1968: Dunfermline 3 Hearts 1

Cup Final captains:- Roy Barry and George Miller

Memorable Match #39
Scottish Cup Final
Hampden Park, 27th April 1968

On this day in 1968 Dunfermline Athletic lifted the Scottish Cup for the second time in their history.

In the week before the final manager George Farm took his side to Dunblane Hydro as he had done prior to each of their previous cup tie successes that season. In the previous rounds the Pars had knocked out Celtic, Aberdeen, Partick Thistle and St Johnstone. Hearts had progressed by defeating Brechin City, Dundee United, Rangers and Morton. League encounters between the two cup finalists in the 1967-68 season had seen the away team win both times.

An armada of over 150 buses, hundreds of cars and a special train set off for Hampden on the Saturday morning. The Pars had secured a fourth top finishing place in the First Division, Hearts finished twelfth so at the bookies the Fifers were hot favourites and the expectations of the travelling support were high.

The Dunfermline side was unchanged from the previous week’s 4-1 win at Tannadice. Farm described it as their best performance in months and that meant keeper Bent Martin and centre back John McGarty retained their places. The latter at 20 years of age making his third Pars appearance lined up alongside his captain Roy Barry.

Although the game was never a classic, it will be remembered for a long time by the Pars faithful. After a dull first half, the game burst into life in the second half, and after near things from Paton, Edwards and Gardner, the Pars took the lead in 56 minutes.

Cruikshank pushed out a Lister free kick, and the ball fell nicely for Pat GARDNER who shot home on the volley. Three minutes later Hugh Robertson sent Bert Paton through. The Pars man was then pulled down by the Hearts keeper Jim Cruickshank as he was about to score. There was no argument as the Pars were awarded a penalty and Ian LISTER converted. 2-0

At this point Hearts brought on 22 year old Dane, Rene Moller and they pulled a goal back after LUNN turned the subs’ cross past Martin, but GARDNER restored the Athletic`s two goal advantage when he thundered a shot home, after Paton had taken advantage of a poor George Miller header.

Even with just over quarter of an hour remaining the Scottish Cup was its way back to Dunfermline just seven years since their last Scottish Cup final win.

DUNFERMLINE: Bent Martin; Willie Callaghan, John Lunn, John McGarty, Roy Barry (c), Tom Callaghan; Ian Lister, Bert Paton, Pat Gardner, Hugh Robertson, Alex Edwards
12th man: Jim Thomson
SCORERS: Gardner (56, 72) Lister (59 pen)

HEARTS: Jim Cruickshank; Ian Sneddon, Arthur Mann, Alan Anderson, Arthur Thomson, George Miller (c), Roald Jensen, Jim Townsend, Donald Ford, Jim Irvine, Tommy Traynor
12th man: Rene Moller
SCORER: Lunn (og 70)

REFEREE: W Anderson, East Kilbride
ATTENDANCE 56,365

Sweet success only tempered with disappointment that the SFA banned the winning team from having a lap of honour. It was felt that to do so might incite crowd problems.

The team returned to Dunfermline on the Saturday evening and toured the town in an open top bus. With the crowds lining the street all the way to the City Chambers, the team, and the cup were given an ecstatic reception. Just as the `61 cup winning team had done, the Pars players were introduced one by one on the balcony of the City Chambers.

Above: 1968 Cup Winners re-united in 2008

Roy Barry recalls:-

"I remember the day vividly in the bus. The highlight for me was being on the balcony. I remember Willie Callaghan, Tommy Callaghan and myself with the cup. We looked down on a sea of people of all ages. You thought, Jees what have we achieved here?"

The cup final attendance of 56,365 was at the time, the lowest recorded post-war. There was therefore some satisfaction that Rangers, who had insisted on playing their league game with Aberdeen on the same day, lost 3-2, thereby finishing runners up in the Division One championship to Celtic.

Related Stories

• 1968: Celtic 0 Dunfermline 2
• 1969: West Bromwich Albion 0 Dunfermline 1
• 1970: Dunfermline 3 Anderlecht 2
• 1961: Celtic 0 Dunfermline 2
• 1968 Team Re-Union in 2008