Formation of Scottish FA

Part 10 of the History of Football

Formation of Scottish Football Association

The Scottish FA was formed on March 13, 1873 at a meeting held at Dewar's Hotel, Glasgow, attended by representatives of eight clubs, Clydesdale, Dumbreck, Glasgow Eastern, Granville, Queen's Park, Rovers, Third Lanark and Vale of Leven. Officials appointed were: President- Mr A Campbell; Hon treasurer- Mr W Ker; Hon Secretary - Mr A Rae;
Committee - Messrs WE Dick, R Gardner, W Gibb, E Hendry, D McFarlane, J McIntyre, J McKay and J Turnbull.

Interference with play by onlookers was again a problem and many a good game was spoiled by it. In a match at Notting Hill there was actually a free fight on the pitch between spectators. On Wimbledon Common a game was ruined by a large crowd of schoolboys indulging in "horse-play"; in this instance, the visiting side complained bitterly of being deprived of an afternoon's football in this manner and vowed they would never go to Wimbledon again. During a game at Victoria Park, in East London, onlookers encroached on the playing area in the path of the players; several of the mob were knocked over and one had his arm broken.

"We may be reliably informed that to watch a football match is now quite the fashionable thing," so it was written at the end of this season. "As soon as members of the fair sex graced the scene, the game was transformed from its brute creation into something noble. It is a show for Princes (for Royalty, too, has honoured the football field with its Presence, and lately, when HRH Prince Leopold attended one of the cup-ties at the Kennington Oval). And when our Poet Laureate visited the Oval for a match on 15 December, football could be said to have won the approval of the Arts".

"That football is a game played for the enjoyment and for the benefit of the players must always be so. But that is not to say that onlookers may derive no pleasure from following the progress of a game. Not everybody is able to play not everybody is fit to play, not everybody wants to play, and for all those, there is nothing wrong with the delight of watching the players enjoying themselves." There was a growing public interest in football and a growing interest in watching football, whether the clubs liked it or not,-- some did, most did not. Even those who did like it, and showed their approval by accepting money from the public by way of an entrance fee into the ground, did very little to cater for the comfort of the public. One of the grumbles of a football follower would occur when, after travelling to a ground he discovered the game had been put off, or it had been transferred to another ground some distance away, or the kick-off time had been changed, and all without the slightest notice being given. It was argued that those who took money from the public should try to study the convenience of the public; the more so when the money was to the order of that charged for admission to one game at Kennington Oval,-- ticket bout in advance, one shilling, admission on the day, two shillings, horses five shillings, carriages ten shillings, the Ladies' Tent one shilling.

Whatsoever one's ground, and wheresoever, it was undoubtedly wisest to inform a visiting club of the venue. On 15 November Brondesbury FC apparently omitted to observe this simple rule with the consequence that their opponents, Barnes, went all the way to the ground at Kilburn before discovering that the match was due to be played at Kensington Park cricket ground. By the time the unfortunate and much-travelled visitors arrived it was too late for more than half-an hour's play.

The Secretary of The Rugby Football Union, to a newspaper in November 1873, complained of "a growing evil" whereby some clubs induced members of other clubs to turn out for them in order to strengthen their side for important matches. "One of our best Rugby players, " he observed "agreed to play in the FA Cup matches for a side of which he is not a member" When clubs met in a game, he continued, it should be considered a point of hour to use only their own members. But if they are compelled to use substitutes, they should make it known before the start so that the opponents may have a chance to object.

The FA Cub attracted rather more interest this season. For the first time there were provincial clubs taking part, and more than 600 people saw the tie between Sheffield and Shoropshire Wanders. No decision was reached at Sheffield so the tie was replayed at Shrewsbury. Again the match was drawn, so the rival captains, meeting in the Raven Hotel after the game agreed to settle it on the toss of a coin.
The holders of the Cup no longer had the right to sit on the sidelines until the final, Rule 9 -- the holders of the Cup shall be liable to play only the winner of the trial matches" -- was amended to ensure that all clubs should play throughout the competition from the start.

Click this link for the next part of the History of Football - The influence of Scottish football and early football formations