Provincial Football League

1927-28

See also

With the collapse of the 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. There were no league competitions to which they could move into so 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 Second Division, the eleven survivors plus the Sanquhar outfit 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 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 League Cup 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’