List of Scottish Football League clubs

Galabank Stadium, home of Annan Athletic, the last club to gain admission to the Scottish League before it closed

The Scottish Football League ("SFL") was established in 1890, initially as an amateur league as professionalism had not been legalised in Scottish football.[1] In 1893 a Second Division was formed, with the existing single division renamed the First Division. The Second Division was discontinued during the First World War but revived in 1921.[2] A Third Division was added in 1923 but collapsed three years later as a number of its member clubs found themselves unable to complete their fixtures for financial reasons, with many folding altogether. After the Second World War the divisions were rebranded as Division A and Division B and a Division C was added. This included a mixture of new member clubs and the reserve teams of clubs from the higher divisions, but this division was dropped in 1955.[3]

A major re-organisation of the SFL in 1975 led to the existing two divisions being split into three smaller divisions, with a new Premier Division at the highest level. This structure remained in place until 1998, when the teams then in the Premier Division broke away to form the Scottish Premier League, which supplanted the Premier Division as the highest level of football in Scotland.[4] In 2013 the two leagues merged to form the new Scottish Professional Football League, ending the 123-year existence of the SFL.

For the whole history of the SFL, there was no mechanism in place for club(s) at the bottom of the league to be relegated.[5] A number of clubs who resigned or were expelled from the SFL went on to play in non-league football, either in "senior" leagues such as the East of Scotland Football League or in leagues governed by the Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA).[6][7] Whenever a club left the league (for example, when Gretna was liquidated in 2008), a new club was elected in its place.[8] This closed-shop system was changed soon after the leagues merged, when a playoff between the bottom-placed SPFL club and the winner of a playoff between the Highland League and Lowland League champions was introduced in 2015. Edinburgh City became the first (and, as of 2018, the only) club to be promoted to the SPFL when they won a playoff against East Stirlingshire in 2016.[9]

Clubs

The tables show the first and last seasons in which each club competed in the league. Some clubs' membership was intermittent between their first and last seasons. Clubs shown in bold were among the founder members of the league.

Former member clubs currently playing in the SPFL

ClubFirst SFL
season		Last SFL
season		Notes
Aberdeen1904–051997–98[10]
Airdrieonians[note 1]2002–032012–13[11]
Albion Rovers1903–042012–13[12]
Alloa Athletic1921–222012–13[13]
Annan Athletic2008–092012–13[14]
Arbroath1921–222012–13[15]
Ayr United1910–112012–13[16]
Berwick Rangers1951–522012–13[17]
Brechin City1923–242012–13[18]
Celtic1890–911997–98[19]
Clyde1891–922012–13[20]
Cowdenbeath1905–062012–13[21]
Dumbarton1890–912012–13[22]
Dundee1893–942011–12[23]
Dundee United1910–111997–98[24]
Dunfermline Athletic1912–132012–13[25]
East Fife1921–222012–13[26]
Elgin City2000–012012–13[27]
Falkirk1902–032012–13[28]
Forfar Athletic1921–222012–13[29]
Hamilton Academical1897–982012–13[30]
Heart of Midlothian1890–911997–98[31]
Hibernian1893–941998–99[32]
Inverness Caledonian Thistle1994–952009–10[33]
Kilmarnock1895–961997–98[34]
Livingston1995–962012–13[35]
Montrose1923–242012–13[36]
Morton1893–942012–13[37]
Motherwell1893–941997–98[38]
Partick Thistle1893–942012–13[39]
Peterhead2000–012012–13[40]
Queen of the South1923–242012–13[41]
Queen's Park1900–012012–13[42]
Raith Rovers1902–032012–13[43]
Rangers1890–912012–13[44]
Ross County1994–952011–12[45]
St Johnstone1897–982008–09[46]
St Mirren1890–912005–06[47]
Stenhousemuir1921–222012–13[48]
Stirling Albion1946–472012–13[49]
Stranraer1949–502012–13[50]

Other former member clubs

ClubFirst SFL
season		Last SFL
season		Current statusNotes
Abercorn1890–911914–15Defunct effectively from 1920 due to being unable to secure a new ground, officially in 1922 (an annual club dinner however was held until 1939).[51]
Airdrieonians1894–952001–02Officially defunct, but former owners took over the Clydebank club and renamed it as Airdrie United, before re-adopting the name Airdrieonians in 2013.[52][53]
Armadale1921–221931–32Defunct, reconstituted as Armadale Thistle playing in Junior leagues[54]
Arthurlie1901–021928–29Competing in the SJFA West Premier League[6][55]
Ayr1897–981909–10Merged with Ayr Parkhouse to form Ayr United[56][57]
Ayr Parkhouse1902–031909–10Merged with Ayr to form Ayr United[57][58]
Bathgate1921–221928–29[note 2]Defunct[59]
Beith1923–241925–26Reformed as Beith Juniors and currently competing in the SJFA West Premier League[6][60][61]
Bo'ness1921–221931–32Merged with Bo'ness Cadora to form Bo'ness United and currently competing in the Scottish Junior Football East Region Super League[62][63]
Broxburn United1921–221925–26Defunct[64]
Cambuslang1890–911891–92Defunct[65]
Clackmannan1921–221925–26Defunct[66]
Clydebank (original club)1914–151930–31Defunct[67]
Clydebank (second club)1965–662001–02Taken over by the former owners of the defunct Airdrieonians, who renamed the club as Airdrie United whilst selling the rights to the name Clydebank FC to that side's supporters club[53][68]
Cowlairs1890–911894–95Defunct[69]
Dumbarton Harp1923–241924–25Defunct - although amateur side continues[70]
Dundee Wanderers1894–951894–95Defunct[71]
Dykehead1923–241925–26Defunct[72]
East Stirlingshire1900–012012–13Relegated from the SPFL in 2016[73]
Edinburgh City1931–321948–49Defunct. The name was revived in 1986 when Postal United were renamed Edinburgh City; this club gained promotion from the Lowland League to the SPFL in 2016[74][75]
Galston1923–241925–26Defunct[76]
Gretna2002–032006–07[note 3]Defunct, though a 'new' club set up by its supporters, Gretna 2008, play in the Lowland League at the same ground[77][78]
Helensburgh1923–241925–26Defunct[79]
Johnstone1912–131925–26Defunct[80]
King's Park1921–221938–39Technically defunct - but see Stirling Albion[81]
Leith Athletic1891–921952–53Defunct - revived version of the club currently competing in the East of Scotland League[82]
Linthouse1895–961899–1900Defunct[83]
Lochgelly United1914–151925–26Defunct[84]
Meadowbank Thistle1974–751994–95Relocated and became Livingston. The current club considers its founding date to be 1995.[85][86]
Mid-Annandale1923–241925–26Defunct, revived version of the club currently competing in the South of Scotland League[7][87]
Nithsdale Wanderers1923–241926–27Defunct, revived version of the club currently competing in the South of Scotland League[7][88]
Northern1893–941893–94Defunct[89]
Peebles Rovers1923–241925–26Currently competing in the East of Scotland League Division One[90][91]
Port Glasgow Athletic1893–941910–11Officially defunct, however the current Port Glasgow Juniors celebrated their "centenary" in 1993.[92]
Renton1890–911897–98Defunct in 1922. Resurrected several times, most recently in 2008[93]
Royal Albert1923–241925–26Currently competing in the SJFA West Central Division Two[6][94]
Solway Star1923–241925–26Defunct[95]
St Bernard's1893–941938–39Joined local Edinburgh & District Amateur League[96]
Third Lanark1890–911966–67Defunct 1967, however amateur side has continued haphazardly in Glasgow amateur leagues[97]
Thistle1893–941893–94Defunct[98]
Vale of Leven1890–911925–26Currently competing in the SJFA West Central Division Two[6][99]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Formally a continuation of Clydebank, who relocated to Airdrie in 2002 and were renamed Airdrie United. The name was changed in 2013 to Airdrieonians, the same name as the original Airdrieonians club that was liquidated in 2002.
  2. ↑ Bathgate resigned during the 1928–29 season and the club's record was expunged from the table.
  3. ↑ Gretna officially returned to the Scottish League upon being relegated from the Scottish Premier League at the conclusion of the 2007–08 season, but resigned from the league before the start of the subsequent season.

References

  1. ↑ Davies, Hunter (2003). Boots, Balls and Haircuts: An Illustrated History of Football from Then to Now. Cassell Illustrated. p. 39. ISBN 1-84403-261-2.
  2. ↑ "Scotland – List of 2nd Level Champions". RSSSF. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  3. ↑ "Scotland – List of 3rd Level Champions". RSSSF. 18 April 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  4. ↑ "History". Scottish Premier League. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2008.
  5. ↑ "Ups and downs". BBC. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Stagecoach West of Scotland League". Scottish Junior Football Association. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 "Sanny saying goodbye". The Galloway Gazette. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  8. ↑ "Annan voted into Scottish league". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  9. ↑ McLauchlin, Brian (14 May 2016). "East Stirlingshire 0–1 Edinburgh City". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "Aberdeen". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  11. ↑ "Airdrie United". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Albion Rovers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Alloa Athletic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Annan Athletic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Arbroath". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "Ayr United". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Berwick Rangers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "Brechin City". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  19. ↑ "Celtic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  20. ↑ "Clyde". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  21. ↑ "Cowdenbeath". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  22. ↑ "Dumbarton". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  23. ↑ "Dundee". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  24. ↑ "League tables: Dundee United". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  25. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  26. ↑ "East Fife". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  27. ↑ "Elgin City". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  28. ↑ "Falkirk". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  29. ↑ "Forfar Athletic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  30. ↑ "Hamilton Academical". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  31. ↑ "League tables: Hearts". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  32. ↑ "League tables: Hibernian". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  33. ↑ "League tables: Inverness Caledonian Thistle". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  34. ↑ "League tables: Kilmarnock". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  35. ↑ "Livingston". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  36. ↑ "Montrose". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  37. ↑ "Morton". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  38. ↑ "League tables: Motherwell". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  39. ↑ "Partick Thistle". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  40. ↑ "Peterhead". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  41. ↑ "Queen of the South". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  42. ↑ "Queen's Park [Glasgow]". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  43. ↑ "Raith Rovers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  44. ↑ "Rangers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  45. ↑ "Ross County". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  46. ↑ "League tables: Hamilton Academical". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  47. ↑ "League tables: St Mirren". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  48. ↑ "Stenhousemuir". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  49. ↑ "Stirling Albion". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  50. ↑ "Stranraer". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  51. ↑ "Abercorn". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  52. ↑ "Airdrieonians". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  53. 1 2 "Airdrie United given green light". BBC. 1 July 2002. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  54. ↑ "Armadale". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  55. ↑ "Arthurlie". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  56. ↑ "Ayr". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  57. 1 2 "History of Ayr United F.C." Ayr United F.C. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  58. ↑ "Ayr Parkhouse". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  59. ↑ "Bathgate". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  60. ↑ "Beith FC – Information". Beith Juniors F.C. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  61. ↑ "Beith". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  62. ↑ "Bo'ness". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  63. ↑ "Bo'ness". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  64. ↑ "Broxburn United". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  65. ↑ "Cambuslang". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  66. ↑ "Clackmannan". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  67. ↑ "Clydebank{1}". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  68. ↑ "Clydebank". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  69. ↑ "Cowlairs". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  70. ↑ "Dumbarton Harp". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  71. ↑ "Dundee Wanderers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  72. ↑ "Dykehead". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  73. ↑ "East Stirlingshire". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  74. ↑ "Edinburgh City". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  75. ↑ "A Brief History". Edinburgh City F.C. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  76. ↑ "Galston". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  77. ↑ "Gretna". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  78. ↑ "Gretna given place in the East of Scotland League". The Scotsman. 11 July 2008. 'We are obviously a new club carrying on the traditions of the old club and there is no connection with the old club other than the similarity in name,' said Hodge.
  79. ↑ "Helensburgh". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  80. ↑ "Johnstone". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  81. ↑ "King's Park". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  82. ↑ "Leith Athletic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  83. ↑ "Linthouse". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  84. ↑ "Lochgelly United". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  85. ↑ "League tables: Meadowbank Thistle". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  86. ↑ "One Livi". Livingston F.C. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  87. ↑ "Mid-Annandale". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  88. ↑ "Nithsdale Wanderers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  89. ↑ "Northern". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  90. ↑ "Peebles Rovers". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  91. ↑ "Peebles Rovers". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  92. ↑ "Port Glasgow Athletic". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  93. ↑ "Renton". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  94. ↑ "Royal Albert". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  95. ↑ "Solway Star". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  96. ↑ "St Bernard's". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  97. ↑ "Third Lanark". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  98. ↑ "Thistle". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  99. ↑ "Vale of Leven". The Football Club History Database. Retrieved 17 November 2008.

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