Rutherglen F.C. (1875)

Former association football club in Scotland

Football club

RutherglenFull name| Rutherglen Football Club

|

Nickname(s)| Ru'glen[1]
Founded| 1875
Dissolved| 1891
Ground| Phoenix Park
Match Secretary| Allan McCall
Hon Secretary| W. D. MacDonald

Home colours

Rutherglen Football Club was a Scottish football club based in Rutherglen, active in the 19th century.

## History

[edit]

Report of the club's shock 1–1 draw with Cambuslang in the 2nd round of the 1886–87 Scottish Cup, Rutherglen Reformer, 8 October 1886

The club was founded in 1875, under the name Westburn.[2] The club kept a low profile - so low that even a rare match report in 1881 got the result wrong[3][4] \- until joining the Scottish Football Association in 1884,[5] and it entered the 1884–85 Scottish Cup. In the first round, the club won 6–2 at Tollcross in the first round,[6] and lost 4–1 at Glengowan in the second.[7]

In 1885, the club changed its name to Rutherglen.[8] It continued to enter the Scottish Cup, but never got past the second round. Its best performance was in 1886–87, a first-round win over Drumpellier[9] \- Drumpellier protested in vain against rough play and the pitch conditions, forfeiting the 10/ protest deposit[10] \- giving the club a second round home tie with Cambuslang. Ru'glen held the future finalists to a draw in what was "without a doubt the greatest surprise of the day", and even had the balance of play.[11] Cambuslang put matters right with a 6–1 win in the replay, but Ru'glen emerged from the tie with significant credit, having played "a brilliant game", and enjoying entertainment afterwards with the victorious players, as "harmony filled up the remainder of the evening".[12] Unfortunately for the club its performance had attracted "agents" which resulted in a number of players leaving the club - by the first round the following season, it only had 3 of the regular season eleven left.[13]

The only other times the club got to the second round were both due to first round ties with fellow Rutherglen club Clydesdale. In 1887–88, Rutherglen won 4–1 away from home; in 1888–89, both teams progressed after two draws.[14]

Rutherglen entered the Lanarkshire Cup from 1884–85 until 1888–89. Its best run was to the quarter-final in 1885–86, which included beating Albion Rovers (twice after the original win was overturned, Ru'glen having turned up 25 minutes late, leaving the Rovers outside in driving rain[15]), but lost at Airdrieonians; "Athlete" of the Rutherglen Reformer had predicted an 8–0 win for the 'Onians, and he was almost correct, Rutherglen scoring a 75th minute consolation.[16]

Ru'glen had to withdraw from the competition in 1888–89 as a rejig of regions saw Rutherglen transferred to the auspices of the Glasgow Association, and it entered the Glasgow Cup from that season instead. However it lost all four of its ties in a tougher environment.[17] Rutherglen twice reached the semi-final of the Glasgow North Eastern Cup, a low-grade contest which nevertheless attracted some high-class entrants. Both of the club's semi-final defeats were against clubs that would play in the Scottish League; Cowlairs in 1887–88 and Northern in 1889–90.[18]

### Merger failure and self-destruction

[edit]

With Clyde, Cambuslang, and Thistle all in the neighbourhood of the town, the outlook for the smaller clubs in Rutherglen was not promising, especially as Rutherglen's tenancy was due to run out in 1892, and it had had great difficulties even finding that ground in 1887. The club therefore proposed a merger with Clydesdale, to take effect from the 1891–92 season. The Clydesdale committee agreed to form a new club (to be called Ruglonians) and to play at Clydesdale's Southcroft ground; however the Clydesdale members voted the proposal down on the basis that Clydesdale was at least solvent, unlike Rutherglen, and a merger would simply add to the debt for which the Clydesdale would be responsible.[19]

The Clydesdale proposed that the Rutherglen members instead join the Clydesdale, which was met with dismay, especially given that Rutherglen claimed to have reduced its debts from £60 to £23, while Clydesdale's had been increasing.[20] With catcalling on both sides, they both continued into 1891–92. Rutherglen lost 5–1 at Lochgair against Queen's Park in the Glasgow Cup,[21] and entered the Scottish Cup in the new preliminary round stage.

Rutherglen drew a bye in the first preliminary round; in the second preliminary round against Annbank, Rutherglen persuaded Clydesdale goalkeeper Alexander Neil to play for Ru'glen, in return for his train fare and a shilling for lunch. The Rutherglen team list had him down as "McVee". Clydesdale took note as to what had happened and complained to the Scottish Football Association, on the basis that Neil had played for Clydesdale in its first preliminary round tie with Whitefield. The Rutherglen secretary (J. Anderson) explained that McVee had been chosen as goalkeeper, but could not play, so Neil played in goal as an emergency, and, as "he knew Annbank would win the tie",[22] he "did not think they were doing much harm". The upshot was both Neil and Rutherglen were suspended.[23] Although the club's suspension was for a month, there is no record of it playing again.

## Colours

[edit]

The club wore black and white hooped jerseys.[24] For its final season it wore light blue jerseys.[25]

## Ground

[edit]

The club played at Phoenix Park.[26] In 1887, evicted from Phoenix Park and struggling to find a ground in the burgh, the club secured a 5-year lease at Lochgair, on Col. Buchanan's Eastfield estate, taking with it the paling and the clubhouse from Phoenix.[27] The club opened the ground with a first round Scottish Cup against Albion Rovers, before an attendance of 1,200; the visitors won 6–3.[28]

## Notable players

[edit]

* "Spriggie" Rae, club captain in 1886–87,[29] later a Scottish international when playing for 3rd L.R.V.

## External links

[edit]

* Scottish Cup ties
* Lanarkshire Cup

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Notes by "Athlete"". Rutherglen Reformer: 7. 17 September 1886.
2. ^ M'Dowall, John (1884). Scottish Football Association Annual 1884-85. Glasgow: H. Nisbet. p. 65.
3. ^ "Crownpoint v Westburn". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 26 February 1881.
4. ^ "Erratum". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 19 March 1881.
5. ^ Scottish FA minutes 1884–87. Glasgow: Scottish Football Association. 26 August 1884. p. 38.
6. ^ "Cup ties". Glasgow Herald: 11. 15 September 1884.
7. ^ "Glengowan v Westburn (Rutherglen)". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 10 October 1884.
8. ^ McDowall, John (1885). Scottish Association Annual 1885–86. Glasgow: H. Nisbet. p. 67.
9. ^ "Football". Rutherglen Reformer: 7. 17 September 1886.
10. ^ Scottish FA Minutes 1884–87. Scottish Football Association. 14 September 1886. p. Glasgow.
11. ^ "Notes by "Athlete"". Rutherglen Reformer: 6. 8 October 1886.
12. ^ "Cambuslang v Rutherglen". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 15 October 1886.
13. ^ "Rutherglen v Albion Rovers (Opening of new ground)". Rutherglen Reformer: 4. 30 September 1887.
14. ^ "Jottings on the game". Lothian Courier: 6. 15 September 1888.
15. ^ "Notes by Athlete". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 5 February 1886.
16. ^ "Lanarkshire Cup - Fourth Round". Rutherglen Reformer: 7. 5 March 1886.
17. ^ "Glasgow Cup". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
18. ^ "North Eastern Cup". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
19. ^ "Football in Rutherglen". Rutherglen Reformer: 5. 6 March 1891.
20. ^ "Football in Rutherglen". Rutherglen Reformer: 5. 13 March – 3 April 1891.
21. ^ "Rutherglen v Queen's Park". Airdrie Advertiser: 6. 26 September 1891.
22. ^ Annbank won 4–0.
23. ^ "Caught in the act". Rutherglen Reformer: 5. 9 October 1891.
24. ^ McDowall, John (1886). Scottish FA Annual 1886–87. Hay Nisbet. p. 55.
25. ^ "Rutherglen v Cambuslang". Rutherglen Reformer: 4. 14 August 1891.
26. ^ M'Dowall, John (1884). Scottish Football Association Annual 1884-85. Glasgow: H. Nisbet. p. 65.
27. ^ "Football in Rutherglen". Rutherglen Reformer: 6. 27 March 1891.
28. ^ "Rutherglen v Albion Rovers (Opening of new ground)". Rutherglen Reformer: 4. 30 September 1887.
29. ^ "What the "Knowing Ones" say". Rutherglen Reformer: 1. 31 December 1886.

* v
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Defunct Scottish football clubs

Founder members of the Scottish Football Association|

* Clydesdale (Glasgow)
* Dumbreck
* Eastern
* Granville

Entrants to the first Scottish Cup|

* Alexandra Athletic
* Blythswood
* Callander
* Rovers
* Southern (Glasgow)
* Western

Former Scottish Football League members|

* Abercorn
* Airdrieonians (1878)
* Armadale (1910–35)
* Ayr
* Ayr Parkhouse
* Bathgate
* Beith
* Bo'ness
* Broxburn United
* Cambuslang
* Clackmannan
* Clydebank (1914)
* Clydebank (1965)
* Cowlairs
* Dumbarton Harp
* Dundee Wanderers
* Dykehead
* Edinburgh City (1928)
* Galston
* Gretna
* Helensburgh
* Johnstone
* King's Park
* Leith Athletic
* Linthouse
* Lochgelly United
* Mid-Annandale
* Nithsdale Wanderers
* Northern
* Port Glasgow Athletic
* Renton
* Solway Star
* St Bernard's
* Third Lanark
* Thistle
* Vale of Leven

Former Scottish Football Alliance members|

* Burnbank Swifts
* Cameronians
* Neilston (1883–1902)
* Wishaw Thistle
* Wishaw United

Former Scottish Football Federation members|

* Glasgow Wanderers
* Pollokshaws (1884–95)

Former Scottish Football Combination members|

* 5th KOSB
* Annbank
* Broxburn Athletic (1887–1912)
* Camelon (1884–1905)
* Dumfries (1897–1919)
* Girvan Athletic
* Hurlford
* Kilbarchan
* Lanark
* Lanemark
* Maxwelltown Volunteers
* Maybole (1895–1921)
* Thornliebank

Former Scottish Football Union members|

* Broxburn (1902–12)
* West Calder Swifts

Former Northern League members|

* Aberdeen (1881–1903)
* Arbroath Amateurs
* Crieff Morrisonians
* Dundee East End
* Dundee Harp
* Dundee Our Boys
* Fair City Athletic
* Hearts of Beath
* (Johnstone) Wanderers
* Kirkcaldy United
* Lochee United (1890–1909)
* Orion
* Strathmore (Dundee)
* Victoria United

Former Highland League members|

* 2nd H.L.I.
* 1st Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
* Black Watch
* Caledonian
* Elgin Caledonian
* Inverness Celtic
* Inverness Citadel
* Inverness Thistle
* Inverness Union

Former East of Scotland League members|

* Edinburgh Athletic
* Hawick United
* Jed Arts
* Tollcross United

Former Eastern League (and successors) members|

* Adventurers
* Arbroath Athletic
* Broxburn [Thistle] (1883–94)
* Broxburn Shamrock (1891–99)
* Dunbar Town
* Kirkcaldy
* Mossend Swifts
* Musselburgh
* Uphall (1892–96)
* West Lothian Albion

Former Midland Football league members|

* Alva
* Bridge of Allan
* Carfin Emmet
* Cartvale (1892–1909)
* Dunblane
* Dunipace (1879–1902)
* Gairdoch
* Grangemouth
* Kilsyth Wanderers

Former Southern Counties/South of Scotland League members|

* 5th KRV
* 6th GRV
* Cronberry Eglinton
* Cumnock Springbank
* Douglas Wanderers
* Dumfries Hibernians
* Fleet Star
* Garlieston
* Mauchline
* Nithsdale (1895)
* Queen of the South Wanderers (1891–94)
* Stranraer Athletic
* Tarff Rovers
* Thornhill (Dumfriesshire)
* Whithorn

Former Lanarkshire Football League members|

* Carfin Rovers
* East Lanarkshire
* Glengowan
* Uddingston (1898–1901)
* Wishaw (1899–1900)

Other senior clubs|

* 1st Argyll R.V.
* 1st Lanark RV
* 1st Renfrew RV
* 3rd Edinburgh RV
* 4th Renfrew RV
* 10th Dumbarton RV
* 17th Renfrew RV
* 19th Lanark RV
* 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers
* 23rd Renfrew RV
* Aberdeen Harp
* Aberdeen Rovers
* Addiewell
* Ailsa
* Airdrie
* Airdriehill (1879–83)
* Airdriehill (1884–99)
* Albatross
* Albion (Dumbarton)
* Alclutha
* Alexandria
* Alpha
* Angus
* Annan
* Annan Wanderers
* Apsley
* Arbroath Wanderers
* Armadale (1880–94)
* Armadale Volunteers
* Athenian
* Athole
* Auchinleck Boswell
* Auchterarder Thistle
* Avondale (Lennoxtown)
* Avondale (Strathaven)
* Ayr Academicals (1876–79)
* Ayr Academicals (1904–07)
* Ayr Academy
* Ayr Athletic
* Ayr Eglinton
* Ayr Rovers
* Ayr Thistle (1872–79)
* Ayr Thistle (1886–88)
* Babcock & Wilcox
* Balgay
* Barholm Rovers
* Barrhead
* Bathgate Rovers
* Battlefield
* Beith Thistle
* Bellshill
* Bellstane Birds
* Benhar
* Blackfriars
* Blairgowrie (Amateurs) (1912–47)
* Bon Accord
* Bonhill
* Bowling
* Brechin (1886–96)
* Bridge of Weir
* Broughty
* Broxburn Shamrock (1881–89)
* Brunswick
* Burntisland Thistle
* Busby
* Bute Rangers
* Caledonian (Aberdeen)
* Caledonian (Glasgow)
* Caledonian Rangers
* Cambuslang St Bride's
* Campbeltown Athletic
* Campsie
* Campsie Glen/Athletic
* Campsie Hibernians
* Carfin Hibernians
* Carfin Shamrock
* Carrick
* Cartside
* Cartvale (1878–92)
* Catrine
* Central
* Carlton
* Carrington
* Cathcart
* Champfleurie
* City
* Clarkston
* Clifton & Strathfillan
* Clydebank (1888–95)
* Clydebank (Rutherglen)
* Clydebank Athletic
* Clydesdale (Rutherglen)
* Coupar Angus
* Coylton Coila
* Craig Park
* Cree Rovers
* Crieff
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* Cumnock
* Dalmuir Thistle
* Dalry
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* Dean
* Dean Park
* Dennistoun
* Denny (Athletic)
* Derby
* Douglas Rovers
* Drumpellier
* Dumbarton Athletic
* Dumfries (1870–77)
* Dumfries (1889–92)
* Dumfries Wanderers
* Duncrub Park
* Dunkeld & Birnam (1903–52)
* Dundee Hibernian (1879–84)
* Dunfermline
* Duntocher Harp
* Dykebar
* East Kilbride (1877–82)
* Edina
* Edinburgh Casuals
* Edinburgh Thistle
* Erin Rovers
* Fairfield
* Falkirk Amateurs
* Fleetside Rovers
* Gaelic
* Garliestown
* Girvan (1874–86)
* Glasgow Corporation Transport
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* Glenkilloch
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* Gordon Highlanders
* Govan
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* Govanhill Lacrosse
* Grahamston
* Granton
* Grasshoppers
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* G.U.Y.M.C.A.A.C.
* Hamilton
* Hamilton Gymnasium
* Hamilton Harp
* Hanover
* Harmonic
* Harp (1894–97)
* Havelock
* Helensburgh (1874–82)
* Helensburgh (Athletic) (1882–86)
* Helensburgh Union
* Huntingtower
* Hyde Park Locomotive Works
* Inveraray
* Irvine
* Irvine [Academicals] (1877–99)
* Irvine Academicals (1902–05)
* Jamestown
* John Elder
* Johnstone Athletic
* Johnstone Harp
* Johnstone Rovers
* Jordanhill
* Kelso
* Kelvinbank
* Kelvinside Athletic
* Kennishead
* Kilbirnie
* Kilmarnock Athletic (1877–85)
* Kilmarnock Athletic (1888–1900)
* Kilmaronock Thistle
* Kilwinning Eglinton
* Kinleith
* Kinning Park Athletic
* Kirkintilloch Athletic
* Kirkintilloch Central
* Kirriemuir
* Ladyburn/Lyle Athletic
* Lancefield
* Lancelot
* Larbert Amateurs
* Largs Athletic
* Lassodie
* Laurieston
* Leith Amateurs
* Leith Harp
* Lennox
* Lenzie
* Levendale (1879–85)
* Levendale (1889–93)
* Levern
* Lindertis
* Linlithgow Athletic
* Linwood
* Lochee
* Lochgelly Amateurs
* Lochgilphead
* Lochwinnoch
* Longriggend
* Luton
* Mavisbank
* Maxwell
* Maybole (1880–91)
* Maybole Carrick
* Maybole Ladywell
* Mearns Athletic
* Methlan Park
* Mid-Annandale (1877–94)
* Milton of Campsie
* Moffat
* Monkcastle
* Moorpark Amateurs
* Motherwell Shamrock
* Mount Vernon
* Muirhouse Rovers
* Murrayfield Amateurs
* Netherlee
* Newcastleton
* Newmains
* Newmilns
* Newtown Thistle (Dumbartonshire)
* Nithsdale (1885)
* Northern (Greenock)
* Norton Park
* Oban
* Oban Rangers
* Old Kilpatrick
* Olympic
* Our Boys (Blairgowrie)
* Oxford
* Paisley Academical
* Paisley Athletic
* Paisley Celtic
* Paisley Hibernian
* Partick
* Parkgrove
* Perseverance
* Petershill (1877–83)
* Pilgrims
* Plains
* Plains Blue Bell
* Pollok (1878–84)
* Pollokshaws (1876–78)
* Pollokshaws Harp
* Pollokshields
* Pollokshields Athletic
* Polton Vale
* Port Glasgow (1876–79)
* Portland
* Possil Bluebell
* Possil Park
* Queen of the South Wanderers (1876–89)
* Queen's Park Juniors
* Ramblers
* Rangers (Greenock)
* Rankinston (Mountaineers)
* Redding Athletic
* Renfrew (1875–90)
* Renfrew Ramblers
* Renton Thistle
* Rising Thistle (Lochmaben)
* Rob Roy
* Rock
* Rosslyn
* Rosyth Dockyard Recreation
* Rutherglen/Westburn
* St Andrew's (Edinburgh)
* St Andrew's (Glasgow)
* St Andrew's (Kilmarnock)
* St Andrew's (Pollokshields)
* St Clement's
* St Peter's
* Sandyford
* Scone
* Shaftesbury
* Shaughraun
* Shawfield Amateurs
* Shawlands
* Shawlands Athletic
* Shettleston
* Shotts
* Sir John Maxwell
* Slamannan
* Slamannan Rovers
* Smithstone Hibs
* South Western
* Southern (Greenock)
* Southern Athletic
* Southfield
* Southfield Rangers
* Standard
* Stanley
* Star of Leven
* Stenhousemuir (1881–85)
* Stevenston Thistle
* Stevenston United
* Stewarton Cunninghame
* Stonefield
* Stonehaven
* Stonelaw
* Strathblane
* Strathmore (Arbroath)
* Strathmore Athletic
* Swifts
* Tarbolton
* Tayavalla
* Telegraphists
* Temperance Athletic
* Thistle Athletic/Milngavie
* Thornhill (Blantyre)
* Tillicoultry
* Tollcross
* Townhill
* Tulloch
* Uddingston (1877–82)
* Uddingston (1887–91)
* Union (Dumbarton)
* Union (Glasgow)
* United Abstainers
* Uphall (1907–09)
* Upper Clydesdale
* Vale of Avon
* Vale of Bannock
* Vale of Dryfe
* Vale of Gala
* Vale of Leven Hibernians
* Vale of Leven Rovers (Alexandria)
* Vale of Leven Rovers (Glasgow)
* Vale of Leven Wanderers
* Vale of Ruthven
* Vale of Teith
* Vale o' Nith
* Victoria (Helensburgh)
* Wellington Park
* Wellpark
* Westbourne
* West Calder
* West End (Dundee)
* West End (Glasgow)
* Whifflet Shamrock
* Whitefield
* Whitehill
* Whiteinch
* Windsor
* Winton
* Wishaw (1879–83)
* Wishaw Swifts
* Woodland
* Woodvale
* Yoker

Senior clubs without dedicated pages|

* Scottish Cup entrants 1873–1894
* Scottish Qualifying Cup entrants 1894–1939

Junior clubs|

* Arbroath SC
* Baillieston Juniors
* Ballingry Rovers
* Bankfoot Athletic
* Bishopmill United
* Blackburn Athletic
* Blantyre Celtic
* Bridgeton Waverley
* Burnbank Athletic
* Cambuslang Hibernian
* Clydebank Juniors
* Duntocher Hibernian
* Falkirk Juniors
* Glenbuck Cherrypickers
* Inverkeithing United
* Inverness City
* Lewis United
* Marchtown
* Maryhill Harp
* Maxwelltown Thistle
* Minerva
* Parkhead
* Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors
* Portgordon Victoria
* Shawfield
* Steelend Victoria
* Stonehouse Violet
* Strathclyde

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