Scottish Football League Third Division
Encyclopedia
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 Third Division consists of ten teams with the champion being automatically promoted to the Second Division
at the end of each season. The clubs that finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th enter a play-off with the 9th placed team of the Second Division.
There is no relegation from the Third Division.
The teams play each other four times with three points for a victory, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss.
The competition was restructured for the 1949–50 season season when the number of reserve sides was significantly expanded and the Division divided into two sections, the South-East (soon renamed the North-East) and South-West. Promotion became rarer as the reserve sides of the bigger clubs such as and came to dominate, Brechin City's victory in the North-East section in the 1953–54 season was the sole promotion managed in the new format before its final season. The competition completed its final season in 1954–55 when Aberdeen II won the North-East section and Partick Thistle II the South-West. Three non-reserve sides, Montrose, East Stirlingshire and remained in the North-East section with two, and in the South-West. All five were admitted to full membership of the Scottish Football League.
but became the third when the member teams of the Scottish Premier Division broke off to form the Scottish Premier League
.
. As of the 2005–06 season, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams go into a play off with the 9th place team from the Second Division. There is no direct relegation from the Scottish Third Division but since the 2005–06 season if a club finishes bottom for three successive seasons then they will have their full membership of the SFL suspended. The club will then play the next two seasons as a non-voting associate member after which the full members shall vote on the fate of the suspended club.
would be sponsored by Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru
for the next three seasons.
} || align=center | 5,267
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| || Shielfield Park
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| || Balmoor || align=center | 4,000
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| || Recreation Park
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| || Borough Briggs
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| || Galabank
|| align=center | 3,500
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| || Links Park
|| align=center | 3,292
|}
a.East Stirlingshire currently groundshare with
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b.Team failed to gain promotion via play-offs
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 fourth 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 Third Division consists of ten teams with the champion being automatically promoted to 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....
at the end of each season. The clubs that finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th enter a play-off with the 9th placed team of the Second Division.
There is no relegation from the Third Division.
The teams play each other four times with three points for a victory, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss.
Original Third Division
An original Third Division was inaugurated in time for the 1923–24 season. The Division was an actual third tier of the Scottish League, made up largely of provincial sides. The initial championship was won by , who were promoted along with . Although were admitted the following season many clubs in the division struggled financially with resigning during 1924–25. The following season was to be the last for this incarnation, with the competition left uncompleted as struggling teams failed to fulfil their fixtures. Of the members all but , who were co-opted into the higher division, were reassigned to non-league football.'C' Division
The notion of a third tier in the Scottish Football League returned for the 1946–47 season when the 'C' Division was founded. In contrast to he earlier version the 'C' Division was a curious amalgamation of minor clubs and reserve teams, with the first season made up of the first teams of (promoted as champions), Leith Athletic (also promoted), East Stirlingshire, Forfar Athletic, , and . The Division continued in this form for three seasons with a fairly fluid membership, although at the end of each season a non-reserve team was crowned champions and duly promoted.The competition was restructured for the 1949–50 season season when the number of reserve sides was significantly expanded and the Division divided into two sections, the South-East (soon renamed the North-East) and South-West. Promotion became rarer as the reserve sides of the bigger clubs such as and came to dominate, Brechin City's victory in the North-East section in the 1953–54 season was the sole promotion managed in the new format before its final season. The competition completed its final season in 1954–55 when Aberdeen II won the North-East section and Partick Thistle II the South-West. Three non-reserve sides, Montrose, East Stirlingshire and remained in the North-East section with two, and in the South-West. All five were admitted to full membership of the Scottish Football League.
Current incarnation
From 1994 to 1998 the new Third Division was in fact the fourth level in the 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...
but became the third when the member teams of the Scottish Premier Division broke off to form 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...
.
Introduction of play-offs and relegation
The division contains ten teams and, until recently, each season the top two teams were promoted to the Second DivisionScottish 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....
. As of the 2005–06 season, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams go into a play off with the 9th place team from the Second Division. There is no direct relegation from the Scottish Third Division but since the 2005–06 season if a club finishes bottom for three successive seasons then they will have their full membership of the SFL suspended. The club will then play the next two seasons as a non-voting associate member after which the full members shall vote on the fate of the suspended club.
Sponsorship
On 20 July 2007, it was announced that the 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 the teams competing in the season 2011–12 Third Division.Stadia
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland... |
52,500 | |
| Broadwood Stadium Broadwood Stadium Broadwood Stadium, also referred to as simply Broadwood, is a football stadium and multi-use community sports complex situated in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium was opened in 1994 and since then has been the home venue of Scottish Third Division side, Clyde F.C.... |
8,029 | |
| Stair Park Stair Park Stair Park is a public park and football stadium in the town of Stranraer, Scotland. It is owned by Dumfries & Galloway Council and is situated next to the London Road and the railway line in the town. It is home to Stranraer F.C., Wigtownshire RFC and Stranraer and Rhins Agricultural Show... |
5,600 | |
|-
| || Shielfield Park
Shielfield Park
Shielfield Park is a football stadium that is home to Berwick Rangers and the Berwick Bandits speedway team. Although Berwick Rangers is a Scottish Football League club, Shielfield Park is situated in Tweedmouth, England.-History:...
|| align=center | 4,131
|-
| || Balmoor || align=center | 4,000
|-
| || Recreation Park
Recreation Park, Alloa
Recreation Park is a football stadium located in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. It has been the home ground of Scottish Football League side Alloa Athletic F.C. since 1895....
|| align=center | 3,412
|-
| || Borough Briggs
Borough Briggs
Borough Briggs is a football ground in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. It is the home ground of Elgin City F.C. who currently play in the Scottish Football League Third Division. Borough Briggs opened on 20 August 1921 when it replaced Cooper Park as Elgin's home ground...
|| align=center | 3,927
|-
| || Galabank
Galabank
Galabank is a football stadium in the town of Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is the home stadium of Annan Athletic F.C.-Overview:...
|| align=center | 3,500
|-
| || Links Park
Links Park
Links Park is a football stadium in Montrose, Scotland, which is the home ground of Montrose FC.Links Park was opened in 1887. To help finance the club, Montrose FC rented the pitch for circuses and grazing. The club was eventually able to raise £150 in 1920 to buy a used stand from the Highland...
|| align=center | 3,292
|}
a.East Stirlingshire currently groundshare with
Winners of the Third Division
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | ||
| 1995–96 | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 Scottish Third Division The 1996–97 Scottish Third Division was won by Inverness CT who, along with second placed Forfar Athletic, gained promotion to the Second Division. Arbroath finished bottom.-Table:- References :*... |
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| 1997–98 | ||
| 1998–99 | ||
| 1999–2000 | ||
| 2000–01 | ||
| 2001–02 | ||
| 2002–03 | ||
| 2003–04 | ||
| 2004–05 | ||
| 2005–06 |
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|2006–07
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|2007–08
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|2008–09
|
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|2009–10
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|2010–11
|
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b.Team failed to gain promotion via play-offs