On Monday 15th May 1893, a grand football match took place at Castle Park, Blantyre.
Taking part were local grocers and the opposing team were Blantyre publicans. (Incredible in itself there were as many to form a team!). The purpose of the match was to raise money for the newly formed Blantyre Victoria Football Club.
The event was much talked about before the kickoff and when it started, there were many hundreds of people turned up. The grocers played with 10 men and the weather was excellent.
In the words of the reporters, “There was some great fun as the poor leather got kicked around and very soon shins began to “weep with gore”.
About 10 minutes in, the grocers scored with publicans scoring shortly after. The match went on to be a draw of 3 goals each.
A wonderful photo exists of the Vics team, that very year in 1893. All named.
