club does not appear to have started until 1875.
Whilst Accies had access to a reasonable number of local clubs and indeed can be found to be playing matches against Gilbertfield, Hamilton FC and the Thornhill Club of Blantyre, it is clear that the railway provided vital access to clubs from further afield. In 1874, what is now Hamilton West station was the sole passenger station within the town and at that time was an ‘end of the line’ terminus. Simply known as ‘Hamilton station’, it’s trains brought passengers into Glasgow, terminating at South Side station on the southern bank of the River Clyde close to the city centre. The latter station would close in 1877 to be replaced two years later by Glasgow Central station (on the opposite bank of the River Clyde). The impressive connectivity enabled Hamilton Accies to visit and host teams from within and around Glasgow. Clubs from the southside of the city were particularly easy to reach. It is no surprise then that names like Parkgrove, Bellahouston, Govan, Rosslyn, Oxford, Ramblers, Abercorn (Dalmarnock) and Victoria can be found in Accies’ fixture lists from 1874 to 1876.
The club by the winter months of 1875 had grown sufficiently in size and organisational capacity to be capable of running first and second elevens. Whilst information relating to the location of early football fields is sketchy, we do know that the earliest games involving the club in 1874 were played at Smithycroft. The earliest reference to a home fixture involving the club that has been found to date was a match against Parkgrove FC, scheduled for September 1875. The location of the playing field is recorded as being ‘Clydesdale Street’ which may have been close to the future site of Douglas Park (the home of Hamilton Accies from 1888 to 1994). From the increase in the number of matches appearing in newspaper reports and the reporting of club meetings, additional information can be found with respect to early club members and wider developments.
For example, we can see from the AGM of January 1876 that the brothers William and John Torrance were involved in club affairs. Indeed, they held important positions. William, the older of the two, was appointed vice-captain of the club in 1876 while John can be found as one of the club secretaries alongside David N. Cross (who appears in Part 1 of this article). John’s secretarial role was to keep minutes at club meetings while David Cross was responsible for general club correspondence. John can also be found as a player, being listed in the match against the Carrington Club of Glasgow in September 1875. Beyond the direct references to Hamilton Accies, the Torrance brothers can be found in the 1871 census, living at 32 Brandon Street with their parents, an additional two brothers and a sister. Their father, John Torrance (senior), is employed as a shoemaker.
Joining the Torrance brothers onto the Accies committee at the 1876 AGM were Alexander Mackie and Roger Allan. Both are referenced as being directors (committee members) of the club. The first named also appears in the team line up against Carrington FC in September 1875. At the time of the 1871 census, Alexander was 14 years old and living at 17 Miller Street with his parents, brother and two sisters. He was employed as a sheriff officer’s clerk. Roger can be traced to the 1871 census (although the spelling of his name is Rodger). He is living at 24 Campbell Street with his parents, Margaret and William (the latter employed as a silk weaver), two brothers and two sisters. Roger is recorded as being a message boy and appears to have continued in the grocery trade as by the time of the 1881 census he had progressed to the position of ‘Grocer Shopman’ and had moved to Cumbernauld.
The name ‘W. R. Patrick’can be found in the club AGM of February 24, 1875. William Russell Patrick (to give him his full name) was appointed alongside Alexander McIntosh as secretary of what was still being referred to as the ‘Hamilton Academical Cricket and Football Club’. A local lad, born and living in Hamilton, William was only 12 at the time of the 1871 census. His father, Robert, was a sheriff officer and it is perhaps not a surprise that William would follow into the legal profession; he is listed as a law clerk living at Allison Street in the southside of Glasgow in the census returns of 1881.
A side by side comparison of ordinance survey maps published in 1864 and 1898. The large expanse of the South Haugh can be seen in both. It was a fairly straight walk from Hamilton Central Station along Duke Street, Miller Street and onto Carlisle Road to access the South Haugh. Interestingly, the 1898 map details a small area of the South Haugh on the western edge of the Great Avenue. It is half a mile from the train station (the distance referenced in the Scottish Football Annuals). Could this be the site of the ‘South Haugh’ football pitch? Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland.
Image detailing the ‘ballgreen’ in Hamilton from a survey by Thomas Boyd in 1855. This image is reproduced in the article on Ba’ Greens – see The Ba’ Green – Scotland’s ancient playing field. The location of the small area of land referred to as ‘South Haugh’ in the 1898 ordinance map can be found on the other side of the road from the ballgreen. The survey highlights a level strip of land with Carlisle Road and Townhead Street running along on one side and a slope on the other side leading down to the Duke of Hamilton’s ‘Great Avenue’. Reproduced with permission of the National Records of Scotland.
Whilst the flow of meetings and the increasing run of first and second eleven team fixtures suggests an early period of sustained growth and activity, it was far from smooth for the club. It is clear that by the early months of 1877, Hamilton Academical was fighting for its very existence. The first indication of this is the name change; the Hamilton Cricket and Football Club had become the Hamilton Academical Athletic and Football Club. This might not appear to be that significant but it draws attention to major changes which had been happening behind the scenes. The main issue appears to have been a move to dissolve the club or at least to incorporate it into Hamilton FC. Certainly, some key members of the Accies had moved to Hamilton FC by 1876. This can be seen, for example, with Alexander McIntosh and William Patrick (joint secretaries of the Hamilton Academical Club in 1875) being elected office bearers of the ‘Hamilton Cricket and Football Club’ at that club’s AGM in 1876.
A letter issued by William Haley and Gavin Frame, the joint secretaries of Hamilton Accies, in April 1877 provides some additional context. The letter is one of complaint and grievance against the Hamilton Football Club. It asserts that the latter club had issued a circular to its members which stated that towards the end of 1876 the Hamilton Academicals had made overtures with respect to joining Hamilton FC and that this had been agreed to. Clearly a major fall out within the club had taken place in 1876 (not reported in the newspapers) which had created two camps; those wishing to continue as Hamilton Academical FC and those wishing for the club to be subsumed under Hamilton FC. The joint secretaries at Accies indeed refer to the ‘present’ club [of April 1877] consisting “of a number of the original members of the old Hamilton Academical Club.” Furthermore they go on to state that the members who left the club “was not more than a fifth”. The upheaval helps to explain why the year of formation would change within subsequent Scottish Football Annuals.
Initially, 1877 was presented as the year of formation (in the Scottish Football Annuals of 1877-78 and 1878-79). However, it can be seen that the restructured club of 1877 had retained original members from 1874, kept the red and white team colours and, importantly, continued to use the name. From season 1879-80 onwards, 1875 was settled upon as the year of formation. The recognition of 1875 pushes the club’s birth back to before the turbulent season of 1876-77 when the restructuring had taken place. However, the link to 1874 was never broken and a clear case can be made for continuity. Indeed, the only peculiarity is the fact that the winter months of 1874 appear to have been completely overlooked. The earlier year would not be rediscovered and officially recognised by the club until season 1993-94.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the fact that within a short period of time, it would be the name of Hamilton FC that would disappear from the records whilst ‘Hamilton Academical’ would be the sole club from the ducal town listed within the Scottish Football Annual of 1877-78. Accies also appear to have taken over the old ground of Hamilton FC at South Avenue and would remain there from 1877 until 1884 (when the club moved to the South Haugh).
This list of clubs is linked to Chapter 4 of my thesis on organised football in nineteenth century Scotland. It tallies up the number of clubs linked to the association game in Scotland up to the end of March 1875. I have provided some guidelines below which accompany the list.
Firstly, the year when each club can first be linked to the association game is provided. Secondly, for some clubs, the year of formation is provided separately in brackets if the club originally played to rugby rules or if the nature of the early rules are unknown. Paisley FC, for example, is recorded as 1873 (the earliest reference to playing to association rules) with their actual year of formation [1870] appearing afterwards in brackets as the club originally played rugby football.
It should also be noted that Queen’s Park FC originally played to a hybrid version of the association rules (and were therefore linked to the association game from the outset) and some of their early opponents would have also played to these rules. Thirdly, the list is divided up into three sections to assist with the evaluation in Chapter 4. These are, ‘Rest of Scotland’, ‘West of Scotland’ and ‘Glasgow & District’. Finally, a reference source is included for each club and, for some, additional notes are provided in order to provide additional context.
Rest of Scotland
(1) Annan FC, 1867 (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1868) John Lillywhite’s Football Annual. London: John Lillywhite, p. 81.
(2) Breadalbane FC, Edinburgh, 1875 (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s):Scotsman, March 12, 1875, p. 7.
(3) Dumfries FC, 1870 [1869] (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1870) Football Annual. London: Sportsman, p. 60.
(4) Heart of Midlothian FC, 1874 (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1876) Football Annual. Ward, Lock & Tyler, p. 117.
(5) Kinmount FC, Dumfriesshire, 1866 (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1870) Football Annual. London: Sportsman, p. 60.
(6) Madras College FC, St Andrews, 1872 [1867] (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1872) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 74. Note: whilst the club is playing rugby rules from 1867 (see, Fifeshire Journal, October 24, 1867, p. 6), it is first listed as playing to the association code in 1872 while ‘Association rules’ is recorded as being used in one of their games in 1873 (see, Fifeshire Journal, October 9, 1873, p. 5).
(7) Moray House FC, Edinburgh, 1875 [1865] (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s):Scotsman, March 12, 1875, p. 7. Note: the club originally played to hybrid rules but plays to association rules in 1875.
(8) Queen of the South Wanderers FC, Dumfries, 1872 (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Fleming, J. S. ed. (1880) Scottish Football Annual, 1880-81. Glasgow: Gillespie Brothers, p. 57, and Coutts, J. J. (1882) Football in the Southern Counties. In: McDowall, J. K. ed. Scottish Football Annual, 1882-83. Glasgow: W. Weatherston & Son, p. 120. Note: ‘tenth anniversary’ celebrations take place in February 1883 suggesting the club was formed in season 1872-73 (see Dumfries and Galloway Standard, February 10, 1883, p. 4).
(9) Springkell FC, Dumfriesshire, 1870 [1840] (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1870) Football Annual. London: Sportsman, p. 61.Note: they are listed as playing to the Association code in 1870 but in the same section claim a formation year of 1840.
(10) Thistle FC, Edinburgh, 1874 [1871] (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Edinburgh Evening News, January 21, 1905, p. 4. Note: while this club was formed in 1871, they did not start to play to the association code until 1874. Edinburgh football pioneer Tom Fraser specifies August 1874 (when he personally supplied a copy of the association rules to the club) as being the month and year of Thistle’s adoption of the code.
(11) 3rd Edinburgh RV FC, 1874 (Rest of Scotland)
Source(s): Scotsman, January 19, 1874, p. 7.
West of Scotland
(12) Airdrie FC, 1870 [1868](West of Scotland)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1876) Football Annual. London: Ward, Lock & Tyler, p. 115, and North British Daily Mail, June 27, 1870, p. 6.
(13) Alclutha FC, Dumbarton, 1872 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 68.
(14) Ardrossan FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, September 12, 1874, p. 4.
(15) Ayr FC, 1873 [1868] (West of Scotland)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, September 29, 1873, p. 3. Note: For origins of the club, see, Robinson, R. (1920) History of the Queen’s Park Football Club, 1867-1917. Glasgow: Hay Nisbet & Co. Ltd,pp. 29-30.
(16) Ayr Academy FC, 1873 [1869] (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Kilmarnock Football Club (1872–1879) Minute Book, March 13, 1873. Kilmarnock Football Club Archive, uncatalogued. Ayrshire: Kilmarnock Football Club. Note: original year of formation can also be found in Alcock, C. W. ed. (1874) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 126.
(17) Ayr Thistle FC, 1874 [1872] (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, February 7, 1874, p. 5. See also, Alcock, C. W. (1875) Football Annual, London: Virtue, p. 117.
(18) Blue Bell FC, Alexandria, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, January 1, 1874, p. 3.
(19) Cardross FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, March 26, 1874, p. 3.
(20) Coatbridge FC, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 22, 1875, p. 6.
(21) Craigielea FC, Paisley, 1875 [1874] (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, February 15, 1875, p. 6. Note: started off as a rugby club in 1874.
(22) Cumnock FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, November 21, 1874, p. 5. Note: the newspaper article refers to the formation of a new club.
(23) Derby FC, Helensburgh, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, February 4, 1875, p. 3.
(24) Drumpellier FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 68, and Coatbridge Advertiser, October 31, 1874, p. 3. Note: the newspaper article relates to the formation of the club.
(25) Dumbarton FC, 1872 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 70.
(26) Dumbarton Cricket & Football Club, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, December 3, 1874, p. 4.
(27) East End, Dumbarton, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, December 27, 1873, p. 4.
(28) Gilbertfield / Gilbertfield Academicals FC, Hamilton, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, January 13, 1874, p. 7. Note: This may be the Gilbertfield ‘Academicals’ Club who are also listed for 1875 (see, North British Daily Mail, October 12, 1875, p. 3).
(29) Girvan FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p. 58, and Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, August 28, 1875, p. 5. Note: the article relates to the holding of the club’s ‘annual meeting’ implying that the club had existed for at least a year.
(30) Glenkilloch FC, Neilston, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 105.
(31) Hamilton FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 68, and Hamilton Advertiser, April 18, 1874, p. 2. Note: connected to the Hamilton Cricket Club. The football club is referenced as being formed in 1873 in Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 95, but the newspaper article from April 1874 states that the ‘newly formed Football Club’ had just played its first game.
(32) Hamilton Gymnasium Club, 1869 [1866](West of Scotland)
Source(s): Hamilton Advertiser, May 12, 1866, p. 2. Note: the club was formed in 1866 but the playing rules are unknown. They first played Queen’s Park in 1869.
(33) Hamilton Academical FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 68, and North British Daily Mail, October 19, 1874, p 6.
(34) Hamilton Volunteers FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, January 13, 1874, p. 7.
(35) Hawthorn FC, Dumbarton, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, December 27, 1873, p. 4.
(36) Heatherbell FC, Alexandria, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, February 21, 1874, p. 3. Note: this club is separate from the Dumbarton based club which bears the same name.
(37) Heatherbell FC, Dumbarton, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, November 22, 1873, p. 3.
(38) Helensburgh FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Dumbarton Herald, April 9, 1874, p. 3, and North British Daily Mail, September 30, 1874, p. 6.
(39) Jamestown FC, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, April 15, 1873, p. 7.
(40) Kilbirnie Athletic FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, November 14, 1874, p. 8.
(41) Kilmarnock FC, 1873 [1869] (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Kilmarnock Football Club (1872–1879) Minute Book, March 3, 1873. Kilmarnock Football Club Archive, uncatalogued. Ayrshire: Kilmarnock Football Club. Note: the earliest reference to the club is a note issued by John Wallace, Secretary, which appears in the Kilmarnock Standard, dated January 2, 1869, p.2, and advertises a general meeting. While it is likely that the club already existed in December 1868, the club officially recognises 1869 as the year of formation based in part on the newspaper source.
(42) Kilmarnock Dean FC, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Kilmarnock Standard, January 30, 1875, p. 2.
(43) Kilmarnock Hawthorn FC, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Kilmarnock Standard, January 30, 1875, p. 2.
(44) Kilmaronock ThistleFC, Gartocharn, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p. 97, and Dick, W. ed. (1878) Scottish Football Annual, 1878-79. Glasgow: W. Weatherston & Son, p. 62. Note: Likely to be the Kilmaronock Juvenile Football Club which is referenced in the Dumbarton Herald, February 26, 1874, p. 3.
(45) Lennox FC, Dumbarton, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 70.
(46) Lily FC, Renton, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Lennox Herald, September 12, 1874, p. 4.
(47) Linwood FC, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):North British Daily Mail, March 29, 1875, p. 2.
(48) Loch Lomond Youths FC, Alexandria, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Lennox Herald, January 17, 1874, p. 3.
(49) Lorn Youths FC, Alexandria, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, January 1, 1874, p. 3.
(50) Mauchline FC, 1873(West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 76.
(51) Morning FC, Dumbarton, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Lennox Herald, March 20, 1875, p. 5.
(52) Paisley FC, 1873 [1870] (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 29, 1873, p. 6. Note: The club was originally established to play rugby football and the year of formation is recorded in Alcock, C. W. ed. (1872) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 74.
(53) Portland FC, Kilmarnock, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 76.
(54) Renton FC, Dunbartonshire, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, September 25, 1873, p. 3.
(55) Rising Star FC, Jamestown, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, December 13, 1873, p. 3.
(56) Rob Roy FC, Dumbarton, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, February 7, 1874, p. 4.
(57) Rose FC, Renton, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, February 21, 1874, p. 5.
(58) St Andrews FC, Kilmarnock, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 76.
(59) Star of Leven FC, Alexandria, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Dumbarton Herald, December 18, 1873, p. 3.
(60) Star of the Vale FC, Alexandria, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, December 13, 1873, p. 3.
(61) Strathendrick FC, Drymen, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, February 25, 1875, p. 3.
(62) Struthers FC, Kilmarnock, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s):Kilmarnock Standard, March 6, 1875, p. 2.
(63) Thistle FC, Renton, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 60.
(64) Vale of Leven FC, Alexandria, 1872 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, August 23, 1872, p. 3.
(65) Vale of Leven Rovers FC, Alexandria, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 70. Note: the club also appears under the shortened title of ‘Leven Rovers’ in 1874 – see, Lennox Herald, January 24, 1874, p. 5.
(66) Vale of Leven Wanderers FC, Alexandria, 1875 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, February 25, 1875, p. 3.
(67) Vale of Leven Youths FC, Alexandria, 1873 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Lennox Herald, December 13, 1873, p. 3.
(68) West End FC, Dumbarton, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Dumbarton Herald, January 29, 1874, p. 4. Note: the club most likely dates from 1873 but this is the earliest reference that has been found to date.
(69) Winton FC, Kilmarnock 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source: Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 76. Note: for an early recorded match see, Kilmarnock Standard, March 6, 1875, p. 2.
(70) 3rd & 14th Ayr RV / Ayrshire Volunteers FC, 1874 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, October 24, 1874, p. 5. Note: A club called ‘Ayrshire Volunteers’ is referenced early in 1875 but this likely is the same club (see, Ayr Observer, January 19, 1875, p. 2).
(71) Rothesay FC, 1872 (West of Scotland)
Source(s): Buteman, December 7, 1872, p. 3.
Glasgow & District
(72) Abercorn FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 23, 1874, p. 7.
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, December 14, 1874, p. 6.
(93) Burnhouse FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 8, 1875, p. 6.
(94) Busby FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 60.
(95) Callander FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): ‘True Blue’ (1881) The Rangers FC. In: Livingstone, R. ed. Scottish Football Annual,1881-82. Glasgow: Gillespie Brothers, p. 69. Note: they are listed as Rangers’ first opponents in 1872 although Alcock’s Football Annual of 1873 records their formation year as 1873. An early newspaper record of a match involving the club can be found in the Glasgow Herald, June 20, 1873, p. 5.
(96) Cambridge FC / Victoria FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 7, 1874, p. 7.
(97) Cambuslang FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1873) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 93.
(98) Camphill FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, April 21, 1874, p. 7.
(99) Carlton FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, April 6, 1874, p. 6.
(100) Carrington FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, November 23, 1874, p. 3.
(101) Cathcart FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, March 17, 1874, p. 6.
(102) Cartvale FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 9, 1875, p. 7.
(103) Cathcart Good Templars FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 9, 1875, p. 7.
(104) Celtic FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, January 27, 1873, p. 6.
(105) Clairmont FC / Claremont FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 23, 1874, p. 7, and North British Daily Mail, February 15, 1875, p. 3.
(106) Clyde FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): ‘True Blue’ (1881) The Rangers FC. In: Livingstone, R. ed. Scottish Football Annual,1881-82. Glasgow: Gillespie Brothers, p. 69. Note: Rangers’ second opponent in summer of 1872.
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1879) Scottish Football Annual, 1879-80. Glasgow: Dunlop & Foote, p. 76.
(108) Clydesdale FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1873) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 93.
(109) Clutha FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 8, 1875, p. 6.
(110) Craigpark FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p.58, and North British Daily Mail, December 23, 1874, p. 6.
(111) Craigton FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, November 24, 1874, p. 6.
(112) Crescent FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 22, 1875, p. 6.
(113) Darnley FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 30, 1875, p. 7.
(114) Deaf & Dumb FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1874) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 127.
(115) Derby FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 23, 1873, p. 7.
(116) Don FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, May 18, 1874, p. 3.
Source(s): Renfrewshire independent, March 13, 1875, p. 5.
(131) Granby FC, 1874 ((Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, January 12, 1874, p. 7.
(132) Granville FC, 1871 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Robinson, R. (1920) History of the Queen’s Park Football Club, 1867-1917. Glasgow: Hay Nisbet & Co. Ltd, p. 36.
(133) Greenvale FC / Burnbank FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, February 9, 1874, p. 7, and North British Daily Mail, October 12, 1874, p. 6.
(134) Havelock FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 60.
(135) Hawthorn FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, April 7, 1874, p. 7.
(136) Hazelbank FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 31, 1874, p. 6.
(137) Hutchesontown FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, November 2, 1874, p. 3.
(138) Ibrox FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 25, 1873, p. 6.
(139) Kelvinside FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 10, 1874, p. 7.
(140) Kerland FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, October 19, 1874, p. 6.
(141) King’s Cross FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 29, 1875, p. 2.
(142) King’s Park FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, January 18, 1875, p. 7.
(143) Kirkland FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, November 16, 1874, p. 6.
(144) Lancefield FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p. 88, and Glasgow Herald, November 30, 1874, p. 6.
(145) Lancelot FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 30, 1874, p. 6.
(146) Langshot FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, April 6, 1874, p. 6.
(147) Langside FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, February 3, 1874, p. 5.
(148) Largo FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, April 1, 1874, p. 6.
(149) Levern FC (mk.I), 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 10, 1874, p. 7.
(150) Levern FC (mk.II), 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 22, 1875, p. 6.
(151) Marchtown FC, 1873(Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1879) Football Annual. London: Cricket Press, p. 130.
(152) Maxwell FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 10, 1874, p. 7.
(153) Maybank FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 31, 1874, p. 6.
(154) Millburn FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 7, 1874, p. 7.
(155) Mount Vernon FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 14, 1874, p. 6.
(156) Netherlee FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 8, 1875, p. 6.
(157) Netherlee Star FC, Cathcart, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, February 8, 1875, p. 6.
(158) Northern FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p.62, and North British Daily Mail, September 22, 1874, p. 6.
(159) Oakbank FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, May 18, 1874, p. 3.
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 10, 1874, p. 7.
(162) Parkgrove FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 62.
(163) Partick FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1875) Scottish Football Annual, 1875-76. Glasgow: W. Weatherspoon & Son, p. 29, and North British Daily Mail, March 30, 1875, p. 3.
Source(s):Hamilton Advertiser, February 27, 1875, p. 2, and North British Daily Mail, March 9, 1875, p. 7.
(165) Pollokshields FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s):North British Daily Mail, March 15, 1875, p. 3.
(166) Queen’s Park FC, 1867(Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Queen’s Park Football Club (1867 – 1877) Cash Book. Queen’s Park Football Club Archive, QP.E454. Glasgow: Scottish Football Museum.
(167) Queen’s Park Juniors FC, 1870 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1876) Football Annual. London: Ward, Lock & Tyler, p. 118.
(168) Ramblers FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p. 62, and North British Daily Mail, November 23, 1874, p. 3.
(169) Rangers FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 64.
(170) Rangers Juniors FC / Young Rangers FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 16, 1875, p. 6.
(171) Regent Park FC (mk.II), 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, April 7, 1874, p. 7.
(172) Richmond FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, December 14, 1874, p. 6.
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 91.
(174) Rovers FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 64.
(175) Sandyford FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p. 64, and Glasgow Herald, November 16, 1874, p. 7.
(176) Springhill FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, January 19, 1875, p. 7.
(177) Southern FC, 1872 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 25, 1872, p. 3.
(178) St Andrews FC (mk.III), 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1875) Scottish Football Annual, 1875-76. Glasgow: W. Weatherspoon & Son, p. 29, and North British Daily Mail, October 19, 1874, p. 6.
(179) Standard FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 64.
(180) St Enoch FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 22, 1875, p. 6.
(181) Stonefield FC, 1871 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 92.
(182) Summertown FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1874) Football Annual., London: Virtue, p. 128.
(183) Telegraphists FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p.64.
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 22, 1875, p. 6.
(186) Thornbank FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, February 15, 1875, p. 3.
(187) Towerhill FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p.66, and North British Daily Mail, September 29, 1874, p. 6.
Source(s): Renfrewshire Independent, March 20, 1875, p. 5.
(189) Uddingston FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, October 27, 1874, p. 7.
(190) Ulva FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 10, 1874, p. 7.
(191) Union FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1877) Scottish Football Annual, 1877-78. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 93.
(192) Union Jack FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, January 20, 1874, p. 7.
(193) Vale of Leven Rovers FC, Glasgow, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1875) Scottish Football Annual, 1875-76. Glasgow: W. Weatherspoon & Son, p. 29, and North British Daily Mail, November 16, 1874, p. 6.
(194) Valetta FC, 1874(Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, November 16, 1874, p. 6.
(195) Violet FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, November 30, 1874, p. 6.
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, December 8, 1874, p. 7.
(197) Wellpark FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1878) Scottish Football Annual, 1878-79. Glasgow: W. Weatherston & Son, p. 56, and North British Daily Mail, March 9, 1875, p. 7.
(198) Westburn FC, 1875 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, March 29, 1875, p. 2.
(199) West End FC / West End Wanderers FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 66, and Glasgow Herald, September 1, 1873, p. 7.
(200) Western FC (mk.II), 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, October 27, 1873, p. 6.
(201) Whiteinch FC, 1874 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay and Kirkwood, p. 66.
(202) Woodbank FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): North British Daily Mail, September 16, 1873, p. 3. Note: becomes Crosshill FC mk.II in 1875.
(203) 1st Lanark RV FC, 1873 (Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Alcock, C. W. ed. (1873) Football Annual. London: Virtue, p. 52. Note: formally recorded as being a football club in the source.
(204) 3rd Lanark RV FC, 1872(Glasgow & District)
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 20, 1872, p. 7. Note: article records the formation of the football club.
Source(s): Dick, W. ed. (1876) Scottish Football Annual, 1876-77. Glasgow: Mackay & Kirkwood, p.60. Note: formally recorded as being a football club in the source.
Source(s): Glasgow Herald, December 22, 1873, p. 7. Note: the club’s fixture list for 1873-74 includes matches against the Alexandra Athletic Club in December 1873, the 105th Lanark RV Club in February 1874 and the Eastern Club in March 1874.
Source(s):Glasgow Herald, March 3, 1874, p. 6. Note: the 105th Lanark RV Club are running 1st and 2nd XIs by March 1874. The first match of the new club is against the 21st Fusiliers Club in February 1874. This is followed by a match against the 3rd Lanark RV Club later in the same month then Blythswood FC in March 1874 (see North British Daily Mail editions of February 16, 1874, p. 3, March 3, 1874, p. 6, & March 10, 1874, p. 7).
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