Third Lanark AC

Yeah it's Saturday morning and time for trawling round the net looking for all things Third Lanark...as you do ! 

Anyway on the SFA website and having a look at 'how it all began' and yes as you all know the old Hi Hi were in at the outset (21 March 1873)...anyone know the other protagonists?? How's this:

Clydesdale, Dumbreck, Eastern, Granville, Kilmarnock, Queens Park and Vale of Leven.

The first competition was the Scottish Cup won by Queens Park 2-0 versus Clydesdale (hope we didn't get put out out in the 1st round!!) and the final was played at Hampden Park or as it later came to be known....Cathkin Park  (oh the history ).

The Scottish Fooball League was formed in 1890 and yes you're ahead of me Thirds were yet again founder members.The others.....

Abercorn,Cambuslang, Celtic, Cowlairs, Dumbarton (remember them ), Hearts, Rangers, Renton, St Mirren and Vale of Leven (sorry PTL the Jags were in some other diddy league more of that in a minute ).

Anyway in 1891 the Scottish Football Alliance (one of several competing leagues) was formed with the founder members being:

Airdrie, Ayr, East Stirling, Morton, Kings Park, Linthouse, Northern, Partick Thistle (yup that's where they were ), Port Glasgow Athletic, St Bernards and Wishaw Thistle.

This league lasted around 6 years and low and behold Third Lanark 'A' joined in its final year and promtly WON THE LEAGUE .Now to those of you born after the great demise  an 'A' team was the 'Reserve' side...so the flag was fluttering proudly over Cathkin park (well it would have if there was one...use your imagination!!)

The Alliance came back briefly for a spell before WW1 and in 1919 or 1920 was reconstituted as a 'Reserve League' with most of the teams providing their 'A' side and have you guessed???....Wrong Thirds did not enter a team!!!

Lesson over .

Bigeye