Hacker: Scottish Cup

Although Edinburgh University were knocked out of the Scottish Cup at the first time of asking last weekend, there are still several Edinburgh teams still competing for the famous old trophy. Hibs and Hearts will enter the competition at a later stage, but the romance of the Cup is all about teams from the lower leagues, like Edinburgh’s very own Spartans and Edinburgh City, earning their shot at the big boys. Edinburgh Evening News reporter, and East of Scotland Football aficionado, Keith Anderson, recently took the time to give The Journal his memories of this famous old Trophy...

“The Scottish Cup evokes many memories for me, especially as I grew up in the rugby-orientated town of Selkirk in the Borders. At both primary and secondary schools, the emphasis was on the oval ball game. Football was almost frowned upon.

The Scottish Cup does for me what no other competition can - and that includes World Cups, European Cups, FA Cups - in fact, any other cup competition that you want to mention. My first ever Scottish Cup Final was in season 1966/67 when my friend and I travelled by train from Galashiels and off we went to Glasgow to see the Scottish Cup Final between Aberdeen and Celtic. I didn't support either team, although that did not deter me. Incidentally, the crowd that day was 126,102 and for the record Celtic won 2-0 with a double from Willie Wallace. The following month that same Celtic team went on to lift the European Cup and since that night they have been known to the football world as the Lisbon Lions. But back to the Scottish Cup!

I suspect that neither Selkirk, nor Edinburgh University, or any other East of Scotland League club will ever lift the coveted trophy, which is being played for this season in its 125th year. But who will win it? It would be rather pleasing for an Edinburgh club to have their name engraved on the oldest cup in the footballing world, but is this a possibility?

The Spartans have caused some major upsets in recent seasons with well-merited victories against SFL opposition, namely Alloa Athletic, Arbroath, Berwick Rangers, Queen's Park and Annan Athletic. The students of Edinburgh University have etched their names in Scottish Cup history in recent seasons with wins against Highland League sides Keith and Deveronvale. Edinburgh City have also recorded wins against Wick Academy and Inverness Clachnacuddin while Whitehill Welfare gave Celtic a shock at Easter Road in 1996 before losing only 3-0 to the holders.

Hearts have lifted the trophy on seven occasions, the last time being as recently as 2006 when they beat Gretna in the final. Before that, the Tynecastle men won it in 1998, 1956, 1906, 1901, 1896 and 1891. Hibs, and no supporter of the Easter Road club will need reminding of this fact, have picked up the Scottish Cup on only two occasions, the last being in 1902 and previously in 1887.

The trophy also came to Edinburgh in 1895 when the now defunct club St Bernard’s triumphed 2-1 against another club no longer in existence - Renton. So what are the chances of an Edinburgh club returning to the Capital in May next year parading the Scottish Cup along Princes Street in an open top tram? Don't waste your student grant at the bookmakers!

But do remember that The Scottish Cup is full of wonderful memories, and some painful ones, and every player and supporter has a part to play in this truly great competition. Just ask the wee boy from Selkirk who has followed this competition with interest for 51 years.“