An invitation to form a Glasgow League first came to the Queen's Park from the Celtic Football Club, in December, 1895, Mr. William Maley, secretary of the latter club, requesting the attendance of two representatives from the club, at a meeting regarding the proposed formation of a 'Glasgow League. The Queen's Park deputed Messrs. Sellar and Geake to represent the club, who were to suggest that the number of clubs be limited to four, and that the terms should be half everything net. Queen's Park, Rangers, Celtic, and 3rd Lanark laid the foundation of the Glasgow League. The matches were to be under Scottish Cup tie rules, the Association to supply referees, the gross gates to be equally divided, the ground club paying expenses, and retaining the stand drawings. The Queen's Park was not then a member of the Scottish League, which it did not join until five years later—1900-01. The Glasgow League games were played to fill up vacancies towards the end of the season. Clyde was admitted to the bund in season 1896-97, making five clubs. Partick Thistle became a member in February, 1898-99—after some objection, subject to suitable dates being found—raising the number to half a dozen ; but in the season 1899-1900 the name of the League was altered to Inter-City League, with Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian as members, both Clyde and Partick Thistle having been dropped. The introduction of the two Edinburgh clubs enhanced the drawings, and increased the attraction. The fixtures were rather upset by the success of Heart of Midlothian in winning the Scottish Cup in 1900-01, and Hibernian doing ditto in 1901-02, Celtic being the runners-up in both cases, while the Hearts again reached the final in 1902-03, only to lose to Rangers. To fill vacant dates, Partick Thistle came back next season, 1903-04, when Celtic and Rangers fought out the Scottish final, the "Light Blues" falling. It was now found that the Scottish League, with fourteen clubs, and Inter-City League, could not be run together without serious inconvenience, especially with Scottish Cup ties paramount over all engagements. The minor League resumed its original title of " Glasgow League " in 1904-05, being confined altogether to city clubs, Clyde again appearing. In March, 1906, to complete the season, after an informal meeting of representatives from Queen's Park, Celtic, Rangers, Third Lanark, and Partick Thistle, it was suggested to play single matches under Glasgow League auspices, terms half everything net, and this was confirmed by the clubs individually. This series of games was played that season, and filled the gap to the Charity Cup ties, the International with England occupying 7th April. The League was then disbanded, having served its day and generation usefully. As a sort of compensation, and to fill up odd dates, the Scottish League membership was raised to sixteen clubs, which fairly met the case as regards fixtures.

WEST OF SCOTLAND ASSOCIATION

Some information is obtained regarding the West of Scotland Association, which existed in the late 'seventies for a time, through an application it made for the use of Hampden Park in May, 1878, to play the final tie, and the manner in which it was viewed by the senior club. The pitch had been closed for a month to allow the field to recuperate. Mr. W. C. Mitchell proposed that the application be granted, believing that the new association was deserving of encouragement, if for nothing else than that it had relieved the Scottish Association of a number of clubs which had hitherto proved a drag on it. Mr. A. Rae considered that cup competitions had already served their purpose, and the less the club, as a general principle, had to do with them the better. Mr. W. M'Kinnon, in supporting Mr. Rae, gave as a reason for refusing, that the interests of the Queen's Park might be injured with the elder association if the game were to be played on Hampden, and this view prevailed, but only by the casting vote of the chairman.