Who knows how long football has been played in Glasgow? Millennia, possibly. The earliest reported account of it, however, dates from 1590, but it was not until 1867 that the first organized team was arranged. They were called Queen’s Park. A year later they suggested a match with Thistle (not Partick Thistle). This letter is written by the Queen’s Park secretary, arranging the first official game between Scottish sides.
Dear Sir
I duly received your letter dated 25th inst. on Monday Afternoon, but as we had a Committee Meeting called for this evening at which time it was submitted, I could not reply to it earlier. I have now been requested by the Committee, on behalf of our Club, to accept of the Challenge you kindly sent, for which we have to thank you, to play us a friendly Match at Football on our Ground, Queen’s Park, at the hour you mentioned, on Saturday, first proximo, with Twenty players on each side. We consider, however, that Two-hours is quite long enough to play in weather such as the present, and hope this will be quite satisfactory to you. We would also suggest that if no Goals be got by either side within the first hour, that Goals be then exchanged, the ball, of course, to be kicked of [sic] from the centre of the field by the side who had the original Kick-off, so that both parties may have the same chance of wind and ground, this we think very fare [sic] and can be arranged on the field before beginning the Match. Would you also be good enough to bring your ball with you in case of any break down, and thus prevent interruption. Hoping the weather will favour the Thistle and Queen’s.
I remain,
Yours very truly,
(Sgd.) Robt. Gardner
Secy.