Elgin Caledonian
Full nameElgin Caledonian Football Club
Nickname(s)the Caley,[1] the Boys in Blue[2]
Founded1892
Dissolved1926
GroundPublic Park

Elgin Caledonian Football Club was a Scottish football team from Elgin, Moray.[3]

History

The club was formed in 1892 as a "Junior" outfit.[4]

The "Caley" was a highly successful Junior club in Elgin & District. It won the Elginshire Junior F.A. Cup for its first three seasons of competition. The first in May 1895, when Elgin Wednesday were beaten 3–1 at the Public Park, then again in March 1896, when Elgin Academy were defeated 7–4 at Milnfield Park. The hat-trick was completed in March 1897, when they beat Nairn Thistle 2–1 at Milnfield Park. After a few lean seasons the club returned to complete a double in the 1899–1900 term, when it beat Nairn Thistle 5–3 to win the now named Elginshire Matthew F.A. Cup, then won the Nicholson Cup (run on a League basis) for the first time.

In August 1900, the club applied to take part in the Highland Football League, on the basis that it was now the leading club in Elgin, as Elgin City was "reported to be defunct";[5] the Highland League committee unanimously voted to accept the application, the league secretary immediately wiring the City secretary that City was not permitted to take part.[6] However, City was quickly "re-organised",[7] and Caley's move was a disaster, as it finished bottom of the league with seven defeats in seven games.[8]

The club stepped back to recover and re-appeared in junior football in 1902. It was a founder member of the Elginshire Junior League in early 1906. By the start of the second season (1906–07) it became known as the Morayshire Junior league. The "Caley" took the title in May 1907 after beating Elgin Thistle in a play-off (replay).[9] It also took the title in 1907–08 season, being unbeaten in their 12 games, with 11 wins and a draw, and also won the Matthew Cup defeating Nairn Thistle in a replayed final in March 1908.

Eleven of its players joined the Armed Forces at the outset of the First World War, more than had joined from Elgin City,[10] and the last reference to the club is playing in the Morayshire Junior League in 1925–26.[11]

A club of the same name was founded in 2014, to play in the Forres and Nairn Welfare league.[12] Caley reignited the local derby with Elgin Thistle on 24 May 2014, but was were beaten 8–0. The club does not have any record of existing after 2017.[13]

Colours

The club wore blue jerseys[14] and white knickers.[15]

Ground

Caley played most of its home matches at the Public Park (now known as Borough Briggs and the current home of Elgin City).[16] Some of its big matches, including most cup ties (which required a private ground), were played at Association Park and then Milnfield Park,[17][18] at the time Elgin City's home ground.

References

  1. ^ "North of Scotland Junior Cup". Elgin Courant, and Morayshire Advertiser: 8. 26 October 1897.
  2. ^ "Elgin Combination v Elgin Caledonian". Elgin Courant, and Morayshire Advertiser: 8. 2 February 1897.
  3. ^ Scottish Football Historical Archive. "All-time Scottish Football Club Directory". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  4. ^ The first match reported is from October 1892: "Elgin Academy v Caledonian". Elgin Courant, and Morayshire Advertiser: 8. 18 October 1892.
  5. ^ "Sports and pastimes". Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland: 3. 22 August 1900.
  6. ^ "Highland Football League". Highland News: 6. 11 August 1900.
  7. ^ "Buckie - Football". Banffshire Advertiser - Thursday 0: 4. 6 September 1900.
  8. ^ Scottish Football Historical Archive. "Highland Football League – Final Tables 1893-date". Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Elgin Caledonian Football Club". Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express: 24. 21 December 1907.
  10. ^ "Highland players in arms". Daily Record: 6. 1 December 1914.
  11. ^ "Saturday's sport". Aberdeen Press and Journal: 10. 15 March 1926.
  12. ^ "Leaguewebsite.co.uk has now closed".
  13. ^ Most recent match reported on the club's facebook site was in April 2017:"Elgin Caledonian F.C." Facebook. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Elgin Combination v Elgin Caledonian". Elgin Courant, and Morayshire Advertiser: 8. 2 February 1897.
  15. ^ "Elgin Caledonian Football Club". Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express: 24. 21 December 1907.
  16. ^ "Sport and athletics". Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express: 8. 6 February 1909.
  17. ^ "North of Scotland Junior Cup". Elgin Courant, and Morayshire Advertiser: 8. 26 October 1897.
  18. ^ "Sport and athletics". Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express: 8. 3 October 1908.
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