Scottish Football League Second Division
Encyclopedia
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 division contains ten teams and each year the top team is promoted to the First Division
, while the clubs in 2nd through 4th places enter an end of season play-off with the 9th placed side in the First Division. The bottom club is automatically relegated and the 9th placed club goes into an end of season play-off with the second, third and fourth placed clubs from the Third Division
.
The teams play each other four times with three points for a victory and one point each for a drawn game.
, were bypassed in favour of third-place finishers Clyde
. Sometimes poor-performing First Division teams would not be voted out (relegated) at all; the most notorious was Queen's Park
, in whose favour the rules may have been most likely devised. Automatic promotion was finally introduced when the Second Division was restarted in 1922 after a hiatus provoked by World War I
, and ironically, its first victims were Queen's Park
.
In 1975, to minimise the number of clubs per division, the old First and Second divisions were recombined into the new Premier, First, and new Second divisions. Accordingly, the last second-tier Second Division champions, Falkirk
, were not promoted to the top flight but made up the new second tier along with bottom clubs from the old First Division and other top clubs from the old Second.
. If goal difference is equal too, the team who has scored the most goals is placed higher.
and the bottom two were relegated to Division Three
. From 2005–06, there is automatic promotion only for the top team and automatic relegation for the bottom placed team. The teams which are placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th enter into a play-off with the team which is 9th in the First Division, and the team which is placed 9th enters into a similar play-off with the teams which are placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Third Division
.
would be sponsored by Scottish
soft drink company 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 third highest overall 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 contains ten teams and each year the top team is promoted to the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
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....
, while the clubs in 2nd through 4th places enter an end of season play-off with the 9th placed side in the First Division. The bottom club is automatically relegated and the 9th placed club goes into an end of season play-off with the second, third and fourth placed clubs from the Third Division
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth 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.
History
Before 1975 the Second Division (sometimes also called Division B) was the second highest level in the Scottish system. The division was founded in 1893 but its champions were not automatically promoted, as promotion depended on a system of ballots (election) by all League clubs. The first champions, HibernianHibernian 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...
, were bypassed in favour of third-place finishers 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...
. Sometimes poor-performing First Division teams would not be voted out (relegated) at all; the most notorious was Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
, in whose favour the rules may have been most likely devised. Automatic promotion was finally introduced when the Second Division was restarted in 1922 after a hiatus provoked by World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and ironically, its first victims were Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
.
In 1975, to minimise the number of clubs per division, the old First and Second divisions were recombined into the new Premier, First, and new Second divisions. Accordingly, the last second-tier Second Division champions, 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...
, were not promoted to the top flight but made up the new second tier along with bottom clubs from the old First Division and other top clubs from the old Second.
Current status
Today's Second Division contains ten teams, as does the First Division and the Third Division. Most players are part-time professionals. The teams play each other four times with three points for a victory and one point each for a drawn game. In the event of two teams finishing with the same number of points, the respective teams' position is decided on goal differenceGoal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
. If goal difference is equal too, the team who has scored the most goals is placed higher.
Introduction of Play-Offs
Prior to season 2005–06, the top two teams were promoted to Division OneScottish Football League First Division
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....
and the bottom two were relegated to Division Three
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
. From 2005–06, there is automatic promotion only for the top team and automatic relegation for the bottom placed team. The teams which are placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th enter into a play-off with the team which is 9th in the First Division, and the team which is placed 9th enters into a similar play-off with the teams which are placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Third Division
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
.
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
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
soft drink company 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 the teams competing in the season 2011–12 Second Division- Airdrie UnitedAirdrie United F.C.Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
- Albion Rovers
- ArbroathArbroath F.C.Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
- Brechin CityBrechin City F.C.Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season...
- CowdenbeathCowdenbeath F.C.Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
- DumbartonDumbarton F.C.Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
- East FifeEast Fife F.C.East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
- Forfar AthleticForfar Athletic F.C.Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
- StenhousemuirStenhousemuir F.C.Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
- Stirling AlbionStirling Albion F.C.Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
Stadia
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Airdrie United | Excelsior Stadium Excelsior Stadium The Excelsior Stadium is the home of Airdrie United F.C. of the Scottish Football League Second Division. It was built in 1998 to house Airdrieonians F.C., and when Airdrieonians went into liquidation four years later, Airdrie United began playing their home games there.When the stadium first... |
10,171 |
| Stenhousemuir | Ochilview Park Ochilview Park Ochilview Park is a football stadium in Stenhousemuir, Scotland. It is the home ground of Stenhousemuir who currently share it with local rivals East Stirlingshire.-History:... |
5,027 |
| Forfar Athletic | Station Park Station Park, Forfar Station Park is a football ground in Forfar, Angus, Scotland. It is home to Scottish Football League side Forfar Athletic F.C..Station Park is one of the few old fashioned football grounds left in the Scottish League. It has a capacity of 4,600, although this has previously been much higher, the... |
4,602 |
| Cowdenbeath | Central Park Central Park, Cowdenbeath Central Park is a football stadium in Cowdenbeath, Scotland. It is the home ground of Cowdenbeath F.C.. The ground is situated in the centre of the town, just off the High Street. Central Park has a capacity of 4,370. The most unusual feature of the ground is a tarmac race-track circling the pitch,... |
4,370 |
| Arbroath | Gayfield Park Gayfield Park Gayfield Park is a football stadium in Arbroath, Scotland. It is the home ground of Arbroath F.C.The stadium is situated on the sea front, to the west of Arbroath harbour, on the southern edge of the town. There is no other football stadium in Europe which is as close to the sea; it is only away... |
4,165 |
| Brechin City | Glebe Park Glebe Park, Brechin Glebe Park is a football stadium in Brechin, Scotland, which is the home ground of Brechin City FC.Glebe Park opened in 1919. The ground had just one portable stand, which had been used at the Perth agricultural show. Brechin City joined the Scottish Football League in 1929, when a pavilion was... |
3,960 |
| Stirling Albion | Doubletree Dunblane Stadium Forthbank Stadium Forthbank Stadium is a football stadium in Stirling, Scotland. It is the home ground of Stirling Albion. The stadium has a capacity of 3,808. The pitch size is 110 x 74 yards.... |
3,808 |
| Dumbarton | Strathclyde Homes Stadium Strathclyde Homes Stadium Strathclyde Homes Stadium is a stadium in Dumbarton, Scotland situated right below the famous Dumbarton Rock. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Dumbarton F.C. The stadium has a capacity of just over 2000, and was built in 2000 after the move away from... |
2,050 |
| East Fife | Bayview Stadium | 2,000 |
| Albion Rovers | Cliftonhill Stadium Cliftonhill Cliftonhill Stadium is the home ground of the Scottish Football League team Albion Rovers. The ground is situated in the town of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.-History:... |
1,238 |
Winners of the Second Division
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–99 Scottish Second Division 1998-99 The 1998-99 Scottish Second Division was won by Livingston who, along with second placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle, were promoted to the First Division. East Fife and Forfar Athletic were relegated to the Third Division.-Table:... |
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... |
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... |
| 1999–00 | 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... |
Alloa Athletic Alloa Athletic F.C. Alloa Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.... |
| 2000–01 Scottish Second Division 2000-01 The 2000-01 Scottish Second Division was won by Partick Thistle who, along with second placed Arbroath, were promoted to the First Division. Queen's Park and Stirling Albion were relegated to the Third Division.-Table:-Attendances:... |
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... |
Arbroath Arbroath F.C. Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide... |
| 2001–02 Scottish Second Division 2001-02 The 2001-02 Scottish Second Division was won by Queen of the South who, along with second placed Alloa Athletic, were promoted to the First Division. Greenock Morton were relegated to the Third Division. Stenhousemuir avoided relegation due to First Division Airdrieonians becoming insolvent,... |
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... |
Alloa Athletic Alloa Athletic F.C. Alloa Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.... |
| 2002–03 Scottish Second Division 2002-03 The 2002-03 Scottish Second Division was won by Raith Rovers who, along with second placed Brechin City, were promoted to the First Division. Stranraer and Cowdenbeath were relegated to the Third Division.-Table:-Attendances:... |
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... |
Brechin City Brechin City F.C. Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season... |
| 2003–04 Scottish Second Division 2003-04 The 2003-04 Scottish Second Division was won by Airdrie United who, along with Hamilton Academical, were promoted to the First Division. East Fife and Stenhousemuir were relegated to the Third Division.-Table:-Top scorers:-Attendances:... |
Airdrie United Airdrie United F.C. Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the... |
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... |
| 2004–05 Scottish Second Division 2004-05 The 2004–05 Scottish Second Division was won by Brechin City who, along with second placed Stranraer, gained promotion to the First Division. Arbroath and Berwick Rangers, meanwhile, were relegated to the Third Division.-Table:-Top scorers:... |
Brechin City Brechin City F.C. Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season... |
Stranraer Stranraer F.C. Stranraer Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team based in the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. They are members of the Scottish Football League, and currently play in the Third Division.-History:... |
| 2005–06 Scottish Second Division 2005-06 The 2005-06 Scottish Second Division was won by Gretna who were promoted to the First Division in what was their second successive promotion. Partick Thistle were also promoted via the playoffs... |
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... |
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.... |
| 2006–07 Scottish Second Division 2006-07 The 2006-07 Second Division season is the twelfth season of the Scottish Second Division in its current format of ten teams.Greenock Morton were promoted to the First Division as League champions... |
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.... |
Stirling Albion Stirling Albion F.C. Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth... |
| 2007–08 | 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... |
Airdrie United Airdrie United F.C. Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the... |
| 2008–09 | 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... |
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... |
| 2009–10 | Stirling Albion Stirling Albion F.C. Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth... |
Alloa Athletic Alloa Athletic F.C. Alloa Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.... |
| 2010–11 | 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... |