Football Queens & Kings

I knock on the door of the first flat in the tenement block, and Hugh Hudson answers with a troubled face. “What’s wrong?” I ask.“Robert is sick. He has a fever.”, said Hugh.My stomach sinks, “Has the doctor examined him?”“Yes. Mrs Struth sent for him immediately, and he prescribed everything possible. Only time will tell.”Mrs … Continue reading Chapter 190 – Sickness and worry →

The Committee disperse, and I ask Archibald Rae, our Secretary, “What teams are you inviting?”“The Glasgow teams: Thistle, Granville, Clydesdale, Drumbreck and Southern. I will post the letters tomorrow.”, said Archibald.“You are missing one. Please invite the young men of Rangers.”, I said, remembering the score I have to settle with young Moses McNeil.Archibald looks … Continue reading chapter 189 – Games Are On →

In true Queens Park style, we elect a sub-committee to organise our first Athletics Festival, and Robert Smith is elected chair. We meet at Dick’s Bar to commence the process.“We started here five years ago. From humble athletic pursuits, we have grown into Scotland’s leading light on the football field. Athletics is an excellent way … Continue reading Chapter 188 – Preparation, Planning, Process →

Following incredible ingenuity, persistence and enjoyment, we are celebrating our fifth year of existence. We have thrived for eighteen hundred and twenty-seven days, establishing a club playing in Scotland and England and leading the organisation of the first international football association match. We are following the lead of our Scottish rugby brethren, who organised the … Continue reading Chapter 187 – Club Foundation Stones →

The first rays of Glasgow summer pierce through the window, illuminating my diary, which states Sunday, 30th June 1872. I close the journal and pick up the letter from Islay. Emelia is a wondrous wordsmith, and the letter contains all the stories from the last three weeks since I left. The children are happy, playing … Continue reading Chapter 186 – Committee and Constitution →

The Optimist docks at Steam Boat Quay, and I disembark onto Broomielaw Street. I walk past Glasgow Bridge to Custom House, a Greek revival building built in 1840 by John Taylor. Here, Custom Agents record all imports and exports, collects duties, and register all ship's details. This beautifully appointed building is scheduled next year for … Continue reading Chapter 185 – Steam Boat Quay →

I leave Islay onboard The Optimist, which steams out from Port Ellen Harbour bound for Glasgow. Emelia and the children are staying on Islay for the summer, allowing the children to practice their Gaelic, Emelia to review her distillery operation and enable me to focus my mind in Glasgow. This great tragedy has changed my … Continue reading Chapter 184 – The Forever Optimist →

Arabella bursts into the room and throws open the curtains, shouting "Sunrise." The glowing red sun pierces the blue sky with a perfect warm radius.My two boys rub their eyes, leap off their bed, and join their sister. We spend the morning dressing in black and make the return trip to the south of the … Continue reading Chapter 183 – Skirl of Bagpipes →

We spend the night consuming a sumptuous dinner provided by our fabulous cook, Effie. At the end of the meal, Emelia whisks up the children for bed. A child’s conscious mind quickly forgets, but I am concerned about their unconscious state.“I will be up soon,” I said to Emelia, “One last nightcap.”“You are in with … Continue reading Chapter 182 – Settling A Debt →

We board the two Kilnave House Carriages, which patiently waited for us. There is ample room for everyone, as our belongings are somewhere in the Atlantic. Our twenty-mile trip from Port Ellen to Kilnave is a welcome relief, with dry ground looking particularly beautiful today.Emelia's Family Estate lies in the North West of Islay, extending … Continue reading Chapter 181 – House of Kilnave →