The 1879–80 Scottish Cup – officially the Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup – was the seventh season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. With 142 entrants, this season saw the largest number of teams to compete for the trophy since its inception. Three-time defending champions Vale of Leven lost their first match in the competition for four seasons when they were knocked out in the first round, losing 4–3 to rivals Dumbarton. Queen's Park regained the trophy as they won the competition for the fourth time after beating Thornliebank 3–0 in the final on 21 February 1880.[1]
Quick Facts Tournament details, Country ...
1879–80 Scottish CupThe Scottish Cup trophy |
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Country | Scotland |
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Teams | 142 |
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Defending champions | Vale of Leven |
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Champions | Queen's Park (fourth title) |
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Runner-up | Thornliebank |
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Matches played | 137 |
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Goals scored | 605 (4.42 per match) |
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As with the previous competitions, the seventh edition of the Scottish Cup took on the format of a traditional knockout tournament.[2] For the earlier rounds, the names of competing teams were placed into lots according to their districts and drawn into pairs. The home team for each tie was determined by the toss of a coin unless it was mutually agreed or only one of the two clubs drawn against one another had a private ground. In the event of a draw, the team who lost the toss would have the choice of ground for the replay. A similar procedure was used for subsequent rounds however, any club which had received a bye in the previous round would first be drawn against one of the winners of the previous round. The names of winning teams were placed into one lot for later rounds. The choice of venue for the final matches was reserved to the Scottish Football Association.[3]
Calendar
More information Round, First match date ...
Round |
First match date |
Fixtures |
Clubs |
Original |
Byes |
Replays |
First Round |
6 September 1879 |
65 |
13 |
7 |
142 → 81 |
Second Round |
4 October 1879 |
38 |
5 |
5 |
81 → 44 |
Third Round |
1 November 1879 |
22 |
1 |
2 |
44 → 22 |
Fourth Round |
22 November 1879 |
11 |
0 |
2 |
22 → 13 |
Fifth Round |
20 December 1879 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
13 → 7 |
Quarter-finals |
3 January 1880 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
7 → 4 |
Semi-finals |
17 January 1880 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 → 2 |
Final |
21 February 1880 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 → 1 |
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- Both Glasgow and Edinburgh University were given byes to the third round.
- Two teams qualified for the second round after drawing their first round replay.
- Two teams qualified for the third round after drawing their second round replay.
- Four teams qualified for the fifth round after drawing their fourth round replay.
- Star of Leven, Kirkintilloch Athletic and Lennox were reinstated after Jamestown were disqualified.
Of the 143 entrants, 135 entered the competition in the first round. The remaining eight sides – namely Barrhead Rangers, Bellshill, Cartside, Dennistoun, High School, Plains Blue Bell, Stewarton Cunninghame and Strathmore – were admitted into the competition in the second round.
More information Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire ...
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Although 142 teams were entered in the competition, it was not uncommon for clubs to merge or fold without the Scottish Football Association being notified so they were still included in the draw for the cup.[2] As a result, 25 teams were given walkovers into the second round.[4] They joined Kirkintilloch Athletic, St Clement's and Tarbolton Burntonians who received a bye to the second round. Glasgow University and Edinburgh University received a bye to the third round.[4]
The first round got underway on 6 September 1879 when Beith drew with Kilbirnie. Both teams would advance to the second round after they drew their replay on 27 September and the Scottish Football Association decided to allow them both into the draw.[4] The majority of the ties were played two weeks later. Defending champions Vale of Leven were handed a tough draw away to rivals Dumbarton. It would be the first time the defending champions failed to make it past the first hurdle as a brace from Joseph Lindsay helped Dumbarton to a 4–3 win in their first competitive match at Boghead Park.[5][6][7] Queen's Park and Rangers played out a goalless draw in front of 7,000 spectators at Kinning Park[8][9] to set up a replay a week later while Kilmarnock Athletic defeated Ayr 6–0, Thornliebank won 4–0 at home to Yoker, Netherlee and Morton drew 0–0[10] and Renton were held to a 2–2 draw by Kilmarnock Thistle.[4] In the replays on 27 September, Queen's Park exacted revenge for the previous season's defeat as they trounced Rangers 5–1 at Hampden Park,[11][12] Morton and Netherlee shared 11 goals as the former advanced 7–4 at Cappielow[13] and Renton recorded the biggest win of the round, defeating Kilmarnock Thistle 8–0 away from home.[4]
Jamestown had defeated Star of Leven 2–1 on 20 September but would later be disqualified from the competition after the referee for their second round match against Kirkintilloch Athletic was found to be a member of the club. Star of Leven would be reinstated in the fourth round to play Kirkintilloch Athletic. The round concluded when Campsie Glen defeated Thistle Athletic 4–0 on 4 October after they had been ordered to replay the original match, which Campsie Glen also won, two weeks earlier.[4]
Matches
Glasgow and Suburbs
Jordanhill v Kelvinbank
Rangers v Queen's Park
Govan v Caledonian
City v Possilpark
Pollokshields Athletic v Oxford
Alexandra Athletic v Albatross
Northern v Thistle
Partick v Petershill
Whitefield v Govanhill Lacrosse
Havelock v 4th Renfrew RV
Union v 3rd Lanark RV
John Elder v Derby
Parkgrove v Clydesdale
Whiteinch v South Western
Stonefield v Harmonic Good Templars
Telegraphists v Possil Bluebell
Athole v Blythswood
Wellpark v 19th Lanark RV
1st Lanark RV v Clyde
Burnside v Ailsa
Blackfriars v Rosslyn
Dunbartonshire district
Dumbarton v Vale of Leven
Helensburgh v Alclutha
Jamestown v Star of Leven
Renton v Kilmaronock Thistle
Lennox v Renton Thistle
Lanarkshire district
Clarkston v Stonelaw
Clydebank v Excelsior
East Kilbride v Airdrie
Hamilton Academical v Glengowan
Shotts v Drumpellier
Uddingston v Cambuslang
Mount Vernon v Upper Clydesdale
Avondale v Newmains
Edinburgh and East
Hibernian v Hanover
Brunswick v Swifts
Dunfermline v Edinburgh Thistle
Heart of Midlothian v 3rd Edinburgh RV
Ayrshire district
Beith v Kilbirnie
Ayr v Kilmarnock Athletic
Dean v Mauchline
Catrine v Hurlford
Auchinleck Boswell v Maybole Ladywell
Cumnock v Irvine
Maybole Carrick v Girvan
Lanemark v Kilmarnock Portland
Kilmarnock v Ayr Academicals
Renfrewshire district
Cartvale v Wellington Park
Barrhead v Renfrew
Netherlee v Morton
17th Renfrew RV v Levern
Kennishead v Glenkilloch
Thornliebank v Yoker
Busby v Arthurlie
23rd Renfrew RV v Renfrew Ramblers
Port Glasgow v Johnstone Athletic
Stirlingshire district
Milton of Campsie v King's Park
Campsie Glen v Thistle Athletic
Strathblane v Lenzie
Falkirk v Grasshoppers
Perthshire district
Coupar Angus v Rob Roy
Vale of Teith v Clifton & Strathfillan
Forfarshire district
Arbroath v Dundee Our Boys
Dumfriesshire district
Queen of the South Wanderers v Annan
Wigtownshire district
Cree Rovers v Stranraer
Replays
Glasgow and Suburbs
Queen's Park v Rangers
Possilpark v City
Oxford v Pollokshields Athletic
Dunbartonshire district
Kilmaronock Thistle v Renton
Ayrshire district
Kilbirnie v Beith
Renfrewshire district
Morton v Netherlee
Stirlingshire district
Campsie Glen v Thistle Athletic
- Notes
- ^
A-Jamestown were disqualified following their third round match with Lennox. Their opponents from the first and second round – Star of Leven and Kirkintilloch Athletic – were reinstated and played a match to determine who would play Lennox. These matches are all considered part of the fourth round.
- ^
B-Both teams advanced to the second round.
Sources:[20]
A further two sides scratched from the competition as Cumnock and Strathmore were given a walkover against Tarbolton Burntonians and St Clement's respectively while Arbroath, Parkgrove and Renfrew received a bye to the third round.[4]
The second round began on 4 October 1879 with Kilmarnock Athletic's 1–1 draw with Kilbirnie, however, most ties were played a week later.[4] Queen's Park marched through to the third round with a resounding 14–1 win over 1st Lanark RV[21] while there were also big wins for South Western (9–0 vs. Athole), Dumbarton (7–0 vs. Helensburgh)[22][23] and Hurlford (8–1 vs. Maybole Carrick).[4] Morton shared 12 goals, this time with Arthurlie, but they were on the receiving end as the Barrhead side won 9–3[24] while Thornliebank won 6–1 at home to 17th Renfrew RV.[4] Heart of Midlothian defeated Brunswick 3–2 on 18 October.[25]
The second round concluded on 1 November 1879 when 3rd Lanark RV overcame Possil Bluebell 1–0 in a replay.[26]
Jamestown had defeated Kirkintilloch Athletic 1–0 but, after their third round tie, it was discovered that the referee in that win had been a member of the club. As a result, but Kirkintilloch Athletic and Jamestown's first round opponents, Star of Leven, were reinstated to the competition to face off in the fourth round.[4]
Matches
Glasgow and Suburbs
Whitefield v Northern
3rd Lanark RV v Possil Bluebell
Queen's Park v 19th Lanark RV
Partick v Havelock
South Western v Athole
Clyde v Govan
Alexandra Athletic v Harmonic Good Templars
Pollokshields Athletic v Dennistoun
John Elder v Jordanhill
Ailsa v Rosslyn
Possilpark v High School
Ayrshire district
Kilmarnock Athletic v Kilbirnie
Mauchline v Kilmarnock
Maybole Ladywell v Stewarton Cunninghame
Maybole Carrick v Hurlford
Kilmarnock Portland v Beith
Cumnock v Tarbolton Burntonians
Renfrewshire district
Renfrew Ramblers v Barrhead Rangers
Kennishead v Cartside
Johnstone Athletic v Cartvale
17th Renfrew RV v Thornliebank
Arthurlie v Morton
Lanarkshire district
Plains Blue Bell v Newmains
Airdrie v Cambuslang
Shotts v Clarkston
Hamilton Academical v Upper Clydesdale
Excelsior v Bellshill
Dunbartonshire district
Renton v Lennox
Kirkintilloch Athletic v Jamestown
Dumbarton v Helensburgh
Edinburgh district
Dunfermline v Hibernian
Heart of Midlothian v Brunswick
Stirlingshire district
Milton of Campsie v Campsie Glen
Strathblane v Falkirk
Perthshire district
Rob Roy v Vale of Teith
Forfarshire district
Strathmore v St Clement's
Wigtownshire and Dumfriesshire district
Queen of the South Wanderers v Stranraer
Replays
Glasgow and Suburbs
3rd Lanark RV v Possil Bluebell
Jordanhill v John Elder
Northern v Whitefield
Ayrshire district
Kilbirnie v Kilmarnock Athletic
Lanarkshire district
Cambuslang v Airdrie
Dunbartonshire district
Lennox v Renton
- Notes
- ^
C-A protest by Northern was upheld and a replay was ordered.
- ^
D-A protest by Jordanhill was upheld and a replay was ordered.
- ^
E-Both teams advanced to the third round.
Sources:[20]
Possilpark were the lucky club to receive the only bye to the fourth round.[4] The third round began on 1 November 1879 with a clutch of ties, included amongst them; Dumbarton's 5–0 win over Renton,[35][36] Queen's Park's 5–1 triumph against Partick,[37] Thornliebank's 1–0 defeat of Barrhead Rangers and Parkgrove's first match in the competition after they benefitted from a walkover and a bye in the previous rounds, a 6–2 defeat of Alexandra Athletic.[4] Jamestown also recorded a 5–1 win against Lennox but it was to be the end of the road for the Dunbartonshire side. After it was discovered the referee in their second round match with Kirkintilloch Athletic was a member of the club, Jamestown were disqualified and the three teams they had eliminated were reinstated in the fourth round.[4]
Hamilton Academical defeated Excelsior 7–1 at South Haugh,[38] Cumnock – one of three teams along with Parkgrove and Strathmore to reach the third round without playing a single game – lost 1–0 to Hurlford, Arbroath and Clyde recorded 6–1 and 6–0 wins against Strathmore and Ailsa respectively[39][40] and Hibernian won 2–1 in the Edinburgh derby.[41][42]
Matches
Glasgow and Suburbs
Parkgrove v Alexandra Athletic
Queen's Park v Partick
Clyde v Ailsa
South Western v John Elder
Pollokshields Athletic v Northern
3rd Lanark RV v Glasgow University
Ayrshire district
Mauchline v Kilmarnock Portland
Cumnock v Hurlford
Maybole Ladywell v Kilbirnie
Renfrewshire district
Arthurlie v Renfrew
Johnstone Athletic v Kennishead
Thornliebank v Barrhead Rangers
Lanarkshire and Dumfriesshire district
Cambuslang v Clarkston
Hamilton Academical v Excelsior
Plains Blue Bell v Queen of the South Wanderers
Dumbartonshire district
Dumbarton v Renton
Jamestown v Lennox
Edinburgh and Perthshire district
Rob Roy v Edinburgh University
Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian
Stirlingshire district
Campsie Glen v Strathblane
Forfarshire district
Arbroath v Strathmore
Replay
Glasgow and Suburbs
3rd Lanark RV v Glasgow University
Ayrshire district
Kilmarnock Portland v Mauchline
Sources:[20]
The fourth round began with two matches to determine which of Jamestown's reinstated opponents would take their place in the competition. First, Kirkintilloch Athletic defeated Star of Leven 5–2 on 15 November 1879 to earn the right to play Lennox whom they defeated 6–2 a week later. However, it was ultimately in vain as they lost 5–1 to 3rd Lanark RV on 29 November.[4]
The round saw a number of one-sided games. On 22 November 1879, three teams recorded double-figures scorelines; Dumbarton won 11–0 at home to Clyde,[47][48][49] Queen's Park defeated Strathblane 10–1 at Hampden Park[50] and Thornliebank won 12–0 at home to Possilpark.[4] Hibernian drew 2–2 with Parkgrove[51] and Kilbirnie drew 1–1 with Hurlford to set up replays the following week but all four sides advanced to the fifth round after both replays ended with the scores tied.[4]
Matches
Kirkintilloch Athletic v Star of Leven
Kirkintilloch Athletic v Lennox
Hibernian v Parkgrove
South Western v Arbroath
Pollokshields Athletic v Renfrew
Kilbirnie v Hurlford
Dumbarton v Clyde
Rob Roy v Johnstone Athletic
Thornliebank v Possilpark
Queen's Park v Strathblane
3rd Lanark RV v Kirkintilloch Athletic
Hamilton Academical v Mauchline
Cambuslang v Plains Blue Bell
Replays
Parkgrove v Hibernian
Hurlford v Kilbirnie
- Notes
- ^
F-Abandoned after 75 minutes due to darkness.
- ^
G-Both teams advanced to the fifth round.
Sources:[20]
3rd Lanark RV were the only team to receive a bye to the quarter-finals. All six of the fifth round ties were played on 20 December 1879 with one tie going to a reply the following week.[4] Queen's Park recorded the biggest win of the competition as they defeated Hurlford 15–1 at Hampden Park.[56] Thornliebank also recorded a double-figures as they beat Rob Roy 12–0 at home.[4] A double from Quinn helped Hibernian to a 2–0 win at Connell Park against Mauchline[57] while Dumbarton beat Kilbirnie 6–2 at Boghead Park.[58][59] South Western had defeated Parkgrove 1–0 in the first match but a successful protest warranted a replay and South Western progressed with a 3–2 win.[4]
Matches
Parkgrove v South Western
Dumbarton v Kilbirnie
Queen's Park v Hurlford
Thornliebank v Rob Roy
Cambuslang v Pollokshields Athletic
Mauchline v Hibernian
Replay
Parkgrove v South Western
- Notes
- ^
H-A protest by Parkgrove was upheld and a replay was ordered.
Sources:[20]
With just seven teams left, there were only three quarter-final ties and Queen's Park received a bye to the semi-finals. The first match, between Thornliebank and 3rd Lanark RV was due to be played on 27 December 1879 but was abandoned due to the weather. On 3 January 1880, Dumbarton and Pollokshields Athletic recorded comfortable home wins, 6–2 vs. Hibernian[60][61][62] and 6–1 vs. South Western respectively.[4] In the replay at Cathkin Park, Thornliebank and 3rd Lanark RV played out a 1–1 draw[63] before Thornliebank won the second replay 2–1 – played at the ground of South Western as Cathkin Park was being used for international trial matches.[64]
Matches
Thornliebank v 3rd Lanark RV
Pollokshields Athletic v South Western
Dumbarton v Hibernian
Replay
3rd Lanark RV v Thornliebank
Second replay
Thornliebank v 3rd Lanark RV
- Notes
- ^
I-Abandoned after 35 minutes due to inclement weather.
Sources:[20]
For the first time in four seasons, two semi-finals were played.[2] Both games were played on 17 January 1880.[4] Queen's Park saw off Dumbarton 1–0 at Hampden Park to reach the final for the first time in four years[66][67][68] while Thornliebank defeated Pollokshields Athletic 2–1 at home to reach the final for the first time.[4]
Matches
Queen's Park v Dumbarton
Thornliebank v Pollokshields Athletic
Sources:[20]
The final took place at Cathkin Park on 21 February 1880. It was Thornliebank's first appearance in the final but for Queen's Park, it was their fourth and on each of their previous three appearances, they lifted the trophy. Thomas Highet – who scored three goals in the 1876 final and replay, the last time Queen's Park won the competition – scored twice against Thornliebank to help Queen's Park to a 3–0 win and a fourth title, maintaining their 100 per cent record in Scottish Cup finals.[2][4]
More information Queen's Park, 3–0 ...
Queen's Park | 3–0 | Thornliebank |
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[1][69] |
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Potter, David; Jones, Phil H. (2016). The History of the Scottish Cup: The Story of Every Season 1873–2016. Worthing: Pitch Publishing. pp. 25–26. ISBN 978-1-78531-214-4.
Scottish F.A. Cup 1873–2017: The Complete Results. Cleethorpes: Soccer Books. 2017. pp. 16–20. ISBN 978-1-86223-366-9.
Mathers, Stewart (2017). The Beautiful Dribbling Game: The Scottish F.A. Challenge Cup in the 19th Century. Great Britain: Amazon. pp. 47–56, 264–267. ISBN 978-0-9956998-0-9.
"Possilpark v High School". North British Daily Mail: 7. 20 October 1879.
"Clyde v Ailsa". North British Daily Mail: 7. 3 November 1879.
"Football - Cambuslang v Clarkston". Rutherglen Reformer: 2. 8 November 1879.
"Strathblane v Campsie Glen (Cup tie)". Stirling Saturday Observer: 5. 6 November 1879.
"3rd LRV v Thornliebank". North British Daily Mail: 7. 12 January 1880.
"Thornliebank". Rutherglen Reformer: 3. 3 January 1880.