A Brief History
Sir Alex Ferguson, former player with Drumchapel Amateurs, stands in front of the portrait of Douglas Smith, as he was introduced into the Scottish Amateur Football Association ‘Hall of Fame’ on 20 February 2014.
Douglas Smith is widely recognised as the founding father of the Caledonian League.
The Origins of the Caledonian League
The Caledonian League was the brainchild of the late W. Douglas Smith of Drumchapel Amateurs. Douglas was a genuine football enthusiast. He had a great love of football and, in particular, of the amateur game. By the late nineteen seventies, his own club, Drumchapel Amateurs, had already brought many honours and benefits to the City of Glasgow and to Scottish Football as a whole. However, Douglas often felt that more could be done to improve the status of amateur football. He was frustrated by the standard of pitches and the general facilities available to most sides, particularly in the West of Scotland. Council pitches were barely of minimum dimensions, with lines furrowed out with lime and often with a surface of black ash or red blaize. Washing facilities were generally very poor. Sometimes there was no lighting in dressing rooms, except through an open door. Douglas had tackled local authorities to secure an upgrade of football pitches and facilities, but with little success.
By the early nineteen eighties ideas were being mooted for the creation of a ‘pyramid’ league system that would allow the best sides throughout Scotland to compete against each other. It was envisaged these sides would play in a top league with other clubs being placed in lower leagues or divisions. Clubs would find their own level of competence within the pyramid structure. Douglas embraced these ideas with enthusiasm and vigour, but with additional criteria: at the highest tier playing surfaces, facilities, administration and organisation of clubs should all meet a specified standard. He realised, however, that it would be impracticable to introduce all of these changes at one time. He foresaw that pressures from existing leagues to argue their case to be at the top of the pyramid would be so intense that no progress would be made in attaining his vision.
The only solution was for a rethink. Douglas took the bull by the horns. He set up a series of meetings for clubs ‘of proven ability, with good playing surfaces and suitable facilities to offer hospitality to their opponents after games’. Douglas regarded ‘proven ability” as meaning clubs that consistently reached the latter stages of the Scottish and District cups and usually competed at, or near, the top of the highest division of their own league.
Initial meetings were held in the North British Hotel, Glasgow. Those who attended were Anchor; Babcock & Wilcox; Bannockburn; Barr & Stroud; Bellaire; Cambusbarron Rovers; Colville Park; Cumbernauld Thistle; Drumchapel Amateurs; Giffnock North; Glasgow University; Jordanhill College; Muirend Amateurs; Queen’s Park; St. Mungo’s FP; Stirling University; Strathclyde Police; Viewfield Rovers; Weir Recreation and Westerlands. Interestingly, other clubs had already made representation to join the League - even before it had come into existence! These included Stanley, Knightswood and Cardross Rock. Eventually, 16 of these clubs agreed to become part of the new ‘Caledonian League’ for season 1983/1984.
Douglas Smith, Willie Turner (Viewfield Rovers), Wallace Whiteford (Giffnock North) and Roy Small (Jordanhill College) met at the College to hammer out a draft constitution for the new league. A review committee, led by Alan Gordon (Barr & Stroud), was put in place to ensure the draft constitution of the fledgling League would meet the full requirements of the Scottish Amateur Football Association. The combined effort was presented to a meeting of the clubs. Drummond Wilson (Neutral), who was acting as Secretary, then forwarded the slightly amended constitution to the Scottish Amateur Football Association for approval, along with an application for membership. Membership was granted but the Constitution required some minor adjustments. As the original Constitution had been agreed at the first Annual General Meeting, the League members then had to approve the amendments requested by the S.A.F.A. Prior to the Inaugural Annual General Meeting sponsorship had also been discussed, as had been the recruitment of referees and the possibility of using ‘neutral’ linesmen - probably by using referees who were under training. There had been considerable discussion about the question of League Fixtures. It was eventually agreed that they should be issued for the entire season, and this was done. The eventual impact of postponements due to weather and National and District cup replays meant this experiment was not repeated -but it certainly reflected the innovative outlook of Caledonian League clubs.
League Structure & Membership
One key point of discussion was how many teams should be in a league. Clubs wanted to ensure that sides that enjoyed good runs in the National and District cups would not be burdened with too many games at the end of a season. It was agreed that the 16 member clubs would be divided into two sections of 8, both of equal standing. The sections would be identified, not by number or letter, but by colour: Red and Black. The winners of each section would be joint League Champions.
The sides were drawn as follows:
Red Section Black Section
Barr & Stroud Anchor Amateurs
Drumchapel Amateurs Bannockburn Amateurs
Giffnock North Cambusbarron Rovers
Jordanhill College Glasgow University
Stirling University Muirend Amateurs
Strathclyde Police Queen’s Park Hampden XI
Viewfield Rovers St. Mungo’s FP
Westerlands Amateurs Weir Recreation
Before the League began, Anchor Amateurs lost the use of their ground and the club became defunct. They were replaced by another Renfrewshire side, Stanley. They joined the other 15 sides as the Founder Members of the Caledonian League in the inaugural season of 1983/84.
Drumchapel won the Red Section by seven clear points from Barr and Stroud. Queen’s Park won the Black Section with a one-point margin over Stanley. Drumchapel and Queen’s Park were, therefore, the ‘Joint Champions’ of the first Caledonian League competition.
Throughout our 25 years the standard of competition has been exceptionally high. Our Roll of Honour confirms the strength in depth of the Caledonian League. Of course, membership of the League has changed during that time, mirroring changes in the structures of football across Scotland, reflecting the changing aspirations, ambitions and circumstances of clubs and, sadly, sometimes the demise of some of the amateur game’s most famous teams.
League Administration
The first Office Bearers and Executive Committee members were:
President: Willie Turner (Viewfield Rovers); Vice President: Alan Gordon (Barr & Stroud); Secretary: Drummond Wilson (Neutral) Secretary; Match Secretary: George Steel (Neutral); Treasurer: Tony Heffron (St Mungo’s F.P.); Executive Committee: Wallace Whiteford (Giffnock North), Douglas Smith (Drumchapel Amateurs) and Angus Ross (Weir Recreation).
At the end of the inaugural season George Steel, resigned because of his other commitments. Gerry Herriot (Links United) was in place to succeed George. He was to give the League an innovative approach to the office. He produced a comprehensive report each month, giving full details of all League matches played. This included League Tables and results of all cup games and National and District competitions. He also introduced a results service on the evening of matches being played and, on a Sunday evening, the fixtures were placed on an answering machine. Angus Ross had resigned from Weir Recreation. The Executive Committee was bolstered by the addition of Gary Grahamslaw (Cambusbarron Rovers) and Tom Hood (Morriston YMCA). Over our 25 years the League has been fortunate in the choice of office bearers and executive members.
The Caledonian League can boast an impressive list of dedicated people whose commitment to their clubs, to the League and to amateur football in general has been unequivocal. Many have been, and remain, amongst the most influential figures in Scottish amateur footballing circles, often attaining high office not only within the Caledonian League but also at National and District level:
John Baird (Neutral), Jim Nelson (Weir Recreation), John McCormick (Coatbridge CC), Iain Cargill (Strathclyde Police), Charlie McCrea (Rhu), Bill Twaddle (Morriston YMCA), Tom Young (Bannockburn), Martin Noble (Liberton Cropley), Iain Cowden (Referees’ Representative), John Kerr (Dalziel), Terry Harding (Barr & Stroud), Donnie Cartwright (Weir Recreation), Kenny Lindsay (Strathclyde Police), Jim Smith (Neutral - SAFA Life Member), Tom Allison (Lothian Thistle), John Pollock (Morriston YMCA), John McCabe (Giffnock North), Willie Randall (Links United), David Morrison (Westerlands), Jim Wood (Drumchapel), Les Goodfellow (East Kilbride YM), Ron Brown (East Kilbride YMCA), John Brown (Referees’ Representative), David McWilliams (Dumbarton Academy FP), Graham Bell (Glasgow Harp), Ian Sommerville (Doune Castle), Charlie Keating (Giffnock North), David McWilliam (Dumbarton Academy FP), Derek Park (Neutral), Lindsay Wallace (Weir Recreation), Douglas McMillan (Symington Tinto), Robert Marshall (Finnart), Stewart McKenzie (Cumbernauld Colts), Tam Gilchrist (Referees’ Representative), Alan Kyle (Eaglesham), Gus Yuile (Neutral), Graeme Robertson (East Kilbride YM) - have all served the Caledonian League as members of the Executive Committee.
The Caledonian League has provided three Presidents of the Scottish Amateur Football Association: Alan Gordon (Barr & Stroud), George Wilson (Milngavie Wanderers) and Angus Mackay (Symington Tinto). Angus also became the first Chief Executive of the SAFA. Many others have served, and continue to serve, within the framework and structure at National and District levels.
Two people have featured in every League Handbook. Past President, Tony Heffron has been the sole Treasurer of the League its existence. And, past President, Gary Grahamslaw has been Secretary of Cambusbarron Rovers and has served as both Executive Committee member and SAFA Delegate. We could all think about the many people who give their time freely, helping hundreds of people to enjoy playing the game through the auspices of the Caledonian League. Every club in the League has a similar backbone of people that give of their time. Most often it is not acknowledged. Much more space than we have available would be needed to tell their tales.
No game could go on without our referees. When we compare the standard of refereeing in the Caledonian League with those referees we experience in national and district cups, we often hear it said that we do not always appreciate how lucky we are to have such good referees. Down the years we have had some outstanding referees. Some have now retired and some have moved on to higher levels.
Again, restricted by space, it is impossible to name them all. Such has been their standing within the game our referees have been used frequently to officiate at East and West District Cup Finals. Five have refereed Scottish Amateur Cup Finals - most recently Tam Gilchrist (the current referees’ League Representative), Tom Brown, John Brown, Derek Park and, of course, Iain Cowden.
The contribution of our Iain Cowden - match official, Referees’ Delegate (from the 1984-85 season), Match Secretary, current League Secretary, and of course, as President - also deserves special mention. Iain Cowden’s own work epitomises the contribution our referees have made to the success of the Caledonian League.
The Clubs and Their Achievements:
The outstanding success of Caledonian League clubs in National and District Cup competitions is proof that one of our founding aims has been fulfilled. We have won the Scottish Cup on no fewer than 9 occasions and provided the beaten finalist 7 times. The West of Scotland Cup has been captured 13 times with 5 sides beaten finalists. The East of Scotland Cup has been secured 7 times with Caledonian sides beaten finalists 3 times. The South of Scotland Cup has been won twice - 31 major triumphs in total.
Every year, without exception, Caledonian League teams have featured strongly in the latter stages of every National and District Cup competition.
These score-lines from our national triumphs will trigger memories for many:
Scottish Cup:
1985-86 Coatbridge CC 2 Barr & Stroud 1
1986-87 Bannockburn 2 Motherwell Miners 1
1987-88 Coatbridge CC 4 Greenock HSFP 1
1990-91 Bannockburn 3 Blantyre Thistle 1
1993-94 Bannockburn 3 Galston United 2
1997-98 Dalziel HSFP 2 West Kilbride 1
2000-01 Dalziel HSFP 2 St Patrick’s FP 1
2003-04 Viewfield Rovers 2 Norton House 0
2004-05 Drumchapel 1 Gartcosh United 0
West of Scotland Cup:
1985-86 Muirend 3 Drumchapel 1
1986-87 Drumchapel 2 Barr & Stroud 1
1987-88 Coatbridge CC 4 Greenock HSFP 0
1992-93 Milngavie Wanderers 2 Stanley 1
1994-95 Dalziel HSFP 3 Drumchapel 1
1995-96 Dalziel HSFP 1 Greenock HSFP 0
1999-00 Dalziel HSFP 4 Hamilton FP 0
2000-01 Bannockburn 2 Drumchapel United 2
(A.E.T. Bannockburn won 2-1 on penalties)
2001-02 Bannockburn 2 Balmore 2
(A.E.T. Bannockburn won 4-3 on penalties)
2002-03 Drumchapel 3 Arthurlie 1
2008-09 Bannockburn 2 Aitkenhead Thistle 0
2011-12 Dumbarton Academy FP 0 Colville Park 0
(A.E.T. Dumbarton won 4-2 on penalties)
2016-17 Cambria 1 Southside 0
East of Scotland Cup:
1989-90 Liberton Cropley 4 Armadale 1
1993-94 Cambusbarron Rovers 3 Liberton Cropley 0
1995-96 Cambusbarron Rovers 3 Glenpark Thistle 0
2006-07 Doune Castle 2 Redhall Star 0
2007-08 Links United 1 Slamannan 0
2008-09 Cambusbarron Rovers 6 Bo’ness 1
2011-2012 Doune Castle 3 Sandy’s 1
South of Scotland Cup
2000-01 Symington Tinto 3 Cole United 2
2002-03 Symington Tinto 3 Kirkconnel 1
CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: ROLL OF HONOUR
Premier Division Champions
1983-84 Drumchapel 1995-96 Dalziel HSFP 2008-09 Bannockburn
(Joint) Queen’s Park 1996-97 Bannockburn 2009-10 Strathclyde University
1984-85 Bannockburn 1997-98 Dalziel HSFP 2010-11 Bannockburn
1985-86 Muirend 1998-99 Milton 2011-12 Glasgow Harp
1986-87 Stanley 1999-00 Bannockburn 2012-13 Giffnock North
1987-88 Stanley 2000-01 Bannockburn 2013-14 Glasgow Harp
1988-89 Queen’s Park 2001-02 Drumchapel 2014-15 Doune Castle
1989-90 Liberton Cropley 2002-03 Netherton 2015-16 Doune Castle
1990-91 Stanley 2003-04 Coatbridge CC 2016-17 Dalziel HSFP
1991-92 Dalziel HSFP 2004-05 Bannockburn