Special day for Allison as Lothian make Scottish Cup debut at last
EAST of Scotland Champions Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale will make their debut in the William Hill Scottish Cup today against Burntisland Shipyard as the preliminary round of the national knockout competition is held.
The Edinburgh club have not been allowed to compete before as their Saughton Enclosure ground does not meet SFA licensing requirements. However, their position as league winners means they were allowed in this year.
The day will be a special one for Chairman/Secretary Tom Allison, who has been an ever-present since the club was formed back in 1969, and Allison said: “It is a very special game. When we started all those years ago as an amateur side I remember hoping that we would do well in the Scottish Amateur Cup.
“We did as we reached the semi-finals before losing to Tynecastle. However, I never thought much of being in the senior Scottish Cup then.”
After progressing through the amateur ranks, Lothian joined the East of Scotland League in 1995 and, despite winning almost every honour available, they had to watch as their fellow league clubs had the chance to joust with the giants in country’s top tournament.
However, under the management of former Hearts and Motherwell player Kevin Twaddle, they have the opportunity now should they see off Burntisland and progress into the first round proper and beyond, with Allison delighted for the players of the club.
Allison said: “We have a young group who worked tremendously hard to win the league and being our first squad to compete in the Scottish Cup is a great reward for them.”
Many of the players that will face Burntisland were originally with Hutchison Vale, who are the wellknown youth wing of operation.”
The two bodies merged in 2011 to create a community club taking players from youth to amateur football and Hutchison Vale have, of course, produced recent Scottish Cup winners including Allan MacGregor, Steven Whittaker, Gary Caldwell and Kenny Miller.
Allison is as delighted for the players making their debuts today as those who have winners’ medals as he explained: “I think it is terrific that a new chapter in Scottish Cup history is being written by players from Hutchison Vale.”
Ayrshire Junior side Hurlford also take part for the first time when they face Edinburgh University just a couple of months after their 3-0 success over Glenafton in the Scottish Junior Cup.
The other ties are Auchinleck Talbot v St Cuthbert Wanderers, Glasgow University v Cove Rangers, Vale of Leithen v Gala Fairydean Rovers, Newton Stewart v Hawick Royal Albert, Edinburgh City v Fort William, Wigtown & Bladnoch v Civil Service Strollers.