The Scottish Junior Cup 1946-1975

The Scottish Junior Cup has been in contention since 1886 and is one of football s oldest trophies. With over 160 teams competing each year, the knockout competition is an important part of life in those towns and villages that regularly field a team. There have even been times when the tournament s popularity has threatened to eclipse the Seniors: over 77,650 attended the final of the 1951 Scottish Junior Cup, Petershill v. Irvine Meadow XI. From 1946 onwards, a programme was issued before the final and it is from that date that Tom Purdie, the operations manager for Hamilton Academical, has chosen to concentrate. The knockout aspect of the competition has meant that no team has dominated for more than a few years although there is a notable statistical bias towards Ayrshire teams such as Auchinleck Talbot and Glenafton Athletic. The Scottish Junior Cup is a unique event that once saw whole towns deserted when their teams reached the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow, and Tom Purdie s collection of match programmes and photography from the era 1946- 1975 is unrivalled. His book will awaken memories of a rougher and more vibrant age in the history of football.