 It is the oldest existing football club outside England.In its very early years it played in the English FA Cup, reaching the final twice.In the late 1860s football rules in Scotland still allowed the ball to be handled by all the outfield players, as well as the goalkeeper, whereas in England only the keeper was permitted to handle the ball and then only in his own area According to the Scotsman newspaper on 2 December 1872 at this time there were only about ten football clubs in Scotland.