South of Scotland Football League

Last updated

South of Scotland Football League
SoSleaguetrans.png
Founded1892 (original)
1946 (current)
CountryFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Confederation UEFA
Divisions1
Number of teams12
Level on pyramid 6
Promotion to Lowland Football League
Domestic cup(s) Scottish Cup (SFA licensed clubs and league winners)
South Region Challenge Cup
League cup(s)South of Scotland League Cup
Southern Counties FA Challenge Cup
Cree Lodge Cup
Haig Gordon Cup
Potts Cup
Tweedie Cup
Current champions Dalbeattie Star (6th title)
(2023–24)
Most championships13 titles
St Cuthbert Wanderers
Website Official Website
Current: 2024–25 South of Scotland Football League

The South of Scotland Football League (SoSFL) is a senior football league based in south-west Scotland. The league sits at level 6 on the Scottish football league system, acting as a feeder to the Lowland Football League.

Contents

Founded in 1946, it is currently composed of 12 member clubs in a single division. Geographically, the league currently covers Dumfries and Galloway although clubs have also been located in East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.

Since 2014–15 it has featured in the senior pyramid system. The winners take part in an end of season promotion play-off with the East of Scotland Football League and West of Scotland Football League champions, subject to clubs meeting the required licensing criteria.

History

Original league

A league of the same name briefly existed during the early days of competitive football. The original South of Scotland Football League was created in 1892–93 and featured seven clubs:

The clubs preferred to play in cup competitions and traditional friendlies, so most of the league fixtures were not played. The competition was subsequently abandoned and no championship was awarded.

Current league

When league football was re-established in 1946, the Southern Counties League name could not be used because Ayr United 'A' and Kilmarnock 'A' were not members of the Southern Counties F.A.. Instead, the new competition was called the South of Scotland Football League. The first season saw the league played in two sections, East and West, but it has been played as a single league ever since.

Teams play each other on a home and away basis. In seasons where league membership has been low, clubs have played each other four times, instead of the usual twice. Recent changes in league membership have been:

Member clubs

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Stranraer reserves
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Location of teams in 2024–25 South of Scotland Football League within Dumfries & Galloway
TeamLocationHome groundSurfaceCapacitySeatsFloodlit
Abbey Vale New Abbey Maryfield ParkGrass500 [6] 48No
Creetown Creetown Castlecary ParkGrass500 [7] 0Yes
Dalbeattie Star Dalbeattie Islecroft Stadium Grass1,320100Yes
Lochar Thistle Dumfries Wilson ParkGrass1,000 [8] 0Yes
Lochmaben Lochmaben Whitehills ParkGrass1,000 [9] 0No
Mid-Annandale Lockerbie New King Edward ParkArtificial500 [10] 50Yes
Newton Stewart Newton Stewart Blairmount ParkArtificial1,000 [11] 0Yes
Nithsdale Wanderers Sanquhar Lorimer ParkGrass1,000 [12] 0Yes
St Cuthbert Wanderers Kirkcudbright St Mary's ParkArtificial1,000 [13] 0Yes
Stranraer reserves Stranraer Stair Park Grass4,178 [14] 1,830Yes
Upper Annandale Moffat Moffat AcademyGrass1,000 [15] 0No
Wigtown & Bladnoch Wigtown Trammondford ParkGrass888 [16] 0Yes

League membership

Bold indicates a current league member.

ClubYears ActiveTitles Won
Abbey Vale 2001–1
Annan Athletic 1977–19872
Annan Athletic Reserves1987–1991, 1992–2009, 2017–2019
Ayr United 'A'1946–19482
Bonnyton Thistle 2017–2020
Caledonian Braves Reserves2019–2023
Creetown 1946–1948, 1972–
Crichton 1992–20161
Dalbeattie Star 1946–1947, 1976–2001, 2009–2012, 2023–6
Dalbeattie Star Reserves2001–2009
Dumfries2000–2008
Dumfries High School Former Pupils1994–2000
Dumfries United1987–1988
Dumfries YMCA 2014–2019
Edusport Academy 2014–20171
Fleet Star 2004–2016
Girvan 1951–1962, 1975–20051
Glenluce1948–1950
Gretna Reserves2001–2003
Gretna Community1991–1992
Greystone Rovers1956–19581
Heathhall Athletic1948–1950
Heston Rovers 2008–2021
Kilmarnock 'A'1946–1948
Lincluden Swifts1977–19801
Lochar Thistle 2013–
Lochmaben 2016–
Maxwelltown High School Former Pupils1990–20001
Mid-Annandale 2003–
Newton Stewart 1946–3
Nithsdale Wanderers (1)1946–1947, 1948–1950
Nithsdale Wanderers (2) 2001–
Queen of the South Reserves1972–1973, 1992–1993, 1996–1997, 2003–20041
RAF West Freugh1948–1949
St Cuthbert Wanderers 1946–8
Solway Star 1946–1947
Stranraer 1946–1949
Stranraer Reserves1949–1988, 1990–1991, 2003–2004, 2007–2012, 2017–16
Stranraer Athletic 1995–20083
Tarff Rovers 1946–1988, 1990–20038
Threave Rovers 1959–1998, 2004–2012, 2016–202213
Upper Annandale 2014–
Whithorn 1946–1959, 1962–1963, 1964–69
Wigtown & Bladnoch 1946–2017, 2018–5

Notes:

  1. Crichton was known as Blackwood Dynamos until 1999. The club was to be called Crichton Royal, but the suffix has never been used.
  2. Dumfries was formed by the merger of Dumfries High School Former Pupils and Dumfries Amateurs.
  3. Heston Rovers Youth (formed in 1978) merged with Dumfries in 2008, retaining Heston Rovers as the name of the new club.
  4. Annan Athletic (1987–2008), Dalbeattie Star (2001–2009) and Threave Rovers (1998–2004) have all run teams in the East of Scotland League. From the 2008–09 season, Annan Athletic has played in the Scottish Football League. Dalbeattie Star and Threave Rovers joined the newly formed Scottish Lowland Football League for the 2013–14 season.
  5. The following clubs have resigned during the season:

Cup competitions

In 1950, the league's membership had been reduced to just seven clubs. To compensate for the lack of fixtures, the League Cup was introduced. The final is usually contested by the winners of two mini-leagues, but has also been played as a straight knock-out competition. There was no separate League Cup competition between 1962–1968 and 1973–1975. Instead the trophy was awarded to the runner-up in the League.

The Southern Counties Cup, also known as the Challenge Cup, is the league's main knockout competition. It has been played for since 1891, and the first winners were the 5th Kirkcudbrightshire Rifle Volunteers.

Creetown, Dalbeattie Star, Newton Stewart, St Cuthbert Wanderers, and Wigtown & Bladnoch are full members of the Scottish Football Association therefore enter the Scottish Cup, as do the winners of the league.

Holders

2022–23 winners unless stated.

List of winners [17]

SeasonOriginal League
1892–93 5th Kirkcudbrightshire Rifle Volunteers
1893–94No Competition
1894–95St Cuthbert Wanderers
1895–96St Cuthbert Wanderers (2)
1896–976 GRV
1897–98Newton Stewart
1898–99

to 1909–10

No Competition
1910–11Douglas Wanderers
1911–12No Competition
1912–13No Competition
1913–14Newton Stewart (2)
1914–155th KOSB
1915–16

to 1929–20

No Competition
1920–21St Cuthbert Wanderers
1921–22 Mid-Annandale
1923–23Mid-Annandale (2)
1923–24Newton Stewart (3)
1924–25Dalbeattie Star
1925–26No Competition
1926–27No Competition
1927–28St Cuthbert Wanderers
1928–29St Cuthbert Wanderers
1929–30Dalbeattie Star
1930–31Dalbeattie Star
1931–32Dalbeattie Star
1932–33Dalbeattie Star
1933–34Dalbeattie Star
1934–35St Cuthbert Wanderers
1935–36St Cuthbert Wanderers
1936–37St Cuthbert Wanderers
1937–38

to 1945–46

No league championship for the duration of the Second World War
SeasonCurrent League
1946–47 Ayr United 'A'
1947–48Ayr United 'A'
1948–49 Stranraer Reserves
1949–50 Tarff Rovers League Cup
1950–51 Newton Stewart (4)Newton Stewart
1951–52 Wigtown & Bladnoch Wigtown & Bladnoch
1952–53Tarff Rovers (2)Wigtown & Bladnoch (2)
1953–54Wigtown & Bladnoch (2)St Cuthbert Wanderers
1954–55 St Cuthbert Wanderers Tarff Rovers
1955–56Newton Stewart (5)Tarff Rovers (2)
1956–57St Cuthbert WanderersStranraer Reserves
1957–58Greystone RoversStranraer Reserves
1958–59St Cuthbert WanderersNewton Stewart
1959–60Stranraer ReservesTarff Rovers (3)
1960–61Stranraer ReservesTarff Rovers (4)
1961–62Stranraer ReservesStranraer Reserves
1962–63Tarff Rovers (3)
1963–64Tarff Rovers (4)
1964–65 Threave Rovers
1965–66Stranraer Reserves
1966–67Stranraer Reserves
1967–68Stranraer Reserves
1968–69Threave Rovers (2)Stranraer Reserves
1969–70Stranraer ReservesSt Cuthbert Wanderers (2)
1970–71St Cuthbert Wanderers
1971–72Threave Rovers (3)Threave Rovers
1972–73Stranraer Reserves
1973–74St Cuthbert Wanderers
1974–75Stranraer Reserves
1975–76Stranraer ReservesGirvan
1976–77Stranraer ReservesStranraer Reserves
1977–78Stranraer ReservesGirvan (2)
1978–79Threave Rovers (4)Lincluden Swifts
1979–80Lincluden SwiftsLincluden Swifts
1980–81St Cuthbert Wanderers (14)Threave Rovers
1981–82Stranraer ReservesSt Cuthbert Wanderers (3)
1982–83Stranraer ReservesAnnan Athletic
1983–84 Annan Athletic Wigtown & Bladnoch (3)
1984–85 Dalbeattie Star Annan Athletic
1985–86Dalbeattie Star (2)Newton Stewart
1986–87Annan Athletic (2)Wigtown & Bladnoch (4)
1987–88Newton Stewart (6)Threave Rovers
1988–89Dalbeattie Star (3)Dalbeattie Star
1989–90 Girvan Threave Rovers
1990–91 Maxwelltown High School Threave Rovers
1991–92Wigtown & Bladnoch (3)Girvan (3)
1992–93Threave Rovers (5)Dalbeattie Star
1993–94Threave Rovers (6)Threave Rovers
1994–95Threave Rovers (7)Wigtown & Bladnoch (5)
1995–96St Cuthbert Wanderers (15)St Cuthbert Wanderers (4)
1996–97 Queen of the South ReservesQueen of the South Reserves
1997–98Tarff Rovers (5)Tarff Rovers
1998–99Tarff Rovers (6)Tarff Rovers
1999–00Tarff Rovers (7)Tarff Rovers
2000–01No competition due to the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak Newton Stewart
2001–02Tarff Rovers (8)Girvan (4)
2002–03Stranraer AthleticCrichton
2003–04Stranraer Athletic (2)Stranraer Athletic
2004–05Stranraer Athletic (3)Annan Athletic
2005–06Threave Rovers (8)Creetown
2006–07Threave Rovers (9)Threave Rovers
2007–08 Crichton St Cuthbert Wanderers (5)
2008–09Threave Rovers (10)St Cuthbert Wanderers (6)
2009–10Threave Rovers (11)Stranraer Reserves
2010–11Threave Rovers (12)Dalbeattie Star
2011–12Dalbeattie Star (4)Dalbeattie Star
2012–13Dalbeattie Star (5)Dalbeattie Star
2013–14Wigtown & Bladnoch (4)Wigtown & Bladnoch (6)
2014–15 Wigtown & Bladnoch (5)Edusport Academy
2015–16 St Cuthbert Wanderers (16)Edusport Academy (2)
2016–17 Edusport Academy *Newton Stewart
2017–18 Threave Rovers (13)Abbey Vale
2018–19 Stranraer ReservesUpper Annandale
2019–20 Null and void due to the COVID-19 pandemic [18] Stranraer Reserves
2020–21 Null and void due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 St Cuthbert Wanderers (17)Threave Rovers
2022–23 Abbey Vale Creetown
2023–24 Dalbeattie Star (6)Lochar Thistle

* Team promoted to the Lowland League

Total titles won

Clubs currently playing in the league are shown in bold.

RankClubPre-war leagueCurrent leagueTotal
1 St Cuthbert Wanderers 8917
2Stranraer Reserves01616
3 Threave Rovers 01313
4 Dalbeattie Star 6612
5 Tarff Rovers 088
6 Newton Stewart 336
7 Wigtown & Bladnoch 055
8Stranraer Athletic033
Annan Athletic 033
10 Ayr United 'A'022
Mid-Annandale 202
12 5th KRV 101
5th KOSB101
6 GRV101
Abbey Vale 011
Crichton 011
Douglas Wanderers101
Edusport Academy 011
Girvan 011
Greystone Rovers011
Lincluden Swifts011
Maxwelltown High School 011
Queen of the South Reserves011

Related Research Articles

Before the South of Scotland Football League was formed in 1946, there had been previous attempts to introduce league competitions in the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland since the 1890s. These early attempts invariably foundered because of the very small townships in the area and a tendency for the clubs to concentrate on the myriad of cup competitions that were in operation.

The 2013–14 Scottish Cup was the 129th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The tournament began on 14 September 2013 and ended on 17 May 2014. It was sponsored by bookmaker William Hill in the third season of a five-year partnership after a two-year extension was agreed, and was known as the William Hill Scottish Cup. The winner of the competition qualified for the second qualifying round of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League.

The 2014–15 Scottish Cup was the 130th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The tournament was sponsored by bookmaker William Hill in what was the fourth season of a five-year partnership.

The 2014–15 South of Scotland Football League, was the 69th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 1st season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Wigtown & Bladnoch were the defending champions.

The 2015–16 South of Scotland Football League, was the 70th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 2nd season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Wigtown & Bladnoch were the defending champions.

The 2016–17 South of Scotland Football League, was the 71st season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 3rd season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. St Cuthbert Wanderers were the defending champions.

The 2017–18 South of Scotland Football League was the 72nd season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 4th season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. The season began on 29 July 2017 and ended on 7 May 2018. Reigning champions Edusport Academy were promoted to the Lowland League so did not defend their title.

The 2018–19 South of Scotland Football League was the 73rd season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 5th season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. The season began on 28 July 2018 and ended on 10 May 2019. Threave Rovers are the reigning champions.

The 2018–19 SFA South Region Challenge Cup was the 12th edition of the annual cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. This season saw the competition increase to 69 teams from the 42 who took part in 2017–18, thanks to the addition of 26 clubs to the East of Scotland Football League and the return of Wigtown and Bladnoch.

The 2019–20 South of Scotland Football League was the 74th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the sixth season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Stranraer reserves were the reigning champions.

The 2019–20 SFA South Region Challenge Cup was the 13th edition of the annual cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. This season saw the competition increase to 70 teams despite the demise of Selkirk and withdrawal of Eyemouth United, thanks to the relegation of Berwick Rangers to the Lowland League plus the addition of Glenrothes and Kinnoull to the East of Scotland Football League.

The 2020–21 South of Scotland Football League was the 75th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 7th season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Stranraer reserves continued as the reigning champions due to the previous season being declared null and void.

The 2020–21 SFA South Region Challenge Cup was the 14th edition of the annual knockout cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. This season sees the tournament increase from 70 to 121 teams thanks to additional clubs joining the East of Scotland Football League and the inclusion of 67 clubs from the inaugural West of Scotland Football League.

The 2021–22 South of Scotland Football League was the 76th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 8th season as the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Stranraer reserves continued as the reigning champions due to the previous two seasons being declared null and void. The season began on 17 July 2021.

The 2021–22 SFA South Region Challenge Cup was the 15th edition of the annual knockout cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. The tournament entry increased from 142 to a record 161 teams thanks to additional clubs joining the East of Scotland Football League and West of Scotland Football League.

The 2022–23 South of Scotland Football League was the 77th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 9th season as part of the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. The season started on 30 July 2022 and ended on 8 May 2023. St Cuthbert Wanderers were the reigning champions.

The 2023–24 South of Scotland Football League was the 78th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 10th season as part of the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Abbey Vale were the reigning champions, but could only finish fourth in the table.

The South of Scotland Cup was an association football cup competition for clubs in the historic counties of Dumfriesshire, Wigtownshire, and Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.

The 2024–25 South of Scotland Football League is the 79th season of the South of Scotland Football League, and the 11th season as part of the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Dalbeattie Star are the reigning champions.

References

  1. ↑ "Stranraer bow out of South league". The Galloway Gazette. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  2. ↑ "Lowland League clubs confirmed by Scottish FA". BBC. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "South Champions Start With a Home Game". DG News-Sport. Dumfries & Galloway News. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Gillespie, Stuart (5 June 2016). "Threave Rovers' South of Scotland League return confirmed after three years in the Lowland League". Daily Record . Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  5. ↑ McNaught, John (30 July 2016). "South football kicks off again this weekend". Galloway Gazette. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  6. ↑ Abbey Vale, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Creetown, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  8. ↑ Lochar Thistle, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  9. ↑ "Lochmaben". nonleaguescotland.org.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  10. ↑ Mid-Annandale, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Newton Stewart, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Nithsdale Wanderers, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  13. ↑ St Cuthbert Wanderers, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  14. ↑ Stranraer reserves, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  15. ↑ Upper Annandale, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  16. ↑ Wigtown & Bladnoch, nonleaguescotland.org.uk, Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  17. ↑ "SOUTH OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE CHAMPIONS". South of Scotland Football League. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  18. ↑ "South football season ends without a champion side". dgnews-sport.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
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