This Saturday sees Ally Craig's Mighty 2s head to one of the great old grounds of world rugby--Raeburn Place where the international game started in 1871
This match followed from a letter signed by Glasgow Accies and others challenging the clubs of England to meet the clubs of Scotland under the "Rugby" rules--strictly speaking it was the Scottish members of the RFU challenging the English members of the RFU as both Accies and West of Scotland had joined the latter in 1871--the Scottish Football Union was not formed until 1873

The letter of challenge issued on behalf of the Senior Scottish Clubs:

Sir,

There is a pretty general feeling among Scotch football players that the football power of the old country was not properly represented in the late so-called International Football Match. Not that we think the play of the gentlemen who represented Scotland otherwise than very good - for that it was so is amply proved by the stout resistance they offered to their opponents and by the fact that they were beaten by only one goal - but that we consider the Association rules, in accordance with which the late game was played, not such as to bring together the best team Scotland could turn out. Almost all the leading clubs play by the Rugby Code, and have no opportunity of practising the Association game even if willing to do so. We therefore feel that a match played in accordance with any rules other than those in general use in Scotland, as was the case in the last match, is not one that would meet with support generally from her players. For our satisfaction, therefore, and with a view of really testing what Scotland can do against an English team we, as representing the football interests of Scotland, hereby challenge any team selected from the whole of England, to play us a match, twenty-a-side, Rugby rules, either in Edinburgh or Glasgow on any day during the present season that might be found suitable to the English players. Let this count as the return to the match played in London on 19th November, or, if preferred, let it be a separate match. If it be entered into we can promise England a hearty welcome and a first-rate match. Any communications addressed to any one of us will be attended to.

We are, etc.
A. H. Robertson, West of Scotland FC
F. J. Moncrieff, Edinburgh Academical FC
B. Hall Blyth, Merchistonian FC
J. W. Arthur, Glasgow Academical FC
J. H. Oatts, St Salvador FC, St Andrews

1871-27th March - A then record crowd, estimated at about 4000, attended Raeburn Place. Scotland won by the only "goal" (ie conversion), by W.Cross. One anecdote is "J.F.Finlay had got away well with the ball and was sprinting towards the English line at hundred yards speed when Osborne, folding his arms across his chest, ran full tilt at him, after the fashion of a bull charging at a gate. Both were very big, heavy men, and the crash of the collision was tremendous, each reeling some yards and finally falling on his back. For a few seconds, players and spectators alike held their breath, fearing terrible results, but the two giants promptly resumed their places, apparently none the worse." James Finlay played in every International afterwards until his retirement in 1875. R.W. "Bulldog" Irvine played in that first Match, at the age of 18 and appeared for every Match for the following 10 years. Ninian Finlay also played in the Match, having just turned 17 - Scotland’s Youngest cap. Internationals continued to be played at Raeburn Place until 1899.

"This they all with joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind -
'Play up ! play up ! and play the game !'"

This article was originally posted on 12-Oct-2006, 07:55 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 12-Oct-2006, 08:05.