The Scottish Junior Cup

This was the premier competition for Junior football teams in Scotland. Since there were over 180 teams from all over Scotland involved in the cup it can take a gruelling 8 ties and a large amount of travelling to win it. The campaign started in early October with the first round in which a team is considered unlucky if they are drawn out of the hat and culminates in mid May. Both semi final and final were played at senior grounds, generally first or second division stadia. The final was broadcast live on Scottish television and was a great day out for the two teams and their supporters.

The cup itself has an illustrious past having been first contested for during the 1886/7 season when Fairfield Govan were the victors. There have been 63 teams who have won the trophy. The semi final and the final are played to a finish with extra time and penalties being used to seperate the teams if required.

Traditionally Central League and Ayrshire teams have been very strong in the cup sharing the bulk of the finalists and eventual winners. The East Region has been the third most successful region with the other Scottish regions occasionally contributing. Musselburgh Bruntonians were the first successful east team, winning in 1922/3. They were followed by Newtongrange in 1929/30, Tranent in 1934/5, Fauldhouse in 1945/6, Boness in 1947/8, 1975/6 & 1983/4, Dunbar in 1960/1, Linlithgow in 1964/5, Bonnyrigg in1965/6 & 1977/8, Camelon in 1994/5 and Whitburn in 1999/2000. Near neighbours Shotts won in 1957/8, but they played in the Central League.

Whitburn reached the final three times in 1966, 1995 and 2000. They were beaten in the first two (coincidentally by fellow East Region teams!), but finally won the trophy on their third visit at the start of the new millenium.

To find out more about these great days from the club's past you may select the links from the side bar under Scottish Junior Cup in the History option. You can also click the links below.

2000 | 1995 | 1966