The match between Queen's Park and league champions Aston Villa was a goalless draw, even following thirty minutes of added time.

[2] Aston Villa were the 1898–99 Football League champions for the fourth time in their history and Queen's Park of Glasgow were selected by the trophy committee as the best amateur side of the year, having defeated Corinthian twice that year (2–3 away and 4–1 at home).

Aston Villa had a prior engagement on that date and had they not been able to reschedule, it was believed that Liverpool would have been a candidate to take their place in the charity shield.

[4] Queens Park stipulated that in the event of a draw after 30 minutes extra-time, they would not want a replay but instead to share the shield as making a second trip from Scotland to London was seen as an unnecessary inconvenience.

[5] Queens Park had performed admirably against Scottish professional clubs during the season and the Glasgow Herald suggested that "there is no reason why they should not distinguish themselves equally against the Birmingham cracks", suggesting Queens Park had an excellent chance when drawing conclusions to Aston Villa's recent visit to the Ibrox stadium, where Rangers comfortably beat the visitors.