Scottish Football League Third Division
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| Country | Scotland[note 1] |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1923 |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Levels on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | Scottish Second Division |
| Relegation to | No relegation |
| Domestic cup(s) | Scottish Cup League Cup Challenge Cup |
| Current champions | Rangers (2012–13) |
 2012–13 |
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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.
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History [edit]
The Scottish Football League has introduced a third division on three occasions.
Original Third Division [edit]
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 Arthurlie, who were promoted along with East Stirlingshire. Although Leith Athletic were admitted the following season many clubs in the division struggled financially with Dumbarton Harp 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 Forfar Athletic, who were co-opted into the higher division, were reassigned to non-league football.[1]
'C' Division [edit]
The third tier in the Scottish Football League returned for the 1946–47 season when the 'C' Division was founded. In contrast to the earlier version the 'C' Division was a curious amalgamation of minor clubs and reserve teams: in its first season it was made up of the first teams of Stirling Albion (promoted as champions), Leith Athletic (also promoted), East Stirlingshire, Forfar Athletic, Montrose, Brechin City and Edinburgh City. 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 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 Rangers and Aberdeen came to dominate; Brechin City's victory in the North-East section in the 1953–54 season was the sole promotion achieved 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 Berwick Rangers, remained in the North-East section with two, Dumbarton and Stranraer, in the South-West. All five were admitted to full membership of the Scottish Football League.[2]
Current incarnation [edit]
From 1994 to 1998 the new Third Division was the fourth level in the Scottish Football League, but became the third when the member teams of the Scottish Premier Division broke away to form the Scottish Premier League.[citation needed]
Introduction of play-offs and relegation [edit]
The division contains ten teams and, until recently, each season the top two teams were promoted to the Second Division. 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 [edit]
On 20 July 2007, it was announced that the Scottish Football League would be sponsored by the makers of Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru for the next three seasons.[3] Irn-Bru extended their sponsorship of the SFL for another three seasons from 2010/2011 onwards.[4]
Teams for 2012–13 Third Division [edit]
Listed below are the teams competing in the season 2012–13 Third Division.
- Annan Athletic
- Berwick Rangers
- Clyde
- East Stirlingshire
- Elgin City
- Montrose
- Peterhead
- Queen's Park
- Rangers
- Stirling Albion
On 13 July 2012, the SFL accepted Rangers into Division Three for season 2012-13 after the previous club holding the non-transferable licence to play in the SPL entered liquidation.[5] The decision was ratified by the SFA on 27 July 2012, when conditional membership was issued to the new owners of Rangers.[6]
Stadia [edit]
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Annan Athletic | Galabank | 3,500 |
| Berwick Rangers | Shielfield Park | 4,131 |
| Clyde | Broadwood Stadium | 8,029 |
| East Stirlingshire | Ochilview Park[a] | 5,267 |
| Elgin City | Borough Briggs | 3,927 |
| Montrose | Links Park | 3,292 |
| Peterhead | Balmoor | 4,000 |
| Queen's Park | Hampden Park | 52,063 |
| Rangers | Ibrox | 51,082 |
| Stirling Albion | Forthbank Stadium | 3,808 |
a.^ East Stirlingshire currently groundshare with Stenhousemuir
Winners of the Third Division [edit]
b.^ Team failed to gain promotion via play-offs
Notes [edit]
- 1. ^ Every competitor in the league is a member of the Scottish Football League and Scottish Football Association. However, one club – Berwick Rangers – is based in England.
References [edit]
- ^ Scotland - Final Tables Third Level 1924–2004
- ^ Scotland - Final Tables Third Level 1924–2004
- ^ "SFL ends search for new sponsor". BBC Sport. 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ^ "SFL secures sponsorship extension with Irn-Bru" article from BBC Sport
- ^ "PRESS STATEMENT". Scottish Football League. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Agreement of transfer of membership". Scottish FA. Scottish_Football_Association. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
External links [edit]
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