Scottish Highland Football League - History

Highland Football League has a great tradition of spirit, skill and sportsmanship - expanding form humble beginnings to a championship whose standards now command national respect.

The league was conceived at the Inverness Workman's Club on August 4th 1893, all the clubs present expressing an enthusiastic willingness to become part of a league. After discussing the logistical matters, the Scottish Football Association blessed the venture and The Highland Football League was born.

By February 7th 1894, after undergoing the teething problems of a new venture and having lost one of the original teams from the fixture list, the League reported a surplus of five pounds. This rocky first season was concluded, and Thistle became the first champions of the Highland Football League.

The league consisted of seven teams in 1893-94, those of Thistle, Caley, Clachnacuddin, Forres Machanics, Union, Citadel and Camerons. From this strong base, the League has gone from strength to strength culminating in the 1992-1993 championships where the league contained eighteen clubs - those of Elgin City, Cove Rangers, Lossiemouth, Caley, Ross County, Huntly, Clachnacuddin, Inverness Thistle, Buckie Thistle, Fraserburgh, Deveronvale, Keith, Brora Rangers, Peterhead, Rothes, Fort William, Forres Mechanics and Nairn County.

Having now survived over one hundred years, and the many obstacles history has placed in its path, the Highland Football League has become a part of the Northern Spirit, displaying the strength of commitment to the game from the meeting rooms, the players and from the supporters who loyally support their chosen team. Although the Highland Football League is a small speck in the increasingly global world of football, it is a league with a special character, a sound commitment to the game, exceptional skill, strong pride and an integral part of the communities within which it is a part.

This is an excerpt from "Highland Hundred" by Bill McAllister which was published in 1993 to mark 100 years of The Highland Football League. Copies are obtainable from the secretary at a cost of £9.95 + postage.