Queen’s Park Football Club are acknowledged as Scotland’s oldest football club, having been founded in 1867.
But Hampden Park’s finest weren’t the first team in the land. The Foot-Ball Club which was formed in Edinburgh in 1824, the world’s first known organisation dedicated to football.
It was founded by John Hope, a student lawyer, and continued to exist until 1841 – but during its 17 years of life, the club kept a low profile, failing to be mentioned in contemporary newspapers.
1824 is as much about football and the first football club as it is about its founder, whose contributions to the sport make for a fascinating story.
Hutchinson and Mitchell balance the narrative between a biographical account and a deep dive into the evolution of the sport, particularly in Edinburgh.
From starting the Foot-Ball Club to writing some of the first rules for playing, John Hope is a captivating figure for fans of the sport.
1824: The World’s First Football Club, by John Hutchinson and Andy Mitchell, published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing, £14.99.
[review rating=”3″ align = “left”]
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