Scottish Junior Football League
Encyclopedia
The Scottish Junior Football League (SJL) was a Scottish football competition that, through various incarnations, existed from the 1892 to 1947.
It was based in the west of Scotland and was largely consisted of Junior clubs that were not considered good enough for the major leagues of the time i.e. the Glasgow Junior Football League (GJL), the Central Junior Football League and the Lanarkshire Junior Football League.
district league. It was formed by ten clubs: five from the city and five from the neighbouring districts. Ashfield
, Benburb
, Parkhead
and Vale of Clyde
were among its founding members. While it was seen as reasonably successful by the district sides, the city sides didn't and all five left at the end of the season. The league continued for one more season but was wound up in 1894.
The second SJL was a continuation of the Glasgow and District Junior League. It lost three of its city members in 1900, and after replacing them decided to rename itself. Its main problem was both its inability to attract any of the major sides—these clubs aspired to be in the GJL—and its high turnover in membership. In all the league lasted only four years.
The third, and main, SJL was formed by seven of the clubs who lost their places in the Glasgow Junior League "great betrayal" scandal of 1908. Twelve teams enlisted in its initial season including Bellshill Athletic
, Blantyre Victoria
and Pollok
Given little hope by its critics, this version prospered and lasted until 1946. It was initially confined to the Glasgow district, but soon extended to include sides from Bute
, Clackmannanshire
, Ayrshire
and Stirlingshire
. After a year a Second Division was added with automatic promotion and relegation. Because of World War I
, it operated with one division from 1915 until 1919, when the Second Division was reintroduced. The SJL's main problem was it remained in the shadow of the GJL, to which most of its members aspired. Over the years the SJL lost many of its stronger clubs it including Shawfield
and Shettleston
in 1921. A protest to the Scottish Junior Football Association
(SJA) was lost on a technicality, however the loss of St Anthony's
and St Roch's
a year later led to another protest to the SJA and a subsequent charge of poaching. The GJL refused to hand these two clubs back, resulting in another of the GJL's splits with the SJA. The resulting formation of a Second Division saw the SJL loss a further five clubs. After the dispute was over a year later, the SJL admitted some of the GJL's discarded teams.
In 1923 the SJL re-organised its divisions into East and West sections—the winners playing off for the title—but the Second Division was reintroduced after two years.
The Intermediate dispute
of 1927 saw the defection of eight of its clubs to the new Scottish Intermediate Football League and the subsequent recruitment of several clubs from the defunct Stirlingshire Junior Football League made it necessary to return to the East/West sections.
The wide geographical spread of its clubs made life difficult for the league after 1939. A small wartime version was played in 1939–40 but the league subsequently suspended its operations for the rest of World War II
. An attempted revival in 1945 was put off for a year, but the Central Junior Football League's refusal to hand back co-opted teams from the war essentially killed the SJL off. It attempted one more season and disbanded.
During its lifetime, the league provided an avenue for many clubs to participate in the Junior game. The principal leagues of the time were more or less closed shops, and the SJL's members may never have played at this level had it not been around.
It was based in the west of Scotland and was largely consisted of Junior clubs that were not considered good enough for the major leagues of the time i.e. the Glasgow Junior Football League (GJL), the Central Junior Football League and the Lanarkshire Junior Football League.
History
The first SJL was formed in 1892 but, despite its title, was effectively a GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
district league. It was formed by ten clubs: five from the city and five from the neighbouring districts. Ashfield
Ashfield F.C.
Ashfield Football Club are a Scottish football club from Possilpark in the North of Glasgow. Formed in 1886, they are based at Saracen Park, which they share with the Glasgow Tigers speedway team...
, Benburb
Benburb F.C.
Benburb Football Club are a Scottish football club, based in Govan, Glasgow. Formed in 1900 they are members of the Scottish Junior Football Association and currently compete in the SJFA Central Division One....
, Parkhead
Parkhead F.C.
Parkhead Football Club was a founding member of the Scottish Junior Football League but the team no longer exists. It played at Helenslea Park in Parkhead, Glasgow. In the early years of the Scottish Junior Cup, Parkhead Juniors appeared in 9 finals and won the cup 5 times. Many of its players went...
and Vale of Clyde
Vale of Clyde F.C.
Vale of Clyde Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Tollcross, in the East End of Glasgow. Nicknamed Tin Pail, they were formed in 1873 and are based at Fullarton Park...
were among its founding members. While it was seen as reasonably successful by the district sides, the city sides didn't and all five left at the end of the season. The league continued for one more season but was wound up in 1894.
The second SJL was a continuation of the Glasgow and District Junior League. It lost three of its city members in 1900, and after replacing them decided to rename itself. Its main problem was both its inability to attract any of the major sides—these clubs aspired to be in the GJL—and its high turnover in membership. In all the league lasted only four years.
The third, and main, SJL was formed by seven of the clubs who lost their places in the Glasgow Junior League "great betrayal" scandal of 1908. Twelve teams enlisted in its initial season including Bellshill Athletic
Bellshill Athletic F.C.
Bellshill Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club, historically based in the town of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, though currently groundsharing with fellow Junior club Vale of Clyde in Glasgow...
, Blantyre Victoria
Blantyre Victoria F.C.
Blantyre Victoria Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Blantyre, South Lanarkshire. Nicknamed the Vics, they were formed in 1890 and play at Castle Park where their record attendance is 6,000...
and Pollok
Pollok F.C.
Pollok Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Newlands in the southside of the city of Glasgow. They are one of the biggest football clubs operating in Scottish Junior football, regularly attracting crowds of around 550, more than many clubs in the third division and even some in the...
Given little hope by its critics, this version prospered and lasted until 1946. It was initially confined to the Glasgow district, but soon extended to include sides from Bute
County of Bute
The County of Bute is one of the registration counties of Scotland. In 2001 its usually resident population was 13,720.-Local government county:...
, Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'....
, Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
and Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
. After a year a Second Division was added with automatic promotion and relegation. Because of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, it operated with one division from 1915 until 1919, when the Second Division was reintroduced. The SJL's main problem was it remained in the shadow of the GJL, to which most of its members aspired. Over the years the SJL lost many of its stronger clubs it including Shawfield
Shawfield F.C.
Shawfield were a Scottish football team that competed in the Scottish Junior set-up and won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1946-47. There are also a number of references to them being called Shawfield Juniors....
and Shettleston
Shettleston F.C.
Shettleston Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Shettleston, in the East End of Glasgow. Nicknamed the Town, they were formed in 1903 and are based at Greenfield Park...
in 1921. A protest to the Scottish Junior Football Association
Scottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
(SJA) was lost on a technicality, however the loss of St Anthony's
St Anthony's F.C.
St Anthony's Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Cardonald, Glasgow. Nicknamed the Ants, they were formed in 1902 and are based at McKenna Park...
and St Roch's
St Roch's F.C.
St Roch's Football Club is a Scottish football club, based in Provanmill,Glasgow. Nicknamed "the Candy Rock", they were formed in 1921 and play at Provanmill Park. The team is currently managed by David Greig, assisted by Joe McCall and Patrick Parker. A revamped team for the 2009/2010 season has...
a year later led to another protest to the SJA and a subsequent charge of poaching. The GJL refused to hand these two clubs back, resulting in another of the GJL's splits with the SJA. The resulting formation of a Second Division saw the SJL loss a further five clubs. After the dispute was over a year later, the SJL admitted some of the GJL's discarded teams.
In 1923 the SJL re-organised its divisions into East and West sections—the winners playing off for the title—but the Second Division was reintroduced after two years.
The Intermediate dispute
Intermediate dispute
The Intermediate dispute was a major split in Scottish football which lasted from 1925 to 1931 and concerned the compensation that Junior clubs received when one of their players moved to a Senior football league side...
of 1927 saw the defection of eight of its clubs to the new Scottish Intermediate Football League and the subsequent recruitment of several clubs from the defunct Stirlingshire Junior Football League made it necessary to return to the East/West sections.
The wide geographical spread of its clubs made life difficult for the league after 1939. A small wartime version was played in 1939–40 but the league subsequently suspended its operations for the rest of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. An attempted revival in 1945 was put off for a year, but the Central Junior Football League's refusal to hand back co-opted teams from the war essentially killed the SJL off. It attempted one more season and disbanded.
During its lifetime, the league provided an avenue for many clubs to participate in the Junior game. The principal leagues of the time were more or less closed shops, and the SJL's members may never have played at this level had it not been around.
Winners
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1892–93 | Baillieston Thistle |
| 1893–94 | Baillieston Thistle |
| 1894–2000 | no competition |
| 1900–01 | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C. Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the town of Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire. Nicknamed The Rabs or The Roy, they were formed in 1878... |
| 1901–02 | Kisyth Emmett |
| 1902–03 | Milngavie |
| 1903–04 | Kilbirnie Ladeside Kilbirnie Ladeside F.C. Kilbirnie Ladeside are a Scottish football club, from Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire. Based at Valefield Park, they are members of the Scottish Junior Football Association and currently play in the West Super League Premier Division. Their main rivals are Beith Juniors... |
| 1904–1908 | no competition |
| 1908–09 | Bellshill Athletic Bellshill Athletic F.C. Bellshill Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club, historically based in the town of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, though currently groundsharing with fellow Junior club Vale of Clyde in Glasgow... |
| 1909–10 | Port Glasgoew Athletic Juniors Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors F.C. Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors F.C. were a Scottish association football club who played at Junior level from 1896 to 1939.They shared the ground at Clune Park, Port Glasgow with the Senior side Port Glasgow Athletic. When the latter disbanded in 1912 the Juniors played on at the ground until 1917.... |
| 1910–11 | Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors |
| 1911–12 | Vale of Grange (Second Division: Croy Celtic) |
| 1912–13 | Neilston Victoria |
| 1913–14 | Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors F.C. (Second Division: Thornliebank) |
| 1914–15 | Renfrew Juniors |
| 1915–16 | Renfrew Juniors |
| 1916–17 | St Anthony's |
| 1917–18 | Burnbank Athletic |
| 1918–19 | St Anthony's |
| 1919–20 | St Anthony's |
| 1920–21 | St Anthony's (Second Division: St Roch's) |
| 1921–22 | St Roch's |
| 1922–23 | Duntocher Hibernian Duntocher Hibernian F.C. Duntocher Hibernian Football Club were a Scottish Junior football club from the village of Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire, who played in three spells over a period of eighty-six years... |
| 1923–24 | Baillieston |
| 1924–25 | Baillieston |
| 1925–26 | Kilsyth Rangers Kilsyth Rangers F.C. Kilsyth Rangers Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire. Nicknamed The Wee Gers, they were formed in 1913 and play at Duncansfield Park, one of the bigger non-league football grounds in Scotland... |
| 1926–27 | Croy Celtic |
| 1927–28 | Maryhill Hibernian |
| 1928–29 | Alva Albion Rangers |
| 1929–30 | Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors |
| 1930–31 | Dumbarton Harp United |
| 1931–32 | Rothesay Royal Victoria |
| 1932–33 | Maryhill Hibernian |
| 1933–34 | Milngavie |
| 1934–35 | Bute Athletic |
| 1935–36 | Rothesay Royal Victoria |
| 1936–37 | Rothesay Royal Victoria |
| 1937–38 | Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors |
| 1938–39 | Johnstone Juniors |
| 1939–40 | Forth Rangers |
| 1940–46 | no competition |
| 1946–47 | Dunoon Athletic |
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1918–19 | St Anthony's |
| 1919–20 | Wishaw YMCA |
| 1920–21 | Kilsyth Emmet |
| 1921–22 | St Anthony's |
| 1922–23 | Dumbarton Juniors |
| 1923–24 | Paisley Juniors |
| 1924–25 | Bridgeton Waverley |
| 1925–26 | Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors |
| 1926–27 | Yoker Athletic |
| 1927–28 | Dunipace Juniors |
| 1928–29 | Dunblane Rovers |
| 1929–30 | Dunblane Rovers |
| 1930–31 | Kilsyth Rangers |
| 1931–32 | Camelon Juniors |
| 1932–33 | Bute Athletic |
| 1933–34 | Baillieston |
| 1934–35 | Rothesay Royal Victoria |
| 1935–36 | Cumbernauld Thistle |
| 1936–37 | Forth Rangers |
| 1937–38 | Grange Rovers |
| 1938–39 | Dunipace Juniors |
| 1939–40 | |
| 1940–41 | Maryhill Harp |
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1919–20 | Duntocher Hibernian |
| 1920–21 | St Roch's |
| 1921–22 | Codorrat Rovers |
| 1922–23 | Dumbarton Juniors |
| 1923–24 | Duntocher Hibernian |
| 1924–25 | Duntocher Hibernian |
| 1925–26 | Duntocher Hibernian |
| 1926–27 | Cleansing Juniors |
| 1927–28 | Maryhill Hibernian |
| 1928–29 | Coats Juniors |
| 1929–30 | Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors |
| 1930–31 | Grange Rovers |
| 1931–32 | Cumbernauld Thistle |
| 1932–33 | Milngavie |
| 1933–34 | Baillieston |
| 1934–35 | St Francis |
| 1935–36 | Twechar United |
| 1936–37 | Kilsyth Rangers |
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1929–30 | Clydebank Clydebank F.C. Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division... |
| 1930–31 | Denny Hibernian |
| 1931–32 | |
| 1932–33 | |
| 1933–34 | St Ninian's Thistle |
| 1934–35 | |
| 1935–36 | |
| 1936–37 | |
| 1937–38 | |
| 1938–39 | Dunipace Juniors Dunipace F.C. Dunipace Juniors Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Denny, Stirlingshire. Nicknamed the Pace, they were formed in 1888 and are based at Westfield Park. They currently compete in the West Region of the Scottish Junior Football Association... |
| 1939–40 | Baillieston |
| 1940–46 | no competition |
| 1946–47 | Dunoon Athletic |
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1920–21 | Kilsyth Emmett |
| 1921–22 | |
| 1922–23 | |
| 1923–24 | Vale of Leven Vale of Leven F.C. Vale of Leven Football Club are an association club based in the town of Alexandria, Scotland, in the Vale of Leven area of West Dunbartonshire. Nicknamed the Vale and formed in 1939, they play at Millburn Park... |
| 1924–25 | |
| 1925–26 | |
| 1926–27 | |
| 1927–28 | Maryhill Hibernian |
| 1928–29 | Coats Juniors |
| 1929–30 | |
| 1930–31 | |
| 1931–32 | |
| 1932–33 | |
| 1933–34 | |
| 1934–35 | St Francis |
| 1935–36 | |
| 1936–37 | Kilsyth Rangers |
| 1937–38 | Baillieston |
| 1938–39 | Twechar United |