Hawks have played the Hoppers twice before In 2005 at Lightfoot Green with a return match at Old Anniesland in 2006. Hawks will in effect open the Hoppers 150th season which includes a match v Rossall School, their first ever opponents from 1869.

Hoppers have travelled a long road similar to one of our founding clubs Glasgow Accies (1866) from a time when “football”was in its formative years. Glasgow Accies became the first football team of either code to play cross border when they also ventured to Lancashire playing two of Hoppers early opponents Liverpool and Manchester in December 1870.

The road between Glasgow and Lancashire was well trodden during this period by advocates of both codes to the extent that Preston North End, who started with cricket and rugby but moved to the association code, was invited to open one of Glasgow’s great stadiums Ibrox Park in 1887

Over the years Hoppers have produced many fine players like famous English Cap Wade Dooley and recently Irish Cap Mike Haley.
Hoppers have a long standing Hawks connection through the late Ken Waine (Richard Maxton’s grandfather)

The matches v Hoppers stand at one win each

2005
Hawks beat Preston Grasshoppers 34 -18 at Lightfoot Green.
Played in beautiful conditions Hawks scorers were Nick Cox 2t, Sandy Warnock 1t, Matt Smith 1t, Murray Strang 1t 2c, Stuart Low 1t.

2006
Preston Grasshoppers got their revenge for last season edging Hawks 31-29 at Old Anniesland in a pre season match played over three sessions.
Hawks scorers were Steve Gordon 1t,Sean Murray 1t, Rory Love 2t, Ally Maclay 1t and Mike Adamson 2c.