 Clydesdale Harriers was founded in May 1885 and based in Glasgow and had five sections within the city boundaries and sections were also maintained in Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire as well as in the towns of Greenock, Ayr and Airdrie.As the sections developed they became independent clubs and such as Greenock Glenpark, Monklands and Paisley Harriers clubs owe their start to Clydesdale as well as private schools former pupil clubs (such as Fettesian-Lorettonian Club) and teams from universities.As was common, sportsmen were often affiliated to clubs in different sports and Clydesdale had links with cycling, boxing, skating and football clubs with a particularly strong link with the Rangers club.