The connection of the Queen's Park with the Football Association began at a very early period in its career. There was no Association in Scotland. The club, after having drawn up a set of rules, which were based on those of the English Association, decided to join the only governing body then known, and, when the competition for a cup was established in 1871-72, after much anxiety as to the ways and means of travelling to London, it took part in the first competition for the English Cup in 1872, playing in the semifinal round—it was exempt from competing in the earlier rounds because of distance—against the Wanderers, greatly surprising the Londoners by its ability on the football field. It ran the Wanderers, a team of all the talents, to a dead heat, neither scoring ; but had to scratch, not being able to afford a second journey to London. This famous match has been dealt with in the chapter headed "Queen's Park and Wanderers." For a period of ten or eleven years, though retaining its membership of the Football Association, the Queen's Park did not take part in the competition for the 3 English Cup, either scratching to the clubs it was drawn against, or abstaining from entering for the cup. It was too serious a matter for the club in those early days to travel far, even to Ayr, funds being low ; but when times became better, and the club had a ground of its own, and England was divided into districts for the purpose of the competition, then the Queen's Park considered it a feasible undertaking to play a more prominent part in this battle for a trophy which might bring the club glory, but which certainly did not promise to enhance its revenues. In this spirit the Queen's Park embarked for the second time on a quest, which brought it only chagrin, disappointment, and loss, both in prestige and pocket. Having failed once, it tried again, Blackburn Rovers and Major Marindin stopping the way in the first final, but not in the second, which was fairly won by the Rovers. A fourth time did not prove more lucky than the first three, as, after defeating Partick Thistle in the first round in 1885-86, Queen's Park scratched to South Shore (Blackpool). A fifth effort was tried, and again failure, Preston North End bowling out Queen's Park at Hampden in 1886-87, in the very first round. This was the last of the series of five seasons—1871-72, 1883-84, 1884-85, 1885-86, 1886-87—in which Queen's Park pursued this elusive trophy without result. Then in May, 1887, the Scottish Football Association stepped in, and said Scottish clubs must not be members of any other national association, and this ended the membership of the Queen's Park with the Football Association, and put a stop to further participation by all Scottish clubs in a competition for the English Cup.

The Queen's Park met nothing but trouble and disappointment in its progress through the English cup ties in 1883-84. All its matches were won in the most hollow fashion, except in the case of Old Westminsters, who ran the Queen's Park to a short head (1-0). After meeting Blackburn Olympic, the holders of the cup, the team had scored in these ties 43 goals and lost 2. With the final, 44 goals to 4 was their wonderful record. The clubs that were expected to give most trouble succumbed easily enough, such as Aston Villa and Blackburn Olympic. The Queen's Park hoped to take a strong team to Nottingham, 1st March, 1884, for the latter game against Olympic, but first one and then another called off. Andrew Holm was still on the accident list, as his leg broke down against 3rd Lanark the Saturday before. His brother, J. W. Holm, joined Arnott at back. G. Campbell could not get away, neither could A. Rowan. On the recommendation of Dr. Smith, J. MacDonald (Edinburgh University), who had quite recently been made a member of the club, took Campbell's place, and P. M'Callum went up by the night mail to Nottingham, being sent by A. Rowan at the last minute to fill the goal. Imagine fifteen thousand spectators, ninety-nine out of every hundred of whom were supporters of the English team ! It was a damper for the young players; the strongest nerves would be severely tried under such circumstances. Olympic put in a lot of rough work, by which they had won the cup from Old Etonians the previous year. It was of little avail against Queen's Park. The battle raged with great fierceness, and intense excitement prevailed. The score at half-time stood 1-0 in favour of the Queen's Park. Very soon after crossing over, the Doctor lowered the Olympic colours for the second time. Watt came along with a third. There was a strong suspicion that the Blackburnites around the ropes wished to burst up the game, but the encroachers were kept back, and the game, which had been stopped, was resumed. Dr. Smith, a few minutes from the close, ran the ball from his own end to the goal, and flashed through a fourth goal. The Olympic could do nothing against the splendid back play of the Scots. Olympic lodged a protest on the ground that the spectators interfered with the play, but as Mr. C. W. Alcock was referee, and the arrangements in the hands of the English Association, the protest was of no avail. M'Callum had not much to do. Arnott played magnificently, as usual, and Holm kicked cleanly and well. MacDonald was a great success at half, and Gow extremely difficult to elude. Christie was the best forward in the team. Allan played his usual plucky game, Smith was always dangerous near goal, and Harrower deserved every praise. Anderson's dodging told its tale, and Watt gave full satisfaction. Queen's Park team:—P. M'Callum; W. Arnott and J. W. Holm; J. MacDonald and J. J. Gow; W. Anderson, W. W. Watt, Dr. Smith, W. Harrower, R. M. Christie, and D. S. Allan.

Blackburn Rovers, at Birmingham, beat Notts County the same afternoon, and were hissed and hooted, pelted with bricks, dust, and mud, and all because they had recently beaten Aston Villa in the ties, and did the same to the " Perry Pets " the year before. This left Queen's Park and Blackburn Rovers for the final at the Oval, 29th March, 1884. Little interest was taken at first in the progress of the Queen's Park through the English ties, as it was not believed the club was anxious to go through with the competition. The senior club intended at one time to scratch to some of the smaller English clubs, but the Englishmen pleaded so hard to be permitted to enjoy the honour of receiving a castigation from the famous Queen's Park, that the soft heart of Mr. Geake, the match secretary, was touched, and he could not refuse. The Queen's Park, as holders of the Scottish Cup, threw into the scale the championship of Scotland when it entered the contest for the championship of England. The Rovers, having defeated the Scots by 2-1, established their right to be considered themselves champions of the United Kingdom. The eyes of the whole football public of Great Britain were directed on the Oval. It is true the Queen's Park were 'refereed" out of the game by Major Marindin, whose views on the "off-side " rule were peculiar and vain, but that was not the fault of the Rovers. The Scots had two goals disallowed by the Major before the Rovers got their two, and then Christie gained the only one goal which was granted to the Queen's Park. It is no use now criticising the late Major Marindin. He not doubt acted honestly, according to his lights; but. the Queen's Park was never convinced, nor the Scottish public either, that victory ought not to have been gained by 3-2, as the goals disallowed Queen's Park, from a Scottish interpretation of the rules, were legitimate. The club took the reverse very sorely to heart, and contemplated washing its hands of the English Association, and the cup, with all its disappointments and annoyances. In this, as in other such most important games, team troubles, and, some even go the length of saying, blundering on the part of the match committee, helped to prevent the Queen's Park from obtaining the honours which came the way of the Rovers. Four veiled professionals were in the "English " (?) eleven. This club were among the first to induce Scots to cross the Border. F. Suter and Hugh M'Intyre led the way, and others followed, until it became quite the fashion in Lancashire to leaven the teams with imported Scottish players. A protest by Olympic against the Rovers for playing the ex-Ranger, Inglis, failed for want of proof. What the inducements were that enticed these players, and a hundred others, to go south can only be surmised. In some cases an upholsterer was transformed into a thriving publican, and an ironmoulder, and even labourers, into flourishing tobacconists. Other Scots went about with their hands in their pockets, gentlemen at large, yet nothing could be proved against any of the clubs. The Queen's Park possibly had no grievance, as it had met the Rovers in friendly games with these "veiled" gentlemen as opponents. Therefore the Rovers were not unfairly strengthened. The Queen's Park could have played F. W. Shaw, W. Gray, or J. L. Kay. The first named offered his services, which were refused. That Kay was in good form was proved at the Welsh International the same day. Kay had been out of the Queen's Park team, and had been playing for the Second Eleven, and assisting other clubs occasionally. In this Welsh game, he had a hand in nearly all the goals. The old dash was there, the well-judged pass, the telling dribble, the quick eye, and the unerring aim, all reminded one of other days, and forced on the friends of the Queen's Park that a mistake had been made, because of some little friction between the match committee and the player. Shaw, too, distinguished himself in this International. It was a blunder, a terrible blunder, not to have played Shaw and Kay. The match committee came in for great blame for their want of foresight. The team was not a strong one for such an occasion. J. MacDonald, a right half, had to play left full back, and Watt, a Second Eleven man, was hardly class enough then for a crucial struggle. J. W. Holm and P. Shaw were left out. All Lancashire went wild over the dual victory of their pet club—first, at having defeated the Queen's Park, and, secondly, at having won the cup. It is believed they placed more store on the former achievement than on the latter, as it was their first success against the Scots. The Queen's Park entered the competition to bring glory to Scotland, and ended by giving glory to Blackburn Rovers. As it turned out, the game was a close one—a very close one —but the Queen's Park did not win. They had many chances at goal, but, owing to the strong defence of the Rovers, could not manage to square the total. The whole team seemed out of joint. Smith was off form; Allan and Watt, too, played below expectation. Anderson and Harrower were the only forwards who did themselves credit. Campbell never played harder, and the same may be said of Arnott, than whom there was no better back in Britain. Gow and MacDonald changed places, and got mixed up, and wound up by hindering each other. As has been said, the Queen's Park had two goals disallowed, and the Rovers one. The appeals against the Queen's Park were so persistent, that the team got afraid to kick the ball when at all near goal. Major Marindin acted a most extraordinary part. On the Sunday after the match, he came to the, hotel, and told the team they had the ball through the Rovers posts a foot, and did not claim, and also that the first goal scored by the Rovers was distinctly off-side, but no appeal was made. Arnott emphatically stated he appealed loudly, but no notice was taken. The Major ought to have kept the information to himself, and not thus increased the chagrin of the Queen's Park, On his own showing, the Scots won by 3-1. The Queen's Park counted in the other two goals disallowed, and asserted they gained the day by 5-1. These unhappy incidents left behind an unpleasant flavour, the circumstances in connection with the game being particularly unfortunate, and to the present day they are not forgotten. Queen's Park team : G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and J. MacDonald; C. Camp-bell (captain) and J. J. Gow; W. Anderson, W. W. Watt, Dr. Smith, W. Harrower, D. S. Allan, and R. M. Christie.

In the following season, 1884-85, after some hesitation, the Queen's Park decided to have another try for the cup. The earlier tries—Stoke scratched, Crewe Alexandra (2-1), Leek (3-2), and Old Wykhamists (7-0)—call for no comment,, except that the first two games were exceptionally close— not to say anxious for a time. In the second round of the second series, Queen's Park had a bye, and then came the tie with Notts County at Nottingham, 21st February, 1885. The absence of arrangements to shepherd a record crowd at. Trent Bridge caused serious inconvenience and annoyance to the Queen's Park. It is unnecessary to enter into details of the play, which were interesting and exciting, so much so that the crowd, after half an hour's play, broke the ropes, and flowed over the line, seriously hampering the players, especially Gillespie in goal, and impeding him in his attempt to save the first goal. After half-time, when the Queen's Park was ahead by 2-1, so much did the spectators encroach that the Queen's Park captain entered a protest at the game being considered final. Players, referee, policemen, and others spent twenty minutes in partially clearing the field of play, and the game having again been set agoing, Notts managed to effect a draw (2-2). The referee, Mr. Pierce Dix, ordered the teams to play an extra half-hour, but the Queen's. Park unanimously refused to do so, on the grounds that (1) they had nothing to do with the field arrangements, (2) that they had already been on the ground two hours and ten minutes. The English Association Committee considered the matter, and, instead of ordering Notts to play in Glasgow, they decided the replay had to take place at Derby, thereby imposing on the Queen's Park another expensive journey to England. The game had been stopped no fewer than on twelve occasions to push back the crowd, and yet the Queen's Park had to suffer this inconvenience. It seemed a hopeless task to persevere in these ties. In this game, W. MacLeod (Cowlairs) made his debut in the English ties for Queen's Park, as partner to Arnott. They both distinguished themselves. It is said Harry Cursham, recently married, showed no anxiety to come into collision with "Watty." J. M'Ara quite took everyone by storm, supporting Campbell, who was at his best, at half-back. Hamilton did great work, and filled Eadie Fraser's place with conspicuous success. Anderson, Harrower, and Sellar all did well. Christie, though lame, scored a goal, and Allan gave material assistance. Mr. C. Campbell, at the dinner after the match, expressed the hope that, when the tie was finally decided, the clubs would continue, as heretofore, to meet in friendly matches only—a sentiment which was heartily re-echoed. Queen's Park team: G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and W. MacLeod; C. Campbell and J. M'Ara; A. Hamilton, W. Anderson, W. Harrower, W. Sellar, R. M. Christie, and D. S. Allan.

It is strange, but true, that the excitement over the replay at Derby on 28th February, 1885, was even greater in Scotland than when the Queen's Park and Blackburn Rovers fought out the final in the previous year. The feeling existed that the Scots had not equal justice meted out to them, when they were asked to travel two hundred miles, with Notts almost at home, especially as the county club were entirely to blame for the fiasco. When a telegram arrived at Hampden Park, where the Scottish final between the Vale and Renton was being played, giving the score at half-time as one goal each, the crowd were delighted, and anticipated a favourable result. They were not disappointed, and the Queen's Park were the victors of a great contest by 2-1. The ground at Derby was a good one, different from the morass on which the previous game was played. A huge crowd—twenty thousand—assisted, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The play was simply faultless in its brilliancy on both sides. Gunn got a corner off Gow, and the ball, bobbing from head to head, went through out of Gillespie's reach. Ten minutes more and Sellar (late Battlefield), getting possession from Watt, slipped Emmett, and sent the leather whizzing through the Notts goal, thus equalising the score— a feat which was greeted with great cheering. It was quite extraordinary, the number and enthusiasm of the supporters of the Queens Park, the crowd being equally divided. The totals were the same on crossing over—1-1. Notts now attacked, and attacked again, but strong back play, and Gillespie in goal, foiled all attempts. The pent-up fury of the hardy Scots was now let loose, and the Notts goal was peppered, Watt losing a splendid opportunity. In this lively way the game proceeded, until a long kick by Moore (Notts) up the field gave Arnott a nice clean shot, which he judged to a nicety, and the great back, with a strong drive, obtained unexpectedly what proved to be the winning point of a hard game. , Though the battle waxed fast and furious, nothing further resulted. So the Queen's Park triumphed over all opposing difficulties for the nonce. It had just a little the better of the play, and deserved exactly what it got, and no more. The game was a brilliant exhibition of football. Of the players, Gillespie played up to the form of his palmiest days. Arnott tackled, kicked, and ran like a hero. MacLeod was a good second to his companion. Campbell never played a more telling game. Gow was in grand fettle, and his attentions to the "Great Gunn" were touching. Christie was absent through lameness. Sellar, playing on the left wing-Watt going centre—excelled himself, and Allan worked like a nigger. Hamilton and Anderson were most effective, while Watt and Harrower, in the centre, kept the wings liberally supplied, passing and dribbling most brilliantly. The way was now clear for Queen's Park and Notts Forest in the fourth round. Queen's Park team: G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and W. MacLeod; C. Campbell and J. J. Gow; A. Hamilton, W. Anderson, W. Harrower, W. W. Watt, W. Sellar, and D. S. Allan.

Another trip to the South had to be faced by the Queen's Park in the fourth round (second series) to meet Notts Forest. The tie was decided at Derby on Saturday, 14th March, 1885, and naturally attracted attention, as the Forest were said to be even stronger than the County. The enclosure was filled, and the spectators had an exciting time. The Forest were at the height of their fame, and the Queen's Park held its head also at the highest. Having thrown out Notts County a fortnight previous, this tie was doubly interesting, and Forest hoped to succeed where their townsmen failed. Queen's Park forced the pace. They meant business from the start, but could not score, though Allan and Campbell were within an ace of it from two corners taken by Sellar. Forest took the upper hand, but were met at every point. Neither Dr. Smith nor Lambie appeared to be in the right place when wanted. Widdowson and Leighton dribbled the ball down the left wing for Danks to score for the Forest, after twenty-eight minutes' play. Dr. Smith, Anderson, and Sellar indulged in effective passing, but the Forest halves stopped them short. This lead of 1-0 was held at the interval. The Glasgow men again rushed the game, Dr. Smith redeeming any deficiency observable in the opening stages. Beardsley upset the medico, after as fine a run as had been seen on the field that day. Campbell was given a throw-in, and handing the ball to Allan, that player passed it on to Anderson, who, with a beautiful shot, equalised matters. It was now a desperate encounter, both sides striving for a majority in points. Smith again almost beat Beardsley, who fell, and thus avoided the charge of the man of medicine. Campbell headed the ball into Gillespie's hands, and almost scored against his own side. Neither could improve the position, and a draw (1 -1) left the conclusion unsatisfactory for the Queen's Park, who were thus faced with possibly another visit to England. Anderson was the best of the forwards, and Allan played a hard and unselfish game. Sellar and Hamilton were good, and Dr. Smith's best services were given in the second half. Lambie was not a success, then being only sixteen and a half years of age. Campbell and MacDonald, too, did not please the critics. Arnott and MacLeod were the saviours of the situation on several occasions, while Gillespie was brilliant. Queen's Park team : G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and W. MacLeod; C. Campbell (captain) and J. MacDonald; A. Hamilton, W. Anderson, Dr. Smith, J. A. Lambie, D. S. Allan, and W. Sellar. This team contained eight players who had been selected to take part in the International against England at the Oval on the following Saturday. The choosing of the Queen's Park team for Derby had been a matter of no little difficulty, for with Harrower and Christie injured, and Gow and Watt unable to get away from business, the officials were at their wits' end. Luckily MacDonald had recovered from injuries sustained on New-Year's Day, and Hamilton considered himself strong enough to risk playing. The English Association was more generous this time in allowing the undecided tie to be replayed in Scotland. The representatives of the two clubs met, for the second time, on the fine ground of Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh, on Saturday, 28th March, 1885, to decide who was to meet Blackburn Hovers at the Oval on 4th April. Notts Forest had the same eleven which ran the Queen's Park to a dead heat two weeks before. The Queen's Park team was. considerably altered. Dr. Smith and J. A. Lambie were replaced by Harrower and W. W. Watt, and Ninian M'Whannel took Anderson's place, R. M. Christie still being an unwilling absentee. The "Reds" did the pressing to begin with, but the Scots were the first to score. Sellar placed a corner kick handily for MacDonald cleverly to head towards goal. One of the Forest, in attempting to save, put the ball through his own goal, twenty minutes from the start of the game, amidst great cheering, as was only to be expected. This was followed quickly by a second goal. Gillespie had just saved, and A. Hamilton, getting on, ran up the right wing, passed to Sellar, who, lying close in, sent the ball past Beardsley, amidst another great demonstration of delight. During the remaining ten minutes of this half Gillespie had to prove his worth several times. Just after this Sellar, from a corner, shot the ball through the uprights, and despite M'Whannel's efforts to convert it into a goal, he was too late. The ball had touched no player, and, therefore, did not count. Allan, Watt, and Sellar made things lively for the "Reds." Leighton gave trouble to Arnott and Campbell. A goal, headed through by M'Whannel, was disallowed. Sellar, however, was successful next time, and raised the Queen's Park total to three. The Scots made circles round the opposing defenders. Gillespie, near the finish, saved a stinger from Leighton, just under the bar. Sellar, Allan, and Hamilton were the pick of the Queen's Park basket. As for the defence, it was impregnable. Harrower broke down after thirty minutes, his old injury troubling him. M'Whannel filled a difficult position creditably. Watt only occasionally shone. Gillespie was in his best form. Queen's Park team : G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and W. MacLeod; C. Campbell (captain) and J. MacDonald; N. M'Whannel, A. Hamilton, W. Harrower, W. W. Watt, W. Sellar, and D. S. Allan.

Thus fortune decided that Queen's Park and Blackburn Rovers were to have another tussle for that inglorious pot— the English Cup. Again the scene was laid at the Oval, as usual, where, on 4th April, 1885, another great battle was fought. Was there ever a more unlucky club than the Queen's Park? At the various crises in its history, and when it wanted all its available forces, it has invariably happened that its best men are not forthcoming. This was the case the season before, and history here repeated itself. It had sustained only two defeats so far, and one of these was in the unfortunate Battlefield cup tie, and the other at Birmingham on the October Fast Day, when a scratch team was beaten by Aston Villa. Harrower and Christie were both laid aside through injury, and W. Gray and N. M'Whannel (a Second Eleven man), were called on, necessitating a rearrangement of the forwards. Shifting players is always a dangerous policy, but the club had no other alternative. This led to an absence of combination, and the resultant slackness near goal. The game excited vast interest, and twenty thousand people witnessed it—a then record for England. In the first half, against the wind, it seemed as if a score was inevitable had the parting kick been given; but no, a few yards more must be dribbled, and the chance was gone. The Rovers were in splendid condition, but, weak and all as the Queen's Park were, the game was very open all through. If there were any advantage, the Rovers had it. Were it not for the wonderful play of Gillespie, who proved once more his right to the title of "The Prince of Goalkeepers," there is no saying what the adverse score might have been. These repeated attacks on the Scots goal were principally due to the smartness of the Rovers in shooting at goal, more than any superiority in the outfield. The only man on the Queen's Park side who made a decent show in this respect was Sellar, who never lost an opportunity of testing Arthur, the Rovers custodian, and Gray sent in a clinker, which was saved by pure accident. The Rovers got a goal in the opening period through a long shot by Forrest from half-back, and their second point was put through by Brown, after about a quarter of an hour of the concluding period had elapsed, while the Queen's Park failed to score. This victory by 2-0 was fairly gained. On this occasion no goals were disallowed, nor could the Scots complain of the officials. They were beaten fairly, and all felt that the better team had won. The only thing that detracts from it is, that the Queen's Park were decidedly weak. M'Whannel is not a Sellar, and Gray played in the team for the first time for two seasons. Anderson was clearly out of condition, and failed to bewilder the English forwards as of old. Allan missed Christie. Lying too far back, with the wind in the second half, the strange spectacle was witnessed of a Scottish team practically playing four half-backs. Sellar played a magnificent game, and had all been like him the cup would have come to Scotland. He was, repeatedly cheered for his brilliant exhibition. Hamilton also was seen at his best. Gray appeared nervous, and seemed anxious to do well, but he did not play to form. Campbell never played a better game. His head was of great service at critical times, and his general play of the very best. MacDonald, by his speed and splendid tackling, thwarted the Rovers forwards, and equalled his captain in the form he showed. Arnott did the work of two at back, and he compensated for MacLeod's failure in this game, the ex-Cowlairs back appearing to be weighed down by the stake at issue. The Rovers all played well, especially Lofthouse, Brown, and Sourbutt. Howarth, of Accrington, assisted Rovers by special permission of the Birmingham Football Association. The Queen's Park, even with its weak team, never anticipated an adverse result. The defeat of the great Scottish club caused intense disappointment, not only to the Scots present, but also all over Scotland, where the greatest confidence was reposed in the premier club. Ill-luck, and the chapter of accidents, contributed to the disaster; but Scots are not so completely absorbed in the fortunes of the Queen's Park as not to be able to congratulate Blackburn Rovers on their victory, while, at the same time, sympathising with the Queen's Park in its misfortunes. Strange but true, these crises always arose at critical times. So many instances are recorded in this history that it seems to amount to a fatality. Queen's Park team: G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and W. MacLeod; C. Campbell and J. MacDonald ; A. Hamilton, W. Anderson, W. Sellar, W. Gray, N. M'Whannel, and D. S. Allan.

It was rather remarkable to see an English Cup tie being played at Hampden Park between two Scottish clubs—namely, Queen's Park and Partick Thistle—an event sufficient to rouse the ire of the Scottish Association, whose patience in this connection must by this time have been quite exhausted. Murmurs went round at this encroachment on the jurisdiction of the Scottish body, and the public at home did not approve of this lack of patriotism on the part of clubs who Played under the banner of the Thistle, acknowledging the superior jurisdiction of the Rose, for at this period the Football Association claimed to be the head and front of Association football. At this very time, however, the Football Association was preparing to climb down, and did so in 1886, when the International Board was agreed upon. These murmurings heralded the storm which burst out in the spring of 1887, with the result that Scottish clubs were forbidden to compete for the English, or any other national trophy. An exception was made in the case of the "Dewar" and " Sheriff of London" Charity Shields. Queen's Park and Partick Thistle met in a first-round tie for the English Cup at Hampden Park, 31st October, 1885. Though previous to this match fault had been found with the Queen's Park players for lack of condition, a vast improvement was observable, and they came out of the contest with flying colours. Partick Thistle drew first blood, and this was their only goal. Scores were equal at half-time—one each. Then the senior team showed its vast superiority, and, scoring goal after goal, won finally by 5-1. There was not a laggard in the Queen's Park team. Arnott was in rare fettle; Watson was not so good. Campbell exhibited no signs of deterioration, and Gow reminded one of old times. "Woody" Gray filled Christie's place, and he and Allan gave a grand display. Somerville (late Rangers) and Harrower, in centre, were a great pair; the ex-Ranger, beside men of his own calibre, played with confidence, and Harrower worked with self-reliance and go. Hamilton was in great form, and Lambie gave him every support. The Thistle kept Gillespie on thorns in the first half, but the prince of goalkeepers was equal to the occasion. The Thistle used their weight with effect, and expended all their energies at the commencement. Queen's Park team : G. Gillespie ; W. Arnott and A. Watson; C. Campbell and J. J. Gow; A. Hamilton, J. A. Lambie, George Somerville, W. Harrower, W. Gray, and D. S. Allan.

Queen's Park went no further in these ties that season, as they scratched to South Shore (Blackpool) in the second round.

The Scottish Association was at last forced to take action, as more Scottish clubs than the Queen's Park had entered for the English Cup. 3rd Lanark, 17th October, 1885, had played an English tie against Park Road (Blackburn), at Cathkin Park, immediately prior to the match between Queen's Park and Partick Thistle—a less heinous crime probably, seeing one club at least was an English club, than in the latter case, where both were of Scottish nationality. Rangers, too, in the first round, played Rawtenstall, at Kinning Park, and Heart of Midlothian met the London Pilgrims in Edinburgh.

After the Preston North End - Queen's Park tie in the first round of the English Cup competition, at Hampden Park, in the following season, 1886-87—whether moved by the unseemly and riotous proceedings on that occasion, or by the serious loss of dignity which such extraneous competitions, taking place as they did in its own immediate preserves, occasioned it—the Association passed a new law at the annual general meeting, 10th May, 1887: "That clubs belonging to this Association shall not be members of any other National Association." This rule was introduced on the motion of Mr. Richard Browne (Queen's Park), then president of the Scottish Association, seconded by Mr. James A. Crerar (3rd Lanark). Thus all further participation in the English Cup ties was closed for the future to Scottish clubs. The practice should never have been allowed to develop. Still, the Scottish Association was not in being when Queen's Park first played for the cup against the Wanderers in London in 1872, and at that early period it sought to induce other Scottish clubs to join the English Association. This connection between the Scots and the Football Association had been carried on in the closest intimacy, not so much in a playing as in a legislative sense, in the interests of this variety of football, for the club did not compete again for the English Cup until the season 1883-84, when, funds being adequate and prestige high, it conceived the idea of bringing the cup to Scotland. Its success, having reached the final twice, and its ultimate complete failure, are tales already unfolded. Still, the example to Scottish clubs was not a good one, and the contagion spread ; other clubs entered and competed for the cup, imagining they might do better than the Queen's Park, and that there was money in it. This latter supposition was a fallacy, as expenses were high, and the gates not always large. Thus in this season no fewer than seven Scottish clubs embarked on the elusive hunt for the cup. Rangers and Renton were the only pair of the lot to reach a forward position. Renton put out Accrington, then in the second round defeated Blackburn Rovers at Blackburn, after a drawn game at Hampden Park, and succumbed (2-0) in the fourth round to Preston North End at Hampden Park, 22nd January, 1887, after the clubs had played a friendly at Renton the Saturday previous, the ground being unplayable for a cup tie through frost and thaw. In reference to this last game, the public were not told of the change in the conditions, and, suspecting something was wrong, broke into the ground, but on being assured the game was being played as a cup tie, allowed the play to proceed. It was returned as a draw (3-3). Rangers did even better, as, after an easy parade through the ties, they fell at last in. the semi-final to Aston Villa, 12th December, 1887, the year in which the Villa defeated West Bromwich Albion in the final by 2-0, and won the cup for the first time.

The tie between the Queen's Park and Preston North End,. 30th October, 1886, was the occasion of one of the most serious riots that had ever taken place on that famous enclosure — Hampden Park. The Preston team, one of the best exponents of the dribbling art, played an extremely rough and "dirty" game. Fouls were repeatedly given against them for tripping and charging behind, inexcusable acts for which there was no necessity, as they secured the victory by 3-0. This rough play culminated in an act of treachery on the part of Ross, jun., one of the eight professionals in the North End team. The scene that took place at the close of the game baffles description, and one the like of which had never been witnessed at any game in Scotland. The act which aroused the passion of the mob was perpetrated on Harrower, the Queen's Park centre, by Ross, jun. About five minutes from the close, Harrower, who had played grandly up to this point, fastened on the ball. Ross, jun., was behind him, and this player, instead of tackling his man in front, charged him low down behind, causing Harrower to fall backwards on his left shoulder. So forcible was the fall that he lay stunned, while the spectators yelled and howled in a perfect frenzy of righteous anger. His father, who happened to be in the pavilion, went to his son's assistance, but Messrs. Geake and Stewart Lawrie induced him to withdraw. Harrower was assisted to the pavilion, and there attended to by Dr. John Smith, an old associate. Then the game was finished. The indignant crowd now surged into the field, maddened with passion, shouting, waving sticks, umbrellas, and such like weapons, and the North End team were at once engulfed by a living sea, which rolled round them in angry surging waves that threatened to engulf them at any moment. Ross was the centre of attraction. Happily the crowd was too dense to allow those who were near the players to use their fists, or the weapons they carried. Seeing the predicament of their opponents, the Queen's Park team, who were the first to enter the pavilion, ran to the rescue, and after a deal of pushing and struggling got the men safely indoors. Ross, jun., was more like an animal that had had a hard run for its life than a victorious football player. Meanwhile the crowd outside clamoured for Ross, jun. Mr. C. Campbell volunteered to get the offender away, clear of the rabble. A long ulster and a hat were procured, and, donning these, Ross sauntered forth by the side of Mr. Campbell. The pair had not gone a hundred yards in the direction of the main entrance, when Ross was recognised. Although Mr. Campbell protested, and denied the man was Ross, the people only laughed at him, and were proceeding to give the player a mauling, when he burst through them and reached the pavilion again in safety. Once there, he sank down in tears, entreating the Queen's Park not to leave him. While Mr. Campbell haranged the mob from the pavilion terrace, Ross, jun., escaped with the groundsman, Sandy Maxwell, through a back window, up the Mount Florida slopes, and got safely away. When the crowd learned how they had been baulked, they dispersed sullenly, and the ground, which that day had held fifteen thousand precious souls, was soon hushed in the stillness of the night, and there was nothing left to tell of the great battle that had been fought and lost, or of the mighty upheaval of the public spirit which had characterised the close of the game. Mr. Sudell, then chairman of Preston North End, at the dinner after the match, apologised for Ross, jun.'s misconduct, and the incident closed, nor did intercourse between the clubs cease, as they met again at Preston, 30th April, 1887, North End winning by 1-0. The Queen's Park team in the cup tie was : G. Gillespie; W. Arnott and R. Smellie; A. Stewart and J. J. Gow; A. Hamilton, J. A. Lambie, G. Somerville, W. Harrower, J. Allan, and D. S. Allan.

Preston North End contemplated protesting against Queen's Park in this English Cup tie on the ground that the club employed a professional trainer, Fairley, who had recently acted as trainer, or rubber down, to the team. In Mr. Sudell's opinion, it was a breach of the cup competition rules for a club to pay a professional trainer to train an amateur team. (See Rule 17.) However, Mr. Sudell further added that North End would not in any case—win or lose— attempt to take advantage of this in the way of protesting. As the Preston club won, his magnanimity was not put to the test. He added that North End had no trainer. They trained themselves, each man in his own way. That defect was, however, soon remedied, professional teams not only having trainers, but were sent to seaside resorts to get fit when big matches were on.

The following are the positions taken by Queen's Park in its various attempts to win the English Cup :—

It is a mistake to imagine that the participation of the Queen's Park in the English Cup ties of 1883-84 and 1884-85 constituted a serious drain on the club's finances. In the former season the profit on the transaction was not worth mentioning, but in the following season very important clubs had to be met in the second series of the cup competition, such as Notts County (third round), two games; Notts Forest (fourth round), two games; and Blackburn Rovers in the final. The result was that the treasurer, in 1885, was able to place the handsome sum of £219 8s. 7d. to the credit of the club, after paying all expenses, as profit derived from these English games. This was chiefly due to the prominent position taken by the Queen's Park the previous season, when it also reached the final tie, with also Blackburn Rovers as opponents. It was believed the cup was in danger of coming to Scotland, and if that feat could have been accomplished, the Queen's Park was the club to do it. Hence these crowds.

The first English Gup tie played on Scottish soil was that between Queen's Park and Manchester, on 1st December, 1883, at Titwood Park, the temporary home of the senior club, while second Hampden was being prepared for occupation. The Queen's Park won by no fewer than 15-0, which is not the record for the club in the matter of goals scored. The greatest number of goals gathered in a match by Queen's Park was on 3rd April, 1880, when Edinburgh Association was defeated on Hampden Park by 16-0. All the Queen's Park forwards scored against Manchester. Anderson took three, Dr. Smith three, and Harrower, Fraser, Allan, and Christie two each, while Campbell managed to secure a point to his own foot. No mercy appears to have been shown to a team hardly acquainted with the rudiments of the game—an unusual thing with the Queen's Park. It was an act of great temerity on the part of the English club to come North on such an errand. The other members of the Queen's Park team were: P. M'Callum, goal; W. Arnott and A. H. Holm, backs; C. Campbell and J. J. Gow, half-backs.