A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY ONE

ST BERNARD’S FC

St Bernard’s FC was based in Edinburgh and formed in 1878. They joined the Scottish League in 1893 finishing in third place then, in 1894-95 hit the absolute peak of form by winning the Scottish Cup 2 1 against Renton from Dunbartonshire at Ibrox Park and having beaten Airdrie, Kilmarnock, Clyde and Hearts after a replay. In November 1895 they made an annual trip to London to play the great Amateur side, Corinthians at Queens Club in West Kensington, losing 2-0.

Playing at least eight different grounds including Powderhall, St Bernard’s then made their permanent home, the Royal Gymnasium Ground in Royal Crescent in 1924.

Their final season in Division One was 1899-1900 but, having won the Division Two at the first attempt were subject to being voted back into the First Division by that leagues members and failed, so stayed at that level for the rest of their history to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Their second best Scottish Cup run was in 1937-38 when they succumbed to East Fife 1-2 after two 1 1 draws.

In the summer of 1942 the Scottish League decided that both St Bernard’s and Leith Athletic were not drawing enough crowds so voted them out so until the end of the War, the ground remained derelict. It was sold off and with debts paid, the club was dissolved though did remain in sorts and even applied for the 1946-47 Scottish Qualifying Cup so, without a ground or team, pulled out, leaving a walk over for Duns FC.

Older supporters of Arsenal who remember Jimmy Logie with affection may not have known that he came from St Bernard’s.

For our Match Programme, we have just a cover for St Bernards v Montrose on March 3rd 1934 with the actual Programme sold for £170 on Sporting Golds Auction in August 2025 . Season 1933/34 was the last in a very indifferent run of seasons with 10th place but a 3rd place followed this with well placings above average for their last few seasons. Having lost 2-4 at Montrose a week earlier due to injuries, a fully fit St Bernards won this game 2 0. Back to back games would no longer be allocated again by the League.

A number of YouTube videos have been made of the Royal Gymnasium Ground area and an excellent book called “ Historic Saints of Edinburgh “ by George Campbell published in 1983 gives everything one would ever want to know about this old club and from which I have gleaned much information.