Stenhousemuir: a glimpse of history

The Warriors are older than they claim!

The genesis of Stenhousemuir Football Club possibly stems from an amalgamation of players rather than clubs, although several local clubs are attributed to be the forerunner of today’s organisation. These include Burnhead, Heather Rangers, Hollow Rangers, Stenhousemuir Thistle and Larbert Windsor. Heather Rangers, reported to be the forerunners of the club in the 1984 centenary book, were in fact still being referred to in the press until 1895, the same year that Larbert Windsor were last mentioned as a local ’Junior’ club. Even the date of formation appears to be in doubt, with the club itself recognising 1884 as the inaugural point. However, other publications have the Warriors starting out in 1881 and playing initially at South Broomage in Larbert, although this probably cannot be confirmed.

Evidence points to the Warriors being older than they themselves claim: they first competed in the Scottish Cup in season 1883-4, and played two rounds, against Strathblane and Falkirk. The cup winners that season, Queen’s Park, were awarded the trophy on 23rd February, and it is extremely doubtful that all the ties for that season were crammed into 1884.

Stenhousemuir’s own ‘updated’ official history published in 1996 throws uncertainty on the original Centenary book of 1984, which appeared confident that the team we now recognise started out playing on the Tryst, as Heather Rangers. What is not in doubt is that Peter Hutton was a major driving force behind the Stenhousemuir club, in various capacities.

Good stuff Glad.