Scottish Junior Cup Winners 2000

This page has been created to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Whitburn winning the Scottish Junior Cup on 28th May 2000.

We've started off with The Road To Glory - the match reports for every game en-route to the final from the Supporters Club website at the time. Then there are match programs from the Irvine Meadow, Pumpherston, Benburb semi final and Johnstone Burgh final.

ADDED - newspaper clippings from before the final and after the final

This should bring back some great memories for those of us old enough to have had the privilege of witnessing the greatest day in the club's history so far, and for those who are too young to remember, some understanding of the Club's proud heritage.

Whitburn Junior FC

O.V.D. Scottish Junior Cup Winners

Season 1999-2000

photo by Bert Pearson

The road to glory

First round

Bye

Whitburn receive their almost customary bye into the 2nd round.

The last time they had a first round match was in season 1995-96, a 4-0 home victory over Forfar Albion. Before that we have to go back 10 years to a 3-1 away victory over Forth Wanderers in season 1985-86.

Second round

November 6th 1999

Meadow Park, Irvine

Irvine Meadow XI v Whitburn

Team - Smith, Clouston, Milne, Maratea, Prior, Landels (Bonnar), Hannah (Taylor), C.L. Campbell, Hume, Wilson, Gilmour. Subs not used - Burns, Bullen, Black.

Whitburn came away from this game knowing they should already be through to the next round.

On paper, this looked like a tough draw for the Burnie, but after taking a 2 goal lead and looking comfortable, they allowed Meadow to come back into the game and force a replay.

The referee made several bookings during the game, nothing unusual for a Scottish Cup tie, but the booking of Kenny Hannah early in the game when he removed his jersey to take off a tee shirt was surely unnecessary. Is that really a bookable offence?

Stevie Prior was also booked in the first half, correctly, for preventing a free kick from being taken, and that was to prove costly later in the game.

Andy Hume put Whitburn one up just before half time when he took advantage of a mistake by Meadow's Stewart outside the box. He picked up the ball and cut inside before firing home a great shot to give Whitburn a deserved half time .

Six minutes into the second half Whitburn scored their second goal. Colin Campbell rose almost unchallenged in the box to head home a corner kick from the left. Whitburn were cruising at this stage but were punished for defending too deeply when Meadow pulled a goal back from a contentious penalty kick. The ball was played into the box and two Meadow players appeared to collide with each other and went to ground. The referee, however, saw it differently and awarded a penalty which Courtney converted.

In the final minute of the match, with Whitburn looking to be through, the large visiting support were stunned when Irvine Meadow equalised. Stevie Prior committed a foul just inside Whitburn's half. The referee awarded a free kick then proceeded to sent off Prior for a second bookable offence. It was certainly a free kick but the sending off was very harsh.

With Whitburn trying to reorganise at the back, the free kick was played high into the box and ended up at the far post where Chris Dougal slammed the ball into the roof of the net to earn a replay.

To lose an equaliser so late makes it feel like a defeat, but Whitburn played well and should be a good bet to finish the job at Central Park in two weeks time.

Result - Irvine Meadow XI 2 Whitburn 2

Scorers - Hume, C.L. Campbell

Second round replay

November 20th 1999

Central Park, Whitburn

Whitburn v Irvine Meadow XI

Team - Smith, Clouston, Milne, Maratea, Prior, Landels (Taylor), Hannah (Black), C.L. Campbell, Hume, Wilson, Gilmour (Craig). Subs not used - Burns, Bonnar.

After having to wait an extra week due to the Scotland V England international, Whitburn made no mistake in this replayed match.

They got off to a great start with a goal in their first attacking move. Hume controlled the ball well and sent in a great cross from the right for Stuart Gilmour to blast home.

Irvine Meadow came into the game and almost equalised in the 10th minute when Sim hit the bar. Ten minutes later Chris Smith, who also had some great saves in the first game, again kept Meadow from scoring with a terrific stop from a Sim drive.

Whitburn, playing some good football, began to exert more and more pressure on the Meadow defence.

In the 30th minute, Gilmour had a 25 yard drive deflected for a corner. Gilmour again, then Callum Milne had efforts on goal, Hume shot just over after good work from Hannah, then Campbell had an effort after a pass from Hume.

In the final minute of the half, Whitburn's pressure paid off when Hume headed home a cross from Campbell on the right.

In the second half Whitburn continued to dominate the game and there was never any danger of losing the two goal lead this time.

After Hannah had seen an effort saved by keeper Connick, Whitburn scored the third in the 52nd minute. Milne played a high ball into the box for Andy Hume to score.

Whitburn kept going, and scored the fourth in the 60th minute with the goal of the game. They broke from their own box, with Hannah releasing Campbell on the right to play a ball into the Meadow box, where Andy Hume met it first time to blast it past stranded keeper Connick for his hat trick.

Meadow pushed forward late in the game in an effort to score a consolation goal, but Chris Smith was having a fine game and stopped everything that came his way.

In the final minute, Whitburn rounded off a great afternoon when Paul Taylor knocked the ball over the line from a Campbell cut back.

On this form, Whitburn are a match for anyone and look to be a good bet for this season's competition.

Result - Whitburn 5 Irvine Meadow XI 0

Scorers - Gilmour, Hume(3), Taylor

Third round

December 26th 1999

Recreation Park, Pumpherston

Pumpherston Juniors v Whitburn

Team - Burns, Clouston, Milne (Black), Maratea, Prior (Craig), Landels (Taylor), Hannah, C.L. Campbell, Hume, Wilson, Gilmour. Subs not used - Bullen, McNaughton

This game finally got played at the fourth attempt, having been postponed on the last three Saturdays because of the weather. The previous week, supporters buses were just about to leave the club when word came through that the game was off due to a waterlogged pitch. The only surprise was that it took so long to make the decision as the rain had been torrential all day.

This game saw coaches Brian McNaughton and Keith Burgess return to their previous club where Lex Shields and Kevin McKee, who had been at Whitburn last season, were in charge.

The first half was fairly even, with both teams looking a little rusty due to lack of match practice. Pumpherston were reduced to 10 men after 20 minutes when one of their defenders aimed a kick at a Whitburn player following a challenge.

Whitburn took the lead 5 minutes from half time when Andy Hume got on the end of a high ball into the box to head past the outcoming keeper into an empty net.

Gilmour made it 2-0 after 50 minutes, then Taylor scored the 3rd, with a low shot from the edge of the box, 5 minutes later.

The second half was dominated by Whitburn, with Pumpherston's keeper, Jason Brown, having some great saves to keep the score down.

Pumpherston almost scored when Stevie McIlhone, one of several ex Whitburn players in their team, hit a right foot drive from 25 yards which came back off the bar.

Result - Pumpherston 0 Whitburn 3

Scorers - Hume, Gilmour, Taylor

Fourth round

22nd January 2000

Robertson Park, Thorniewood

Thorniewood United v Whitburn

Team - Burns, Clouston, Milne, Landels (Hannah), Prior,

Craig, Taylor, C.L. Campbell, Hume, Wilson, Gilmour. Subs not used - Black, Maratea, Bullen, Smith.

The heavy pitch made it difficult for both teams to get going in a game which had been postponed the previous week due to waterlogging.
Both teams had scoring opportunities during the first half with Whitburn's best coming in the 20th minute. Stuart Gilmour put through a great ball for Colin L. Campbell, but goalkeeper Connolly made a terrific save from his shot.
Gilmour himself tried a left foot effort after combining with Terry Wilson but failed to find the target.
Just before half time Thorniewood almost scored when Kelly headed a cross ball just wide.
Whitburn took more control of the game in the second half and exerted more pressure on the Thorniewood defence, but goalkeeper Connolly had a great game with several excellent saves to keep the score blank. Gilmour, Hume and Campbell all had opportunities to score, but couldn't make the breakthrough.
Whitburn brought on Kenny Hannah for Graeme Landels, perhaps hoping he could exploit the large playing surface by providing cross balls, but the opening goal still would not come. Thorniewood, although pinned back for most of the half, still had a few breaks but appeared to tire towards the end. They look a better team than their Central League, second division placement would indicate with several young players who would not look out of place in a higher division. Whitburn though, should be confident of winning the replay at home next week.

Result - Thorniewood 0 Whitburn 0

Fourth round replay

29th January 2000

Central Park, Whitburn

Whitburn v Thorniewood United

Team - Burns, Clouston, Milne, Craig, Prior (Sokoluk),

Taylor, Hannah, C.L. Campbell, Hume (Black), Wilson, Gilmour (Bullen). Subs not used - Maratea, Smith.

Whitburn enjoyed a comfortable replay victory over Thorniewood in a game which was played in strong wind and rain which made good football difficult.

Whitburn attacked from the start, and after 10 minutes, Kenny Hannah saw a shot from 18 yards saved by keeper Connolly. Six minutes later Whitburn scored the goal their early play merited. Colin L. Campbell crossed the ball from the left into a crowded box and the Thorniewood defence failed to clear properly. It fell for Kevin Craig who wasted no time in driving home from six yards.

Thorniewood pushed forward and exerted some pressure on Whitburn's goal which ended with a shot over the bar.

Whitburn almost scored a second goal after 27 minutes, when Campbell saw a great shot held by the keeper.

The start of the second half saw chances for both sides. First Campbell shot wide from a good position after a pass from Hume, then Goldie of Thorniewood saw his shot well saved by Burns in the 50th minute.

Two minutes later Hume scored Whitburn's second goal with a tremendous low drive from 25 yards.

The third goal came after 75 minutes when Terry Wilson saw his first shot saved, but followed up to net the rebound.

Hume scored the fourth goal a few minutes later, heading home from a Hannah corner kick.

Result - Whitburn 4 Thorniewood 0

Scorers - Craig, Hume(2), Wilson

Fifth round

19th February 2000

Brig o`Lea Stadium, Neilston

Neilston v Whitburn

Team - Burns, Clouston, Milne, Taylor, Prior,

Landels (Craig), Hannah (Maratea), C.L. Campbell (Black), Hume, Wilson, Gilmour. Subs not used - McPhee, Sokoluk.

This turned out to be a really exciting cup tie with great goals from both sides.
Whitburn had the best of the first half and went ahead after 15 minutes with a tremendous goal from Stuart Gilmour. Kenny Hannah sent over a long cross from the right, which went over the heads of everyone in the centre of the box and fell perfectly for Gilmour on the left of the area. He met it on the full volley and shot across the keeper into the far corner from about 15 yards.
Ten minutes later Whitburn went two up, again following a cross from Hannah. Gilmour put Neilston keeper Hewitt under pressure and the ball broke to Andy Hume who scored easily.
Neilston pulled a goal back in the 35th minute when Cochrane blasted home a super shot from the edge of the box.
The second half saw Neilston doing most of the pressing in an effort to get the equalizer. Whitburn, however, defended well and had chances to increase their lead, with Hume shooting just past on the turn, and the keeper bringing off a great save from Gilmour.
In the 88th minute, Neilston`s pressure was rewarded and they finally got the equalising goal when the ball was fired home following a corner.
Many Whitburn supporters, myself included, thought we were in for a replay, and a repeat of the Irvine Meadow game, which also saw a 2 goal lead pulled back.
Neilston, who had been exerting almost relentless pressure prior to their equalizer, pressed forward looking for a winner and were caught on the break. Derek Black sent a ball through for Andy Hume who took it in his stride before hammering an unstoppable shot past the keeper and into the net. Several of the home players sank to their knees in disbelief whilst the Whitburn players and supporters celebrated.
What a finish!

Result - Neilston 2 Whitburn 3

Scorers - Gilmour, Hume(2)

Quarter final

11th March 2000

Central Park, Whitburn

Whitburn v Arbroath Sporting Club

Team - Smith, Clouston (Maratea), Milne, Taylor, Prior,

Landels (Craig), Hannah, C.L. Campbell, Hume, Wilson, Gilmour. Subs not used - Black, McPhee, Burns.

After 4 consecutive away draws in this season's Scottish Cup, Whitburn finally got a home tie.
This turned out to be a reasonably comfortable victory, although it was scoreless at half time.
Andy Hume continued his scoring streak in the competition when he headed the opening goal, after 52 minutes, from a Paul Taylor corner kick. Whitburn seemed happy to keep the score at 1-0, but Arbroath equalized 6 minutes later with a tremendous dipping shot from about 25 yards out, which went over keeper Smith who was only a couple of yards off his line, and into the net.
This spurred Whitburn into action, and they regained the lead with an own goal in the 72nd minute. Taylor sent in another excellent corner which was headed on by Prior at the front post. Defender Davidson, trying to clear, side footed the ball into the net past his keeper.
Whitburn sealed victory in the 82nd minute. Kenny Hannah picked out Kevin Craig on the left of the box with a low through ball. Craig played the ball back across the box to the far post for Colin L.Campbell to score.

Result - Whitburn 3 Arbroath SC 1

Scorers - Hume, C.L. Campbell, o.g.

Semi final

28th April 2000

Excelsior Shyberry Stadium, Airdrie

Whitburn v Benburb

Team - Burns, Clouston, Milne, C.J. Campbell, Prior,

Landels (Taylor), Craig, Hannah, C.L. Campbell (McPhee), Hume (Black), Gilmour. Subs not used - Smith, Maratea.

The kick off was delayed for 15 minutes to allow the large support into the stadium. The decision to only open one stand proved to be the wrong one and stewards were forced to allow several hundred fans to take up seats in the stands behind both goals, making the attendance somewhere around 4000.

Whitburn got off to the best possible start when, in the 3rd minute, Campbell picked up a Hume head flick and cut into the box from the right. The covering defender slipped and appeared to handle the ball, however, having since seen the incident on television's 30 second coverage, I believe any such contact was accidental. Campbell didn't hang about anyway, and with the large Whitburn support screaming for a penalty, dragged the ball clear of the defender and slammed it into the net passed former Whitburn keeper Lamont. We all hoped that this was to be the start of a comfortable victory, but this was far from being the case, with Whitburn defending deeply and hardly being seen as an attacking force for the rest of the 90 minutes.

Whitburn had to reorganize midway through the first half when midfielder Graeme Landels was injured and had to be stretchered from the field to be replaced by Paul Taylor. Thankfully, the injury to Landels turned out to be not too serious.

Ten minutes into the second half, keeper Robert Burns repeated his heroics of 5 years previously against Glenafton, when he made a brilliant diving save to prevent another former Whitburn player, John Wilkinson, from equalizing after he broke through on goal.

Wilkinson was sent off with 8 minutes left after stamping on the grounded Paul Taylor.

With 3 minutes left, Burns brought off another great save when he got down to hold a tremendous shot from the edge of the box, which he must have seen late as it came through a ruck of players.

This was a game in which Benburb had most of the possession and attacking play, however Whitburn defended well, soaking up everything that was thrown at them.

Just when everyone thought we were through to the final, Benburb stunned the Whitburn support in the 4th minute of injury time when midfielder Magee headed home a long free kick from the left to take the game into extra time.

Whitburn, to their credit, showed more of what they are capable of and were the better team during this period, and had a couple of chances to stop the game going to penalties. Billy McPhee brought out a good save from Lamont when he drove into the box on the left and fired in a low shot. Then Whitburn missed a great chance when Stevie Prior connected too well with a Callum Milne knock-down to blast over an open goal from inside the six yard box.

The game went to penalty kicks, with Milne, Hannah and Gilmour scoring with Whitburn`s first three, whilst Burns saved Benburb`s first to make it 3-2. Colin J. Campbell saw his penalty saved by Lamont, but Benburb then put their next attempt past the post. Derek Black stepped up, needing to score to take Whitburn through, but shot narrowly past.

Callum Milne had been named Man of the Match during normal time, but keeper Burns became Whitburn`s hero when he had another great save at Benburb`s final penalty to start a night of celebration.

Result - Whitburn 1 Benburb 1 at 90 minutes and after extra time.
Whitburn win 3-2 on penalties.

Scorer - Colin L. Campbell

Man of the Match - Callum Milne

Final

28th May 2000

Firhill Stadium

Whitburn v Johnstone Burgh

Team - Burns, Clouston, Milne, C.J. Campbell, Prior,
Landels (Wilson), Hannah (Taylor), C.L. Campbell, Hume, Bonnar (Craig), Gilmour. Subs not used - Smith, Black.

From mid-morning, supporters started arriving at the Social Club, and by the time the team left, the Club was packed, inside and out.
The players boarded their bus to the cheers and best wishes of hundreds of supporters, all hoping for Whitburn to bring home the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history.

ready to roll

The Supporters Club ran thirteen buses, taking approximately 700 passengers to the final, which was about 10% of the total crowd.
The buses arrived at Firhill in plenty of time, which allowed everyone to settle into their seats and enjoy the atmosphere.

The mascots warming up

Race for the ball

The teams take the field

Waiting for kick off

Just as in the semi-final, this game got off to a flying start with a goal in the first 3 minutes. However, on this occasion it wasn't Whitburn, but their opponents who scored. Bruce Clouston, beaten for pace by the speedy Frater, pulled him down just outside the box to give away a free kick. Clouston was booked, and was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off as Frater looked to have a clear scoring opportunity. The free kick was tapped to the side, and Lindsay curled the ball over the wall into the keeper's left-hand corner.
Whitburn pushed forward immediately, and Andy Hume brought out a good save from the keeper, with a downward header from a Kenny Hannah corner kick after 5 minutes.
Shortly after this a male streaker ran onto the park, and it seemed to take some time before police and stewards moved to remove him.
Whitburn settled into their game after the early setback and created several good chances. Johnstone keeper Donahoe saved a long range strike from Clouston and another Hume header. Hume also sent another header narrowly past before Whitburn, after 39 minutes, got the equaliser their play deserved.
Callum Milne moved up the left and played a one-two with C.L. Campbell just inside the box. As he played the ball and continued forward, he was brought down by Martin for a penalty kick. After treatment, Milne made his usual immaculate job of slotting the kick home.

Callum Milne equalises

Well done Callum

The second half, like the first, got off to a flying start with early goals.
Three minutes after the restart, Kenny Hannah curled in great cross from the right, to the far post. Stuart Gilmour met the ball with a tremendous header from 6 yards, which looked net bound until the keeper brought off a brilliant reflex save to push the ball round the post. Hannah took the corner kick and sent the ball into the middle of the six yard box where the unmarked C. L. Campbell, in his 200th game for the Club, jumped to head home and send the Whitburn support into raptures.

Campbell puts Whitburn ahead

We're winning

The Whitburn celebrations were short lived however, because straight from the restart Johnstone went forward and McLay shot home from 12 yards. Robert Burns in goal had the shot covered, but it took a deflection off C.J. Campbell and landed in the net.
Thereafter, both teams created chances, and were unlucky not to score.
After 53 minutes, Martin of Johnstone had a shot from 30 yards which deceived Burns and rattled the post. Rab, like the rest of us, was relieved to see it bounce back into play to be cleared by Campbell.
Johnstone were having a good start to the second half, and a minute later Burns got down well to smother a low drive from 12 yards in a crowded box.
Colin L. Campbell then broke forward, and ran into the box between two defenders. They were perhaps fortunate that the referee waved play when he went down as they both tackled him. One of them certainly played the ball, but the other seemed to impede him.
Three minutes later, a long ball out of defence beat the Whitburn defence. Frater beat Burns to the ball but lobbed it wide.
At this point Whitburn made their first substitution, Terry Wilson replacing Landels.
Johnstone created another couple of half chances before Hume, in the 70th minute, got his head to a Gilmour cross, but put the ball wide under pressure.
In the 76th minute Stevie Prior just failed to connect with a diving header from another Gilmour cross, with the Johnstone defence beaten.
A minute later Taylor replaced Hannah who had taken a knock about 5 minutes previously.
In the last 10 minutes, both teams had chances to score. C. L. Campbell almost got on the end of a short passback, but was beaten by the keeper who sent a long ball upfield. Milne did well to hold up Millar, but when the ball came across it found Brolly at the back post who headed wide from a great position.
Seven minutes from time, Stuart Gilmour cut in from the right and hit a great drive from 25 yards, which keeper Donahoe couldn't hold, but managed to divert onto the post.
Two minutes later, Whitburn made their final substitution, Kevin Craig replacing Sean Bonnar.
The rain was lashing down at this point and mistakes crept in as both teams tired.
Whitburn had a scare in injury time when another long ball caught the defence on the turn, but they managed to get back and clear the danger
In extra time, both teams looked exhausted, and desperate not to make a mistake which could cost the game.
Whitburn had a good opportunity mid way through the first period, when C. L. Campbell ran onto a through ball but tired legs prevented him from making the most of the chance.
In the final minute of the first period, McGuire spotted Burns off his line and sent a dipping 25 yard effort just over the bar.
The second period of extra time saw few chances, with both teams extremely tired and several Johnstone players dropping with cramp. Craig had an opportunity in the final minute but just failed to connect with a long cross from Paul Taylor.
And so the final went to the dreaded penalty kicks for the first time in the history of the competition, although both teams appeared to have settled for this long before the final whistle.

The penalty kick shootout

Johnstone went first, with Lindsay scoring easily, as did Callum Milne with Whitburn's first kick.
Rab Burns, who can usually be relied on to save at least one in a penalty shoot out, the brought off a fine save from Lee Martin.
Whitburn's advantage didn't last long however as Paul Taylor saw his kick saved by Donahoe.
Both teams converted their next two penalties, Connie and Millar for Johnstone, and Gilmour and Clouston for Whitburn to make it 3-3 with one kick each left.
Johnstone's McGuire stepped up but sent his kick wide, leaving Whitburn captain Stevie Prior with the chance to win the Scottish Cup. Stevie took a long run up and fired the ball home. Keeper Donahoe managed to get his fingers to the ball, but there was too much power in the kick for him to stop it.

Stevie Prior scores the winner

Stevie salutes the crowd

This game was one of the best finals for many years, with both teams prepared to go forward, making it an entertaining and exciting game.

And so the celebrations began.

Result - Whitburn 2 Johnstone Burgh 2 at 90 minutes and after extra time.
Whitburn win 4-3 on penalties.

Scorers - Callum Milne (penalty), Colin L. Campbell

Man of the Match - Callum Milne

O.V.D. Scottish Cup Winners for season 1999-2000

Whitburn Junior FC

Lifting the Scottish Cup

Kenny Hannah and Bruce Clouston

Stevie Prior

Sean Bonnar

Whitburn had waited a long time for a Scottish Cup triumph, and having reached 3 semi-finals and 2 finals in the last 12 years, were certainly due it.

The team arrived back in Whitburn to a tremendous and thoroughly deserved reception. Thousands lined the entire length of Main Street, from Murraysgate to the Club, as the Scottish Cup was paraded on an open top bus. The rain was pouring down again, but nobody seemed to notice.
The bus stopped at the Social Club and the Cup was carried triumphantly into it's home for the next year.