Provincial League

Page created: 3 August 2020

Updated: 11 October 2021

 

With the collapse of the Scottish League Third Division in 1926, and the subsequent expulsion from the Scottish Alliance a year later, Scotland's fringe senior clubs had a turbulent past two years, and an uncertain future. As there were no league competitions to which they could move into they decided to form a new one. With Johnstone and Lochgelly United deciding to concentrate on Cup-ties for 1927-28 (both would be defunct by the end of the season), and Leith Athletic taking Nithsdale Wanderer's place in the Scottish League Second Division, the eleven survivors plus Nithsdale met in Glasgow to set up the Provincial League. St Cuthbert Wanderers initially expressed an interest, but the travelling expenses would prove too costly. The meeting also decided to exclude Brechin City and Montrose for the same reason and a proposal to change the name to the Western League was opposed.

 

The league therefore was initially made up of the following clubs -

 

Beith

Dykehead

Helensburgh

Mid-Annandale

Nithsdale Wanderers

Peebles Rovers

Queen's Park Victoria XI

Royal Albert

Solway Star

Vale of Leven

 

Saltcoats Victoria also expressed an interest but decided against the idea and remained in Junior football.

 

Although the next meeting saw Broxburn United wishing to join, they, Peebles Rovers and Helensburgh subsequently decided to turn Junior. The old Western League was then officially dissolved and the championship trophy was handed over to the Provincial League champions.

 

By this time the league's membership had slightly altered with the following clubs starting the competition's only season in 1927-28

 

Arthurlie 'A'

Beith

Dykehead

Mid-Annandale

Nithsdale Wanderers

Queen's Park Victoria XI

Royal Albert

Solway Star

Vale of Leven

 

 

Winners

 

1927-28 Beith

 

 

1927-28 Provincial League

 

 

Arth

Beith

Mid

Nith

QP

RA

Sol

VoL

Arthurlie 'A'

 

4 Feb

5-1

 

8 Oct

3-4

25 Feb

4-4

12 Nov

1-2

29 Oct

1-2

24 Sep

1-2

Beith

17 Dec

1-1

 

 

3 Dec

2-0

22 Oct

8-1

15 Oct

4-1

20 Aug

1-0

14 Jan

7-0

Mid-Annandale

22 Oct

4-0

19 Nov

2-2

 

 

20 Aug

3-0

17 Dec

1-2

 

 

Nithsdale Wanderers

19 Nov

6-1

7 Jan

5-2

 

 

3 Sep

2-3

29 Oct

7-0

14 Jan

7-0

 

Queen's Park Victoria XI

24 Mar

6-1

10 Sep

1-5

12 Nov

6-0

17 Dec

3-1

 

21 Jan

2-1

24 Sep

3-1

27 Aug

2-1

Royal Albert

 

27 Aug

0-1

 

10 Sep

0-1

10 Dec

4-2

 

 

 

Solway Star

24 Dec

4-1

18 Feb

3-3

 

22 Oct

2-2

15 Oct

3-1

8 Oct

2-0

 

 

Vale of Leven

 

 

 

 

17 Sep

3-3

20 Aug

2-1

 

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

Beith

12

7

3

2

37

19

17

Queen's Park Victoria XI

14

7

2

5

37

37

16

Nithsdale Wanderers

10

6

1

3

35

16

13

Solway Star

9

4

2

3

17

19

10

Royal Albert

10

3

0

7

11

23

6

Mid-Annandale

5

2

1

2

10

10

5

Vale of Leven

5

2

1

2

8

14

5

Arthurlie 'A'

11

1

2

8

19

36

4

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A Provincial Cup was also organised but only two results are know of at this time.

 

18 Feb Solway Star v Beith 3-3 this also counted as a league match

25 Feb Beith v Solway Star 6-1