Season 1890/91 - February 1891

Saturday, 7th February 1891

RENTON v SFA - COURT of SESSION, EDINBURGH

The Scottish Football Association were in court to appeal the decision by Lord Kincairney that the Association had been validly called and that Renton FC had the authority to raise the action. The SFA had passed a resolution that Renton FC was a professional club and therefore were no longer members of the Association. Renton FC is suing the Association to have the resolution rescinded.

In their appeal, before Lords Adam, McLaren, and Kinnear, the SFA maintained Renton FC had no authority to raise the action and that the Association had not been validly called. Mr Dickson, for the SFA, spoke at great length on the constitution of the Association and the position of Renton FC. Asked if the argument would be finished today, he replied in the negative and the Court then adjourned the further hearing.

On the suggestion of the Court, council for Renton FC agreed to amend the record by adding a statement to the effect that before the raising of the action a meeting of the club was called at which about 100 members attended and authorised the club to raise the action.

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 18

ABERCORN                           1            RANGERS                             1                   4,000

Raeside                                                                  Hislop

Half time 1-0                                                          Referee: Mr Halley

Abercorn: Fleming, A. Cuthbertson, D. Cuthbertson, Johnstone, Bowie, Reid, Wallace, Nicol, Raeside, Buchanan, Bonnar

Rangers: McKenzie, Hodge, Gow, A. McCreadie, McIntyre, Mitchell, Marshall, Henderson, Kerr, McPherson, Hislop

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN         P            CAMBUSLANG                    P

Match postponed. Heart of Midlothian playing in the Scottish Cup Final.

RENTON                                V            THIRD LANARK                    V

Match void. Renton suspended from the SFA.

VALE of LEVEN                        2            COWLAIRS                           1

Graham,Bruce                                                       Henderson

Halft time: 0-1                                                        Referee: Mr Cameron (Rangers)

Vale of Leven: Doherty, Whitelaw, G. Sharp, J. Sharp, Cornoch, McLeod, Bruce, Mille, T. Graham, Rankin, Cowan

Cowlairs: McNair, McCarthy, McPherson, Masterton, Elliot, Buist, Peacock, Lyall, Caldow, Henderson, Shanks

REARRANGED FIXTURE

CELTIC                               3            St.MIRREN                        2               3,000

Campbell,Dowds,Madden                                 McAuley,Dunlop

Half time: 3-0                                                         Referee: Mr Grant

Celtic: Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, P. Gallagher, Kelly, Maley, Madden, Boyle, Dowds, Campbell, Dunbar

St.Mirren: Cameron, A. McBain, Tomlinson, McCartney, Brown, E. McBain, Morrison, McAuley, Wylie, Dunlop, Douglas

 VALE of LEVEN                        2            COWLAIRS                           1                   2,000

Graham,Bruce                                                       Henderson

Half time: 0-1                                                         Referee:

Vale of Leven: Doherty, Whitelaw, G. Sharp, Cornoch, McLeod, J. Sharp, Graham, Cowan, Rankin, Mills, Bruce

Cowlairs: McNair, Elliott, McCartney, McPherson, Masterton, Buist, Shanks, Lyall, Caldow, Peacock, Henderson

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

9

8

1

0

33

8

17

4.125

2.

Rangers

9

6

2

1

30

15

14

2.000

3.

Vale of Leven

10

4

1

5

17

30

9

0.567

4.

Cambuslang

7

4

0

3

24

22

8

1.091

5.

Third Lanark

4

3

0

1

12

9

6

1.333

6.

St.Mirren

9

2

2

5

22

31

6

0.710

7.

Abercorn

10

2

1

7

20

31

5

0.645

8.

Celtic

7

4

0

3

21

14

4*

1.500

9.

Heart of Midlothian

6

2

0

4

15

15

4

1.000

10.

Renton

5

1

1

3

10

13

3

0.769

11.

Cowlairs

8

1

2

5

9

25

0*

0.360

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

Abercorn fielded the same team that comprehensively beat St.Mirren in the league a few weeks previously and quickly set about seeing off Rangers in a similar way. This time, however, they found it harder to convert their chances into goals. Abercorn had the visitors penned into their own half for most of the first half but only had a Raeside goal as scant reward. In the second half it was more or less the same but Abercorn fell to a rare Rangers breakaway, Hislop scoring the equaliser on 75 minutes. This somewhat galvanised the Glasgow men but there was no more scoring. The result meant Rangers had failed to make any real impact on Dumbarton’s lead at the top of the table.

Vale of Leven found luckless Cowlairs a hard nut to crack in Alexandria. Cowlairs had the better of the first half and it was no surprise went they took the lead after 25 minutes through Henderson. Further chances fell to the Springburn men but they were unable to convert. In the second half it was a different game entirely as Vale put Cowlairs under severe pressure but were unable to score. After an hour Vale finally broke the Cowlairs defence with Graham scoring a fine worked goal. The Vale then went on to try to secure a winner as Cowlairs showed determination to hold out for the draw. With barely 5 minutes left, Bruce bundled in the winning goal. Cowlairs have now gone 6 games without a win.

Celtic and St.Mirren played their postponed game from 27th December 1890 at Celtic Park. The match summed up Celtic’s inconsistency in this season’s campaign. Playing some clever and exciting football, Celtic were 2 goals up after 20 minutes with Campbell and Dowds the men on target. St.Mirren could not live with the Celts on this form and they went 3-0 down just before half time. Madden was the celtic man on target. In the second half Celtic felt they had done enough and rarely threatened the St.Mirren goal. This gave the Paisley side hope but it was not until 15 minutes from time before they could score, McAuley the scorer. From that point on it was all St.Mirren but another goal did not come until almost full time when Dunlop reduced the arrears. Celtic held on to win a game that should never have ended so close.

SCOTTISH CUP, FINAL

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN       1            DUMBARTON              0           10,836

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee: Mr T Park (SFA President)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Dumbarton went into the match as clear favourites, and this was not without merit. Top of the Scottish League they had not lost a competitive game all season. This was their 5th Final and they had won the trophy in season 1882/83. Heart of Midlothian, on the other hand was appearing in the Final for the first time and had only recently found some winning form. But being favourites does not guarantee you a win, Third Lanark found to their cost in the semi-final when they fell to Hearts the previous week. So when Dumbarton went a goal down after just 13 minutes to a Russell strike, they knew they had a game on their hands.

Hearts played well and held on valiantly to their slender lead and by full time Dumbarton had nothing to show for their efforts. Just as a few years previously, Dumbarton lost to first time finalists Hibernian. This time it was Heart of Midlothian.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

CLYDE                                   4            ALBION ROVERS                 3

Half time: 2-1                                                         Referee:

Barrowfield, Glasgow

Monday, 9th February 1891

MEETING OF THE SCOTTISH LEAGUE

The Scottish League committee met to discuss the ever-increasing backlog of postponed fixtures. It was agreed that a revised fixture card would be drawn up and issued within the next few days. It was also agreed that all fixtures involving Renton FC would be deleted and their playing record would be voided. This means the results of the 5 fixtures that Renton played would be removed and the playing records of the teams they played at the beginning of the season would be adjusted accordingly.

Revised League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

9

8

1

0

33

8

17

4.125

2.

Rangers

8

5

2

1

26

14

12

1.857

3.

Cambuslang

7

4

0

3

24

22

8

1.091

4.

Vale of Leven

9

3

1

5

15

29

7

0.517

5.

Third Lanark

4

3

0

1

12

9

6

1.333

6.

St.Mirren

8

2

1

5

20

29

5

0.690

7.

Celtic

6

4

0

2

20

10

4*

2.000

8.

Heart of Midlothian

6

2

0

4

15

15

4

1.000

9.

Abercorn

9

1

1

7

16

29

3

0.552

10.

Cowlairs

8

1

2

5

9

25

0*

0.360

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

Tuesday, 10th February 1891

MEETING OF THE GLASGOW FA

The Glasgow FA met to select the team to play the annual match against the London FA scheduled for 21st February 1891. Selected team: -

Gillespie (Queen’s Park), Arnott (Queen’s Park), McKeown (Celtic), Marshall (Rangers), Kelly (Celtic), Lochhead (Third Lanark), Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Berry (Queen’s Park), Johnstone (Third Lanark)(Capt.), Sellar (Queen’s Park), McPherson (Rangers).

It was unanimously agreed that the match would take place at Celtic Park.

The Treasurer reported that the Association was currently £233 (around £31,000 today) in credit.

Wednesday, 11th February 1891

MEETING OF THE EAST of SCOTLAND FA

The East of Scotland FA met to select the team to play Renfrewshire FA on 21st February 1891 at Paisley. Selected team: -

Baillie (Edinburgh Northern), Adams (Heart of Midlothian), Hepburn (Alloa Athletic), M. McQueen (Leith Athletic), Anderson (Leith Athletic), Hogg (Mossend Swifts), Taylor (Heart of Midlothian), Clements (Leith Athletic), Russell (Heart of Midlothian), Boyd (Mossend Swifts), H. McQueen (Leith Athletic)

Saturday, 14th February 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 19

CELTIC                                   P            COWLAIRS                           P         

Match postponed. Celtic playing in the Glasgow Cup Final.

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN     P            DUMBARTON                       P

Match postponed. Dumbarton playing in the Dunbartonshire Cup Final

THIRD LANARK                    P            RANGERS                             P

Match postponed. Third Lanark playing in the Glasgow Cup Final.

VALE of LEVEN                     P            St.MIRREN                            P

Match postponed. Vale of Leven playing in the Dunbartonshire Cup Final and St.Mirren playing in the Renfrewshire Cup Final

REARRANGED FIXTURES

COWLAIRS                            P            RANGERS                             P

Match postponed. Pitch unplayable.

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN     2            CAMBUSLANG                    2                   6,000

Russell,Ross                                                         Buchanan,Maxwell

Half time: 2-1                                                         Referee: Mr J. Marshall (Third Lanark)

Heart of Midlothian: Fairbairn, Adams, Crawford, Begbie, McPherson, Hill, Taylor, Ross, Russell, Scott, Baird

Cambuslang: Ross, Smith, Collins, Russell, Jackson, Jamieson, Low, Buchanan, Maxwell, Gourlay, Brown

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

9

8

1

0

33

8

17

4.125

2.

Rangers

8

5

2

1

26

14

12

1.857

3.

Cambuslang

8

4

1

3

26

24

9

1.083

4.

Vale of Leven

9

3

1

5

15

29

7

0.517

5.

Third Lanark

4

3

0

1

12

9

6

1.333

6.

Heart of Midlothian

7

2

1

4

17

17

5

1.000

7.

St.Mirren

8

2

1

5

20

29

5

0.690

8.

Celtic

6

4

0

2

20

10

4*

2.000

9.

Abercorn

9

1

1

7

16

29

3

0.552

10.

Cowlairs

8

1

2

5

9

25

0*

0.360

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

The League programme suffered more postponements, this time due to clubs being involved in various local cup finals. Two rearranged fixtures were scheduled but only one went ahead. The Cowlairs/Rangers match postponed from the 24th January 1891 was once again called off as the pitch was declared unplayable. A “friendly” match took place instead.

New Scottish Cup holders Heart of Midlothian faced Cambuslang in a rearranged match postponed from the previous week. A large crowd of around 6,000 spectators turned up to cheer on the Cup holders and witnessed a hotly contested opening. After 15 minutes Hearts took the lead through Russell and there after the game swung from end to end. Eventually Cambuslang started to have the better of the game and Buchanan equalised. Towards the end of the half Maxwell fired the visitors 2-1 ahead. In the second half Hearts put Cambuslang under great pressure but found Ross the goalkeeper in fine form. Hearts finally equalised when Ross beat his namesake with a fine taken shot. Cambuslang then put Hearts under great pressure as they pushed for the winning goal. With minutes remaining Cambuslang were denied when Crawford fisted out a certain goal with the resulting free kick scrambled away by the Hearts defence.

DUNBARTONSHIRE CUP, FINAL

DUMBARTON                4            VALE of LEVEN                 1               4,000

Half time: 0-1                                                         Referee:

Boghead Park, Dumbarton

Dumbarton made up for their disappointment in losing in the Scottish Cup Final by retaining the Dunbartonshire Cup for the third time in a row. They easily overcame Vale of Leven with a powerful second half display. Vale took the lead after just 5 minutes through Graham and continued to have the better of a sluggish Dumbarton. This all changed in the second half when a transformed Dumbarton fired in 4 goals through Mair(2), Taylor and Bell.

GLASGOW CUP, FINAL

CELTIC                                   4            THIRD LANARK                    0                   9,986

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee: Mr Watson (Dundee)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

What was until very recently looking to be a successful season for Third Lanark, Celtic piled on more disappointment by defeating the Warriors in the Glasgow Cup Final. In a fairly one-sided contest, Celtic won 4-0 with second half goals from Dowds and a Campbell double. Alex Lochhead had the misfortune to put through his own goal midway through the first half.

RENFREWSHIRE CUP, FINAL

St.MIRREN                             4            PORT GLASGOW ATH    0                   5,000

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee: Mr Robertson (5th KRV)

Cappielow Park, Greenock

St.Mirren won their forth Renfrewshire Cup with an easy victory over Port Glasgow Athletic. Douglas, McAuley, Dunlop, and Wylie were the men on target. St.Mirren now join Paisley rivals Abercorn with 4 Renfrewshire trophies each.

ORDINARY MATCHES

ABERCORN                           5            KILMARNOCK                   1

Half time: 3-0                                                         Referee:

Underwood Park, Paisley

ARTHURLIE                           5            CLYDE                                  2

Half time: 3-0                                                         Referee:

Dunterlie Park, Barrhead

CORINTHIANS                   0            QUEEN’S PARK                  1                   5,000

Half time: 0-1                                                         Referee:

Kennington Oval, London

COWLAIRS                            2            RANGERS                             4

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee:

Springvale Park, Springburn

LEITH ATHLETIC                  6            HIBERNIAN                          1

Half time: 2-1                                                         Referee:

Bank Park, Leith

The Cowlairs game with Rangers was scheduled as a Scottish League match but was downgraded to an ordinary match due to the state of the pitch. The sizeable crowd that turned up to see the match were not informed of the change of status until after the game had finished.

Leith Athletic played Hibernian in a benefit match at Bank Park in an effort to raise funds to keep the Hibs going. Hibernian have been without a ground to play on for several months now, a situation that is still unresolved.

Monday, 16th February 1891

MEETING OF THE FORFARSHIRE FA

On Saturday 21st February 1891 the Glasgow FA had been scheduled to play London FA at Celtic Park. However the London FA, over the weekend, advised their Glasgow counterparts that they would not be able to fulfil the fixture. The Forfarshire FA had received a telegram from the Scottish Football Association advising them of this cancellation and asked if they would be willing to play the Glasgow FA in Dundee on that day. The Forfarshire FA committee agreed to this request and selected the following team: -

Gold (Our Boys), O’Kane (Arbroath), Salmond (East End), Craig (Our Boys), Munro (Broughty), Lyon (East End), Cowpar (Our Boys), Willocks (Arbroath), Butters (Our Boys), Skea (Arbroath) Keillor (Montrose)

COWLAIRS AND RANGERS HEAVILY CRITICISED

Cowlairs and Rangers were heavily criticised for their handling of the football match played on Saturday 14th February 1891. The match, played at Springvale Park, Springburn, was scheduled and advertised as a league match. However due to the heavy condition of the pitch the game was postponed as a league match and a “friendly” was played instead. The Cowlairs players were happy for the game to go ahead as a league match whereas the Rangers players were adamant that the playing surface was unsuitable. After much persuasion, Cowlairs reluctantly agreed to play an ordinary match instead of a league match.

There was nothing unusual about changing the status of a scheduled match due to adverse conditions or the state of the pitch. This was a tactic often used so that admission money need not be refunded to the paying public. What was unusual was the fact the spectators were not informed of the change until after the game had finished. This sparked of much anger once the news filtered through to the crowd.

It was this perceived underhand arrangement that incurred the wrath of the press. The “Scottish Referee:” publication was particularly vocal and called for both the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish League to add a rule preventing such a situation from arising again. It was also pointed out that if the ground was that unsuitable for playing on and deemed a danger to the players, why did both teams field their usual recognised players?

This was not the first time this season Rangers were involved in “shady” arrangements. On the 29th November 1890 the Glasgow Cup replay tie with Third Lanark at Ibrox Park was advertised as definitely going ahead, this despite a severe frost that rendered the pitch rock hard. Prior to the kick-off it was then announced that the game was cancelled and that there would be no refund of admission money. This sparked a crowd invasion towards the pavilion with angry demands for a refund. In the end the clubs were forced to play out a friendly match to pacify the crowd.

Tuesday, 17th February 1891

RENTON v SFA – COURT of SESSION, EDINBURGH

The appeal by the Scottish Football Association against Lord Kincairney upholding the relevancy of the action and allowed proof that Renton FC were authorised to proceed with the action, continued in the Court of Session. Renton FC is claiming that they are not a professional football club and therefore should not have been expelled from the SFA.

As requested by the Court, counsel for Renton FC made their averment on the point by adding that they were duly authorised by Renton FC at a meeting thereof, to raise the present action on behalf of the club, that due notice of the meeting was given by advertisement and by bills posted in all parts of the town, and that the minutes of the meeting are produced in the case.

Counsel for the SFA concluded their argument against this and the case was taken to avizendum i.e. the courts decision to consider the case privately before giving judgement.

SFA INTERNATIONAL SELECTION COMMITTEE MEETING

The 7 members of the International Selection Committee met to select the players who will represent Scotland in the up and coming international matches against Wales, Ireland and England. The process would involve initial trial matches to be held at Hampden Park on Saturday, 28th February 1891. A second trial match would follow this on Saturday, 7th March 1891. The committee members, comprising of Mr T. Park, Mr G. Sneddon, Mr J. M. Campbell, Mr A. Sliman, Mr S. Lawrie, Mr R. Harrison and Mr H. Currie selected the following 44, split into 4 teams: -

WHITE TEAM: Baird (Irvine), Whitelaw (Vale of Leven), McKeown (Celtic), McQueen, (Leith Athletic), Brown (St.Mirren), E. McBain (St.Mirren), Taylor (Heart of Midlothian), Buchanan (Abercorn), Logan (Ayr), Scott (Heart of Midlothian), Bruce (Vale of Leven)

RED and WHITE TEAM: Connell (Port Glasgow Athletic), Walker (Inverness Caledonian), Collins (Cambuslang), Hamilton (Hurlford), Clelland (Royal Albert), McLaren (Celtic), Coupar (Dundee Our Boys), Thomson (Third Lanark), Butter (Dundee Our Boys), Keillor (Montrose), Gourlay (Cambuslang)

BLACK and WHITE TEAM: McLeod (Dumbarton), Reynolds (Celtic), Smellie (Queen’s Park), Marshall (Rangers), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Lochhead (Third Lanark), Watt (Kilbirnie), Rankin (Vale of Leven), Johnstone (Third Lanark), McPherson (Rangers), Bell (Dumbarton)

BLUE TEAM: McCorkindale (Partick Thistle), Adams (Heart of Midlothian), Gow (Rangers), McMillan (Dumbarton), Boyle (Dumbarton), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Clements (Leith Athletic), Dowds (Celtic), Richardson (Hurlford), Baird (Heart of Midlothian)

The following players were also selected but exempt from the first round of trials: -

Wilson (Vale of Leven), Gillespie (Queen’s Park), Arnott (Queen’s Park), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), Kelly (Celtic), Robertson (Queen’s Park), Berry (Queen’s Park), Dunlop (St.Mirren), Sellar (Queen’s Park)

Wednesday, 18th February 1891

MEETING OF THE SCOTTISH LEAGUE

The meeting was in respect of the backlog of postponed fixtures that now required to be accommodated. Severe bad weather and cup-tie replays had been the cause of the large number of un-played matches. Third Lanark were the worst affected having, so far, been able to complete only 4 fixtures due to numerous cup replays in which they were involved. The league season, which was due to end on Saturday 11th April 1891 has now been extended by 4 weeks until the 9th May 1891. It was also necessary to include a small number of mid-week fixtures. The full revised fixture list is as follows: -

Saturday, 21st February 1891                Saturday, 28th February 1891

Dumbarton v Celtic                                       Cambuslang v Third Lanark

Heart of Midlothian v St.Mirren                      Celtic v Heart of Midlothian

Rangers v Cambuslang                              Cowlairs v Abercorn

Third Lanark v Vale of Leven               Dumbarton v Vale of Leven

                                                                        St.Mirren v Rangers

Saturday, 7th March 1891                            Saturday, 14th March 1891

Abercorn v Vale of Leven                           Celtic v Cowlairs

Cambuslang v Celtic                                       Rangers v Abercorn

Cowlairs v Heart of Midlothian                    St.Mirren v Third Lanark

Dumbarton v St.Mirren

Third Lanark v Rangers

 Saturday, 21st March 1891                            Saturday, 28th March 1891

Abercorn v Cowlairs                                               Cowlairs v Rangers

Cambuslang v Dumbarton                               Dumbarton v Third Lanark

Celtic v Rangers                                                Heart of Midlothian v Abercorn

Third Lanark v Heart of Midlothian                    St.Mirren v Cambuslang

Vale of Leven v St.Mirren

Saturday, 4th April 1891                               Saturday, 11th April 1891

Rangers v Vale of Leven                                   Cambuslang v Abercorn

St.Mirren v Celtic                                       Celtic v Dumbarton

Third Lanark v Cambuslang                              Cowlairs v Third Lanark

                                                                        St.Mirren v Heart of Midlothian

Monday, 13th April 1891                               Saturday, 18th April 1891

Heart of Midlothian v Dumbarton                   Celtic v Abercorn

                                                                        Cowlairs v Cambuslang

                                                                        Heart of Midlothian v Third Lanark

Saturday, 25th April 1891                               Tuesday, 28th April 1891

Abercorn v Heart of Midlothian                    Third Lanark v Abercorn

Celtic v Third Lanark

Cowlairs v St.Mirren

Rangers v Dumbarton

Vale of Leven v Cambuslang

Wednesday, 29th April 1891                            Saturday, 2nd May 1891

Cowlairs v Celtic                                       Cambuslang v Heart of Midlothian

                                                                        Rangers v Celtic

                                                                        St.Mirren v Dumbarton

                                                                        Vale of Leven v Third Lanark

Tuesday, 5th May 1891                               Wednesday, 6th May 1891

Celtic v Vale of Leven                           Third Lanark v Cowlairs

Saturday, 9th May 1891

Rangers v Third Lanark

Vale of Leven v Heart of Midlothian

NEW LEAGUE PROPOSED

Despite the teething troubles of the Scottish League, it has still been seen as a success by those clubs on the outside looking in. So much so that Northern FC have written to a number of other Glasgow clubs calling for a meeting to explore the formation of a Glasgow Alliance League. The reaction at this early stage is said to be positive with interest being expressed by a number of clubs including Battlefield, Clyde and Thistle.

Thursday, 19th February 1891

MEETING OF THE SFA

Mr George Henderson, the Cowlairs Honorary Secretary, who had been suspended back in October 1890 for his handling of the his club’s affairs, appeared before the committee in support of his application for reinstatement. He was advised as how to proceed in leading evidence regarding the baselessness of the charges raised against him and, upon which his suspension was based.

Mr William Wilton (Rangers) raised the motion that he intimated he would do at the last meeting held on the 27th January 1891. This was in respect of the legality of the Business & Professional Committee allowing the second replayed Scottish Cup between Queen’s Park and Third Lanark to go ahead a Hampden Park (home of Queen’s Park) instead of a neutral ground as required by the competition rules. It was resolved to disapprove the recent action of the Business & Professional Committee and that the decision should not be regarded as a precedent.

One of the topics up for discussion in the forthcoming International Board meeting is the proposed alteration to the laws of the game. One particular aspect that had considerable discussion was the deliberate fisting out of goal bound shots by outfield players. One suggestion was that a point should be awarded for a deliberate fist out, and two points to count as equal to a goal. No definite decision was arrived at.

The SFA General Committee showed their true colours with this decision. There could be no argument that the Business & Professional Committee acted outside their authority by agreeing to Queen’s Park and Third Lanark’s request. The decision was contrary to the competition rules (Rule 11) and was given without adequate explanation. But Queen’s Park were involved and the SFA demonstrated their reluctance to go against any requests they made whether it broke the rules or not. Had Queen’s Park not been involved it was extremely unlikely the rule would have been broken. The Business & Professional Committee was given the proverbial slap on the wrists. It should also be noted that 4 of the members of the General Committee, T. Park, S. Lawrie, J. Campbell and A. Sliman are also members of the Business & Professional Committee. Park is chairman of both committees, so draw your own conclusions.

Friday, 20th February 1891

THIRD LANARK PLAYER ON THE MOVE

Third Lanark suffered a blow to their playing ambitions when Alex Lochhead left the club to join English League club Everton. It was reported that he signed for £180 (around £24,000 today) signing fee and £2 (£260) a week.

Saturday, 21st February 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 20

DUMBARTON                     2            CELTIC                                 2                   6,000

Galbraith,Boyle                                                     Dunbar,Untraced

Half time 1-0                                                          Referee:

Dumbarton: McLeod, Watson, Miller, Laing, Boyle, Keir, Taylor, Galbraith, Hutcheson, McNaught, Bell

Celtic: Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, Gallagher, Kelly, Maley, Madden, Boyle, Dowds, Dunbar, McMahon

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN         1            St.MIRREN                            0                   3,500

Ross

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee: Mr J. Marshall (Third Lanark)

Heart of Midlothian: Fairbairn, Adams, Stirling, Begbie, McPherson, Hill, Taylor, Mason, Ross, Scott, Baird

St.Mirren: Cameron, A. McBain, Smith, McCartney, Brown, E. McBain, Morrison, McAuley, Wylie, J. Dunlop, E. Dunlop

RANGERS                              2            CAMBUSLANG                    1                   2,000

McPherson, H. McCreadie                                             Brown

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee:

Rangers: Reid, Muir, Hodge, Marshall, A. McCreadie, Mitchell, Hislop, Henderson, H. McCreadie, Kerr, McPherson

Cambuslang: Ross, Smith, Collins, Russell, Jackson, Jamieson, Park, Buchanan, Maxwell, Gourlay, Brown

THIRD LANARK                    4            VALE of LEVEN                    1                   3,000

Johnstone,Thomson,McInnes,Shaw                             Graham

Half time: 1-1                                                        Referee: Mr Allison

Third Lanark: Downie, A. Thomson, Smith, Lapsley, Scott, Love, Shaw, Morrison, Johnstone, Burke, McInnes

Vale of Leven: Doherty, Whitelaw, G. Sharp, J. Sharp, McAdam, Cornoch, Cowan, Rankin, T. Graham, Bruce, Mills

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

10

8

2

0

35

10

18

3.500

2.

Rangers

9

6

2

1

28

15

14

1.867

3.

Cambuslang

9

4

1

4

27

26

9

1.038

4.

Third Lanark

5

4

0

1

16

10

8

1.600

5.

Heart of Midlothian

8

3

1

4

18

17

7

1.059

6.

Vale of Leven

10

3

1

6

16

33

7

0.485

7.

Celtic

7

4

1

2

22

12

5*

1.833

8.

St.Mirren

9

2

1

6

20

30

5

0.667

9.

Abercorn

9

1

1

7

16

29

3

0.552

10.

Cowlairs

8

1

2

5

9

25

0*

0.360

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

At last the League got up and running again with the first of the revised fixtures and no postponements for the first time in months.

Dumbarton entertained Celtic in front of Boghead Park’s biggest crowd of the season so far. In the early part of the first half Dumbarton started strongly in contrast to Celtic’s slack play. It did not come as a surprise when the Sons took the lead after just 10 minutes through Galbraith. This seemed to waken up the Celts and the rest of the half was fairly even. Just before half time was called Dowds missed an open goal, blasting over. In the second half again Dumbarton started better and Boyle put them 2-0 up. Celtic were roused into action once again and mid way through the half Dunbar reduced the deficit. Near the end Celtic levelled the score and the closing minutes produced exciting play as both teams went all out for a winner.

Cup winners Heart of Midlothian found St.Mirren a tough nut to crack at Tynecastle Park. The first half was a disappointment for the crowd as poor play and weak finishing marred it. The second half started a bit better but once Ross put Hearts into the lead it again reverted to poor play. The early second half goal proved to be the only one of the game.

There was a lively start to the game at Ibrox Park between Rangers and Cambuslang. Rangers were the more dangerous of the two but the Cambuslang defence kept Rangers at bay. The Gers pressure was broken up by the odd Cambuslang breakaway but half time arrived scoreless. The second half was much the same as the first; the Cambuslang defence was on top form and their odd breakaways dealt with efficiently by the Rangers defenders. With 10 minutes remaining McPherson eluded the Cambuslang defenders and scored a superb solo goal. But three minutes later Cambuslang were level once more when Brown equalised. The game looked like heading for a draw when Hugh McCreadie popped up to score the winning goal for Rangers very late on.

A decent crowd turned up at Cathkin Park to see Third Lanark play their first league game since late October. The Vale of Leven had been tipped to give the Warriors a hard game and so it proved as Graham put them 1-0 ahead after just 5 minutes. However Third Lanark came back strongly and Johnstone equalised not long after. The Thirds pressed strongly from that point but Vale held out and when half time was called the teams were tied at one goal each. Third Lanark opened the second half with constant attacks on the Vale goal and on the hour Lapsly thought he had put Third Lanark ahead but the referee disallowed it. However a minute later Thomson did score and the Warriors were in front. Five minutes after that, Third Lanark went 3-1 up when McInnes scored and that all but ended Vale’s resistance. Shaw grabbed a 4th for Thirds near the end of the game.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES

FORFARSHIRE FA                P            GLASGOW FA                     P

Match called off as Glasgow FA cancelled the game.

RENFREWSHIRE FA            3            EAST of SCOTLAND FA     3       2,000

Neil,Nicol,Untraced                                            Boyd,Chalmers,H. McQueen

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee: Mr Robertson (5th KRV)

Westmarch, Paisley

Renfrewshire FA: Airston (Arthurlie), A. Cuthbertson (Abercorn), D. Cuthbertson (Abercorn), Johnstone (Abercorn), Bowie (Abercorn), Reid (Abercorn), Hughes (Arthurlie), Nicol (Abercorn), Raeside (Abercorn),Neil (Port Glasgow Athletic), Bonnar (Abercorn)

East of Scotland FA: Baillie (Edinburgh Northern), Ellis (Mossend Swifts), Hepburn (Alloa Athletic), M. McQueen (Leith Athletic), Anderson (Leith Athletic), Hogg (Mossend Swifts), Chalmers (Armadale), Clements (Leith Athletic), Russell (Heart of Midlothian), Boyd (Mossend Swifts), H. McQueen (Leith Athletic)

Glasgow FA were scheduled to play London FA at Celtic Park but London had advised earlier in the week that they could not fulfil the fixture. Glasgow then hastily arranged to play Forfarshire FA at Dundee instead. Much to Forfarshire’s annoyance, Glasgow subsequently pulled out of the match.

Renfrewshire and East of Scotland FA’s played out an entertaining 3 all draw in Paisley. East of Scotland came back from being 3-1 down to snatch the draw. The Renfrewshire team contained 8 Abercorn players.

GLASGOW NORTH EASTERN CUP, SEMI-FINAL

CLYDE                                   3            COWLAIRS                           2

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee:

Barrowfield Park, Glasgow

Clyde will meet Northern in the final after beating Cowlairs by the odd goal in 5.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

QUEEN’S PARK              2            NORTHERN                          0

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee:

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Monday, 23rd February 1891

MEETING OF THE SCOTTISH LEAGUE

It was decided that all clubs should play their full strength teams for Saturday’s league matches on the 28th February 1891. This means that players called up for the International Trial matches on the same day will not be available. This could affect a large number of players.

This decision has put the League on a collision course with the SFA, particularly if the SFA insist that players selected for the trial match are made available.

Wednesday, 25th February 1891

MEETING OF THE RENFREWSHIRE FA

The Renfrewshire FA met to select the team to face the Ayrshire FA on Saturday, 14th March 1891. The selected team: -

Connell (Port Glasgow Athletic), Paul (Dykebar), Hurst (Arthurlie), Ferguson (Arthurlie), McKinnon (Port Glasgow Athletic), Blair (Morton), Dick (Morton), McAuley (St.Mirren), Carsewell (Arthurlie), Neil (Port Glasgow Athletic), Steel (Neilston)

Thursday, 26th February 1891

ALLIANCE LEAGUE MEETING

 A meeting by the clubs interested in forming a league attracted representatives from the following: -

Airdrieonians                Clyde               East Stirlingshire                   Kilmarnock

Leith Athletic                Linthouse         Morton                         Northern

Partick Thistle               Port Glasgow Athletic             Thistle

Mr J. Boag (Partick Thistle) acted as interim president and Mr T. Moir (Northern) as interim secretary.

It was agreed that the league would be limited to 12 teams, the 11 represented and one other. The rules would be identical to that of the Scottish League with an annual subscription of 2 guineas (£2.10, around £275 today). It was also agreed that Queen’s Park FC should be approached and asked to join the league. A further meeting was set for three weeks time.

Saturday, 28th February 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 21

CAMBUSLANG                  2            THIRD LANARK                    2                   2,000

Brown,Low                                                            W.Thomson (2)

Half time 0-2                                                          Referee:

Cambuslang: Ross, Smith, Collins, Russell, Jackson, Jamieson, Low, James Buchanan, Maxwell, Brown, H. Gourlay

Third Lanark: Downie, A, Thomson, Smith, Lapsley, Scott, Love, Shaw, W. Thomson, Johnstone, McInnes, Burke

CELTIC                                   1            HEART of MIDLOTHIAN         0                   8,000

Campbell

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee:

Celtic: Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, Gallagher, Kelly, W. Malley, Madden, Boyle, Dowds, Campbell, Dunbar

Heart Of Midlothian: Fairbairn, Adams, Goodfellow, Begbie, Waterston, Stirling, Taylor, Mason, Russell, Ross, Scott

COWLAIRS                            7            ABERCORN                         5                   1,000

Lyall,Fleming (og), 5 Untraced                   5 Untraced

Half time: 4-0                                                         Referee:

Cowlairs: Duff, McCartney, D.Masterton, Elliott, Buist, Smith McPherson, Lyall, McGhee, Shanks, Henderson

Abercorn: Fleming, A,Cuthbertson, D. Cuthbertson, Bowie, Eaglesham, Reid Wallace, Nicol, Cree, McLaren, Bonnar

DUMBARTON                     4            VALE of LEVEN                    0                   4,000

Keir,Taylor,Untraced,Boyle                             

Halft time: 3-0                                                        Referee:

Dumbarton: McLeod, Watson, Miller, Laing, Boyle, Keir, Taylor, Galbraith, Hutcheson, Wilson, Bell

Vale of Leven: Wilson, Whitelaw, G. Sharp, McAdam, Cornoch, Cowan, Reid, T. Graham, Mills, Bruce, ……..

St.MIRREN                          3            RANGERS                          7              4,000

McCartney,Wylie,Dunlop                                  Henderson (2),Kerr,H. McCreadie (2),McPherson,

                                                                                Untraced(og)

Half time: 2-4                                                         Referee: Mr McLean (Vale of Leven)

St.Mirren: Cameron, Sloan, A. McBain, McCartney, W. McBain, Douglas, Morrison, McAulry, Wylie, Dunlop, Adam

Rangers: Reid, Muir, Hodge, A.McCreadie, McIntyre, Mitchell, Hislop, Henderson, Kerr, McPherson, H. McCreadie

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

11

9

2

0

39

10

20

3.900

2.

Rangers

10

7

2

1

25

18

16

1.944

3.

Cambuslang

10

4

2

4

29

28

10

1.036

4.

Third Lanark

6

4

1

1

18

12

9

1.500

5.

Celtic

8

5

1

2

23

12

7*

1.917

6.

Heart of Midlothian

9

3

1

5

18

18

7

1.000

7.

Vale of Leven

11

3

1

7

16

37

7

0.432

8.

St.Mirren

10

2

1

7

23

37

5

0.622

9.

Abercorn

10

1

1

8

21

36

3

0.583

10.

Cowlairs

9

2

2

5

16

30

2*

0.533

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

The full league programme went ahead as scheduled despite the fact that some players from several clubs elected to take part in in the International Trial matches.

Cambuslang and Third Lanark fought out an entertaining match despite the stormy weather at Whitefield Park, Cambuslang. Third Lanark had the better of the first half and a Thomson double gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Cambuslang thought they had reduced the deficit just before the break when Gourlay scored, however it was ruled offside. In the second half Cambuslang now had the advantage of the wind at their backs and put the Warriors under constant pressure. Brown scored for Cambuslang midway through the second half and not long after Low equalised. In the end Third Lanark held on to secure the draw.

The last time Celtic met Hearts in the league they had a much easier time of it, winning 5-0 at Tynecastle. At Celtic Park it was a different story. The strong wind affected the quality of the game and a poor first half ended goalless. By the time the second half kicked off the wind had dropped slightly but the overall play did not improve. On the hour mark Campbell scored the only goal of the game that gave Celtic victory. Hearts’ regulars, McPherson and Hill, were missing as they opted to play in the International Trial match.

Cowlairs and Abercorn were involved in an astonishing match at Springvale in a 12-goal thriller. Cowlairs got off to a great start when Lyall opened the scoring and sooner after Abercorn’s goalkeeper, Fleming, scored an own goal. It was all Cowlairs and by half time they led 4-0. In the second half just about every attack by either team produced a goal and it finished 7-5 in favour of the Springburn men. This was Cowlairs first win in the league since August and their biggest problem throughout has been a lack of goals. As for Abercorn, they have now only won one league match in 10.

Dumbarton marched on relentlessly with a easy victory over local rivals Vale of Leven. The Vale’s cause was not helped by the fact that Rankin did not turn up (he played in the International Trial match) and therefore left his team a man short. It took Dumbarton just 5 minutes to take the lead through Keir and Taylor added a second on 30 minutes. Five minutes later a third goal was added and the half ended with Dumbarton 3-0 up. In the second half Boyle made it 4-0 on the hour and that was how the game ended.

It was goals galore at Westmarch in the match between St.Mirren and Rangers. St.Mirren were without Brown and Eddie McBain and Rangers were without Marshall, the players opted to attend the International Trial match. Rangers raced into a 3-goal lead through a Henderson double and another from Kerr. St.Mirren, however fought back after that and reduced the deficit to one with goals from McCartney and Wylie. Unfortunately their fight back stalled when Hugh McCreadie scored to give Rangers a 4-2 half time lead. Just after the restart Dunlop pulled another goal back for St.Mirren but thereafter it was all Rangers. Hugh McCreadie made it 5-3 and McPherson made it 6-3. In the dying minutes of the game St.Mirren compounded to their misery with an own goal to make the final score 7-3 to Rangers.

INTERNATIONAL TRIAL MATCHES

BLACK and WHITES            7            BLUE                                      2             850

Half time: 3-2                                                         Referee:

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Black and Whites: McCorkindale (Partick Thistle), Walker (Inverness Caledonian), Hepburn (Alloa Athletic), Marshal (Rangers), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Watt (Kilbirnie), Rankin (Vale of Leven), Logan (Ayr), Richardson (Hurlford), Keillor (Montrose)

Blue: Baird (Irvine), Reid (5th KRV), Paul (Dykebar), McQueen (Leith Athletic), Brown (St.Mirren), E. McBain (St.Mirren), Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Clements (Leith Athletic), Butter (Dundee Our Boys), Boyd (Mossend Swifts), Baxter (Linthouse)

WHITE                                   3            RED and WHITES              5             850

Half time: 3-2                                                         Referee:

Hampden Park, Glasgow

White: Gold (Dundee Our Boys), O’Kane (Arbroath), Dewar (Glasgow Wanderers), Hamilton (Hurlford), Clelland (Royal Albert), Sellar (Queen’s Park), Coupar (Dundee Our Boys), Buchanan (Abercorn), Baird (Albion Rovers), Skea (Arbroath), Berry (Queen’s Park)

Red and Whites: Connar (Airdrieonians), Bennet (Clydesdale), Watt (Kilbirnie), Craig (Dundee Our Boys), Scott (Albion Rovers), Frame (Royal Albert), McIntosh (Linthouse), Anderson (Battlefield), Bowie (Linthouse), McInnes (King’s Park), Lambie (Queen’s Park)

On the eve of the trial matches, the selection committee was left with a headache. 27 league players were selected but 20 of those called off. McLaren (Celtic), Baird (Heart of Midlothian) and Gow (Rangers) were injured, the other 17 played for their clubs as instructed. The 7 who did take part were Buchanan (Abercorn), McPherson and Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Marshall (Rangers), Brown and Eddie McBain (St.Mirren) and Rankin (Vale of Leven). Alex Lochhead was selected but was now excluded as he had left Third Lanark to play professional football with Everton.  Connell (Port Glasgow Athletic) was also posted missing. Smellie (Queen’s Park) was excused due to injury.

This meant the absentees had to be covered from the reserve list and two exempt players, Berry and Sellar of Queen’s Park, were drafted in. Watt (Kilbirnie) played in both matches. The original team line-ups were subject to wholesale changes to rebalance the teams.

Even allowing for the changes and the stormy weather, the trials failed to inspire the public as less than 1000 spectators bothered to turn up. The other matches played in Glasgow clearly held more interest.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

CLYDE                                   3            LEITH ATHLETIC                  0

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee:

Barrowfield Park, Glasgow

THISTLE                                 1            NORTHERN                          4

Half time: 0-2                                                         Referee: