THE anniversary of the world's first international match, which took place 140 years ago today in Glasgow, is being marked with two events in the city.

Scotland and England drew 0-0 in 1872 in the modest surroundings of Hamilton Crescent in Partick, home of the West Of Scotland Cricket Club.

That was a good result for the Scots, especially since the 'Auld Enemy' used EIGHT strikers.

About 2500 fans each paid a shilling (5p) to watch the action, with all Scotland's players being supplied by Queen's Park FC.

Glasgow's part in the birth of the international game is being examined in an exhibition from today at the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.

Richard McBrearty, museum curator, said: "Football is a global game, yet it all started on a little piece of turf in Glasgow.

"Association football was a very obscure sport, played largely in and around London. There were a few outposts and Glasgow was one.

"The English FA of the time was trying to establish a way of progressing the game and couldn't do it on its own.

"The gate money paid for accommodation for the England team, their train fares and a big banquet after.

"England lined up 1-1-8 or 1-2-7, which would be bizarre nowadays. Scotland were slightly more conservative in a 2-2-6."

The milestone will also be marked tomorrow with another 'Auld Enemy' clash at the cricket club. However, this time it will be Scottish novelists taking on their English rivals.

The Scottish Writers' Football Team will make their debut, with best-selling crime author Christopher Brookmyre in defence.

The Scottish wordsmiths are hoping a good performance will lead to them joining the Writers' League, an initiative started by Italian novelist Alessandro Baricco.

He helped set up the first Writers' League tournament in San Casciano dei Bagni in 2005 and Germany, Hungary, Italy and Sweden took part.

The tournament now includes England, America, Holland, Norway, Israel and several other countries.

Actor and writer Simon Weir, who also doubles up as the chairman of revived club Third Lanark, will be in goal.

He said: "This is our first game and it will be a tough one as England have six years of experience on us.

"This is a great occasion to celebrate the first football international match at Hamilton Crescent."

The game starts at noon and entry is free.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk