The Scottish FA today celebrates 150 years of the national game - opening the archives of the Scottish Football Museum and sharing thousands of pages of historical records dating back to the earliest days of Scotland's national game.
On 13 March 1873, the Scottish Football Association was formed during a meeting at Dewar's Hotel in Glasgow. In doing so, it became the second-oldest national association in world football and ensured Scotland's role in the development and growth of the modern game.
The formation paved the way for great clubs and players to inspire their local communities and to conquer the world stage; for legends like Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish, Rose Reilly and Julie Fleeting, and iconic coaches like Jock Stein, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jim McLean and Walter Smith to weave themselves into the fabric of Scottish culture and identity; and for Scotland men's, women's and youth teams to compete on the world stage in major finals.
It was a pleasure to join the children of @HyndlandPS, @Hampdeners and many more at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground yesterday to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ever international match.#Fitba150 pic.twitter.com/p0J9hTNG5n
— Scottish FA (@ScottishFA) December 1, 2022
The anniversary is the latest milestone in a year-long celebration that has already included the honouring of the first-ever men's and women's international matches; with the re-enactment of the first ever international match between Scotland and England at the West of Scotland Cricket ground, and the reunion of the Ravenscraig Pioneers, the Scotland team managed by Elsie Cook and led by Rose Reilly, at the recent FIFA Women's World Cup Play-Off match against Austria.
The Heritage International between Scotland and England men's team takes place at Hampden Park on 12 September, with the eagerly anticipated commemorative 150th anniversary kit on sale on 21 March.
A match not to be missed.
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 2, 2022
Scottish Football's 150th Anniversary celebrations will culminate in September 2023 with an anniversary Heritage Match between Scotland and England's Men's teams at Hampden Park.
The inaugural Week of Football – a celebration of the impact of the national game across Scotland and beyond – takes place in June between the women's and men's versions of the Scottish Cup Final, which will both be played for the first time at the national stadium.
The new digital archive holds the earliest records of Scottish football, giving a glimpse into the origins of the game in Scotland through Scottish FA minute books and Scottish FA annuals. Over 5800 pages of Scottish FA minute books (1879–1969), and 900 pages of Scottish FA annuals (1875–1900) will be accessible in the archive.
The opening words in the oldest surviving minute book (1879-80) are as follows:
At Glasgow and within the Lesser Trades, Glassford Street, there this Twenty-nineth day of April 1879 at half-past Seven o’clock evening, met the Scottish Football Association being the Annual Meeting of the Association. A large attendance of members present.
For the first time, fans will be able to access records telling the story of the birth of the professional game in Scotland, along with the earliest histories of Scotland's most storied clubs.
Richard McBrearty, Scottish Football Museum Curator said: "The thousands of pages of historical archive that have been released today provide an incredible resource for football in Scotland and around the world to learn about the foundations of Scotland’s national game."
This evening, to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Scottish FA, a Civic Dinner kindly granted by The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, will be held at Glasgow's City Chambers.
Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President said: "It is a great honour to be President of the Scottish FA 150 years on from the founding moments of the association. Scotland has contributed so much to the world's game and it’s exciting to see Scotland's unique place in the history of world football recognised.
"The National Week of Football will offer a legacy to the anniversary and a way to celebrate all the ways football positively impacts our country, setting the course for the next 150 years."
How to access the digital archives
The digital archives will be available from Monday 13 March 2023 through the Scottish Football Museum’s website. Either follow the direct link from the home-page or click the 'Digital Archive' option under the 'Football for All' tab at the top of the home screen.