Following negotiations for a field for the newly formed club to play on, a pitch was laid out at Caddon Park and a wooden hut erected to act as dressing rooms.

The club played their first match on the 8th of October 1891 against Gala Harp and won 2-1. The next week they played Peebles Hibs and lost 2-3. Those two games were played under the name 'Leithen Vale', their name being changed to Vale of Leithen Football Club shortly after.

The first club secretary was Mr A. Brunton, and he was succeded in 1893 by Mr Alexander Crabbe. Mr Crabbe was originally from Dundee and had come to Innerleithen to take up employment at Robert Smail & Sons Printing Works.

Membership of the Scottish Football Association was gained in 1897, and Vale played in the Border League. In season 1898-99 they won the first of many trophies when they captured the Border Cup. This trophy is still competed for to this day by local sides including our neighbours Leithen Rovers.

Vale of Leithen's Playing Record during the 1890's
Season
Played
Won
Lost
Drawn
Goals For
Goals Against
1891-92
12
8
4
0
32
24
1892-93
19
7
8
4
59
55
1893-94
19
9
7
3
40
35
1894-95
19
8
7
4
43
40
1895-96
21
10
11
0
59
45
1896-97
25
12
11
2
68
52
1897-98
16
5
9
2
28
51
1898-99
27
13
6
8
78
46
1899-1900
24
13
9
2
74
54