Scottish Football League First Division
Encyclopedia
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League
and the second highest in the Scottish football league system
.
The division was introduced in 1975–76 in Scottish football to replace the old Scottish Football League Division Two. It contains ten teams and each year the top team is promoted to the Scottish Premier League
, subject to meeting the stadium criteria. The bottom club is automatically relegated and the second bottom club goes to an end of season play-off with the second, third and fourth placed clubs from the Second Division
.
The teams play each other four times with three points for a victory and one point each for a drawn game.
would be sponsored by Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru
for the next three seasons.
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
and the second highest in the Scottish football league system
Scottish football league system
The Scottish football league system is a series of generally unconnected leagues for Scottish football clubs. The Scottish system is more complicated than many other national league systems, consisting of two completely separate systems of leagues and clubs, senior football and junior football...
.
The division was introduced in 1975–76 in Scottish football to replace the old Scottish Football League Division Two. It contains ten teams and each year the top team is promoted to the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, subject to meeting the stadium criteria. The bottom club is automatically relegated and the second bottom club goes to an end of season play-off with the second, third and fourth placed clubs from the Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
.
The teams play each other four times with three points for a victory and one point each for a drawn game.
Sponsorship
On 20 July 2007, it was announced that Scottish Football LeagueScottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
would be sponsored by Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru
Irn-Bru
Irn-Bru is a carbonated soft drink produced in Westfield, Cumbernauld, Scotland. It is made by A.G. Barr of Glasgow since moving out of their original Parkhead factory in the mid-1990s and at a second manufacturing site in Mansfield, England...
for the next three seasons.
Teams for 2011–12 season
Listed below are all the teams competing in the season 2011-12 First Division.- Ayr UnitedAyr United F.C.Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
- DundeeDundee F.C.Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
- FalkirkFalkirk F.C.Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
- Greenock MortonGreenock Morton F.C.Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
- Hamilton AcademicalHamilton Academical F.C.Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
- LivingstonLivingston F.C.Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
- Partick ThistlePartick Thistle F.C.Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
- Queen of the SouthQueen of the South F.C.Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
- Raith RoversRaith Rovers F.C.Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
- Ross CountyRoss County F.C.Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
First Division managers
The following is a list of the managers for the 2011–12 season in the Scottish First Division.| Manager | Club | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
 John McGlynn |
Raith Rovers Raith Rovers F.C. Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the... |
20 November 2006 |
| Jackie McNamara Jackie McNamara Jackie McNamara is a Scottish football player and manager who currently manages Partick Thistle. He is a former Scottish international and has filled a variety of defensive roles in his career and captained Celtic under the management of Martin O'Neill.-Dunfermline Athletic:The son of former... |
Partick Thistle Partick Thistle F.C. Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908... |
12 May 2011 |
| Gary Bollan Gary Bollan Gary Bollan is a retired Scottish professional footballer, and now the current manager of Livingston in the Scottish Football League. He played for seven senior Scottish clubs in his career, and is a former Under-21 internationalist.-Career:Bollan came up through the youth system and into the... |
Livingston Livingston F.C. Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team... |
14 August 2009 |
| Gus MacPherson Gus MacPherson Angus Ian MacPherson is a Scottish former football player and manager. MacPherson played for Kilmarnock for over a decade, making over 350 league appearances. After retiring as a player in 2003, he became manager of St. Mirren, a position he held until May 2010. MacPherson took St... |
Queen of the South Queen of the South F.C. Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS... |
10 June 2011 |
| Steven Pressley Steven Pressley Steven John "Elvis" Pressley is a retired Scottish footballer, who is now the manager of Scottish First Division club Falkirk. Pressley had a long playing career, playing for both halves of the Old Firm and making over 100 league appearances for both Dundee United and Hearts... |
Falkirk Falkirk F.C. Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire... |
11 February 2010 |
| Allan Moore Allan Moore Allan Moore is a Scottish former association football player and current manager. He is the manager of Scottish First Division club Greenock Morton, a position he has held since May 2010.... |
Greenock Morton Greenock Morton F.C. Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs.... |
27 May 2010 |
| Brian Reid Brian Reid (footballer) Brian Reid is a Scottish former footballer and is currently manager of Ayr United.Reid, a central defender, started his career at Morton... |
Ayr United Ayr United F.C. Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C... |
1 October 2007 |
| Barry Smith |
Dundee Dundee F.C. Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from... |
15 October 2010 |
| Billy Reid |
Hamilton Academical Hamilton Academical F.C. Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have... |
2 June 2005 |
| Derek Adams Derek Adams Derek Adams is a former Scottish footballer who is currently manager at Ross County. He is the son of George Adams, who is the director of football at Ross County. Adams played for six different clubs, making over 100 league appearances for Ross County and Motherwell. Adams managed Ross County... |
Ross County Ross County F.C. Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the... |
19 May 2011 |
Stadia
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Livingston | Almondvale Stadium | 10,122 |
| Greenock Morton | Cappielow Cappielow Cappielow is a district of Greenock in Inverclyde, west central Scotland. It is home to Scottish First Division side Greenock Morton F.C. The name Cappielow, taken alone, usually refers to the Cappielow Park stadium, but it can also refer to a small area of housing or the adjoining industrial... |
11,612 |
| Partick Thistle | Firhill Stadium Firhill Stadium Firhill Stadium or Firhill Arena is a football, rugby union and rugby league stadium located in the Maryhill area of Glasgow, Scotland. As of 2010 it is the home ground of football club Partick Thistle F.C... |
10,887 |
| Dundee | Dens Park Dens Park Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085... |
12,085 |
| Raith Rovers | Stark's Park Stark's Park Stark's Park is a football stadium in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. It is the home ground of Raith Rovers F.C..-History:The ground was opened in 1891 and seats 10,104. It is located in Kirkcaldy, Fife... |
10,104 |
| Falkirk | Falkirk Stadium Falkirk Stadium The Falkirk Stadium is a football stadium in Falkirk in central Scotland, which plays host to the home matches of Falkirk F.C. although the stadium itself sits partly within the boundaries of the neighbouring town of Grangemouth... |
9,120 |
| Queen of the South | Palmerston Park Palmerston Park Palmerston Park is a multi-purpose stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, south west Scotland. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith in Dumfries. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of... |
6,412 |
| Ross County | Victoria Park Victoria Park, Dingwall Victoria Park is a football stadium situated in the town of Dingwall, Ross-shire, Scotland. It is the home stadium of Ross County F.C. who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. It is the most northerly ground in the Scottish Football League.There are two stands; the West ... |
6,310 |
| Ayr United | Somerset Park Somerset Park Somerset Park is a football stadium located in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland.It has been the home of Ayr United since they were founded in 1910. Prior to that, it was the home ground of Ayr F.C.. It currently has a capacity of 10,185 of which 1,597 is seated, making it one of the largest capacity... |
10,243 |
| Hamilton Academical | New Douglas Park New Douglas Park New Douglas Park is a football stadium in Hamilton which serves as the home of Hamilton Academical. It takes its name from Douglas Park, the club's former stadium.-Stadium:... |
6,078 |
Winners of the First Division
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 Scottish First Division 1998-99 The 1998–99 Scottish First Division was won by Hibernian who bounced straight back up to the Scottish Premier League after relegation the previous season and finished an amazing 23 points ahead of nearest challengers Falkirk. Hamilton Academical and Stranraer were relegated to the Second Division... |
Hibernian Hibernian F.C. Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts... |
Falkirk Falkirk F.C. Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire... |
| 1999-00 Scottish First Division 1999-00 The 1999-00 Scottish First Division was won by St Mirren, finishing as one of two promoted teams. Dunfermline Athletic were also promoted as runners-up as the Scottish Premier League was being expanded to twelve teams. Falkirk finished third and were meant to play a two-legged playoff match against... |
St. Mirren St. Mirren F.C. St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St... |
Dunfermline Athletic Dunfermline Athletic F.C. Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League.... |
| 2000-01 Scottish First Division 2000-01 The 2000–01 Scottish First Division was won by Livingston who were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Greenock Morton and Alloa Athletic were relegated to the Second Division.-Table:-Attendances:... |
Livingston Livingston F.C. Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team... |
Ayr United Ayr United F.C. Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C... |
| 2001-02 Scottish First Division 2001-02 The 2001–02 Scottish First Division was won by Partick Thistle who were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Raith Rovers were relegated to the Second Division however Falkirk avoided being relegated because Airdrieonians became insolvent.-Table:... |
Partick Thistle Partick Thistle F.C. Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908... |
Airdrieonians Airdrieonians F.C. Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire.... |
| 2002-03 Scottish First Division 2002-03 The 2002-03 Scottish First Division was won by Falkirk, however they were not promoted to the SPL because their stadium, Brockville Park, did not meet SPL criteria. Alloa Athletic and Arbroath were relegated to the Second Division.-Table:-Attendances:... |
Falkirk Falkirk F.C. Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire... |
Clyde Clyde F.C. Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South... |
| 2003-04 Scottish First Division 2003-04 The 2003-04 Scottish Football League First Division was won by Inverness Caledonian Thistle who were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Ayr United and Brechin City were relegated to the Second Division.-Table:-Top scorers:-Attendances:... |
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas... |
Clyde Clyde F.C. Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South... |
| 2004-05 Scottish First Division 2004-05 The 2004–05 Scottish First Division was won by Falkirk.As league champions, Falkirk were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers were relegated to the Second Division, and Second Division winners Brechin City and Stranraer were promoted.-Table:-Top... |
Falkirk Falkirk F.C. Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire... |
St. Mirren St. Mirren F.C. St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St... |
| 2005-06 Scottish First Division 2005-06 The 2005-06 Scottish First Division was won by St Mirren.As league champions, St Mirren were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Stranraer who lost in a relegation playoff Semi-Final and Brechin were relegated to the Scottish Second Division, and Scottish Second Division winners Gretna and... |
St. Mirren St. Mirren F.C. St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St... |
St. Johnstone |
| 2006-07 Scottish First Division 2006-07 The 2006-07 First Division season was the twelfth season of the Scottish First Division in its current format of ten teams. It began on August 5, 2006 and ended on April 28, 2007.... |
Gretna Gretna F.C. Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland... |
St. Johnstone |
| 2007-08 Scottish First Division 2007-08 The 2007–08 First Division season was the thirteenth season of the First Division in its current format of ten teams.The team which finished first were automatically promoted to the Scottish Premier League... |
Hamilton Academical Hamilton Academical F.C. Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have... |
Dundee Dundee F.C. Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from... |
| 2008-09 | St. Johnstone | Partick Thistle Partick Thistle F.C. Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908... |
| 2009-10 2009–10 Scottish First Division The 2009–10 Scottish First Division is the fifteenth season of the First Division in its current format of ten teams.-Club locations:-SPL & First Division:Relegated from Premier League to First Division* Inverness Caledonian Thistle... |
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas... |
Dundee Dundee F.C. Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from... |
| 2010-11 2010–11 Scottish First Division The 2010–11 Scottish First Division was the sixteenth season of the First Division in its current format of ten teams. Dunfermline Athletic finished champions, with Cowdenbeath and Stirling Albion being relegated.-SPL & First Division:... |
Dunfermline Athletic Dunfermline Athletic F.C. Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League.... |
Raith Rovers Raith Rovers F.C. Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the... |