Busby F.C. Explained

Busby F.C. should not be confused with Cartvale F.C..

Clubname:Busby
Fullname:Busby Football Club
Founded:1873
Dissolved:1880
Ground:Field Park
Chrtitle:Hon. Secretary
Chairman:William Leggatt
Pattern La1:_thinwhitehoops
Pattern B1:_thinwhitehoops
Pattern Ra1:_thinwhitehoops
Leftarm1:0000FF
Body1:0000FF
Rightarm1:0000FF
Shorts1:ffffff
Socks1:FF0000

Busby Football Club was an association football club from Busby in Renfrewshire.

History

The club was founded in 1873[1] and its earliest reported matches are from 1874.[2]

The club's first entry to the Scottish Cup was in 1876–77. At the time, the first two rounds were played on a geographical basis, and Busby was one of only four clubs in the Renfrewshire division of the draw;[3] the club beat Renfrew and the 23rd Renfrewshire Rifle Volunteers (who had beaten Thornliebank) - the 23rd protested the Busby goal, to no avail[4] - which put the club into the national section. After two draws against Hamilton at this third round stage, the second in front of a crowd of over 500,[5] both clubs were put through to the fourth round in accordance with the regulations at the time.

The club's run ended with a 4–0 defeat at Vale of Leven, the defeat blamed on Busby's "long kicking" and inability to deal with the Vale's short passing.[6]

It was the club's best run in the competition, the club disbanding shortly after losing at home to Arthurlie in the first round of the 1879–80 tournament. One of the club's victims was Greenock Morton, whom the club beat in the first round in 1878–79, although the North British Daily Mail confused Busby with Cartvale F.C., stating that Barrhead had beaten Busby, rather than Cartvale, "four goals and two disputed to one".[7]

The Busby name was briefly revived from 1887 to 1890 after the Cartvale club changed its name.[8]

Colours

The club's colours were listed as red, white, and blue until 1877,[9] and blue and white striped jerseys (at the time, stripes referred to hoops), with white knickers and red hose afterwards; the descriptions may refer to the same kit.[10]

Ground

The club's ground was Field Park until 1877, and Cartsbridge Park afterwards. The ground was noted to be particularly narrow, making good play difficult.[11]

Notable players

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club Directory . Scottish Football Historical Results Archive . 27 October 2022.
  2. Football . Glasgow Herald . 10 November 1874 . 7.
  3. Arthurlie and Barrhead were both included in the Lanarkshire section
  4. Football . North British Daily Mail . 30 October 1876 . 3.
  5. Hamilton v Busby (Cup tie) . North British Daily Mail . 20 November 1876 . 7.
  6. Matches played on Saturday . Glasgow Herald . 4 December 1876 . 7.
  7. Arthurlie (Barrhead) v Busby . North British Daily Mail . 30 September 1878 . 3.
  8. Web site: Club Directory . Scottish Football Historical Results Archive . 27 October 2022.
  9. Book: Dick . William . Scottish Football Annual 1876–77 . 1876 . Mackay & Kirkwood.
  10. Book: Dick . William . Scottish Football Annual 1877–78 . 1877 . Mackay & Kirkwood . Cranstonhill . 105.
  11. Arthurlie v Busby . North British Daily Mail . 29 September 1879 . 3.
  12. Book: Connell . R. M. . History of the St Mirren Football Club . 1924 . Gworge W. May . London . 14.