– the kings of Hampden
the tight-knit group were determined not to pass up.
Harry Bruce (56), a former BAFC manager and captain whose son, also Harry, leads the current side, was named man of the match in the final for a masterful showing at left-midfield.
Looking back on a special occasion, he told the Observer: “I remember it just being an amazing day. When we arrived at Hampden I just wanted to take it all in. I remember touching everything – the corner flags, the tunnel, the grass.
“It felt like the whole of Bannockburn were through supporting us. There were so many familiar faces in the crowd.
“We wanted to enjoy the day but ultimately we were there to win and it’s great we managed to do that.
“Wullie was an excellent manager for us and we played brilliantly that day. As a team we did play some good stuff – a good passing game.
“Motherwell were a good side but we knew that when we got the first goal we would have enough to go on and win.”
Harry, who joined the club in 1980 and went on to play in all three cup wins, made reference to the strong team spirit the club possessed.
He said: “We had a great team and we always stuck together. A lot of us were from the Bannockburn and Cowie areas so we were a tight-knit group.
“A lot of us are still in regular contact and some of us still play five-a-sides play in that kind of arena and it was a great occasion for us. My wife and two oldest sons were there too which was nice. I remember there being a really good atmosphere.
“After the game we went out for a meal in Glasgow and then came back to Bannockburn for a celebration in McQ’s. The place was jumping. The support we got was brilliant.
“Around a month later the council put on a civic reception for us at the King Robert and there was an open-top bus parade through the town. We all thought that was really good of them.”
He added: “The game itself was a bit of a blur but we were given some video copies so they were nice to watch back.
“It was a successful period for us. We had a good team spirit and we worked well together.
Jim Fowler, whose goal helped bring the trophy back to Bannockburn, recalled: “Just getting to the final was a tremendous relief. We had been beaten in semi-finals in the previous two years.
“On the day we played very well and I felt we were never in danger of losing.
“My son, James, the team mascot for the final, felt poorly after the match so I remember being with him while the team enjoyed their celebration meal.”
Current club chairman Derek Robertson paid tribute to the cupwinning team. He said: “This now legendary team of local lads started an incredible run that saw the club win three Scottish Amateur Cups by 1994. They were and remain excellent ambassadors for the eastern villages.”
The club went on to secure further amateur cup wins against Blantyre in 1992 and Galston in 1994 – but there’s no doubting that, in finally breaking their hoodoo after numerous failed attempts, the heroes of ‘87 paved the way for future successes.