Royal Albert F.C.
| Full name | Royal Albert Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Albert | |
| Founded | 1878 | |
| Ground |
Gasworks Park Raploch Street Larkhall | |
| Manager | Ian McCluskey | |
| League | Central District Second Division | |
| 2012–13 | 10th | |
| ||
Royal Albert Football Club are a Scottish football club, based in the town of Larkhall, South Lanarkshire. Formerly a member of the Scottish Football League they now play in the Scottish Junior Football Association, West Region.
History
The formation of the club dates back to 1878, when two Larkhall pit sides joined together to form one team. These pits were owned by a Capt. Johns and he named the team after his boat the Royal Albert. The club have the distinction of scoring the first ever penalty kick in Scottish senior football, James McLuggage scoring against Airdrieonians in a local cup tie on 6 June 1891.[1]
The club competed in various leagues such as the Scottish Football Federation, Scottish Football Alliance, Scottish Football Combination, Scottish Football Union and Western Football League before becoming a founder member of Scottish League Division Three in 1923. After the Third Division was abandoned in 1926, Albert briefly returned to the Scottish Football Alliance and Provincial Football League before being wound up in 1927 and re-forming as a Junior club the following season.[2][3][4][5]
The club initially competed in Junior football with some success and twice reached the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1930 and 1940 but have fared less well in modern times.[6]
At the end of the 2006–07, Robert Smellie Memorial Park where the club had played since 1964, was demolished in order to re-develop Larkhall Academy.[7] The club have ground-shared with local rivals Larkhall Thistle since that time. The club will play their home games this season at Tilework Park Stonehouse . In 2013 the club have moved to Tilework Park on a permanent basis and will play out of there for the foreseeable future.[8]
The team have been managed since November 2004 by Ian McCluskey, who assumed the role when previous manager Harry McDade walked out at half-time during a Scottish Junior Cup tie against Edinburgh United.[9]
Notable former players
- Bobby Hogg - Celtic and Scotland. Also Royal Albert's most capped Junior international with three caps in 1931.[10]
- John Martis - Motherwell and Scotland.[11]
- George Miller - Won Scottish Cup in 1961 with Dunfermline Athletic. Later played for Wolves, Hearts and Falkirk.[12]
- Davie White - Played for and managed Clyde before managing Rangers.[13]
Players
- David Dickson (captain)
- Craig Smith
- Craig Cooper
- Graeme Anderson
- Jamie Nesbitt (player coach)
- James Nelson
- Chris Sneddon
- Scott McEwan
- Scott McLachlin
- James McGill
- Gareth Stokoe
- Christopher Barr
- Liam Marley
- Peter Smith
- Brian Bradshaw
- Stuart Dorrans
Honours
- Scottish Football Federation winners: 1892–93
- Scottish Football Alliance winners: 1893–94
- Scottish Football Combination winners: 1903–04
- Lanarkshire Junior Football League winners: 1933–34, 1935–36, 1936–37
References
- ↑ "Well up on cloud nine". Daily Record (The Free Library). 19 January 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ "History". Royal Albert FC. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Brian McColl. "Scottish Football Federation". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Brian McColl. "Scottish Football Alliance". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Brian McColl. "Scottish Football Combination". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ McGlone, David; McLure, Bill (1987). The Juniors - 100 Years. A Centenary History of Scottish Junior Football. Mainstream. p. 120. ISBN 1-85158-060-3.
- ↑ Andy McGilvray (14 June 2007). "Junior club forced to quit ground after 43 years". Hamilton Advertiser. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ David Bell (31 January 2013). "Royal Albert are on the move". Hamilton Advertiser. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Robert McAulay (12 November 2004). "It's a game of two gaffers for Harry". Daily Record (The Free Library). Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ McGlone, David; McLure, Bill (1987). The Juniors - 100 Years. A Centenary History of Scottish Junior Football. Mainstream. p. 308. ISBN 1-85158-060-3.
- ↑ "Motherwell: 1946/47 - 2011/12". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Tom Drysdale (5 January 2009). "George Miller". The Scotsman. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ "Clyde: 1946/47 - 2011/12". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database. Retrieved 26 March 2013.