Abercorn

1878-79

As football began to grow in popularity during the 1870’s, most large towns and cities saw at least one team founded within it.

Paisley was no different and the people of the town were to see two teams emerge in late 1877, to put Paisley onto the footballing map.

One of these was St.Mirren. the other was Abercorn.

Abercorn

1888-89

Abercorn were formed on the 10th November 1877,  barely two months after St.Mirren. However it is widely believed that their first match was not played until 16th February 1878. This was a match against St.Mirren, the first of many ‘Paisley Derbies’. This first match was a one-sided affair, Saints running out 7-0 winners.

Abercorn played several more matches over the coming weeks and by the end of March 1878, were again up against Saints. This time they gained a credible 0-0 draw.  The Abbies had arrived!

The first competitive match between Saints and Abercorn was a Scottish Cup match on the 23rd October 1880,  which St.Mirren won comfortably 4-1.

Over the years there were only ten national meetings with Abercorn, two Scottish Cups and eight league meetings, St.Mirren just edging things 5-4, with one draw.

Tragedy was to strike during a friendly match between the clubs on New Years Day 1892 at Underwood Park, when Saints James 'Daddy' Dunlop fell on a piece of glass and died later in hospital from infection. He was only 23 and was already an internationalist. A sad loss to the game.

The final meeting between the teams was a Paisley Charity Cup match during Abercorn’s final season in 1920, Saints taking the honours 2-0.

Competitive Matches Against Abercorn