Clyde F.C.

Did You Know?

• In the 1938–39 Scottish Cup, centre-forward Willie Martin scored all four goals in a 4–1 victory against Rangers at Ibrox in the third round.
• Clyde became the first Scottish club to adopt a shirt sponsor in 1979–80, with a deal from the British Oxygen Company.
• Three Clyde players—Harry Haddock, Archie Robertson, and John Coyle—were selected for the Scotland squad at the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
• Clyde's opening league fixture on 15 August 1891 was a 10–3 victory over Vale of Leven.

History

Clyde was founded on the banks of the River Clyde at Barrowfield, with records showing the club was established in 1877. The ground sat within a triangle enclosed by Carstairs Street, Colvend Street, and the river, surrounded by chemical, engineering, and textile works. Barrowfield included a grandstand, pavilion, tennis courts, and a running and bicycle track. The club initially operated as a private members' club with rowing alongside football.

The first mention of Clyde appeared in the Evening Times on 17 September 1877. They entered the Scottish Cup on 29 September 1877, losing 1–0 to Third Lanark. On 6 March 1883, Clyde was one of six clubs at the founding meeting of the Glasgow Football Association; it is one of only three founding members still in existence, alongside Queen's Park and Rangers. Clyde joined the Scottish Football League in 1891 for its second season, defeating Vale of Leven 10–3 in their opening league fixture.

In 1898, the club acquired land at Shawfield, financed through incorporation as The Clyde Football Club Limited. The opening match at Shawfield Stadium on 27 August 1898 was a 0–0 draw against Celtic before 10,000 spectators. Clyde finished bottom of the top division in 1899–1900 and were relegated.

Grounds

Clyde's first home ground was Barrowfield Park, used from 1877 to 1898. In 1898 they moved to Shawfield Stadium, where a record attendance of 52,000 was set on 28 November 1908 against Rangers. The club sold the stadium to the Greyhound Racing Association in 1935 and remained as tenants until 1986. They moved to all-seater Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld in February 1994, hosting their first match there against Hamilton Academical. During their tenancy, Broadwood hosted Scotland U21 fixtures and four Scottish Challenge Cup finals. Clyde left Broadwood in April 2022. They have shared grounds at Celtic Park (1914 after a fire), Firhill (1986–1991), Douglas Park (1991–1994), and New Douglas Park (since July 2022).

Rivalries

Historically based in Glasgow, Clyde developed local rivalries with Celtic, Rangers, Partick Thistle, Queen's Park, and Third Lanark. The rivalry with Partick Thistle intensified during a ground-share at Firhill from 1986 to 1991, and was highlighted in May 2002 when Jamie Mitchell's transfer drew strong supporter reaction. League derbies resumed in the 2020–21 season in Scottish League One. During the 2010s, a lower-division rivalry developed with Queen's Park. Following relocation to Cumbernauld and later Hamilton, matches against Lanarkshire clubs such as Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers, Motherwell, and Hamilton Academical have gained local significance as Lanarkshire derbies.

Reserve and youth teams

Clyde entered a reserve team in the SFL's Reserve League Cup, winning it in May 2008 by defeating Livingston 4–1, with Dave McKay scoring all four goals. The club's second team won the Scottish 2nd XI Cup in 1913–14 and 1914–15, and a third title in 1941–42. The reserve side won consecutive Scottish C Division (South & West) championships in 1949–50 and 1950–51. Clyde operated youth teams from under-11 to under-20 levels, restructuring the academy in 2015 due to funding changes while retaining the under-20 side. Graduates of the youth system who progressed to the first team include Martin O'Neill, Craig Bryson, and John Baird, among many others.