Season 1897/98

At the Annual Meeting of the Glasgow League on Tuesday 6 July 1897, the sum of £5 was given to Queen's Park to purchase a championship flag. Arthur Geake of Queen's Park was unanimously re-elected President. Applications by St Mirren and Albion Rovers to join the league were rejected.

Queen's Park's Confined Sports (restricted to members of the club) took place on three consecutive evenings from 18 to 20 August. There was a large crowd on the third evening for the dribbling contest and the four-a-side football.

As the end of August approached, the start of the new season was imminent but few of Queen's Park's regular starters had started training. Most of them were still on holiday.

Queen's Park's first match of the new season was against Kirkcaldy FC on Saturday 4 September 1897 at Newtown Park in the Fife town. Queen's took an early lead through Davidson "Dyke" Berry but a Davidson header drew the sides level. Berry regained the lead for the Spiders and then Bob McColl ran the length of the field to extend the advantage. Dyke Berry then competed his hat trick before Cairns pulled a goal back to make the half-time score 4-2 for Queen's. In the second period, Bob McColl made the score 5-2. Cairns then scored his second for the hosts but, before the end, Queen's Park were on target again, after being awarded a free kick at close quarters, to make the final result 6-3.

A week later, Queen's Park had their first home game of the season with Dumbarton the visitors to Hampden Park. The Spiders suffered an unexpected defeat. Queen's started the game with ten men due to Tom Murray failing to appear. Eventually, Burnett appeared to take his place at full back. Bob McColl hit the bar for Queen's but it was Dumbarton who took an early lead through MacFarlane. The Spiders equalised in 40 minutes through Dyke Berry but, almost immediately, either MacFarlane or Speedie put Dumbarton back in the lead. Just on the interval, James Irons fell heavily and fractured his elbow. He was taken to the Victoria Infirmary. The ten men played well in the second half and Bob McColl brought the sides level with a penalty kick. However, with 15 minutes to go, James Allison had to go off, leaving Queen's Park with nine men. Dumbarton took full advantage and a William Speedie strike and a John Ritchie own goal gave the Sons of the Rock a 4-2 victory.

Queen's Park - Season 1897/98
Back row - K Anderson, W Stewart, J F Templeton, J Allison.
Middle row - H Butler, C B Miller, D Wilson, J L Ritchie, J Gillespie, 
D Berry, T Murray, R A Lambie.
Front row - R S McColl, J Lawrence, D Stewart.

On Saturday 18 September, Queen's Park were at home to Cameronians in the first round of the Glasgow Cup before what was described as a meagre attendance. Queen's Park were six up at the interval with goals from Bob McColl (3), Dyke Berry, James Templeton and 17-year-old David Wilson from Langside Athletic. Bob McColl scored twice more after the break and Robert Lambie also got on the scoresheet. The scorer of the other goal in a 10-0 victory is not known.

Two days later, on the Edinburgh Autumn Holiday, John Gillespie turned out for Rangers in a Scottish League match against Hearts at Tynecastle, just over a year after he played for Celtic against Aston Villa in a match for the unofficial championship of Great Britain.

On Saturday 25 September, Queen's Park met Linthouse at Govandale Park. The home side took a first half lead through William Thomson but Hugh Butler equalised before the interval. Robert Lambie put Queen's ahead early in the second half. Queen's Park were the better side and looked set for victory but Thomson struck for Linthouse for a second time and the match finished in a 2-2 draw.

On the following Monday, Queen's Park were in Ireland meeting Cliftonville at the Solitude ground in Belfast. The match attracted a good crowd of 5,000 on a fine day. Jim Pyper gave Cliftonville the lead with a shot that slipped through Kenny Anderson's hands. Bob McColl equalised before half-time. In the second half, Queen's Park scored three unanswered goals through a David Wilson header and two Bob McColl strikes. A good game finished in a 4-1 win for the Spiders.

Kilmarnock were visitors to Hampden Park on Saturday 2 October. Queen's Park, with the wind advantage, were on the offensive from the outset and took an early lead through Robert Lambie after fine play by Dyke Berry. A second goal followed. Dyke Berry was the scorer with an unsaveable shot. After the interval, a beautifully-taken goal by Bob McColl extended the Spiders' lead. Towards the end, Bobby Templeton pulled a goal back for the Ayrshire men to make the final score 3-1.

On the following Saturday, Queen's Park welcomed Renton to Hampden Park. Queen's won 9-0, a scoreline that reflected the run of play. The scorers of the goals are not known.

On Saturday 16 October, Queen's Park's opponents were Celtic. The match attracted a crowd of 9,000 to Celtic Park. Queen's were without Hugh Butler and his place was filled at inside right by young David Wilson. The Spiders had most of the play in the first half. Robert Lambie hit the bar and Celtic goalkeeper Dan McArthur produced some fine saves. However, there was no scoring at half-time. There were a number of near things at both ends in the second half. Eventually, in 75 minutes, Queen's Park took the lead. Robert Lambie was the scorer from a Bob McColl assist. Celtic pushed towards the end but the final result was a well-deserved 1-0 victory for the Spiders. The record of matches between the two sides now stood at eleven wins apiece.

Dumbarton made their second visit of the season to Hampden Park on Saturday 23 October. A very good game ended in a 1-1 draw. Robert Lambie opened the scoring from a Willie Stewart cross and the visitors drew level when a free kick was cleverly converted by either Andrew Mauchlen or Lewis Mackie.

It was Glasgow Cup semi-final day on Saturday 30 October. Queen's Park's opponents were Third Lanark and the match attracted a crowd of 10,000 to Hampden Park. Bob McColl was missing from the Queen's line-up. The visitors were favourites to win the tie but the Spiders recorded an unexpected triumph. Robert Lambie opened the scoring with a fine goal and James Allison doubled the Spiders' lead at half-time. Fog became increasingly dense as the match progressed. Play continued, however, and two further goals from Robert Lambie doubled Queen's advantage to 4-0. Once again, Queen's Park's lack of training began to tell and Third Lanark finished strongly. Bob Johnstone pulled a goal back with a penalty kick and Bert Banks made the final score 4-2 from a scrimmage.

Queen's Park were not in action on Saturday 6 November but Kenny Anderson, Dyke Berry, John Gillespie and John Ritchie played for Glasgow in a 0-0 draw with Sheffield before a crowd of 10,000 at Cathkin Park.

On Saturday 13 November, Queen's Park played host to St Bernard's at Hampden Park. Hugh Butler, Alex Christie and John Gillespie were rested and Bob McColl was still unfit. Queen's went into an early lead through David Wilson and the same player then doubled the lead. Before the interval, the Edinburgh side pulled a goal back through either Chambers or Swanson. After the break, Willie Stewart put Queen's Park back into a two-goal lead and Swanson replied for the visitors. Queen's should have scored more goals but the match ended in a 3-2 victory.

Queen's Park were at home again on the following Saturday with a challenge match against Sunderland. A crowd of around 5,500 saw a very enjoyable contest. A highlight of the match was a wonderful display by Sunderland's Scotland international goalkeeper Ned Doig. Queen's Park were on top in the first half but there was no scoring at half-time. The Spiders took a second half lead with a splendid Robert Lambie goal. Queen's had the upper hand but the English side drew level when Hughie Wilson hit a high, dipping shot over the head of Kenny Anderson. The Spiders tired in the last 20 minutes but were still dangerous in attack. Both sides strained every sinew to find a winner but there was no further scoring and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.


On Saturday 27 November 1897, Queen's Park met Rangers at Cathkin Park in the Glasgow Cup Final. Despite the admission price having been doubled and a heavy shower before the game, there was a crowd of over 14,000 at Cathkin. The Queen's Park team was - Kenny Anderson; John Ritchie and John Gillespie; James Allison, Alex Christie and Davie Stewart; Willie Stewart, Hugh Butler, Bob McColl, Robert Lambie and Dyke Berry. Bob McColl went close twice early on, but Rangers were coping better with the slippery conditions. The Light Blues took the lead in 15 minutes from a Bobby Neill penalty kick after Jimmy Miller was tripped. Queen's Park claimed that the foul had not happened within the penalty line. John "Kitey" McPherson doubled the Rangers' lead after James Allison and John Ritchie got into a fankle in defence. Goalkeeper Kenny Anderson saved Queen's time and time again in the minutes leading up to the break and the score remained 2-0 at the interval. The Spiders made a good start to the second half. Robert Lambie set up three great chances but they were all missed. Rangers gradually got back on top and Smith increased their lead. The pitch was now "largely a mud puddle" and the Queen's players ran out of steam. With eight minutes remaining, former Spider Bob Hamilton made the final score 4-0. It was a well-deserved win for the Ibrox men. The Daily Record criticised the Queen's Park players for not being fit enough to last the game "through inefficient training".

At Queen's Park's half-yearly meeting, reference was made to the club's hope to have a larger ground. However, there remained deadlock with Dixon's trustees and the Town Council over the purchase of an additional piece of land. In commenting on the position, Scottish Sport said that, although the exiting stadium was not the largest, it was the best-equipped and best-kept and had a playing surface second to none.

Queen's Park visited Port Glasgow Athletic's Clune Park on Saturday 4 December. A crowd of around 1,000 saw Hugh Butler gave Queen's the lead but Tom McMaster equalised immediately afterwards to make the score 1-1 at half-time. Early in the second half, Port Glasgow left back McCulloch had to retire injured, leaving his side to play with ten men. Inside right Lindsay put Queen's Park into a 2-1 lead, William Smith then equalised but Lindsay struck again to put the Spiders back ahead. Port Glasgow were awarded a penalty kick but Bob Martin sent his shot wide of the post. Queen's then scored three unanswered goals through David Wilson, Dyke Berry and Bob McColl to secure a 6-2 win.

A week later, Queen's Park met Ayr FC at Hampden Park in a one-sided match described as a complete farce. Queen's romped to a 9-0 victory. According to The Scottish Referee, Bob McColl scored seven of the goals, with Hugh Butler and Robert Lambie getting the other two. The North British Daily Mail opted for McColl (6), Butler (2) and Lambie.

On Saturday 18 December, Queen's Park met Rangers in a friendly match at Ibrox Park before a crowd of about 5,500. Rangers were without six of their usual starting eleven. Peter Turnbull gave the home side the lead in five minutes when by all accounts yards offside. Ten minutes later, Bob McColl equalised with a thunderous shot. Shortly afterwards, Robert Lambie was injured and could take no further part in the game. Tommy Hyslop put Rangers back into the lead but Dyke Berry drew the sides level before half-time. Queen's Park's ten men had most of the game in the second half and Dyke Berry had a goal controversially ruled out for offside. However, the only goal of the half was scored by Turnbull of Rangers and Queen's suffered an unlucky defeat.

The Spiders were in Paisley on Christmas Day facing Abercorn at Underwood Park. The home side did more of the early attacking but it was Queen's Park who took the lead in 35 minutes with a Bob McColl long drive. A minute later, the lead was doubled. It is unclear if Hugh Butler was the scorer or if it was a Newbigging own goal. After the break, Queen's swept into a 5-0 lead with further goals from David Wilson (2) and Dyke Berry. John "Sailor" Hunter then pulled two goals back for Abercorn but, just on time, Hugh Butler sealed a 6-2 victory for Queen's Park. On the same afternoon, Kenny Anderson and James Allison turned out for Glasgow in a 9-3 win over Southern Counties League in Dumfries.


On New Year's Day, the leading English amateur invitational side Corinthians made their customary annual visit to Hampden Park. A crowd of somewhere around 10,000 saw the visitors take the lead in five minutes through a swift, well-directed Hugh Stanbrough shot. Queen's Park then did the majority of the attacking and, approaching the half hour mark, Bob McColl equalised from a Ritchie free kick. Corinthians retook the lead when Davie Stewart turned the ball towards his own goal, without realising that Kenny Anderson had run out, and it trickled into the net. Early in the second half, the scores were level for a second time when Dyke Berry fired home a high shot from an angle. Soon after, Gilbert Smith scored a third for Corinthians. Queen's then forced the pace but 'keeper Campbell was in top form. At length, however, Hugh Butler found the net and the scores were tied once more. By this stage, Pascal of Corinthians was little more than a passenger and goals from Willie Stewart and Bob McColl sealed a 5-3 victory for the Spiders.

On Saturday 8 January 1898, Queen's Park were away to Bo'ness in the first round of the Scottish Cup before a crowd of about 2,000. Queen's had tried to induce Bo'ness to play the tie at Hampden Park but to no avail. The pitch was soft and muddy and Bo'ness protested about the conditions before taking the field. Queen's Park had the better of the play throughout. Bob McColl gave the Spiders the lead in ten minutes with a fine header and, shortly afterwards, the same player doubled the advantage with a fast daisy-cutter. Ten minutes from the interval, Alex Christie fired in goal number three. Queen's Park scored a further three goals in the second half. Willie Stewart and Bob McColl were on target for goals four and five and John Ritchie scored number six from a long way out.

On Thursday 13 January, former Queen's Park and Scotland star player James T Richmond died at the age of 39.

Two days later, St Mirren were visitors to Hampden Park. Despite John Patrick being much the busier of the two goalkeepers, the Paisley men recorded a surprise 4-1 victory. St Mirren took the lead in ten minutes through William Steel and Alex Wylie doubled the lead in 25 minutes with a header. Queen's Park were dominating play but could not score. The Spiders pressed hard in the second half but could not break down the St Mirren defence until the 75 minute mark when Hugh Butler found the net after Patrick had saved his first effort. Shortly afterwards, however, weak defence allowed Mullen to restore the Buddies' two-goal advantage. Queen's Park then laid siege to the St Mirren goal but, in a breakaway, Saints scored a fourth goal from a penalty kick after John Ritchie tripped Wylie inside the 12-yard line. 

Queen's Park were back in Scottish Cup action on Saturday 22 January. Their opponents in the second half were St Bernard's. The match attracted a crowd of over 9,000 to Logie Green, including a sizeable contingent from Glasgow. There is a supposition that the Spiders' fans were all middle class toffs sporting bowler hats. The match report in the Daily Record showed that this was not the case. The newspaper referred to Queen's Park's large support and said that "... it rather surprised Edinburgh people to find that a large proportion was to all appearance of a working-class character. Hundreds of them walked along Princes Street, down Leith Street, and thence by Broughton to the St. Bernard ground, and were easily picked out as Q.P. followers by a card in their hats bearing the legend, Alive Alive O! We're no deid yet; play up Queen's Park." (This was in response to an article in the press claiming that Queen's were in terminal decline.) The Spiders were on top in the first half and a Willie Stewart header from a corner kick gave them a 1-0 lead at the interval. In 50 minutes, Willie Stewart was on the end of a Davie Stewart free kick to double the lead. Queen's then went into a 3-0 lead through Bob McColl. Paton of St Bernard's had then to retire injured and Queen's Park scored two further goals through McColl and Wilson to complete a resounding 5-0 victory. 

A week later, Queen's Park welcomed Linthouse to Hampden Park. Neither side was at full strength but they produced an enjoyable ninety minutes. Davie Stewart was injured in the first half and had to leave the field for a period. While he was absent, Tom Niblo gave Linthouse the lead with a fine shot. Queen's Park dominated the second half but, with 'keeper John Todd in great form, the Govan men held out until, finally, David Wilson equalised from a Robert Lambie corner kick. A 1-1 draw may have seemed a surprise result but it appears that Queen's did not over exert themselves with the following week's Scottish Cup tie with Rangers in mind.

On Saturday 5 February, the Scottish Cup third round tie with Rangers drew an immense crowd to Hampden Park. With uptown 25,000 in the ground, the gates were closed to avoid crushing. Many of those who could not gain access to Hampden headed for nearby Cathkin Park where Third Lanark were playing Hibernian. Queen's Park were severely handicapped by the absence of Bob McColl who had injured his ankle in the Club's gymnasium. The team that faced the Light Blues was - K L Anderson; D Berry and R A Lambie; J L Ritchie and J Gillespie; J H Irons, A J Christie and D Stewart; W S Stewart, H Butler, D J Wilson, D Berry and R A Lambie. Rangers were favourites to win the tie but Queen's Park were the more dangerous side in the early stages. However, it was Rangers who went ahead in 30 minutes through "Kitey" McPherson. Five minutes later, Bob Hamilton converted a cross from Tommy Low to double the visitors' lead. Seconds before half-time, Robert Lambie headed a Willie Stewart cross past Matt Dickie in the Rangers' goal to reduce the deficit. Rangers regained their two-goal lead in 55 minutes when Jimmy Miller seized on a defensive error to score. Queen's Park came close several times before the finish but Rangers held on to their 3-1 advantage. The Light Blues were a much bigger side than Queen's Park and the physical advantage proved significant.

It was back to the Glasgow League for Queen's Park on Saturday 12 February. The Spiders' opponents were Clyde. Rain and a strong wind kept the crowd at Barrowfield Park down to about 2,000. Despite facing the gale in the first half, Queen's held their own and there was no scoring at the interval. After the break, the Clyde goalkeeper James McGinn made three excellent saves before being beaten by Oliver (?) Wylie in 55 minutes. Queen's then scored a further three goals through Robert Lambie, Wylie and Hugh Butler. With eight minutes to go, the match referee felt too ill to continue. Queen's offered to continue with a mutually agreed stand-in but the offer was declined. The matter was later considered by the committee of the Glasgow League and Queen's Park awarded the two points.

Celtic were Queen's Park's opponents in the Glasgow League on Saturday 19 February. Heavy rain kept the crowd at Hampden Park below the 7,000 mark. Despite the adverse conditions, the two sides produced a very good game. Celtic took the lead in five minutes through Allan. Queen's were playing well and Dyke Berry equalised after a fine move. Just on half-time, David Wilson put the Spiders 2-1 ahead. A minute into the second half, Campbell drew the sides level with a rocket shot. O Wylie then took advantage of a slip by Dan Doyle to score a third goal for Queen's Park. Celtic were on top for a period but, in the closing minutes, Willie Stewart scored from a scrimmage to give Queen's a deserved 4-2 success. Celtic had played the more attractive football but Queen's Park had been the more effective.

At a meeting of the Glasgow League Committee on Wednesday 16 February 1898, it had been agreed to admit Partick Thistle to the competition if fixture dates could be arranged. However, on Friday 25 February, the Committee determined that Thistle could not be admitted as it would place fixtures in too congested a state.

As it happened, Queen's Park had a fixture arranged with Partick Thistle at Meadowside on Saturday 26 February. It had been thought that it might be a Glasgow League match but, due to the decision taken on the previous day, it was only a "friendly". The first half was keenly contested. Approaching the interval, fine play by Robert Lambie set up Bob McColl to give the Spiders the lead. Partick Thistle came close to equalising early in the second period before, in 65 minutes, Bob McColl doubled Queen's advantage. Queen's Park then scored a further three goals in five minutes through David Wilson, Bob McColl and Dyke Berry to complete a 5-0 victory.

On Saturday 5 March, five Queen's Park players took part in International trial matches at Cathkin Park. A week later, Queen's were in London for the return match with Corinthians at the Queen's Club. The Spiders were without the injured Bob McColl and James Templeton who was unable to get away. The pitch at the Queen's Club was in fine order and a fast game ensued. Queen's Park took the lead in five minutes through Willie Stewart but Corinthians then took command and led 4-1 at the interval, with goals from Gilbert Smith (2) and G O Alexander (2). Queen's were much better in the second half but, towards the close, Corinthians pressed again and Hugh Stanbrough made the final score 5-1. Goalkeeper Kenny Anderson made no effort to save the shot, believing that Stanbrough was offside. Spectators in the crowd of 8,000 were said to have remarked that they had never seen Corinthians play better. However, Queen's Park missed repeated chances to score through poor finishing.

Queen's Park met Clyde at Hampden Park on Saturday 19 March in the Glasgow League. Bob McColl returned to the Spiders' line-up but Hugh Butler, Alex Christie, John Gillespie and Davie Stewart were missing. Christie was a member of the Scotland side that beat Wales 5-2 at Fir Park in Motherwell. John Gillespie was apparently hunting somewhere in Essex. With the wind and sun at their backs, Queen's Park had the better of the first half. Willie Stewart gave the Spiders the lead in ten minutes and, shortly afterwards, David Wilson doubled the lead. McDonald pulled a goal back for Clyde but Bob McColl restored Queen's two-goal advantage before the interval. Queen's Park pressed early in the second half and Bob McColl extended the Spiders' advantage to 4-1. McDonald then scored his and his side's second goal and John Stevenson added another to make the final score 4-3 for Queen's Park. Clyde could consider themselves unlucky not to have earned a point.

On Wednesday 23 March, a final trial match for the upcoming Scotland v England fixture took place at Ibrox Park. Kenny Anderson played in goal for the Home Scots side that lost 2-0 to the Anglo Scots. Three days later, Anderson, along with Bob McColl and Willie Stewart, featured in the Scotland eleven that defeated Ireland 3-0 in Belfast. McColl and Stewart scored the second and third goals.

Queen's Park were not in action on Saturday 26 March. The Scottish Cup Final took place at Hampden Park on that day, with Rangers beating Kilmarnock 2-0.

Kenny Anderson was again on Scotland duty on Saturday 2 April 1898 in a 3-1 defeat to England at Celtic Park. He was not culpable for any of the goals.

Queen's Park played Dundee at Carolina Port on Monday 9 April. A crowd of somewhere between 2,500 and 5,000 saw the home side lose Malcolm McVean to a serious knee injury shortly after kick-off. Queen's Park generously consented to Dundee bringing on David McInroy as a substitute. They may have regretted that decision when the substitute soon gave his side the lead with a neat header. Queen's Park then missed a number of chances before Bill McArthur gave Dundee a 2-0 lead at half-time with an unsaveable shot. The Spiders continued to miss chances after the interval and were made to pay when either Jock Malloch or David Willocks converted a Bob Kelso free kick. Bob McColl pulled a goal back from a Dyke Berry pass but that was the end of the scoring.

Queen's left Dundee shortly after the 3-1 defeat and headed for Aberdeen. They stayed in the Douglas Hotel for two nights before taking on Northern League champions Victoria United at the Victoria Bridge Grounds on the Monday afternoon. Queen's Park won 3-1 before "a very large crowd". Robert Lambie and Bob McColl put the Spiders two ahead at the interval. MacPherson pulled a goal back after the break but Dyke Berry restored Queen's two-goal lead with a fine strike.

On Saturday 16 April, Queen's Park met Rangers at Ibrox Park in the Glasgow League. The North British Daily Mail gave the crowd as 10,000, whereas The Scotsman went for 16,000. Queen's had the better of the exchanges in the first half but there was no scoring at the interval. Rangers took the lead after the break when Alex Smith crossed to Bob Hamilton who bundled 'keeper Kenny Anderson and the ball into the net. The Light Blues doubled their lead in controversial fashion. A Rangers' forward fired in a shot. John Gillespie appeared to clear the ball before it crossed the line but the referee gave a goal. Queen's Park hotly disputed the decision but to no avail and Rangers ran out 2-0 victors. It had been a poor Queen's performance.

A further Glasgow League match followed two days later, with Third Lanark the visitors to Hampden Park. Queen's Park started the better before a crowd of around 3,500 and Bob McColl gave them an early lead. The Volunteers gradually came more into the game and Jimmy Hannah headed them level. Third Lanark's James Gillespie was injured late in the first half and was of little use to his side from then on. However, his teammates fought determinedly. Both sides hit woodwork in an even second half and, as darkness descended, a keenly-contested match finished in a 1-1 draw.

The Glasgow League games were coming thick and fast and, on Saturday 23 April, Queen's Park were in Parkhead taking on Celtic before a crowd of around 7,000. Queen's were missing Dyke Berry, John Gillespie and Willie Stewart. Celtic were without George Allan, Dan Doyle and Dan McArthur. Celtic held the early advantage and Johnny Campbell struck twice to give them a 2-0 lead. After having a goal chalked off for offside, Bob McColl pulled a goal back before the interval with a skilful finish. Early in the second half, Robert Lambie equalised after 'keeper Forbes had saved from William Hamilton. Celtic then regained the lead through Davie Russell. Shortly afterwards, there was a bizarre turn of events. The referee awarded Queen's Park an extremely soft penalty kick. The Celtic players were incensed at the decision and refused to allow Forbes to stand in goal to face the kick. Bob McColl took the penalty and rolled the ball slowly towards the empty net. A Celtic player could easily have run in and cleared the ball but no one did so and the score was now 3-3. Some thought that McColl shot have sent his kick wide of goal. On the other hand, not to aim for the goal could have been seen as an insult to the referee. Once things had settled down, the Parkhead men seemed the more likely to take the two points but it was the Spiders who got the winner when Robert Lambie outstripped the home defence and slipped the ball past a helpless Forbes. Although Queen's general form was not too impressive, this was the fifth successive win over Celtic.

On the following Wednesday, there was a further Glasgow League match for the Spiders, with Rangers visitors to Hampden Park. There was an attendance of about 7,000. The Rangers' defence was kept busy in the early stages but it was the Light Blues who took the lead in 20 minutes with a curling Jimmy Miller effort. Five minutes later, Dyke Berry equalised with a low shot into the corner of the net. Rangers' centre forward Bob Hamilton then scored a splendid hat trick of goals to make the score 4-1 at the interval. Hamilton was certainly proving to be a thorn in Queen's side since moving from Hampden to Ibrox. The Spiders played much better against the wind in the second half and, in 65 minutes, Robert Lambie pulled a goal back with a fast cross shot. Play was then even to the end and the match ended in a 4-2 victory for Rangers.

Queen's Park's final Glasgow League match of the campaign came on Saturday 30 April 1898 with a short trip to Cathkin Park to face Third Lanark, or the 3rd Lanark Rifle Volunteers to give then their proper title. A crowd of 4,000 saw Bob Johnstone give Thirds the lead in six minutes with a shot high into the net. Ten minutes later, Bob McColl equalised with a brilliant individual effort. Third Lanark pressed in the latter stages of the first half but the score remained 1-1 at the interval. Queen's Park held the upper hand in the second period. Bob McColl made the score 2-1 with a fine shot and Alex Christie extended the lead with a fierce drive that gave goalkeeper Alex Milne no chance. Third Lanark were then gifted a goal when Kenny Anderson attempted to kick clear a Tom Gibbons shot and completely missed the ball. However, Queen's regained their two-goal lead when David Wilson converted a Hamilton cross.

The 4-2 victory at Cathkin Park left Queen's Park in second place in the Glasgow League final table, a point behind Rangers.

Glasgow League final table

Queen's Park's second eleven, the Strollers, had a successful season in the Scottish Combination, finishing in second place behind Rangers 'A' with seven wins and five draws in their fourteen matches.

Four days later, on Wednesday 4 May, Queen's Park and Third Lanark met once again, this time in the first round of the Glasgow Charity Cup. Unsettled weather kept the attendance at Hampden Park down to around 5,000. The Queen's Park team aiming to progress to a 13th Charity Cup Final was - Kenny Anderson; John Ritchie and Tommy Murray; James Irons, Alex Christie and James Templeton; Robert Lambie, Hugh Butler, Bob McColl, Dyke Berry and David Wilson. The Hampden pitch was sodden and heavy and the players had difficulty keeping their footing. Queen's Park took the lead in the first five minutes or so when Hugh Butler chested through an attempted clearance. The visitors then missed some good chances and were unfortunate to be a goal down at half-time. Third Lanark, with the wind and sun advantage, held the upper hand in the second half. The games seemed to be catching up on Queen's Park and the players grew visibly tired as the half progressed. Either Tom Gibbons or Bob Johnstone equalised and, a few minutes later, Gibbons put the Volunteers ahead. Only a brilliant save by Alex Milne from Hugh Butler prevented the Spiders from drawing level. However, with three minutes remaining, Bertie Banks headed a third goal for Third Lanark to give the Cathkin men a deserved victory.

The defeat to Third Lanark had been unexpected and, in the words of Scottish Sport, "brought to a close a a barren and somewhat inglorious season."

It was the custom of Queen's Park players and officials to make presentations to team members when they were getting married, moving abroad etc. On Saturday 7 May, an "entertainment" was held in the Bank Restaurant in Glasgow for Queen's former full back Walter Arnott. Old clubmates and many Spiders' members and supporters had chipped in to present him with a purse of sovereigns, a marble timepiece, a handsome scarf-pin, and a gold bracelet for his wife, in recognition of the esteem in which he was held at Hampden.

On Tuesday 17 May, Queen's Park and Celtic met in a charity match at Celtic Park to raise funds for a new church in the Dunbartonshire village of Renton. Unfortunately, threatening weather kept the attendance down to not much more than 1,000. Neither side was at full strength. A Bob McColl goal in 30 minutes gave Queen's Park the lead at half-time. Five minutes into the second period, either "Dinsmuir" (Dinsmore?) or McColl extended the lead. Ten minutes later, Robert Lambie made the score 3-0 after a McColl shot had been saved. Near the end, either Pat Gilhooly or Michael McCafferty pulled a goal back for Celtic.

Queen's Park's AGM took place in Queen's Park UP Church Hall on Wednesday 25 May 1898. The Secretary reported that the first eleven had played 36 games in the season, with 21 wins, 10 defeats, and 5 draws (goals for 122, goals against 68). The club had a credit balance of £2,657 9s 11d. James Lawrence was re-elected as President. 

Queen's Park had been invited to visit Copenhagen in Denmark to take part in two exhibition matches at an International Festival of Sports and Gymnastics. Queen's had been guaranteed £100 to cover expenses. A party of 12 players and 3 officials, plus a few supporters, made the trip. The players were John Gillespie, John Ritchie, Tommy Murray, James Irons, Alex Christie, James Templeton, David Wilson, Hugh Butler, Bob McColl, Dyke Berry, Robert Lambie and Willie Stewart (reserve). The players used part of their holidays to make the trip. John Gillespie, an outfield player, was to play in goal in place of the unavailable Kenny Anderson. The party departed from Queen Street Station at 10pm on Thursday 26 May. There was a large crowd present at the station to see them off. They then sailed from Leith, arriving in Denmark on the Sunday. Queen's played two matches against Dansk Boldspil-Union (Danish Football Union) sides at the Festival Ground in Copenhagen. They won the first match 7-0 on Monday 30 May and the second 3-0 on Wednesday 1 June. The attendance at the first game was a much greater than expected 7,000 and there were 4,000 at the second game. There are no details to be had of either match, other than that Bob McColl scored the opening goal in the first game. The team arrived back in Glasgow on Sunday 5 June. This was the first time an Association club from Scotland had played in mainland Europe and the tour was viewed as a great success both at home and in Denmark. The football matches had proved the the most important feature of the festival. Queen's Park had introduced the Danes to a new swift short-passing style of football. Scottish Sport has this to say, "Football, not only in Copenhagen but throughout the continent, will receive a great impetus from the visit of the Queen's Park."

The Queen's Park and DBU teams line up in Copenhagen

The Queen's Park Sports took place at Hampden Park on Saturday 4 June 1898. There was a record entry but, despite good weather, the attendance was disappointing.       


Results 1897/98


First Eleven
04/09/1897 Kirkcaldy 3 Queen's Park 6
11/09/1897 Queen's Park 2 Dumbarton 4
18/09/1897 Queen's Park 10 Cameronians 0 - Glasgow Cup
25/09/1897 Linthouse 2 Queen's Park 2
27/09/1897 Cliftonville (Belfast) 1 Queen's Park 4
02/10/1897 Kilmarnock 1 Queen's Park 3
09/10/1897 Queen's Park 9 Renton 0
16/10/1897 Celtic 0 Queen's Park 1
23/10/1897 Queen's Park 1 Dumbarton 1
30/10/1897 Queen's Park 4 Third Lanark 2 - Glasgow Cup semi-final
13/11/1897 Queen's Park 3 St Bernard's 2
20/11/1897 Queen's Park 1 Sunderland 1
27/11/1897 Rangers 4 Queen's Park 0 (at Cathkin Park) - Glasgow Cup Final
04/12/1897 Port Glasgow Athletic 2 Queen's Park 6
11/12/1897 Queen's Park 9 Ayr 0
18/12/1897 Rangers 3 Queen's Park 2
25/12/1897 Abercorn (Paisley) 2 Queen's Park 6
01/01/1898 Queen's Park 5 Corinthians (London) 3
08/01/1898 Bo'ness 0 Queen's Park 6 - Scottish Cup
15/01/1898 Queen's Park 1 St Mirren 4
22/01/1898 St Bernard's 0 Queen's Park 5 - Scottish Cup
29/01/1898 Queen's Park 1 Linthouse 1
05/02/1898 Queen's Park 1 Rangers 3 - Scottish Cup
12/02/1898 Clyde 0 Queen's Park 4 - Glasgow League
19/02/1898 Queen's Park 4 Celtic 2 - Glasgow League
26/02/1898 Partick Thistle 0 Queen's Park 5
12/03/1898 Corinthians 5 Queen's Park 1
19/03/1898 Queen's Park 4 Clyde 3 - Glasgow League
09/04/1898 Dundee 3 Queen's Park 1
11/04/1898 Victoria United (Aberdeen) 1 Queen's Park 3
16/04/1898 Rangers 2 Queen's Park 0 - Glasgow League
18/04/1898 Queen's Park 1 Third Lanark 1 - Glasgow League
23/04/1898 Celtic 3 Queen's Park 4 - Glasgow League
27/04/1898 Queen's Park 2 Rangers 4 - Glasgow League
30/04/1898 Third Lanark 2 Queen's Park 4 - Glasgow League
04/05/1898 Queen's Park 1 Third Lanark 3 - Glasgow Charity Cup
17/05/1898 Celtic 1 Queen's Park 3 (charity match)
30/05/1898 Dansk Boldspil-Union* 0 Queen's Park 7 (in Copenhagen)
01/06/1898 Dansk Boldspil-Union* 0 Queen's Park 3 (in Copenhagen)

* Danish Football Union

Second Eleven - The Strollers
04/09/1897 Nithsdale (Dumfries) 0 Strollers 6
11/09/1897 Third Lanark 'A' 2 Strollers 4 - Scottish Combination
18/09/1887 Lochwinnoch 2 Strollers 2
25/09/1897 Kilbarchan 6 Strollers 2
02/10/1897 Strollers 3 Clyde 'A' 1 - Scottish 2nd XI Cup
09/10/1897 Stevenston Thistle 3 Strollers 3
16/10/1897 Strollers 3 Third Lanark 'A' 1
23/10/1897 Hamilton Academical 1 Strollers 6 - Scottish Combination *
30/10/1897 Rangers 'A' 7 Strollers 1 - Scottish 2nd XI Cup semi-final
06/11/1897 Albion Rovers 1 Strollers 4 - Scottish Combination
13/11/1897 Partick Thistle 'A' Strollers 0
20/11/1897 Arthurlie 1 Strollers 1 - Scottish Combination
11/12/1897 Cameronians 5 Strollers 2
18/12/1897 Johnstone 3 Strollers 3
25/12/1897 Strollers 5 Royal Albert (Larkhall) 2 - Scottish Combination
08/01/1898 Strollers 2 Wishaw Thistle 1 - Scottish Combination
15/01/1898 Paisley Academicals 0 Strollers 6
22/01/1898 Strollers 6 Rangers 'A' 1 - Scottish Combination
29/01/1898 Clackmannan 4 Strollers 1
05/02/1898 Clyde 'A' 2 Strollers 0 - Glasgow 2nd XI Cup
12/02/1898 Wishaw Thistle 3 Strollers 4 - Scottish Combination
26/02/1898 Strollers 3 Albion Rovers 4 - Scottish Combination
05/03/1898 Royal Albert (Larkhall) 2 Strollers 2 - Scottish Combination
12/03/1898 Strollers 2 Third Lanark 'A' 2 - Scottish Combination
19/03/1898 Irvine 2 Strollers 5
26/03/1898 Maybole 3 Strollers 1
20/04/1898 Rangers 'A' 1 Strollers 1 - Scottish Combination
23/04/1898 Strollers 1 Thornliebank 4 - Scottish Combination
30/04/1898 Strollers 3 Arthurlie 3 - Scottish Combination

* Hamilton withdrew from the Combination after being elected to the Scottish League. Thornliebank took their place and inherited the results of the three games Accies had played in the competition.  

Third Eleven - The Hampden Eleven
04/09/1897 Largs Thistle 0 Hampden Eleven 2
11/09/1897 Vale of Grange (Bo'ness) 0 Hampden Eleven 3
18/09/1897 Parkhead 5 Hampden Eleven 1
16/10/1897 Dunfermline Juniors 2 Hampden Eleven 4
23/10/1897 Dalry Primrose (Edinburgh) 2 Hampden Eleven 1
30/10/1897 Tillicoultry Victoria 2 Hampden Eleven 5
06/11/1897 Renfrew Victoria 1 Hampden Eleven 2
04/12/1897 Jordanhill 2 Hampden Eleven 1
18/12/1897 Glasgow Perthshire 1 Hampden Eleven 0
25/12/1897 Parkhead 4 Hampden Eleven 3
08/01/1898 Maryhill 3 Hampden Eleven 1
15/01/1898 Redcliffe Thistle (Springburn) 2 Hampden Eleven 3
22/01/1898 Renfrew Victoria 4 Hampden Eleven 3
29/01/1898 Ashfield 4 Hampden Eleven 2
05/02/1898 Abercorn (Westmarch XI) 4 Hampden Eleven 5
12/02/1898 Skelmorlie 0 Hampden Eleven 4
26/02/1898 Volunteers (Greenock) 1 Hampden Eleven 2 
05/03/1898 Yoker Athletic 1Hampden Eleven 8
12/03/1898 St Mirren Juniors 3 Hampden Eleven 0
19/03/1898 Port Glasgow Juniors 6 Hampden Eleven 0
26/03/1898 Hamilton Garrison 0 Hampden Eleven 4
23/04/1898 Helensburgh Ardencaple 3 Hampden Eleven 10
30/04/1898 Strathclyde 4 Hampden Eleven 0

Fourth Eleven - The Victoria Eleven
11/09/1897 Ardencaple (Helensburgh) 4 Victoria Eleven 2
18/09/1897 Largs Thistle 0 Victoria Eleven 3
23/10/1897 Kilsyth Emmet 7 Victoria Eleven 2
27/11/1897 Overton (Greenock) 5 Victoria Eleven 2
11/12/1897 Arthurlie Juniors 2 Victoria Eleven 2
25/12/1897 Ferguslie (Paisley) 4 Victoria Eleven 2
08/01/1898 Petersburn Thistle 2 Victoria Eleven 2
29/01/1898 Holytown Thistle 3 Victoria Eleven 1
05/03/1898 Dalmuir Alpine 3 Victoria Eleven 2
12/03/1898 Alva Albion Rangers 3 Victoria Eleven 2
26/03/1898 Troon 3 Victoria Eleven 1
16/04/1898 Tillicoultry Victoria 2 Victoria Eleven 0

Representative Matches
06/11/1897 Glasgow 0 Sheffield 0
25/12/1897 Southern Counties 3 Glasgow 9
19/03/1898 Scotland 5 Wales 2
26/03/1898 Ireland 0 Scotland 3
02/04/1898 Scotland 1 England 3

No comments:

Post a Comment