Scottish Football League & Scottish Premier League

Promotion, relegation and the re-election rule 1893-date

 

See also

Main index

Club directory

Expulsions

Resignations

Elections

Play-offs and Test Matches

Central League 1909-1921

Northern League

When the Scottish League formed the Second Division in 1893, there was no automatic promotion and relegation between the sections. Instead, the re-election process that was used to regulate entry to the League itself was expanded to movement between the two divisions. Initially the bottom three clubs had to apply for re-election, but this was reduced to two from 1899. It was possible to bypass the Second Division completely and apply for a First Division place, Queen’s Park did so successfully in 1900, while the newly formed Aberdeen were not so fortunate in 1903 losing by only three votes to the Second Division champions Airdrieonians. A Second Division club had to have a great many friends to gain promotion. Hibernian had to win the championship two years running to be promoted, while Kilmarnock were beaten by Clyde on a second ballot, despite the Glasgow side finishing in the bottom two for three years in succession and winning only one game in 1897-98. The amateur clubs Queen’s Park and Port Glasgow Athletic were both saved on several occasions before the outbreak of War in 1914. There were times when the proposal of automatic promotion was debated. Hearts proposed one up-one down at the 1907 AGM, but lost by 11 votes to 7. They proposed again in 1909, but received even fewer support. It was then agreed on in 1912, but by the time the AGM heard the proposal, bottom club St Mirren had already committed itself to a First Division wage bill, so the idea was shelved.

 

During the Great War, the Second Division was first suspended, and then scrapped altogether. Those clubs left outside the League formed regional leagues, the strongest of which was the Central League. This new body, not being affiliated with the International League Board, could poach star players without the need to pay transfer fees. Crowds flocked to see these players, and although initially the Scottish League was unconcerned, there were waverers in the Management Committee. By 1921, these men convinced the League to give the Central League what they wanted – to be part of the Scottish League (as the Second Division), and for automatic promotion and relegation to operate. The got their wish at a meeting of the two bodies on 11 May 1921, and in 1922, Alloa Athletic became the first club to be automatically promoted. One of the first victims of the new rule was Queen’s Park who had been saved a number of times by the old re-election process.

 

The few times that the rule wasn’t entirely enforced was when there was league reconstruction such as the divisions being expanded. When the Premier Division was created in 1975, ten clubs were promoted to Premier status and six moved up to the ‘new’ First Division. Further reconstruction in 1994 saw the creation of a fourth tier when there was a big movement between the sections. Basically Stranraer leapfrogged five clubs into the First Division, the unfortunate sides all being relegated.

 

When the Scottish Premier League was founded in 1998, the automatic rule was retained despite it being a separate league. The only difference was that all Premier grounds had to be of a certain standard. Unless a promoted club could attain the criteria set down (minimum seating of 10000 and undersoil heating), that club would be denied a place and there would be no relegation from the SPL. Many felt the 10000 seat rule to drastic, and it was later dropped to 6000, which is easier for more clubs to achieve, Since 2005, the Scottish League has reintroduce play-offs to determine som promotion places. It had previously used them between 1995 and 1997.

 

Promotion and relegation as decided by the re-election procedure

 

1894

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Dundee

Leith Athletic

Clyde

Renton

Hibernian

Cowlairs

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

Elected

Not re-elected

Not elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

Second Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

1895

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Dundee

Hibernian

Dumbarton

Motherwell

Leith Athletic

14

11

10

4

3

Re-elected

Elected

Re-elected

Not elected

Not re-elected

First Division

Second Division

First Division

Second Division

First Division

 

1896

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Clyde

St Mirren

Abercorn

Leith Athletic

Dumbarton

Renton

14

13

8

4

2

1

Re-elected

Re-elected

Elected

Not elected

Not re-elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

First Division

Second Division

 

1897

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Third Lanark

Partick Thistle

Clyde

Abercorn

14

13

8

7

Re-elected

Elected

Re-elected

Not re-elected

First Division

Second Division

First Division

First Division

 

1898

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

St Bernards

Partick Thistle

Clyde

Kilmarnock

Morton

Port Glasgow Athletic

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

Re-elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

Clyde beat Kilmarnock on a second ballot

 

 

1899

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Kilmarnock

Dundee

Partick Thistle

Leith Athletic

15

10

5

2

Elected

Re-elected

Not re-elected

Not elected

Second Division

First Division

First Division

Second Division

 

This year the rule was changed so that only the bottom two First Division clubs had to apply for re-election

 

 

1900

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division / League

Morton

Queen’s Park

Partick Thistle

Clyde

 

Elected

Elected

Elected

Not re-elected

First Division

Not affiliated

First Division

First Division

 

Partick Thistle tied with Clyde on the first ballot so lots were drawn to decide on who played in the First Division.

 

 

1901

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Partick Thistle

 

Relegated

First Division

 

To even the First Division to ten clubs, Partick Thistle, as the bottom placed side, were demoted.

 

 

1902

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Port Glasgow Athletic

Partick Thistle

 

Elected

Elected

Second Division

Second Division

 

These two clubs were promoted to increase the First Division to twelve clubs.

 

 

1903

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Morton

Port Glasgow Athletic

Motherwell

Airdrieonians

Aberdeen

 

 

11

8

5

Re-elected

Re-elected

Elected

Elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

Not affiliated

 

With the First Division expanding to fourteen clubs, two clubs were to be promoted. The two bottom placed clubs, Morton and Port Glasgow Athletic were automatically re-elected.

 

 

1904

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division / League

Motherwell

Kilmarnock

Aberdeen

Hamilton Academical

Clyde

East Stirlingshire

Falkirk

10

8

4

2

0

0

0

Re-elected

Re-elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

Northern League

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

1905

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Aberdeen

Morton

Motherwell

Falkirk

Albion Rovers

Clyde

 

Plus two from

Hamilton Academical

Leith Athletic

Arthurlie

12

Elected

Re-elected

Re-elected

Elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

 

 

Not elected

Second Division

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

 

Second Division

 

1906

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

First ballot

Kilmarnock

Queen’s Park

 

Second ballot

Hamilton Academical

Clyde

Albion Rovers

Leith Athletic

Raith Rovers

 

Third ballot

Clyde

Albion Rovers

 

 

 

 

 

10

7

7

6

3

 

 

9

6

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

 

 

Elected

 

 

Not elected

Not elected

 

 

Elected

Not elected

 

First Division

First Division

 

 

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

The decision had been taken to increase the First Division to eighteen clubs.

 

 

1907

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Hamilton Academical

Kilmarnock

Port Glasgow Athletic

Dumbarton

Leith

Raith Rovers

St Bernards

Vale of Leven

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

Re-elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

At the League’s AGM, it was decided not to split the bottom three clubs after they had all finished on 21 points, and they were all required to apply for re-election.

 

 

1908

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Clyde

Port Glasgow Athletic

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

First Division

First Division

 

1909

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Morton

Partick Thistle

Raith Rovers

Dumbarton

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

Not elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

1910

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Morton

Raith Rovers

Ayr United

Abercorn

Dumbarton

 

Port Glasgow Athletic

16

13

2

1

0

Re-elected

Elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

 

Resigned

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

First Division

 

1911

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Motherwell

Queen’s Park

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

First Division

First Division

 

1912

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Queen’s Park

St Mirren

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

First Division

First Division

 

At the League’s AGM on 4 June 1912. it was agreed that St MIrren, as the lowest placed First Division club would be replaced by Second Division champions, Ayr United. However, as St Mirren had committed themselves to First Division wage bill for the new season, the proposal was held over to the following season, but not taken up.

 

 

1913

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Partick Thistle

Queen’s Park

Ayr United

Dumbarton

Cowdenbeath

Dundee Hibernian

Dunfermline Athletic

St Bernards

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

Elected

Elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

Not elected

First Division

First Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

Second Division

 

Dumbarton were chosen over Cowdenbeath on the chairman’s vote.

The First Division was increased from eighteen to twenty clubs.

 

 

1914

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

Division

Dumbarton

St Mirren

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

First Division

First Division

 

1915

 

 

 

Club

Votes

 

League

Arthurlie

Vale of Leven

 

Re-elected

Re-elected

Second Division

Second Division

 

 

Promotion and relegation as decided by league placings

 

 

Promoted to First Division

Relegated to Second Division

Promoted to Second Division

Relegated to Third Division

1921-22

 

 

 

1922-23

 

 

1923-24

 

 

1924-25

 

 

1925-26

 

 

1926-27

 

 

1927-28

 

 

1928-29

 

 

1929-30

 

 

1930-31

 

 

1931-32

 

 

1932-33

 

 

1933-34

 

 

1934-35

 

 

1935-36

 

 

1936-37

 

 

1937-38

 

 

1938-39

 

 

1946-47

 

 

1947-48

 

 

1948-49

 

 

1949-50

 

 

1950-51

 

 

1951-52

 

 

1952-53

 

 

1953-54

 

 

1954-55

 

 

 

 

 

1955-56

 

 

1956-57

 

 

1957-58

 

 

1958-59

 

 

1959-60

 

 

1960-61

 

 

1961-62

 

 

1962-63

 

 

1963-64

 

 

1964-65

 

 

1965-66

 

 

1966-67

 

 

1967-68

 

 

1968-69

 

 

1969-70

 

 

1970-71

 

 

1971-72

 

 

1972-73

 

 

1973-74

 

Alloa Athletic

 

 

 

Queen’s Park

Clydebank

 

St Johnstone

Cowdenbeath

 

Dundee United

Clydebank

 

Dunfermline AThletic

Clyde

 

Bo’ness

Raith Rovers

 

Ayr United

Third Lanark

 

Dundee United

Morton

 

Leith Athletic

East Fife

 

Third Lanark

Dundee United

 

East Stirlingshire

St Johnstone

 

Hibernian

Queen of the South

 

Albion Rovers

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Third Lanark

Arbroath

 

Falkirk

St Mirren

 

Ayr United

Morton

 

Raith Rovers

Albion Rovers

 

Cowdenbeath

Alloa Athletic

 

Dundee

Airdrieonians

 

East Fife

Albion Rovers

 

Raith Rovers

Stirling Albion

 

Morton

Airdrieonians

 

Queen of the South

Stirling Albion

 

Clyde

Falkirk

 

Stirling Albion

Hamilton Academical

 

Motherwell

Kilmarnock

 

Airdrieonians

Dunfermline Athletic

 

 

 

 

Queen’s Park

Ayr United

 

Clyde

Third Lanark

 

Stirling Albion

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Ayr United

Arbroath

 

St Johnstone

Dundee United

 

Stirling Albion

Falkirk

 

Clyde

Queen of the South

 

St Johnstone

East Stirlingshire

 

Morton

Clyde

 

Stirling Albion

Hamilton Academical

 

Ayr United

Airdrieonians

 

Morton

Raith Rovers

 

St Mirren

Arbroath

 

Motherwell

Ayr United

 

Falkirk

Cowdenbeath

 

Partick Thistle

East Fife

 

Dumbarton

Arbroath

 

Clyde

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Airdrieonians

Kilmarnock

Dumbarton

Queen’s Park

Clydebank

 

Albion Rovers

Alloa Athletic

 

Clyde

Clydebank

 

Ayr United

Third Lanark

 

Raith Rovers

Clydebank

 

Morton

Dundee United

 

Bo’ness

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Third Lanark

Raith Rovers

 

Dundee United

St Johnstone

 

Hibernian

East Fife

 

Dundee United

Leith Athletic

 

Morton

East Stirlingshire

 

Third Lanark

Cowdenbeath

 

St Mirren

Falkirk

 

Airdrieonians

Ayr United

 

Dunfermline Athletic

Albion Rovers

 

Dundee

Morton

 

Queen’s Park

Raith Rovers

 

Kilmarnock

Hamilton Academical

 

Airdrieonians

Queen’s Park

 

Morton

Albion Rovers

 

Queen of the South

Stirling Albion

 

Clyde

Falkirk

 

Morton

Stirling Albion

 

Motherwell

Third Lanark

 

Airdrieonians

Hamilton Academical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clyde

Stirling Albion

 

Dunfermline Athletic

Ayr United

 

East Fife

Queen’s Park

 

Falkirk

Queen of the South

 

Stirling Albion

Arbroath

 

Clyde

Ayr United

 

St Johnstone

Stirling Albion

 

Clyde

Raith Rovers

 

Queen of the South

East Stirlingshire

 

Airdrieonians

Third Lanark

 

Morton

Hamilton Academical

 

St Mirren

Ayr United

 

Motherwell

Stirling Albion

 

Falkirk

Arbroath

 

Raith Rovers

Partick Thistle

 

St Mirren

Cowdenbeath

 

Clyde

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Kilmarnock

Airdrieonians

 

East Fife

Falkirk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arthurlie

East Stirlingshire

 

Nithsdale Wanderers

Queen of the South

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stirling Albion

Leith Athletic

 

East Stirlingshire

 

 

Forfar Athletic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brechin City

 

 

Berwick Rangers

Dumbarton

East Stirlingshire

Montrose

Stranraer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vale of Leven

Lochgelly United

 

Johnstone

Forfar Athletic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leith Athletic

 

 

East Stirlingshire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dumbarton

 

In 1974-75, the usual promotion and relegation procedure was suspended as the League reconstructed itself into three divisions, Premier, First and Second.

 

 

Promoted to Premier Division

Relegated to First Division

Promoted to First Division

Relegated to Second Division

1974-75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1975-76

 

 

1976-77

 

 

1977-78

 

 

1978-79

 

 

1979-80

 

 

1980-81

 

 

1981-82

 

 

1982-83

 

 

1983-84

 

 

1984-85

 

 

1985-86

 

 

1986-87

 

 

1987-88

 

 

 

1988-89

 

 

1989-90

 

 

1990-91

 

 

1991-92

 

 

1992-93

 

 

1993-94

Rangers

Hibernian

Celtic

Dundee United

Aberdeen

Dundee

Ayr United

Heart of Midlothian

St Johnstone

Motherwell

 

Partick Thistle

Kilmarnock

 

St Mirren

Clydebank

 

Morton

Heart of Midlothian

 

Dundee

Kilmarnock

 

Heart of Midlothian

Airdrieonians

 

Hibernian

Dundee

 

Motherwell

Kilmarnock

 

St Johnstone

Heart of Midlothian

 

Morton

Dumbarton

 

Motherwell

Clydebank

 

Hamilton Academical

Falkirk

 

Morton

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Hamilton Academical

 

 

 

Dunfermline Athletic

 

 

St Johnstone

 

 

Falkirk

Airdrieonians

 

Dundee

Partick Thistle

 

Raith Rovers

Kilmarnock

 

Falkirk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dundee

St Johnstone

 

Heart of Midlothian

Kilmarnock

 

Ayr united

Clydebank

 

Heart of Midlothian

Motherwell

 

Dundee

Hibernian

 

Kiolmarnock

Heart of Midlothian

 

Particjk Thistle

Airdrieonians

 

Morton

Kilmarnock

 

St Johnstone

Motherwell

 

Dumbarton

Morton

 

 

 

 

Clydebank

Hamilton Academical

 

Falkirk

Dunfermline Athletic

Morton

 

Hamilton Academical

 

 

Dundee

 

 

 

 

 

St Mirren

Motherwell

 

Falkirk

Airdrieonians

 

St Johnstone

Raith Rovers

Dundee

Falkirk

Queen of the South

Montrose

Hamilton Academical

East Fife

St Mirren

 

 

 

 

 

Clydebank

Raith Rovers

 

Stirling Albion

Alloa Athletic

 

Clyde

Raith Rovers

 

Berwick Rangers

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Falkirk

East Stirlingshire

 

Queen’s Park

Queen of the South

 

Clyde

Alloa Athletic

 

Brechin City

Meadowbank Thistle

 

Forfar Athletic

East Fife

 

Montrose

Alloa Athletic

 

Dunfermline Athletic

Queen of the South

 

Meadowbank Thistle

Raith Rovers

 

Ayr United

St Johnstone

 

 

Albion Rovers

Alloa Athletic

 

Brechin City

Kilmarnock

 

Stirling Albion

Montrose

 

Dumbarton

Cowdenbeath

 

Clyde

Brechin City

 

Stranraer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunfermline Athletic

Clyde

 

Raith Rovers

Falkirk

 

Alloa Athletic

East Fife

 

Montrose

Queen of the South

 

Arbroath

Clyde

 

Stirling Albion

Berwick Rangers

 

East Stirlingshire

Queen of the South

 

Dunfermline AThletic

Queen’s Park

 

Raith Rovers

Alloa Athletic

 

Meadowbank Thistle

St Johnstone

 

Ayr United

Alloa Athletic

 

Brechin City

Montrose

 

East Fife

Dumbarton

 

 

Kilmarnock

Queen of the South

 

Albion Rovers

Alloa Athletic

 

Clyde

Brechin City

 

Montrose

Forfar Athletic

 

Meadowbank Thistle

Cowdenbeath

 

Dumbarton

Stirling Albion

Clyde

Morton

Brechin City

 

 

1994-95

 

 

1995-96

 

 

1996-97

 

 

1997-98

 

Promoted to Premier

Raith Rovers

 

 

Dunfermline Athletic

Dundee United

 

St Johnstone

 

 

Dundee

 

Relegated to First

Dundee United

 

 

Partick Thistle

Falkirk

 

Raith Rovers

 

 

Hibernian

Promoted to First

Morton

Dumbarton

 

Stirling Albion

East Fife

 

Ayr United

Hamilton Academical

 

Stranraer

Clydebank

Relegated to Second

Ayr United

Stranraer

 

Hamilton Academical

Dumbarton

 

Clydebank

East Fife

 

Partick Thistle

Stirling Albion

Promoted to Second

Forfar Athletic

Montrose

 

Livingston

Brechin City

 

Caledonian Thistle

Forfar Athletic

 

Alloa Athletic

Arbroath

Relegated to Third

Meadowbank Thistle

Brechin City

 

Forfar Athletic

Montrose

 

Dumbarton

Berwick Rangers

 

Stenhousemuir

Brechin City

 

In 1998, the ten Premier Division clubs formed the Scottish Premier League. There was still promotion and relegation between them and the Scottish League, but to be promoted, the First Division champion’s ground had to meet certain criteria.

 

 

1998-99

 

 

1999-00

 

 

2000-01

 

 

2001-02

 

 

2002-03

 

 

2003-04

 

 

2004-05

 

 

2005-06

 

 

2006-07

 

 

2007-08

 

 

2008-09

Promoted to SPL

Hibernian

 

 

St Mirren

Dunfermline Athletic

 

Livingston

 

 

Partick Thistle

 

 

 

 

 

Inverness Caledonian Th

 

 

Falkirk

 

 

St Mirren

 

 

Gretna

 

 

Hamilton Academical

 

 

St Johnstone

Relegated to First

Dunfermline Athletic

 

 

 

 

 

St Mirren

 

 

St Johnstone

 

 

 

 

 

Partick Thistle

 

 

Dundee

 

 

Livingston

 

 

Dunfermline Athletic

 

 

Gretna #

 

 

Inverness Caledonian Th

Promoted to First

Livingston

Inverness Caledonian Th

 

Clyde

Alloa Athletic

 

Partick Thistle

Arbroath

 

Queen of the South

Alloa Athletic

 

Raith Rovers

Brechin City

 

Airdrie United

Hamilton Academical

 

Brechin City

Stranraer

 

Gretna

Partick Thistle*

 

Morton

Stirling Albion*

 

Ross County

Airdrie United #

 

Raith Rovers

Relegated to Second

Hamilton Academical

Stranraer

 

Airdrieonians

Clydebank

 

Morton

Alloa Athletic

 

Raith Rovers

 

 

Alloa Athletic

Arbroath

 

Ayr United

Brechin City

 

Partick Thistle

Raith Rovers

 

Stranraer*

Brechin City

 

Airdrie United*

Ross County

 

Stirling Albion

 

 

Clyde

Promoted to Second

Ross County

Stenhousemuir

 

Queen’s Park

Berwick Rangers

 

Hamilton Academical

Cowdenbeath

 

Brechin City

Dumbarton

 

Morton

East Fife

 

Stranraer

Striling Albion

 

Gretna

Peterhead

 

Cowdenbeath

 

 

Berwick Rangers

Queen’s Park*

 

East Fife

Stranraer #

 

Dumbarton

Stenhousemuir*

Relegated to Third

East Fife

Forfar Athletic

 

Queen of the South

Hamilton Academcal

 

Queen’s Park

Stirling Albion

 

Stenhousemuir

Morton

 

Stranraer

Cowdenbeath

 

East Fife

Stenhousemuir

 

Arbroath

Berwick Rangers

 

Dumbarton

 

 

Stranraer*

Forfar Athletic

 

Berwick Rangers

 

 

Queen’s Park*

Stranraer

Livingston **

 

*These clubs gained promotion or were relegated through the play-off procedure

# Because Gretna were still in administration, they were relegated to the Third Division for the 2008-09 season. This didn’t help in any takeover bids and the club subsequently disbanded.  Consequently, this invalidated the promotion and relegation playoffs as a vacancy arose in the Third Division that was eventually filled by Annan Athletic.

** Livingston were demoted from the First to Third Division after they entered administration.