View source for Scottish Football League

{{Short description|Defunct association football league in Scotland}}
{{Infobox football league
| name       = Scottish Football League (SFL)
| logo       = SFLLogo.svg
| pixels     = 200
| country    = {{SCO}}
| confed     = [[UEFA]]
| founded    = 1890
| folded     = 2013
| divisions  = 
| teams      = 
| promotion  = 
| relegation = 
| levels     = 
| domest_cup = 
| confed_cup = 
| champions  = [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]]
| season     = [[2012–13 Scottish Football League|2012–13]]
| most successful club = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] (47 titles)<ref group ="note">The Scottish Football League existed between 1890 and 2013, and did not contain the top division of Scottish league football between 1998 and 2013 ([[Scottish Premier League]]). For a complete record of clubs that have won Scottish league championships, see [[list of Scottish football champions]].</ref>
}}

The '''Scottish Football League''' ('''SFL''') is a defunct league featuring professional and semi-professional [[association football|football]] clubs mostly from [[Scotland]].<ref group = "note">One club, [[Berwick Rangers F.C.|Berwick Rangers]], is based in the town of [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]], which is located approximately 4&nbsp;km south of the [[Anglo-Scottish border]].</ref> From its foundation in 1890 until the breakaway [[Scottish Premier League]] (SPL) was formed in 1998, the SFL was the top level of [[football in Scotland]]. After 1998, the SFL represented levels 2 to 4 of the [[Scottish football league system]]. In June 2013, the SFL merged with the SPL to form the [[Scottish Professional Football League]].

The SFL was associated with a [[title sponsor]] from the [[1985–86 in Scottish football|1985–86]] season. As this sponsor changed over the years the league was known in turn as the '''Fine Fare League''', '''B&Q League''', '''Bell's Scottish Football League''' and finally as the '''Irn-Bru Scottish Football League'''. The SFL also organised two knock-out cup competitions, the [[Scottish League Cup]] and the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]].

==History==
{{See also|History of Scottish football}}

===Formation===
Organised football in Scotland began in 1873 with the formation of the [[Scottish Football Association]] (SFA).<ref name = "Crampsey3">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=3}}</ref> During the next 15 years or so, clubs would play [[friendly match]]es, [[Scottish Cup]] ties and local cup (e.g. [[Glasgow Cup]] or [[East of Scotland Shield]]) ties.<ref name = "Crampsey3"/> [[The Football League]], initially containing clubs from the [[North West England|North West]] and [[Midlands (England)|Midlands]] of England, was formed in 1888.<ref name = "Crampsey5">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=5}}</ref> This had been done in response to the professionalisation of football in England in 1885, with the regular diet of league fixtures replacing the haphazard arrangement of friendlies.<ref name = "Crampsey5"/> Many Scottish players, known as the [[Scotch Professors]], moved to the English league clubs to receive the relatively high salaries on offer.<ref name = "Crampsey6">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=6}}</ref>

This prompted Scottish clubs into thinking about forming their own league. In March 1890, the secretary of [[Renton F.C.|Renton]] wrote to thirteen other clubs inviting them to discuss the organisation of a league.<ref name = "Crampsey6"/> All of the clubs accepted the invitation, except [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]] and [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]].<ref name = "Crampsey7">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=7}}</ref> Amateur club Queen's Park, who were the oldest organised club in Scotland and had played a key role in the development of football, were opposed to the league because it would lead to professionalism and eliminate many of the smaller clubs.<ref name = "Crampsey7"/> These concerns were to prove well-founded, as six of the founder members would leave the league before 1900.<ref name = "Crampsey7"/>

The Scottish Football League (SFL) was inaugurated on 30 April 1890.<ref name = "Crampsey13">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=13}}</ref> The first season of competition, [[1890–91 Scottish Football League|1890–91]], commenced with 11 clubs because [[St Bernard's F.C.|St Bernard's]] were not elected.<ref name = "Crampsey13"/> The eleven original clubs in membership were [[Abercorn F.C.|Abercorn]], [[Cambuslang F.C.|Cambuslang]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], [[Cowlairs F.C.|Cowlairs]], [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]], [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]], [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], [[Renton F.C.|Renton]], [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]], [[Third Lanark A.C.|Third Lanark]] and [[Vale of Leven F.C.|Vale of Leven]].<ref>[https://www.scottishleaguehistory.com/p/how-it-all-began-early-beginnings-in.html How it all Began], Scottish League History</ref> Renton were expelled after five games of the 1890–91 season<ref name = "Crampsey20"/> for playing against [[St Bernard's F.C.|St Bernard's]], who had been found guilty of concealed professionalism. Renton raised an action against the SFA in the [[Court of Session]] and won, which meant that their SFA and SFL memberships were restored.<ref name = "Crampsey20"/>

In the [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]] season, Rangers and Dumbarton were level at the top of the league on 29 points.<ref name = "Crampsey20">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=20}}</ref> The teams drew 2–2 in a [[play-off]] match, but no further thought had been given to separating teams by another method and the championship was shared.<ref name = "Crampsey20"/> [[Goal average]] was introduced for the [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]] season and replaced by goal difference for the [[1971–72 in Scottish football|1971–72]] season.<ref name="goals">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0010/page02.shtml|title=Scottish League formed|publisher=BBC Scotland|first=Paul |last=MacDonald}}</ref>

===Split into divisions===

The league proved to be highly successful, and in 1893, a second tier was formed by the inclusion of a number of clubs previously in the [[Scottish Football Alliance]]. Promotion was initially based on a ballot of clubs; automatic promotion was not introduced until 1922.

The onset of [[World War I]] saw Division Two but not Division One being suspended, not restarting again until 1921 when the [[Central Football League]] was absorbed as a new division with automatic promotion.

'''Note:''' in contemporary sources the divisions were often referred to as 'First' and 'Second' rather than 'One' and 'Two'; the latter format has been used throughout the site to avoid confusion with the league's [[Scottish Football League First Division|First]] and [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]], each one tier lower than their predecessor, introduced in the 1970s (see below).

===Division Three===

In 1923, the League decided to introduce a third tier. The [[Western Football League (Scotland)|Western League]] was used as its backbone<ref name="cdiv">{{Cite web |title=Scottish Football League - C Division |url=http://www.oocities.org/br1anmccoll/cdiv.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731122524/http://www.oocities.org/br1anmccoll/cdiv.htm |archive-date=Jul 31, 2023 |website=Scottish Football Historical Archive |publisher=OoCities.org}}</ref> but the new set-up lasted only three years before it collapsed under heavy financial losses. From 1926 until 1946, the League reverted to two divisions with many of the third tier clubs joining the second iteration of Scottish Football Alliance.<ref>[http://www.oocities.org/br1anmccoll/scottishalliance3.htm Scottish Football Alliance (Third version 1919-1938)], Scottish Football Historical Archive</ref>

Post-[[World War II]] reforms saw the League resume with three divisions, renamed 'A', 'B' and 'C' with the last section also including [[reserve team|reserve sides]].<ref>[http://sfha.org.uk/scottishreservelg2.htm Scottish Reserve League Competitions Part 2 1945-1955], Scottish Football Historical Archive 1 November 2020</ref><ref>[http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/CDivision.html The C Division – the "other clubs" division], Alan Bell, via Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database</ref>  In 1947, league championship trophies were introduced for the first time for the top two divisions, until then only flags had been presented to the winners. The new trophies were engraved with the names of all previous winners.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 1947 |title=Scottish League Chief Honoured |pages=3 |work=[[Dundee Courier]] |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19471001/050/0003 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref> 

In 1949, the 'C' Division was expanded to two sections&nbsp;– South-East (North-East from 1950) and South-West. The withdrawal of the reserves from 'C' Division in 1955 saw a return to two divisions with the 5 first teams in Division C being given automatic promotion.<ref name="cdiv"/><ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scot3hist.html Scotland - Final Tables Third Level 1924-2004], [[RSSSF]]</ref> There were then 18 clubs in Division A and 19 in Division B. In 1956 the divisions were renamed Division 1 and Division 2.

[[Clydebank F.C. (1965)|Clydebank]] were elected to Division Two as the 20th club in 1966, but following the demise of [[Third Lanark A.C.|Third Lanark]] in 1967, Division Two kept operating with just 19 clubs; the situation would not be corrected until the next change of format, which happened in 1975.

This change of structure split the league into three divisions, Premier, First, and Second Divisions. This permitted more frequent fixtures between the top clubs; the expectation was that meant greater revenue for them, and it was hoped it would stimulate greater interest, at a time when attendance at league matches had dropped alarmingly. One year before the restructuring, a new club entered the league, [[Meadowbank Thistle]] (which would eventually become [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]]). This three-divisional structure of 38 clubs continued until 1994.

===Four-division period and SPL split===
After a couple of decades, in 1994 the league again reorganised (following an attempted 'Super League' breakaway by the top clubs in 1992)<ref>[https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/rangers-and-hearts-owners-hibs-and-aberdeen-involved-celtic-wavering-recalling-failed-scottish-super-league-breakaway-of-1992-3207472?amp Rangers and Hearts owners, Hibs and Aberdeen involved, Celtic wavering - recalling failed Scottish Super League breakaway of 1992], Stephen Halliday, The Scotsman, 20 April 2021</ref> with four divisions of 10 teams, as [[Highland Football League|Highland League]] clubs [[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]] (a merger of two existing clubs in the city) and [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]] were elected to round out the league. At the same time, the SFL adopted the system of [[three points for a win]]. In 1998 the Premier Division clubs split from the league to form the [[Scottish Premier League]] (SPL).<ref>{{cite news|last=Grahame|first=Ewing|title=Low in attendance, low in achievement – the SPL's dismal legacy of failure|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/low-attendance-low-achievement-spls-dismal-legacy-failure-1618057|access-date=1 December 2021 |work=The Scotsman|date=13 July 2012}}</ref> The remaining leagues, of ten clubs each, kept their names and the Premier Division was not reconstituted, leaving First, Second and Third Divisions. Part of the agreement was that the SPL would expand to 12 clubs in 2000. The SFL then took in two new members to replace the two clubs lost to the SPL; Highland League clubs [[Elgin City F.C.|Elgin City]] and [[Peterhead F.C.|Peterhead]] were admitted, increasing the total number of clubs in the Scottish football league system to 42.

From 2005, the SFL determined a [[promotion and relegation]] place between each division according to [[playoffs]] between four clubs.<ref name = "promotion">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/irn-bru-sfl-play-offs-201112/ |title=IRN-BRU SFL PLAY-OFFS 2011/12 |work=www.scottishfootballleague.com |publisher=Scottish Football League |date=30 April 2012 |access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref> The playoffs were contested between the ninth placed (second bottom) club in the higher division and the second, third and fourth placed clubs in the lower division.<ref name = "promotion"/> It was therefore possible for a team finishing fourth in the Second Division or Third Division to be promoted, rather than the clubs finishing immediately above them in the standings.<ref name = "promotion"/> It was also possible for the ninth placed club to retain their position in the higher division.<ref name = "promotion"/>

{{Rquote|right|"Our review of non-financial matters indicate an organisation which is not wholly suited to the modern-day business environment, or the size of the league."|Pannell Kerr Foster|''BBC Sport website''}}In March 2007, a self-conducted review found the league to be three times more expensive to run than equivalent leagues in England, with a report stating the league structure was "outdated": the report found that the [[Football Conference]] had four employees looking after 68 clubs, while the SFL had 14 people running leagues with just 30 clubs.<ref name="review">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/6418853.stm|title=Scottish League branded out-dated|work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 December 2012|date=5 March 2007}}</ref>

===Merger===
No clubs were relegated from the bottom end of the Scottish Football League,<ref name = "promotion"/> although there were changes of membership due to clubs going out of business.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moffat|first=Colin|title=The lights go off at Gretna|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7406153.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 July 2012|date=3 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Airdrie buy Bankies|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/2118528.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 July 2012|date=9 July 2002}}</ref><ref name = "annan">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/7487357.stm|title = Annan voted into Scottish League|work=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2008|access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18813407 |title=Rangers: Charles Green accepts Division Three vote |work=BBC Sport |date=13 July 2012 |access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref>  The Scottish Football Association were keen for a pyramid system to be instituted. SFL First Division clubs wanted to gain a greater share of the media revenue generated by the SPL.<ref name = "merger">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22864944 |title=Scottish Football League clubs vote in favour of a proposed merger with the Scottish Premier League. |work=BBC Sport |access-date=10 December 2013}}</ref> In 2013, both the SPL and SFL voted in favour of merging to form the new [[Scottish Professional Football League]].<ref name = "merger"/> The number of divisions and clubs in each division remained the same, but there were changes to the financial distribution model.<ref name = "merger"/> The first club to be promoted to the SPFL from the new [[Lowland Football League|Lowland League]] via playoffs was [[Edinburgh City F.C.|Edinburgh City]] in 2016 at the expense of [[East Stirlingshire]], while in 2019 [[Cove Rangers F.C.|Cove Rangers]] were the first [[Highland Football League|Highland League]] champions to go up, replacing [[Berwick Rangers F.C.|Berwick Rangers]].

==Cup competitions==
{{main|Scottish League Cup|Scottish Challenge Cup}}
The Scottish Football League organised two knock-out cup competitions: the [[Scottish League Cup]] and the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]]. The League Cup was established in 1946, succeeding the wartime Southern League Cup. Unlike the [[Scottish Cup]], organised by the [[Scottish Football Association]], the League Cup was only open to Scottish Football League clubs. Scottish Premier League clubs continued to participate in the League Cup after the top tier clubs broke away in 1998. Until the mid-1990s, the competition winner was eligible to participate in the [[UEFA Cup]], but this was discontinued due to a loss of European places.

The Scottish Challenge Cup was instituted in 1990, to celebrate the League's centenary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scotchcuphist.html |title=Scottish League Challenge Cup Finals |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |year=2009 |access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref> The Challenge Cup was only open to Scottish Football League clubs outside the top division of the [[Scottish football league system]]. From 2011, two [[Highland Football League]] clubs were allowed to participate each year in the Challenge Cup, to give a round number of 32 clubs participating.<ref name = "new ramsdens">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13671944 |title=Highland duo enter new Ramsdens Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2011 |access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref> Both the League Cup and the Challenge Cup continued under the auspices of the [[Scottish Professional Football League]].

==League sponsorship and media rights==
From 1985, the League accepted sponsorships for its main competition.<ref name = "Crampsey218">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=218}}</ref> Below is a list of sponsors and the League's name under their sponsorship:

*1985–1988: [[Fine Fare]] (Fine Fare League)<ref name = "Crampsey218"/>
*1988–1992: [[B&Q]] (B&Q League)<ref name = "Crampsey218"/>
*1992–1994: ''No sponsor''
*1994–1998: [[Bell's whisky]] (Bell's League)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-scottish-sponsors-decide-to-pull-out-1233382.html |title=Football: Scottish sponsors decide to pull out |first=Ken |last=Gaunt |work=The Independent |date=1 October 1997 |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref>
*1998–1999: ''No sponsor''
*1999–2006: [[Bell's whisky]] (Bell's League)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/bell-s-sponsorship-of-sfl-to-finish/ |title=Press Release |date=19 August 2005 |access-date=25 December 2012 |work=www.scottishfootballleague.com |publisher=Scottish Football League}}</ref><ref name = "irn-bru 2007"/>
*2006–2007: ''No sponsor''<ref name = "irn-bru 2007">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/6908169.stm |title=SFL ends search for new sponsor |work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2007 |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref>
*2007–2013: [[Irn-Bru]] (Irn-Bru League)<ref name = "irn-bru 2007"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/sfl-signs-3m-sponsorship-extension-1050942 |title=SFL signs £3m sponsorship extension with Irn-Bru |work=Daily Record |publisher=Trinity Mirror |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/8523226.stm |title=SFL secures sponsorship extension with Irn-Bru |work=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref>

The League's cup competitions have had different sponsors, with the [[Scottish League Cup]] first attracting sponsorship in 1979.<ref>{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=239}}</ref> The competition was revamped in 1984, adopting a straight knock-out format, when [[Skol Lager]] began its sponsorship.<ref>{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=242}}</ref> [[The Co-operative Insurance]] company sponsored the League Cup for 12 seasons, until the [[2010–11 Scottish League Cup|2010–11]] competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/9041828.stm |title=Co-operative Insurance end Scottish League Cup deal|work=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref> It has since been sponsored by the [[Scottish Government]], under the name of the ''Scottish Communities League Cup''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/9431726.stm |title=Scottish Government crime seizures to fund League Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] was created by League sponsor B&Q in 1990, but it was cancelled in [[1998–99 in Scottish football|1998–99]] due to a lack of sponsorship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dafc.co.uk/articles/20120725/preview-forfar-athletic_2207955_2857331 |title=Preview Forfar Athletic |work=www.dafc.co.uk |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic FC |access-date=25 December 2012 |archive-date=1 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101230335/http://www.dafc.co.uk/articles/20120725/preview-forfar-athletic_2207955_2857331 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2008, the Challenge Cup has attracted its own sponsor, with [[BBC Alba]] and Ramsdens providing support.<ref name = "new ramsdens"/>

Before 1979, the major source of revenue to Scottish Football League clubs, apart from their attendances, was from the [[football pool]]s.<ref name = "crampsey259">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=259}}</ref> In the year ended 31 March 1983, the pools generated £1.08 million out of a total of £1.46 million.<ref>{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=217}}</ref> By 1990, this source of income had been overtaken by revenue from sponsorships and television rights.<ref name = "crampsey259"/> As of 1990, 75% of these central revenues were split equally between the 38 member clubs, with the remaining 25% allocated according to each club's position in the league ladder.<ref name = "crampsey259"/> During the 1970s and 1980s, the main terrestrial television companies ([[STV (TV network)|STV]] and [[BBC Scotland]]) produced shows (''[[Scotsport]]'' and ''[[Sportscene]]'' respectively) containing highlights of league matches.<ref name = "crampsey198">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=198}}</ref> The revenues from these broadcasts were relatively small, with the companies paying less than £1000 per match in the mid-1970s.<ref name = "crampsey198"/> [[BBC Radio Scotland]] had exclusive rights for live radio coverage of matches at this time,<ref>{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=202}}</ref> with independent stations such as [[Radio Clyde]] providing coverage via score updates and analysis.<ref>{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=213}}</ref>

The first live television broadcast of a Scottish league match was not until April 1986.<ref name = "hearts 86">{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/dens-memories-reduce-former-hearts-manager-to-tears-1-1106559 |title=Dens memories reduce former Hearts manager to tears |work=sport.scotsman.com |publisher=Johnston Publishing |date=17 February 2006 |access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> Earlier in the [[1985–86 in Scottish football|1985–86]] season, there had been no television coverage at all due to a dispute between the League and the broadcasters.<ref name = "hearts 86"/> The birth of satellite broadcaster [[British Sky Broadcasting]] (Sky TV) changed the situation significantly.<ref name = "keys">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/brian-viner-prehistoric-maybe-but-ill-miss-gray-and-keys-2196514.html |title=Brian Viner: Prehistoric maybe, but I'll miss Gray and Keys |first=Brian |last=Viner |work=The Independent |date=28 January 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> As ITV had an exclusive contract for live coverage of games in [[The Football League|the English league]], the first match shown on Sky was a [[Scottish Football League Premier Division|Scottish Premier Division]] match between [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] and [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] in April 1991.<ref name = "keys"/> A year later, the top division English clubs formed a breakaway [[Premier League]], signing an exclusive television contract with Sky. Live Scottish Premier Division games were shown on STV during the 1990s, but the top division clubs formed the breakaway [[Scottish Premier League]] in 1998 and signed an exclusive broadcast contract with Sky.

This left the remaining Scottish Football League clubs without live coverage, although STV continued to show highlights of [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]] games in their ''Football First'' show. [[Scots Gaelic]] channel [[BBC Alba]] provided coverage of Scottish Football League games, including the Challenge Cup, from its launch in 2008.<ref name = "new ramsdens"/> Live coverage on English language channels returned to Scottish Football League games in the 2012–13 season, as Sky and [[ESPN (UK)|ESPN]] agreed contracts to show [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]] matches involving [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref name = "sky deal">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19070877 |title=Sky reveals new SPL TV deal for five years |work=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref name = "espn deal">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19113843 |title=ESPN announces deal to show SPL and Rangers live|work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> These arrangements secured revenues that had been under threat due to the [[administration and liquidation of The Rangers Football Club Plc|financial collapse of Rangers]].<ref name = "sky deal"/><ref name = "espn deal"/>

==Member clubs==
{{main|List of Scottish Football League clubs}}
Of the original SFL clubs, Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, St Mirren and Dumbarton are the only clubs today playing in the successor [[Scottish Professional Football League]]. Every other club is either defunct or out of the League.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left"
|-
! width=180|Club
! width=150|First season in SFL
! width=150|Last season in SFL
! width=150|[[List of Scottish football champions|Last national title]]
|-
| align=left|[[Abercorn F.C.|Abercorn]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1914–15 in Scottish football|1914–15]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
| [[1904–05 in Scottish football|1904–05]]
| [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]
| [[1984–85 in Scottish football|1984–85]]
|-
| align=left|[[Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)|Airdrieonians (1878)]]
| [[1894–95 in Scottish football|1894–95]]
| [[2001–02 in Scottish football|2001–02]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Airdrieonians F.C.|Airdrieonians (2002)]]
| [[2002–03 in Scottish football|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/AIRDRIEU.HTM |title=Airdrie United|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Albion Rovers F.C.|Albion Rovers]]
| [[1903–04 in Scottish football|1903–04]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/ALBIONR.HTM |title=Albion Rovers|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Alloa Athletic F.C.|Alloa Athletic]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/ALLOAATH.HTM |title=Alloa Athletic|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Annan Athletic F.C.|Annan Athletic]]
| [[2008–09 in Scottish football|2008–09]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/ANNANA.HTM |title=Annan Athletic|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/ARBROATH.HTM |title=Arbroath|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Armadale F.C.|Armadale]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]
| [[1931–32 in Scottish football|1931–32]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Arthurlie F.C.|Arthurlie]]
| [[1901–02 in Scottish football|1901–02]]
| [[1928–29 in Scottish football|1928–29]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Ayr F.C.|Ayr]]
| [[1897–98 in Scottish football|1897–98]]
| [[1909–10 in Scottish football|1909–10]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Ayr Parkhouse F.C.|Ayr Parkhouse]]
| [[1902–03 in Scottish football|1902–03]]
| [[1909–10 in Scottish football|1909–10]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]]
| [[1910–11 in Scottish football|1910–11]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/AYRUTD.HTM |title=Ayr United|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Bathgate F.C.|Bathgate]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]
| [[1928–29 in Scottish football|1928–29]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Beith F.C.|Beith]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Berwick Rangers F.C.|Berwick Rangers]]
| [[1951–52 in Scottish football|1951–52]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/BERWICKR.HTM |title=Berwick Rangers|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Bo'ness F.C.|Bo'ness]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]
| [[1931–32 in Scottish football|1931–32]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/BRECHINC.HTM |title=Brechin City|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Broxburn United F.C.|Broxburn United]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Cambuslang F.C.|Cambuslang]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1891–92 in Scottish football|1891–92]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]
| [[2022–23 in Scottish football|2022–23]]
|-
| align=left|[[Clackmannan F.C.|Clackmannan]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
| [[1891–92 in Scottish football|1891–92]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/CLYDE.HTM |title=Clyde |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Clydebank F.C. (1914)|Clydebank (1914)]]
| [[1914–15 in Scottish football|1914–15]]
| [[1930–31 in Scottish football|1930–31]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Clydebank F.C. (1965)|Clydebank]]
| [[1965–66 in Scottish football|1965–66]]
| [[2001–02 in Scottish football|2001–02]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]]
| [[1905–06 in Scottish football|1905–06]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/COWDENBE.HTM |title=Cowdenbeath |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Cowlairs F.C.|Cowlairs]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1894–95 in Scottish football|1894–95]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/DUMBARTO.HTM |title=Dumbarton |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| [[1891–92 in Scottish football|1891–92]]
|-
| align=left|[[Dumbarton Harp F.C.|Dumbarton Harp]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1924–25 in Scottish football|1924–25]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| [[2011–12 in Scottish football|2011–12]]
| [[1961–62 in Scottish football|1961–62]]
|-
| align=left|[[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]]
| [[1910–11 in Scottish football|1910–11]]
| [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]
| [[1982–83 in Scottish football|1982–83]]
|-
| align=left|[[Dundee Wanderers F.C.|Dundee Wanderers]]
| [[1894–95 in Scottish football|1894–95]]
| [[1894–95 in Scottish football|1894–95]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]]
| [[1912–13 in Scottish football|1912–13]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/DUNFERMA.HTM |title=Dunfermline Athletic|work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Dykehead F.C.|Dykehead]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/E-FIFE.HTM |title=east Fife |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[East Stirlingshire F.C.|East Stirlingshire]]
| [[1900–01 in Scottish football|1900–01]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/E-STIRLI.HTM |title=East Stirlingshire |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Edinburgh City F.C. (1928)|Edinburgh City (1928)]]
| [[1931–32 in Scottish football|1931–32]]
| [[1948–49 in Scottish football|1948–49]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Elgin City F.C.|Elgin City]]
| [[2000–01 in Scottish football|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/ELGINC.HTM |title=Elgin City |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]
| [[1902–03 in Scottish football|1902–03]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/FALKIRK.HTM |title=Falkirk |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Forfar Athletic F.C.|Forfar Athletic]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/FORFARA.HTM |title=Forfar Athletic |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Galston F.C.|Galston]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Greenock Morton]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/MORTON.HTM |title=Morton |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]]
| [[2002–03 in Scottish football|2002–03]]
| [[2006–07 in Scottish football|2006–07]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical]]
| [[1897–98 in Scottish football|1897–98]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/HAMILTOA.HTM |title=Hamilton Academical |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]] 
| [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]
| [[1959–60 in Scottish football|1959–60]]
|-
| align=left|[[Helensburgh F.C.|Helensburgh]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| [[1998–99 in Scottish football|1998–99]]
| [[1951–52 in Scottish football|1951–52]]
|-
| align=left|[[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]]
| [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1994–95]]
| [[2009–10 in Scottish football|2009–10]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Johnstone F.C.|Johnstone]]
| [[1912–13 in Scottish football|1912–13]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
| [[1895–96 in Scottish football|1895–96]]
| [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]
| [[1964–65 in Scottish football|1964–65]]
|-
| align=left|[[King's Park F.C.|King's Park]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]
| [[1938–39 in Scottish football|1938–39]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Leith Athletic F.C.|Leith Athletic]]
| [[1891–92 in Scottish football|1891–92]]
| [[1952–53 in Scottish football|1952–53]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Linthouse F.C.|Linthouse]]
| [[1895–96 in Scottish football|1895–96]]
| [[1899–1900 in Scottish football|1899–1900]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]]
| [[1995–96 in Scottish football|1995–96]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/LIVINGST.HTM |title=Livingston |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Lochgelly United F.C.|Lochgelly United]]
| [[1914–15 in Scottish football|1914–15]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Meadowbank Thistle F.C.|Meadowbank Thistle]]
| [[1974–75 in Scottish football|1974–75]]
| [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1994–95]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Mid-Annandale F.C.|Mid-Annandale]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Montrose F.C.|Montrose]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/MONTROSE.HTM |title=Montrose |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]] 
| [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]
| [[1931–32 in Scottish football|1931–32]]
|-
| align=left|[[Nithsdale Wanderers F.C.|Nithsdale Wanderers]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1926–27 in Scottish football|1926–27]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Northern F.C.|Northern]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/PARTICKT.HTM |title=Partick Thistle |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Peebles Rovers F.C.|Peebles Rovers]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Peterhead F.C.|Peterhead]]
| [[2000–01 in Scottish football|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/PETERHEA.HTM |title=Peterhead |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Port Glasgow Athletic F.C.|Port Glasgow Athletic]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| [[1910–11 in Scottish football|1910–11]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/QUEENOTS.HTM |title=Queen of the South |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]]
| [[1900–01 in Scottish football|1900–01]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/QUEENSPG.HTM |title=Queen's Park [glasgow] |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]
| [[1902–03 in Scottish football|1902–03]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/RAITHROV.HTM |title=Raith Rovers |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/RANGERS.HTM |title=Rangers |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| [[2020–21 in Scottish football|2020–21]]
|-
| align=left|[[Renton F.C.|Renton]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1897–98 in Scottish football|1897–98]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]]
| [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1994–95]]
| [[2011–12 in Scottish football|2011–12]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Royal Albert F.C.|Royal Albert]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[St Bernard's F.C.|St Bernard's]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| [[1938–39 in Scottish football|1938–39]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]
| [[1897–98 in Scottish football|1897–98]]
| [[2008–09 in Scottish football|2008–09]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[2005–06 in Scottish football|2005–06]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Solway Star F.C.|Solway Star]]
| [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]]
| [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/STENHOUS.HTM |title=Stenhousemuir |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Stirling Albion F.C.|Stirling Albion]]
| [[1946–47 in Scottish football|1946–47]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/STIRLINA.HTM |title=Stirling Albion |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left| [[Stranraer F.C.|Stranraer]]
| [[1949–50 in Scottish football|1949–50]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/STRANRAE.HTM |title=Stranraer |work=www.fchd.info|access-date=8 December 2012}}</ref>
| [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Third Lanark A.C.|Third Lanark]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1966–67 in Scottish football|1966–67]]
| [[1903–04 in Scottish football|1903–04]]
|-
| align=left|[[Thistle F.C.|Thistle]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| [[1893–94 in Scottish football|1893–94]]
| —
|-
| align=left|[[Vale of Leven F.C.|Vale of Leven]]
| [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1890–91]]
| [[1925–26 in Scottish football|1925–26]]
| —
|}

==Past winners==
{{main|List of Scottish football champions|List of winners of the Scottish Championship  and predecessors|List of winners of the Scottish League One and predecessors}}
When the Scottish Football League was established in 1890, all of the clubs played in just one division. In 1893 the Scottish Football League absorbed many clubs from the [[Scottish Football Alliance]] and had enough clubs to form another division. The existing division was renamed Division One and the new division was called Division Two. Nevertheless, [[promotion and relegation]] between the top two divisions was not automatic until [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22]] when Division Two was brought back after a hiatus provoked by [[World War I]] which affected only that division; hence some teams of the era winning Division Two twice in a row before being promoted, and some Division Two winners being never promoted at all.

A third tier of Scottish league football was first established in the [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]] season, but it only lasted for two full seasons due to financial difficulties. A third tier league (called Division C) was reintroduced in [[1946–47 in Scottish football|1946–47]]. Division C, which also included [[reserve team]]s of higher division clubs, operated as a national competition for the first three seasons but thereafter it was split into two regional sections. During this period only full-strength clubs (not reserve teams) were promoted if they finished as champions. The two-division tier was abolished after the [[1954–55 in Scottish football|1954–55]] season.

Since the [[1975–76 in Scottish football|1975–76]] season there has been a third tier, known as the [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]]. The top tier became the [[Scottish Football League Premier Division|Premier Division]] and the second tier became known as the First Division. A fourth tier, known as the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]], was introduced in 1994. The last major change within the [[Scottish football league system]] was in [[1998–99 in Scottish football|1998–99]], when the Premier Division clubs broke away from the Scottish Football League to form the [[Scottish Premier League]]. The remaining Scottish Football League divisions continued as before.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width=40|No.
! width=150|Season
! width=180|1st tier
! width=180|2nd tier
! width=180|3rd tier
! width=180|4th tier
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;1.
| [[1890–91 Scottish Football League|1890–91]]
| [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]] (share)<ref name = "Crampsey20"/><br />[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] (share)<ref name = "Crampsey20"/>
| rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
| rowspan=33 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
| rowspan=49 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;2.
| [[1891–92 Scottish Football League|1891–92]]
| Dumbarton
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;3.
| [[1892–93 Scottish Football League|1892–93]]
| [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;4.
| [[1893–94 Scottish Football League|1893–94]]
| Celtic
| [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]]
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;5.
| [[1894–95 Scottish Football League|1894–95]]
| [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]
| Hibernian
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;6.
| [[1895–96 Scottish Football League|1895–96]]
| Celtic
| [[Abercorn F.C.|Abercorn]]
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;7.
| [[1896–97 Scottish Football League|1896–97]]
| Heart of Midlothian
| [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]]
|-
| &nbsp;8.
| [[1897–98 Scottish Football League|1897–98]]
| Celtic
| [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
|-
| &nbsp;9.
| [[1898–99 Scottish Football League|1898–99]]
| Rangers
| Kilmarnock
|-
| &nbsp;10.
| [[1899–1900 Scottish Football League|1899–1900]]
| Rangers
| Partick Thistle
|-
| &nbsp;11.
| [[1900–01 Scottish Football League|1900–01]]
| Rangers
| [[St Bernard's F.C.|St Bernard's]]
|-
| &nbsp;12.
| [[1901–02 Scottish Football League|1901–02]]
| Rangers
| [[Port Glasgow Athletic F.C.|Port Glasgow Athletic]]
|-
| &nbsp;13.
| [[1902–03 Scottish Football League|1902–03]]
| Hibernian
| [[Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)|Airdrieonians]]
|-
| &nbsp;14.
| [[1903–04 Scottish Football League|1903–04]]
| [[Third Lanark A.C.|Third Lanark]]
| [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical]]
|-
| &nbsp;15.
| [[1904–05 Scottish Football League|1904–05]]
| Celtic
| [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
|-
| &nbsp;16.
| [[1905–06 Scottish Football League|1905–06]]
| Celtic
| [[Leith Athletic F.C.|Leith Athletic]]
|-
| &nbsp;17.
| [[1906–07 Scottish Football League|1906–07]]
| Celtic
| St Bernard's
|-
| &nbsp;18.
| [[1907–08 Scottish Football League|1907–08]]
| Celtic
| [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]
|-
| &nbsp;19.
| [[1908–09 Scottish Football League|1908–09]]
| Celtic
| Abercorn
|-
| &nbsp;20.
| [[1909–10 Scottish Football League|1909–10]]
| Celtic
| Leith Athletic (share)<br />Raith Rovers (share)
|-
| &nbsp;21.
| [[1910–11 Scottish Football League|1910–11]]
| Rangers
| Dumbarton
|-
| &nbsp;22.
| [[1911–12 Scottish Football League|1911–12]]
| Rangers
| [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]]
|-
| &nbsp;23.
| [[1912–13 Scottish Football League|1912–13]]
| Rangers
| Ayr United
|-
| &nbsp;24.
| [[1913–14 Scottish Football League|1913–14]]
| Celtic
| [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]]
|-
| &nbsp;25.
| [[1914–15 Scottish Football League|1914–15]]
| Celtic
| Cowdenbeath
|-
| &nbsp;26.
| [[1915–16 Scottish Football League|1915–16]]
| Celtic
| rowspan=6 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
|-
| &nbsp;27.
| [[1916–17 Scottish Football League|1916–17]]
| Celtic
|-
| &nbsp;28.
| [[1917–18 Scottish Football League|1917–18]]
| Rangers
|-
| &nbsp;29.
| [[1918–19 Scottish Football League|1918–19]]
| Celtic
|-
| &nbsp;30.
| [[1919–20 Scottish Football League|1919–20]]
| Rangers
|-
| &nbsp;31.
| [[1920–21 Scottish Football League|1920–21]]
| Rangers
|-
| &nbsp;32.
| [[1921–22 Scottish Football League|1921–22]]
| Celtic
| [[Alloa Athletic F.C.|Alloa Athletic]]
|-
| &nbsp;33.
| [[1922–23 Scottish Football League|1922–23]]
| Rangers
| [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]]
|-
| &nbsp;34.
| [[1923–24 Scottish Football League|1923–24]]
| Rangers
| [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]
| [[Arthurlie F.C.|Arthurlie]]
|-
| &nbsp;35.
| [[1924–25 Scottish Football League|1924–25]]
| Rangers
| [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]]
| [[Nithsdale Wanderers F.C.|Nithsdale Wanderers]]
|-
| &nbsp;36.
| [[1925–26 Scottish Football League|1925–26]]
| Celtic
| [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]]
| ''Not awarded''<ref group = "note">Helensburgh gained the most points, but no title was awarded as they were the only club to complete their fixtures.</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;37.
| [[1926–27 Scottish Football League|1926–27]]
| Rangers
| [[Bo'ness United F.C.|Bo'ness United]]
| rowspan=13 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
|-
| &nbsp;38.
| [[1927–28 Scottish Football League|1927–28]]
| Rangers
| Ayr United
|-
| &nbsp;39.
| [[1928–29 Scottish Football League|1928–29]]
| Rangers
| Dundee United
|-
| &nbsp;40.
| [[1929–30 Scottish Football League|1929–30]]
| Rangers
| Leith Athletic
|-
| &nbsp;41.
| [[1930–31 Scottish Football League|1930–31]]
| Rangers
| Third Lanark
|-
| &nbsp;42.
| [[1931–32 Scottish Football League|1931–32]]
| [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]
| [[East Stirlingshire F.C.|East Stirlingshire]]
|-
| &nbsp;43.
| [[1932–33 Scottish Football League|1932–33]]
| Rangers
| Hibernian
|-
| &nbsp;44.
| [[1933–34 Scottish Football League|1933–34]]
| Rangers
| [[Albion Rovers F.C.|Albion Rovers]]
|-
| &nbsp;45.
| [[1934–35 Scottish Football League|1934–35]]
| Rangers
| Third Lanark
|-
| &nbsp;46.
| [[1935–36 Scottish Football League|1935–36]]
| Celtic
| [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]
|-
| &nbsp;47.
| [[1936–37 Scottish Football League|1936–37]]
| Rangers
| Ayr United
|-
| &nbsp;48.
| [[1937–38 Scottish Football League|1937–38]]
| Celtic
| Raith Rovers
|-
| &nbsp;49.
| [[1938–39 Scottish Football League|1938–39]]
| Rangers
| Cowdenbeath
|-
| &nbsp;50.
| [[1939–40 Scottish Football League|1939–40]]
| colspan=4 | League abandoned after five matches due to the commencement of [[World War II]].
|-
| {{center|&mdash;}}
| 1940–46
| colspan=4 | League suspended due to World War II.
|-
| &nbsp;51.
| [[1946–47 Scottish Football League|1946–47]]
| Rangers
| [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]]
| [[Stirling Albion F.C.|Stirling Albion]]
| rowspan=54 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
|-
| &nbsp;52.
| [[1947–48 Scottish Football League|1947–48]]
| Hibernian
| [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]]
| East Stirlingshire
|-
| &nbsp;53.
| [[1948–49 Scottish Football League|1948–49]]
| Rangers
| Raith Rovers
| [[Forfar Athletic F.C.|Forfar Athletic]]
|-
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;54.
| rowspan=2 | [[1949–50 Scottish Football League|1949–50]]
| rowspan=2 | Rangers
| rowspan=2 | [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Morton]]
| Hibernian [[reserve team|A]]
|-
| Clyde A
|-
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;55.
| rowspan=2 | [[1950–51 Scottish Football League|1950–51]]
| rowspan=2 | Hibernian
| rowspan=2 | [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]]
| Heart of Midlothian A
|-
| Clyde A
|-
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;56.
| rowspan=2 | [[1951–52 Scottish Football League|1951–52]]
| rowspan=2 | Hibernian
| rowspan=2 | Clyde
| Dundee A
|-
| Rangers A
|-
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;57.
| rowspan=2 | [[1952–53 Scottish Football League|1952–53]]
| rowspan=2 | Rangers
| rowspan=2 | Stirling Albion
| [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] A
|-
| Rangers A
|-
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;58.
| rowspan=2 | [[1953–54 Scottish Football League|1953–54]]
| rowspan=2 | Celtic
| rowspan=2 | Motherwell
| [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]]
|-
| Rangers A
|-
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;59.
| rowspan=2 | [[1954–55 Scottish Football League|1954–55]]
| rowspan=2 | Aberdeen
| rowspan=2 | Airdrieonians
| Aberdeen A
|-
| Partick Thistle A
|-
| &nbsp;60.
| [[1955–56 Scottish Football League|1955–56]]
| Rangers
| Queen's Park
| rowspan=20 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
|-
| &nbsp;61.
| [[1956–57 Scottish Football League|1956–57]]
| Rangers
| Clyde
|-
| &nbsp;62.
| [[1957–58 Scottish Football League|1957–58]]
| Heart of Midlothian
| Stirling Albion
|-
| &nbsp;63.
| [[1958–59 Scottish Football League|1958–59]]
| Rangers
| Ayr United
|-
| &nbsp;64.
| [[1959–60 Scottish Football League|1959–60]]
| Heart of Midlothian
| St Johnstone
|-
| &nbsp;65.
| [[1960–61 Scottish Football League|1960–61]]
| Rangers
| Stirling Albion
|-
| &nbsp;66.
| [[1961–62 Scottish Football League|1961–62]]
| Dundee
| Clyde
|-
| &nbsp;67.
| [[1962–63 Scottish Football League|1962–63]]
| Rangers
| St Johnstone
|-
| &nbsp;68.
| [[1963–64 Scottish Football League|1963–64]]
| Rangers
| Morton
|-
| &nbsp;69.
| [[1964–65 Scottish Football League|1964–65]]
| Kilmarnock
| Stirling Albion
|-
| &nbsp;70.
| [[1965–66 Scottish Football League|1965–66]]
| Celtic
| Ayr United
|-
| &nbsp;71.
| [[1966–67 Scottish Football League|1966–67]]
| Celtic
| Morton
|-
| &nbsp;72.
| [[1967–68 Scottish Football League|1967–68]]
| Celtic
| [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]]
|-
| &nbsp;73.
| [[1968–69 Scottish Football League|1968–69]]
| Celtic
| Motherwell
|-
| &nbsp;74.
| [[1969–70 Scottish Football League|1969–70]]
| Celtic
| Falkirk
|-
| &nbsp;75.
| [[1970–71 Scottish Football League|1970–71]]
| Celtic
| Partick Thistle
|-
| &nbsp;76.
| [[1971–72 Scottish Football League|1971–72]]
| Celtic
| Dumbarton
|-
| &nbsp;77.
| [[1972–73 Scottish Football League|1972–73]]
| Celtic
| Clyde
|-
| &nbsp;78.
| [[1973–74 Scottish Football League|1973–74]]
| Celtic
| Airdrieonians
|-
| &nbsp;79.
| [[1974–75 Scottish Football League|1974–75]]
| Rangers
| Falkirk
|-
| &nbsp;80.
| [[1975–76 Scottish Football League|1975–76]]
| Rangers
| Partick Thistle
| [[Clydebank F.C. (1965)|Clydebank]]
|-
| &nbsp;81.
| [[1976–77 Scottish Football League|1976–77]]
| Celtic
| St Mirren
| Stirling Albion
|-
| &nbsp;82.
| [[1977–78 Scottish Football League|1977–78]]
| Rangers
| Morton
| Clyde
|-
| &nbsp;83.
| [[1978–79 Scottish Football League|1978–79]]
| Celtic
| Dundee
| [[Berwick Rangers F.C.|Berwick Rangers]]
|-
| &nbsp;84.
| [[1979–80 Scottish Football League|1979–80]]
| Aberdeen
| Heart of Midlothian
| Falkirk
|-
| &nbsp;85.
| [[1980–81 Scottish Football League|1980–81]]
| Celtic
| Hibernian
| Queen's Park
|-
| &nbsp;86.
| [[1981–82 Scottish Football League|1981–82]]
| Celtic
| Motherwell
| Clyde
|-
| &nbsp;87.
| [[1982–83 Scottish Football League|1982–83]]
| Dundee United
| St Johnstone
| Brechin City
|-
| &nbsp;88.
| [[1983–84 Scottish Football League|1983–84]]
| Aberdeen
| Morton
| Forfar Athletic
|-
| &nbsp;89.
| [[1984–85 Scottish Football League|1984–85]]
| Aberdeen
| Motherwell
| [[Montrose F.C.|Montrose]]
|-
| &nbsp;90.
| [[1985–86 Scottish Football League|1985–86]]
| Celtic
| Hamilton Academical
| Dunfermline Athletic
|-
| &nbsp;91.
| [[1986–87 Scottish Football League|1986–87]]
| Rangers
| Morton
| [[Meadowbank Thistle F.C.|Meadowbank Thistle]]
|-
| &nbsp;92.
| [[1987–88 Scottish Football League|1987–88]]
| Celtic
| Hamilton Academical
| Ayr United
|-
| &nbsp;93.
| [[1988–89 Scottish Football League|1988–89]]
| Rangers
| Dunfermline Athletic
| Albion Rovers
|-
| &nbsp;94.
| [[1989–90 Scottish Football League|1989–90]]
| Rangers
| St Johnstone
| [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]]
|-
| &nbsp;95.
| [[1990–91 Scottish Football League|1990–91]]
| Rangers
| Falkirk
| Stirling Albion
|-
| &nbsp;96.
| [[1991–92 Scottish Football League|1991–92]]
| Rangers
| Dundee
| Dumbarton
|-
| &nbsp;97.
| [[1992–93 Scottish Football League|1992–93]]
| Rangers
| Raith Rovers
| Clyde
|-
| &nbsp;98.
| [[1993–94 Scottish Football League|1993–94]]
| Rangers
| Falkirk
| [[Stranraer F.C.|Stranraer]]
|-
| &nbsp;99.
| [[1994–95 Scottish Football League|1994–95]]
| Rangers
| Raith Rovers
| Morton
| Forfar Athletic
|-
| 100.
| [[1995–96 Scottish Football League|1995–96]]
| Rangers
| Dunfermline Athletic
| Stirling Albion
| [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]]
|-
| 101.
| [[1996–97 Scottish Football League|1996–97]]
| Rangers
| St Johnstone
| Ayr United
| [[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]]
|-
| 102.
| [[1997–98 Scottish Football League|1997–98]]
| Celtic
| Dundee
| Stranraer
| Alloa Athletic
|-
| 103.
| [[1998–99 Scottish Football League|1998–99]]
| rowspan=15 style="text-align:center;" | &mdash;
| Hibernian
| Livingston
| [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]]
|-
| 104.
| [[1999–2000 Scottish Football League|1999–2000]]
| St Mirren
| Clyde
| Queen's Park
|-
| 105.
| [[2000–01 Scottish Football League|2000–01]]
| Livingston
| Partick Thistle
| Hamilton Academical
|-
| 106.
| [[2001–02 Scottish Football League|2001–02]]
| Partick Thistle
| Queen of the South
| Brechin City
|-
| 107.
| [[2002–03 Scottish Football League|2002–03]]
| Falkirk
| Raith Rovers
| Morton
|-
| 108.
| [[2003–04 Scottish Football League|2003–04]]
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle
| [[Airdrie United F.C.|Airdrie United]]
| Stranraer
|-
| 109.
| [[2004–05 Scottish Football League|2004–05]]
| Falkirk
| Brechin City
| [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]]
|-
| 110.
| [[2005–06 Scottish Football League|2005–06]]
| St. Mirren
| Gretna
| Cowdenbeath
|-
| 111.
| [[2006–07 Scottish Football League|2006–07]]
| Gretna
| Morton
| Berwick Rangers
|-
| 112.
| [[2007–08 Scottish Football League|2007–08]]
| Hamilton Academical
| Ross County
| East Fife
|-
| 113.
| [[2008–09 Scottish Football League|2008–09]]
| St Johnstone
| Raith Rovers
| Dumbarton
|-
| 114.
| [[2009–10 Scottish Football League|2009–10]]
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle
| Stirling Albion
| Livingston
|-
| 115.
| [[2010–11 Scottish Football League|2010–11]]
| Dunfermline Athletic
| Livingston
| Arbroath
|-
| 116.
| [[2011–12 Scottish Football League|2011–12]]
| Ross County
| Cowdenbeath
| Alloa Athletic
|-
| 117.
| [[2012–13 Scottish Football League|2012–13]]
| Partick Thistle
| Queen of the South
| Rangers
|}

==Scottish Football League XI==
{{Main|Scottish Football League XI}}
The SFL was the organising body of the [[Scottish Football League XI]], a select side which represented the SFL in matches against other leagues, including the [[English Football League]], the [[League of Ireland]], the [[NIFL Premiership|Northern Irish league]] and the Italian [[Serie A]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.londonhearts.com/SFL/tea/scoresbyteam.html|title=Scotland Scores by Team|work=Londonhearts.com|publisher=London Hearts Supporters' Club|access-date=26 November 2011}}</ref> These matches began in 1892, soon after the foundation of the SFL.<ref name = "Crampsey245">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=245}}</ref> Before the Second World War, inter-league matches were only second in importance to [[Scotland men's national football team|Scotland]] international matches. After the war, however, the inter-league matches became less important as European club football was instituted and clubs withdrew players due to fixture congestion.<ref name = "Crampsey254">{{harv|Bob Crampsey|1990|p=254}}</ref> The last inter-league match was played in 1980, while a Scottish Football League XI was last selected in 1990 for a match against the [[Scotland men's national football team|Scotland national team]] to mark the centenary of the SFL.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jim Traynor |author-link=Jim Traynor |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/the-aberdeen-connection-nicholas-and-gillhaus-are-select-strike-force-other-football-page-19-1.562890|work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|publisher=Newsquest|date=18 August 1990|access-date=11 August 2011|title=The Aberdeen connection}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of footballers in Scotland by number of league appearances]] (also includes successor league systems)
*[[List of footballers in Scotland by number of league goals]] (also includes successor league systems)
*[[List of Scottish Football League stadiums]]
*[[Scottish Women's Football League]]

==Notes==
<references group="note" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;Sources
*{{cite book|author=Bob Crampsey|author-link=Bob Crampsey|title=The First 100 Years|year=1990|publisher=Scottish Football League|isbn=0-9516433-0-4}}

{{Defunct football competitions in Scotland}}
{{Football in the United Kingdom}}
{{Scottish Football League}}

[[Category:Scottish Football League| ]]
[[Category:Defunct football leagues in Scotland|*]]
[[Category:1890 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Football governing bodies in Scotland|2]]
[[Category:Professional sports leagues in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sports leagues disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1890]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Scotland]]