A win for Berwick Rangers in Sunday's Cup quarter final against Hibs would mean a semi final place for the first time in their history.Once before they have fallen at this stage-coincidentally to Hibs in 1980.And while Berwick in the Cup will always be synonomous with their 1967 giant killing feat against Rangers,it was Hibs in the next round who brought an end to that Cup run.The weight of history may be against them and they are clearly underdogs but,for inspiration,they could do worse than look a few miles up the coast to near neighbours Eyemouth United.
Fifty five years ago the small East of Scotland League outfit wildly exceeded expectations by reaching the Cup quarters,the first 'non-league' team to have done so,at least since the war.Between them and a semi final place stood Kilmarnock,then one of Scotland's top teams. Under
Willie Waddell they would go on to finish 2nd in the League, and lose in the Cup final to Rangers. They were full time and in Waddell they had a young ambitious manager.He was well aware of the banana skin potential of this tie.He took the precaution of watching Eyemouth and checked out their ground.Killie spent the night before the tie in the luxury of the Turnberry Hotel.Nothing was being left to chance.
The contrast with Eyemouth could hardly have been more stark.Their players were in effect amateurs,some being 'frees' from senior clubs ,who 'earned' £1 a week plus expenses.The 250 capacity stand at their ground had been erected by local volunteers.Compared to Kilmarnock,they truly were minnows.
Andy Collin,now 86 and lifelong Eyemouth fan,recalls",The players always got 'a fry of fish' to take home after the game.And if there was a decent crowd they'd get a 'backhander' bonus out of the gate money.With a big crowd expected for the Killie game,a number of fishboxes roped together were used as turnstiles.!"
At Eyemouth on 12 March 1960 the Ayrshiremen fielded a strong team including such well known names as Frank Beattie,Willie Toner and Jackie McInally[father of Alan] Eyemouth lost an early goal when Bertie Black scored with a header.After that United steadied with the visitors "looking far from composed." Then McInally doubled Killie's lead with another header only for Reid to claw one back.Despite a fraught second half for the visitors,the score remained 2-1 in their favour.One report said,"Another sterling display by United -they had a shaky start but went on to give a good account of themselves."
According to Andy,"United did really well.We had chances to win the game in the 2nd half but couldn't put them away.Unfortunately our regular centre forward,John Scott,ex Third Lanark,was missing through injury.If he had been playing I think we would have won.But Willie Waddell was a very, very relieved man after the match I can tell you.His dug out was full of cigarette ends,he'd obviously been very nervous!And I have to say he wasn't very gracious afterwards,criticising the state of our pitch."
Eyemouth's great adventure that season started with a bye into the 2nd round and continued with wins against Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath leading to the quarter final.
There was nevertheless the unexpected bonus of a cup for Eyemouth.In 1956,the now defunct Sunday Pictorial newspaper began awarding the 'Giant Killer's Cup', for the best such performance in the FA Cup.In 1960,it decided to award a Scottish version and chose Eyemouth United as its first winners in recognition of their Cup run.But the SFA,wearing its 'killjoy hat',refused to allow United to accept the cup,whereupon they awarded it instead to the town of Eyemouth, bypassing the SFA.On 25th April,the Pictorial hosted a lavish dinner at the Home Arms Hotel in Eyemouth in honour of United. Players and club officials were all present as the paper's editor toasted the team and presented the large distinctive cup.He commended the part played by local community spirit in the team's success and how well that reflected on the town. Provost Jackson replied that Eyemouth took great pride in its football club.
These heady Cup days are now well in the past for Eyemouth United but their example of achievement against the odds should inspire Berwick Rangers.
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