 At the end of the war, the Scottish Football League was badly affected by the decline of heavy industry in the country, which meant that only the Old Firm clubs and Motherwell were able to retain a high standard of player.To improve the standard of the Scottish League team, two notable English-born players were selected, Bob Ferrier of Motherwell and J.B. McAlpine of Queen's Park as well as Donegal-born Patsy Gallacher.