4 hours Ago By [email protected] (Paul Thomson)
Hamilton Academical are marking a huge milestone in their history today as they celebrate their 150th anniversary. On December 12, 1874, the Accies played their first-ever game, losing 2-1 to the second team of Hamilton FC with J. Kerr on target for Accies.
Established from the school football team at Hamilton Academy, Accies remain the only professional club in British football to have originated from a school team and their journey since then as been full of high and lows, with promotions, relegations, cup wins, play-off joy and perhaps their proudest achievement is their renowed youth academy which spawned the likes of top professionals including James McCarthy and James McArthur. One of the club's greatest results came in 1987 when they stunned Rangers and knocked them out of the Scottish Cup, thanks to an Adrian Sprott strike. Accies have celebrated their big moment with a highlights reel on social media, charting their glory days over the past 15 decades.
While club historian and club secretary Scott Struthers has penned a concise history for fans this morning, providing an an insight into the road to John Rankin's side that proudly wears the red and white hoops today. It read: "150 years ago today we played our first ever match. We lost 2-1 away to the 2nd team of Hamilton FC.
J Kerr was our scorer. And that's as much as we can find out! "Our first AGM took place on 1st February 1875. "There were various years of formation put forward for the club, 1868, 1870, 1877 were common in the 19th century, 1875 was the accepted year for many years.
"However, extensive research by myself, then some persuasion to and cross referenced by the late Peter McLeish and late Jim Watson, in the late 1980s tried to get to an exact date, a first match, solve the problem of different badges with different years. Having established when the first AGM was, it was then a case of working backwards, checking the various Hamilton and Lanarkshire newspapers to ascertain when we (Hamilton Academical) began. "There were various other football teams in Hamilton in the 1860s (one pre dating Queen's Park) and, common at the time, teams were 'football and cricket' or 'football and athletic' clubs.
Hamilton Thistle, Hamilton FC, Hamilton Gymnasium (who played Queen's Park at the start) etc. "But when did we start..
. There is no doubt that the early players, early committee were formed from some of the teachers but essentially the senior pupils of the local school, Hamilton Academy, in particular pupils (and Dux Medallists) David Cross and William Haley. The school rector, James Blackstock, became the club's Patron.
Then it was a case of playing occasional friendly matches against other local teams. "And so it began. Friendlies and local cup ties were the main games.
"We first entered the Scottish Cup in 1876 (losing to Barrhead in our first ever competitive match). Uddingston defeated us in the Scottish Cup the following season. The Lanarkshire Cup soon started, other local cup competitions were entered.
We joined our first league in 1894, the Scottish Alliance League. Then the Scottish Combination. But in November 1897 a vacancy arose and we joined the Scottish Football League and have remained in the league ever since.
"Cups have been entered, twice runners up in the Scottish Cup, and three times winners of the Challenge Cup in recent years too. "Promotions and relegations, league wins, play off wins, fantastic wins, some bad defeats, countless memories. "Over the years I have been fortunate to speak with several of our great team of the 1930s, when there is no doubt we were at our peak, we had our best ever team, including our greatest ever scorer David Wilson, and other stalwarts like Bobby Reid, Tom Jarvie, Jackie Cox, and several of the 1935 cup final team.
They provided many memories and stories. "For our fans there have been countless ups and downs, highs and lows, but that's football, and that's Accies! "Did the senior pupils in 1874 envisage what we have now? Well, we've always remained close to the centre, to the school, we've never been far away. We are still recognised as a team with a good (youth) academy.
"Here's to the next 50/100/150, who knows what form football will have in the 22nd century! "To everyone who has been a part of our 150 years so far, many thanks." In their 150th year, Accies are hoping to find their way back to the Premiership and only time will tell if they will kick-off year 151 in the top flight..
