Today marks 150 years since a game changing football match in Glasgow, that was a catalyst for the sport to rise in popularity across the country.
The world's first international football match was held at Hamilton Crescent, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club, in Partick. Kicking off at 2pm on November 30, Scotland played England faced off.
The game provided the launchpad for the explosion of football across the country, and saw 4,000 Tartan Army foot soldiers march to watch. With admission priced at a shilling, it’s said the game helped establish Scotland as the home of international football.
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The following year, the first Hampden stadium was constructed - the world’s first purpose built enclosed football ground.
While the game may have kickstarted much excitement, the clash itself was a bit less entertaining - with the teams drawing 0-0. All eleven of the Scottish players were members of Queen's Park, the leading Scottish club at the time.
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It’s said that the teams were gathered together with ‘some difficulty’, each side losing some of of their best men at the very last moment. Goalkeeper and captain Robert Gardner led the Scottish side, with the squad wearing dark blue shirts.
The origin of the blue Scotland shirt is thought to have originated the previous year, in the 1871 Rugby International. A report in the Scotman after the match reads: “The Scotch came away with a great rush, Leckie and others dribbling the ball so smartly that the English lines were closely besieged and the ball was soon behind.
“Weir now had a splendid run for Scotland into the heart of his opponents territory. Kerr closed the match by the most brilliant run of the day, dribbling the ball past the whole field."
While the Scottish team reportedly played better during the first half, it’s said the English side dominated during the second half. Regardless, Scotland came ‘closest to winning’ when in the closing stages one of their players only just missed a goal.
Sporting magazine The Field said at the time: “The result was received with rapturous applause by the spectators and the cheers proposed by each side for their antagonists were continued by the onlookers until the last member of the two sides had disappeared.
“The match was in every sense a signal success, as the play was throughout as spirited as pleasant as can possibly be imagined."
Marking the anniversary, it’s been announced that Scotland and England will play a 150th Anniversary Heritage Match on September 12, 2023, at Hampden Park.
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