Before the formation of the current club, three other clubs from Lesmahagow had played in the Junior grade for at least some of their history: Nethanvale Swifts Nethanvale Swifts were formed after a meeting held in the village on 23 September 1885,[1] although it appears that their first match wasn't until New Year's Day 1886.

[2] They entered a short period of inactivity sometime after May 1890, before being ‘resurrected’ in February 1891[3] and joining the Lanarkshire Junior League for the 1891–92 season.

[4] By December 1891, they had left the league having lost the three games they had played (conceding 29 goals and scoring 3 in the process) and failing to turn up for another.

The first known ground was “the field owned by Mr. Lambie”, which was replaced by a second donated by either a Mr. McDonald, Ellenbank or a Mr. Donald of Elmbank in December 1891.

[7] At least a couple of the players who had featured for the Swifts were also playing with the ‘new’ club, goalkeeper G. McNeish and Bobbie Hamilton, a ‘back’, among them.

Thistle reportedly played their home matches at Milton Park, a recreation ground opposite Lesmahagow Cemetery.

The first game played at Craighead Park was a Lanarkshire Junior League match against Newton Villa on 12 March 1932.

A large attendance saw club Vice-president John Simpson ask Major Thomas Lander of Auchtyfardle to kick off.

The match ended in a 0–0 draw, with the Public Band playing to entertain the supporters before the game and at half-time.

[8] The Wishaw Press report of the 1933 Hozier Challenge Cup final between Douglas Water Thistle and Wishaw, which was held at Craighead rather than in Lanark as was normal, noted that “The field has a picturesque setting there being a natural terrace at one side that can accommodate thousands and which affords on excellent view.

There is a rise on the pitch and some of the players appeared to have difficulty in keeping their feet although the day was sunny and dry.” An Evening Times feature on the same final, which Douglas Water won, explained the reason for the change of venue for the final: “This was a tribute to the “Haigie” people, whose energies in preparing the place I had heard much about from ... the late Major Lander of Auchtyfardle”.