<P> Archie Gemmill of St Mirren was the first substitute to come on in a Scottish first - class match, on 13 August 1966 in a League Cup tie against Clyde when he replaced Jim Clunie after 23 minutes . </P> <P> The first official substitute in a Scottish League match was Paul Conn for Queen's Park vs Albion Rovers in a Division 2 match on 24 August 1966 . Previously, on 20 January 1917, a player called Morgan came on for the injured Morrison of Partick Thistle after 5 minutes against Rangers at Firhill, but this was an isolated case and the Scottish League did not authorise substitutes until 1966 . </P> <P> In later years, the number of substitutes permitted in Football League matches has gradually increased; at present each team is permitted to name either five or seven substitutes depending on the country and competition, of which a maximum of three may be used . In England, the Premier League increased the number of players on the bench to five in 1996, and it was announced that the number available on the bench would be seven for the 2008--09 season . </P> <P> According to the Laws of the Game (2014 / 15): </P>

How many players are on the bench in football