02 9 Bridge Street: The Birthplace of the Scottish Football Association
On 30th November 1872, Scotland changed the footballing world by organising the world's first international football match at West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Partick, against England.
At the centre of this revolution was Queen's Park Football Club, who five months later, on 3rd March 1873, invited all the major football clubs to a meeting here, where the Dewar's Temperance Hotel in Bridge Street once stood.
Bridge Street today and in the late nineteenth century. The Dewar's Hotel was on the right but has since been demolished.
Zoomed in detail of the entrance sign to the Dewar's Hotel (now demolished).
On 13th March 1873, via representation in person or by letter, Clydesdale, Dumbreck, Eastern, Granville, Queen's Park, 3rd Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers, Kilmarnock and Vale of Leven football clubs gathered here.
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They agreed to create 'A national society for football' under the title of the Scottish Football Association.
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Seven of the eight representatives were principally cricket clubs, with football a way to stay fit during their winter months.
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The Committee was composed of the leading members of the clubs, with Archibald Campbell of Clydesdale nominated as its first President, and it stipulated all Scottish football clubs were eligible to join.
The Lion emblem of the Caledonian Railway can still be seen on Bridge Street: mirroring the emblem of the Scottish Football Association.
They agreed on a set of association rules and created the Scottish Cup, which began on 18th October 1873 at 1st Hampden Park.
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The Scottish Cup is the second oldest competition in association football history and awards the winners with the world's oldest association football trophy.
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Organised Scottish football, as we know it today, started here.