Originally founded in 1891 to rival the League, the Scottish Alliance was one of a number of leagues set up a year after the
Scottish Football League was formed. The idea came from five Glaswegian clubs -
Clyde,
Linthouse,
Thistle,
Partick Thistle, and
Northern - and other clubs from around the region were invited, the initial membership eventually including
Airdrieonians,
Ayr,
East Stirlingshire,
Morton,
Kilmarnock,
King's Park,
Port Glasgow Athletic, and
St Bernard's, although Clyde dropped out. Two other clubs (
Leith Athletic F.C. and
Aberdeen) also pledged to join but dropped out;
Queen's Park F.C. turned down an invitation. In 1892, several clubs left and the league was reconstituted with a smaller membership; the league decided to reduce to 10 clubs, and, with 2 vacancies, attracted applications from nine clubs. St Bernard's – who had sought to leave – was re-elected, and
Vale of Leven were also elected; the disappointed clubs were
Albion Rovers,
Arthurlie, East Stirlingshire,
Hurlford, Morton, Port Glasgow Athletic, and
Glasgow Wanderers. In 1893 a number of clubs returned, but during the summer, the Alliance became the backbone of the new Second Division of the Scottish League. The league, bolstered by the inclusion of a number of clubs from the
Scottish Football Federation, continued for four more years by recruiting new members. One candidate club,
Gaelic of
Coatbridge, was advised to improve the quality of its pitch to gain admission in 1895, but lost its ground entirely and was wound up.
Champions • 1891–92 Linthouse • 1892–93 Cowlairs • 1893–94 Royal Albert • 1894–95 Wishaw Thistle • 1895–96 Wishaw Thistle • 1896–97 Third Lanark "A"
Membership ==1905–06==