Dunfermline Athletic

1961 Scottish Cup Final Fever

Thursday, 21st Apr 2011

21/04/61: News on eve of the 1961 Scottish Cup Final between Jock Stein's Dunfermline and Celtic.

The Road to Hampden 1961
First Round 28th January 1961 Berwick Rangers 1 Dunfermline 4
Second Round 11th February 1961 Stranraer 1 Dunfermline 3
Third Round 25th February 1961 Aberdeen 3 Dunfermline 6
Quarter Final 11th March 1961 Dunfermline 4 Alloa Athletic 0
Semi Final 1st April 1961 Dunfermline 0 St Mirren 0
Semi Final Replay 5th April 1961 Dunfermline 1 St Mirren 0

Between Semi Final and Final
Celtic were the opponents for Dunfermline's first ever Scottish Cup Final on Saturday 22nd April 1961. Previous meetings in season 60/61 had ended 2-2 at East End Park in November and on Saturday 25th March just a week prior to the Semi Final, the Pars had gone to Celtic Park and lost 2-1.

After the excitement of reaching the final by beating St Mirren, it was back to the more mundane matter of league business on Saturday 8th April. Buoyed by their cup victory, the Pars beat Hibernian 4-2 at East End Park with goals from Harry Melrose (2), George Peebles and Dave Thomson.

Next up was a visit to Broomfield to play Airdrie, where thanks to a Dan McLindon goal, a 1-0 victory resulted. The last game before the final was away to Clyde, where any hopes of a morale boosting victory were swept aside, with the Bully Wee running out 6-0 winners. It was noted however, that in all the preceding rounds, the Pars had never won the game immediately before the cup tie - perhaps this defeat was a lucky omen!

The squad moved to Seamill Hydro on the Clyde after the match at Shawfield and stayed until the following Sunday. The players had been given the choice of going to the England v Scotland match at Wembley but opted for Seamill instead.

Final training, planning and preparations for the big day were carried out at East End Park. These were not the only preparations being made though for the fans were also planning their part in helping the team towards a first Hampden success.

Cup fever had taken over the town. Shop windows took up a distinct black and white flavour with team photographs bedecked in ribbons and messages of good luck; all the talk was of football.

People who in the past had no interest in the game found themselves discussing the Pars chances against the might of Celtic. Coach and rail bookings were made - it seemed that the whole of Dunfermline, even Fife for that matter, was heading for Glasgow on Saturday 22nd April 1961.

The Build Up
With supporters queuing for up to six hours to get their hands one of the precious cup final briefs, British Rail laid on six special trains to transport the large numbers expected to make the trip to Hampden. As well as by train, another 5,000 supporters were expected to travel by coach.

In the days leading up to 22nd April, Cup final fever swept Dunfermline. Shop windows were bedecked with black and white ribbons, and messages of good luck. The Dunfermline Press ran many adverts from individuals and companies urging the Pars to bring the cup home to Dunfermline.

As part of the physical and mental preparations for the final, after the Clyde game Jock Stein took the squad to Seamill Hydro, where they stayed until the following Sunday. During the week leading up to the game, the final preparations carried out at East End Park including fitting the players out with blazers and flannels. The players would wear the new outfits for the first time at the final.

Arrangements were made for transport to take the team the Civic Chambers for the Reception that had been planned for the Saturday night, whatever the outcome of the final. Should the Pars win the Cup, then an open top bus would be provided, but in the event of Celtic winning, then an ordinary bus would be substituted! Details of the victory route and timings were published in the Press, and with admirable foresight, alternative times were given should the game go to a Wednesday replay.

The Town Band went into rehearsals to lead the parade, practising a tune called 'The Stein Song'. Director, Leonard Jack had had the record in his collection for many years.

Celtic's route to the final had included some impressive performances along the way, although it took them two attempts to overcome Hibs in the Quarter final:

1st round Bye
2nd round Montrose (h)        6 - 0
3rd round Raith Rovers (a) 4 - 1
Q-Final Hibernian (h) 1 - 1
Replay (a) 1 - 0
Semi-Final Airdrie (Hampden) 4 - 0

On the day before the match with team preparations well advanced, Manager Stein was dealt a major blow, when winger Tommy McDonald reported sick to East End Park, with what turned out to be appendicitis. To cover for McDonald, George Peebles was switched to outside right, with McLindon occupying the inside-left position.

1961 Scottish Cup Final Programme



Views : 3,927


Archived website
This website served as the official Dunfermline Athletic website from season 2006-2007 until season 2022-2023.

Stories, match reports and interviews for these seasons can still be accessed here.

The current DAFC website with up to date information is on this link https://DAFC.co.uk
DAFC Archives
Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust. Information on past players, fixtures, league tables and archives can be found at www.daht.org.uk
ParsTV
For Season 2023/2024 SPFL regulations mean that on a Saturday afternoon we have to offer a Subscription service for overseas viewers. This will either be a monthly or a yearly subscription (on a Saturday it is FOR OVERSEAS viewers only - some dates are exempt.) https://ParsTV.co.uk
  • files/CB_Dunfermline_Programme_Ad_300px_v2_9109.jpg
  • /files/KiltCompany_280_2285.jpg
  • files/PF_logo_8205.jpg
  • /files/youngpars_2016_9593.jpg
Archives
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1991
1986
1979
1968
1965
1962
1961
1960
1957
1949

To top