Hampden rare
£8k shirt is from only time national team wore black and white hoops
A RARE Scotland football jersey from the only match when the team wore black and white hoops is set to fetch up to £8000 at auction.
The long-sleeved kit was worn by Hibernian’s inside left Willie McCartney on his debut for Scotland against Ireland in Belfast on March 1, 1902.
The game, which Scotland won 5-1 on their way to winning the British Home Championship, is thought to be the only time the team wore black and white hoops.
It is believed officials used Queen’s Park FC kit, and adapted it for use by the national team because the Irish wore blue at that time.
McCartney, aged 22, was the youngest player in the team and his jersey features a button-up collar and bright yellow embroidered cloth badge with the red lion rampant, inscribed “S V I, 1902”.
Still in good condition 122 years after it was worn, the jersey will go under the hammer at Graham Budd Auctions’ Scottish Sporting Memorabilia sale at Trades Hall of Glasgow and online on April 10, estimated at £5000-8000.
McCartney’s cap from the same match is offered for sale. Also in black and white stripes, with a gilt tassle and embroidered crest, it is expected to fetch £1000-1500.
David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at Graham Budd Auctions, said: “This extremely rare shirt was worn by Willie McCartney in his international debut and only full international appearance for Scotland. In the match, at Grosvenor Park in Belfast, Scotland defeated Ireland 5-1, and it was the only ever time they wore the black and white. It’s a Queen’s Park style jersey with a Scotland badge.
“It may have been old Queen’s Park stock which they decided to use as a Scotland away strip in Belfast.
“Over 120 years later, it remains a true one off.”
McCartney, born in Newmilns, Ayrshire, turned professional in 1898 and appeared for Rutherglen Glencairn and Ayr before signing for Hibs in 1899.
He helped the club reach the 1902 Scottish Cup final which they won against Celtic.
He was in the Hibs team that won their first ever league championship in 1902-03.
He also had spells with Manchester United and West Ham United before returning to Scotland in 1906 to play for Clyde.