Timeline of Scottish football

This is a timeline of Scottish football which contains notable football-related events that have occurred both on and off the field.

1860s – 1870s – 1880s – 1890s – 1900s – 1910s – 1920s – 1930s – 1940s – 1950s – 1960s – 1970s – 1980s – 1990s – 2000s – 2010s

2010s

2015

• Inverness Caledonian Thistle win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Falkirk 2–1 in the 2015 Scottish Cup Final.

2014

• St Johnstone win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Dundee United 2–0 in the 2014 Scottish Cup Final.^[1]

2013

• St Mirren win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, defeating Hearts 3–2 in the 2013 Scottish League Cup Final.^[2]
• Hearts enter administration, with most of its debts owed to companies connected to Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov.^[3]
• The Scottish Professional Football League is formed by a merger of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League.^[4]
• A new Lowland Football League is formed, as part of wider league reconstruction.^[5]

2012

• Rangers enter administration with debts attaining several tens of millions of pounds, including amounts due to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).^[6] Rangers FC plc is liquidated after HMRC rejects a CVA offer from Charles Green, the preferred bidder.^[6] Green instead buys the business and assets of Rangers from the administrator and forms a new Rangers company, which is denied entry to the Scottish Premier League and is instead admitted into the Scottish Football League Third Division.^[6]
• Kilmarnock win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 1–0 in the 2012 Scottish League Cup Final.^[7]

2000s

2009

• Livingston are demoted two divisions for breaching Scottish Football League rules.^[8]

2008

• Gretna enter administration.^[9] Unable to fulfil fixtures, Gretna resign from the Scottish Football League and are subsequently liquidated.^[10] Gretna fans set up a new club, Gretna 2008, in its place.^[11] Annan Athletic are admitted to the Scottish Football League to fill the vacancy.^[12]
• Rangers reach the 2008 UEFA Cup Final, but lose 2–0 to Zenit St. Petersburg.^[13]

2007

• Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell, 35, collapsed on the pitch during a Scottish league match against Dundee United, and died shortly afterwards.^[14]
• Celtic sign Scott Brown from Hibernian for £4.4 million, a record transfer fee paid between two Scottish clubs.^[15]

2005

• Rangers win the Scottish league championship on the last day of the season, as Celtic concede two late goals against Motherwell.^[16]

2004

• Livingston win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, defeating Hibernian 2–0 in the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final.^[17]

2003

• Celtic reach the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, but lose 3–2 to F.C. Porto after extra time.^[18]
• Rangers win the domestic treble.^[19]

2002

• Airdrieonians are liquidated.^[20] Gretna are admitted to the Scottish Football League in their place.^[21]
• A consortium buys out the few remaining assets of Clydebank, in order to bring Airdrie United into the league.^[20]

2001

• Celtic win the domestic treble.^[22]
• Henrik Larsson scores 35 league goals for Celtic, winning him the European Golden Shoe.^[22]

2000

• Elgin City and Peterhead are admitted to the Scottish Football League.^[12]

1990s

1999

• Rangers win the domestic treble.^[23]
• Scotland fail to qualify for UEFA Euro 2000, losing a two match play-off 2–1 on aggregate to England.^[24]

1998

• Celtic stop Rangers from winning a record 10 league titles in a row by winning the Scottish league championship.
• Scotland are knocked out of the 1998 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, with 1 point from 3 matches played.
• The Scottish Premier League is formed, as the Premier Division clubs break away from the Scottish Football League.

1997

• Rangers win their ninth league championship in a row, equaling the record set by Celtic.

1996

• Scotland are knocked out of UEFA Euro 1996 at the group stage on goal difference, having taken four points from three games.

1995

• Meadowbank Thistle relocate to Livingston, West Lothian and are renamed Livingston.

1994

• Dundee United win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Rangers 1–0 in the 1994 Scottish Cup Final.
• Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County are admitted to the Scottish Football League.
• Raith Rovers win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 6–5 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the 1994 Scottish League Cup Final.

1993

• Rangers win the domestic treble.

1992

• Scotland reach the finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time. They are knocked out at the group stage of UEFA Euro 1992, having taken two points (one win) from three matches.

1991

• Rangers win the league championship thanks to a decisive win against Aberdeen on the final day of the season.

1990

• Scotland are knocked out of the 1990 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, having taken two points (one win) from three matches.

1980s

1989

• Former Celtic player Mo Johnston signs for Rangers.^[25]

1987

• Dundee United reach the 1987 UEFA Cup Final, but lose 2–1 on aggregate to IFK Göteborg.

1986

• Scotland are knocked out of the 1986 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, having taken one point from three matches.
• Celtic win the league championship on goal difference, ahead of Hearts. Two late goals scored by Dundee cost Hearts the championship.
• Graeme Souness is appointed player/manager of Rangers. This marks the start of a significant change at Rangers, as they spend significant amounts of money in attracting star players to the club from England.

1985

• Scotland qualify for the 1986 World Cup, but manager Jock Stein suffers a heart attack and dies during the qualifying match with Wales.

1983

• Aberdeen beat Real Madrid 2–1 after extra time to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Aberdeen also win the UEFA Super Cup after a 2–0 aggregate win over Hamburger SV.
• Dundee United win the league title for the first time.

1970s

1979

• Dundee United win the 1979–80 League Cup to lift the trophy for the first time. They defeated Aberdeen 3–0 in the replayed final.

1978

• Scotland are knocked out of the 1978 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, having taken three points (one win, one draw) from three matches.

1975

• The Scottish Football League is reconstructed, producing a Premier Division of 10 clubs.

1974

• Scotland are eliminated from the 1974 World Cup on goal difference, despite not having lost a match.

1973

• A 2–1 win over Czechoslovakia at Hampden Park guarantees Scotland a place at the 1974 World Cup after finishing 1st in their qualifying group.

1972

• Rangers beat Dynamo Moscow 3–2 to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Rangers are beaten 6–3 on aggregate by European Cup winners Ajax in the UEFA Super Cup.
• Hibernian win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 2–1 in the 1972 Scottish League Cup Final.

1971

• 66 people die and over 200 are injured after a crush during a match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Park, after a stairway gave way.
• Partick Thistle win the Scottish League Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 4–1 in the 1971 Scottish League Cup Final.

1970

• Celtic lose 2–1 to Feyenoord in the final of the European Cup.

1960s

1967

• Celtic win the European Cup, defeating Inter Milan 2–1 in the 1967 European Cup Final. Celtic also win the domestic treble for the first time.
• Rangers reach the 1967 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final, but lose 1–0 after extra time against Bayern Munich.
• Scotland defeat 1966 FIFA World Cup winners England 3–2 at Wembley.
• Third Lanark go out of business after becoming bankrupt.

1965

• Kilmarnock win the league title for the first time, defeating Hearts 2–0 on the final day of the season to win the league on goal average ahead of Hearts.

1962

• Dundee win the league title for the first time.

1961

• Rangers lose 4–1 on aggregate to ACF Fiorentina in the final of the inaugural UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
• Dunfermline Athletic under manager Jock Stein reach the final of the Scottish Cup for the first time and win the trophy beating Celtic 2–0 in a replay after a 0–0 draw.

1950s

1958

• Heart of Midlothian score a record 132 goals in winning 1st Division conceding only 29.
• Jimmy Murray scores Scotland's first ever World Cup Final goal in the World Cup.
• Scotland are eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage.
• In the first ever Old Firm League Cup final, Celtic defeat Rangers by a record breaking 7–1 to win the trophy. This final was dubbed Hampden in the sun by Celtic fans. This was Celtic's 2nd League cup success.

1957

• Scotland qualify for their second World Cup after finishing top of their qualifying group.

1956

• Celtic win the 1956–57 League Cup after a 3–0 win over Partick Thistle in the replayed final. It was Celtic's first League Cup trophy.

1955

• Aberdeen win the league title for the first time.
• Aberdeen win the 1955–56 League Cup after defeating St Mirren 2–1 in the final to win the trophy for the first time.

1954

• After qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, Scotland are knocked-out after a 1–0 defeat by Austria and a 7–0 defeat by Uruguay. Andy Beattie, appointed manager for the World Cup campaign, is Scotland's first manager.
• Heart of Midlothian beat Motherwell 4–2 in the final of the League Cup to win the tournament for the first time.

1951

• Dundee win the League Cup for the first time after defeating Rangers 3–2 in the final.

1950

• Motherwell win the League Cup for the first time after a 3–0 win over Hibernian in the final.

1940s

1947

• Rangers defeat Aberdeen 4–0 at Hampden Park to win the 1946–47 inaugural League Cup. Rangers also win both the league title and the Scottish Cup – thereby becoming the first Scottish club to win domestic treble.
• East Fife are the second winners of the League Cup after defeating Falkirk 4–1 in the replayed final of the 1947–48 competition.

1946

• Competitive football resumes after the Second World War.

1930s

1939

• Competitive football is suspended due to the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe, during the early stages of the 1939–40 season.

1937

• The Scotland v England match at Hampden Park is attended by 149,415, a European record.^[26]
• The 1937 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Aberdeen is attended by 147,365, a world record for a national cup final.^[26]

1932

• Motherwell win the league title for the first time.

1931

• Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson dies after suffering a fractured skull after an accidental on-pitch collision with Rangers striker Sam English during league match at Ibrox Park.

1920s

1929

• Scotland play against opposition outside of England, Wales and Ireland for the first time, defeating Norway 7–3 in Bergen.

1928

• Scotland defeat England 5–1 at Wembley. The Scotland team become popularly known as the Wembley Wizards.

1926

• St Mirren win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 2–0 in the 1926 Scottish Cup Final.

1924

• Airdrieonians win the Scottish Cup for the first (and only) time, defeating Hibernian 2–0 in the 1924 Scottish Cup Final.

1922

• Morton win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Rangers 1–0 in the 1922 Scottish Cup Final.

1910s

1913

• Falkirk beat Raith Rovers 2–0 in the final of the Scottish Cup to win the trophy for the first time.

1900s

1910

• Dundee win the Scottish Cup for the first time after beating Clyde 2–1 in the twice-replayed final.

1909

• The Scottish Cup is withheld by the SFA after a riot in the final replay between Celtic and Rangers.

1907

• Celtic become the first club to win both the league title and the Scottish Cup (the double) in the same season.

1904

• Third Lanark win the league title for the first time.

1903

• Hibernian win the league title for the first time.

1902

• 25 people are killed and 517 are injured after a stand collapses at Ibrox Park during a British Home Championship match between Scotland and England.

1890s

1899

• Rangers win the league title after winning all 18 of their league matches.

1895

• Heart of Midlothian win the league title for the first time.
• St Bernard's win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Renton 2–1 in the 1895 Scottish Cup Final.

1894

• Rangers win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 3–1 in the first Old Firm Scottish Cup Final.

1893

• Celtic win the league title for the first time.

1892

• Celtic win the Scottish Cup for the first time after beating Queen's Park 5–1 in a replayed final.

1891

• Dumbarton and Rangers share the inaugural Scottish league championship after both finished with 29 points and a play-off match was drawn.
• Heart of Midlothian win the Scottish Cup for the first time after beating Dumbarton 1–0 in the final.

1890

• The Scottish Football League is formed.

1880s

1889

• Third Lanark win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 2–1 in the 1889 Scottish Cup Final.

1887

• Hibernian win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Dumbarton 2–1 in the 1887 Scottish Cup Final.

1885

• Renton win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Vale of Leven 3–1 in the 1885 Scottish Cup Final.

1884

• Scotland win the first British Home Championship after winning all three of their matches.

1883

• Dumbarton win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Vale of Leven 2–1 in the 1883 Scottish Cup Final.

1870s

1877

• Vale of Leven win the Scottish Cup for the first time after beating Rangers 3–2 in a second replay – thereby becoming the first team other than Queen's Park to win the trophy.

1876

• Scotland defeat Wales 4–0 in the first international between the two countries.^[27]

1874

• Queen's Park defeat Clydesdale 2–0 to win the inaugural Scottish Cup.

1873

• The Scottish Football Association is formed.
• The first Scottish Cup competition begins.

1872

• Queen's Park became the first ever Scottish football team to participate in official competition when they played in the 1871–72 FA Cup semi-final against Wanderers, the match ended goalless. Queen's, however, could not afford to extend their stay long enough for the tie to be replayed and were forced to withdraw.
• Scotland and England draw 0–0 in the first official international football match.

1870

• The first representative match is played between England and Scotland, although this is not considered to be an official international match.

1860s

1867

• Scotland's oldest club in continuous existence and longest established club Queen's Park are established.

References

1. "St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright revels in Scottish Cup glory". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
2. "St Mirren revel in Scottish League Cup glory". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
3. McLauchlin, Brian (28 November 2013). "Hearts: Administration exit not possible until February". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
4. McLaughlin, Chris (28 June 2013). "The new Scottish Professional Football League survives hitch". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
5. Godfrey, Mark (18 June 2013). "Clubs for Scotland's new Lowland League decided". When Saturday Comes (When Saturday Comes Limited). Retrieved 6 December 2013.
6. "Rangers newco owner Charles Green make bigotry claim over SPL rejection". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
7. Murray, Ewan (18 March 2012). "Kilmarnock joy at Cup success over Celtic quickly followed by anguish". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media Limited). Retrieved 6 December 2013.
8. "Livi relegated to Division Three". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
9. "Gretna edging closer to closure". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 March 2008.
10. Rinaldi, Giancarlo (4 June 2008). "How Gretna paid the ultimate price". BBC News. BBC.
11. "Gretna given place in the East of Scotland League". The Scotsman. 11 July 2008.
12. "Annan Athletic win vote to join Scottish Football League". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). 3 July 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
13. Lindsay, Clive (14 May 2008). "Uefa Cup final – Zenit 2–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
14. "Motherwell captain O'Donnell dies". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 December 2007.
15. "Brown completes switch to Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
16. "Motherwell 2-1 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 May 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
17. "Livingston lift CIS Cup". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 March 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
18. "Porto end Celtic's Uefa dream". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 May 2003. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
19. "Rangers complete Treble". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
20. "Airdrie buy Bankies". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 July 2002. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
21. "Gretna win Airdrie’s place in Scottish League". The Scotsman (Johnston Publishing). 18 June 2002. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
22. "Larsson wins Golden Shoe". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2001. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
23. "Rangers take treble". BBC News. BBC. 29 May 1999. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
24. "England book Euro 2000 place". BBC News. BBC. 18 November 1999. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
25. Laverty, John (10 July 2009). "The day Mo Johnston signed for Rangers". Belfast Telegraph (INM). Retrieved 6 December 2013.
26. "Hampden". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
27. Match summary on Scottish F.A. website