The Dunfermline Athletic Scottish Cup Winning Team 1968

27th April 1968 will forever remain as one of the most important dates in the history of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.

The Dunfermline Athletic Scottish Cup Winning Team 1968

27th April 1968 will forever remain as one of the most important dates in the history of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.

In many ways it was the culmination not of just a good Cup run or a successful season,but of the consistency of a team that had been
knocking on the door of success throughout the 1960s. The Pars had previously perhaps not enjoyed the rewards the team's play had merited, but here was evidence that Dunfermline Athletic could compete with anything in Scottish football.

The Scottish Cup run began with a remarkable win against Celtic, the reigning European Cup holders, at Parkhead on 27th January 1968.

Despite the loss of Jim Fraser to an awful tackle from Bertie Auld, Dunfermline won with goals from Hugh Robertson and Pat Gardner. The next round match was another tough one against Aberdeen but on Monday 19th February Dunfermline scraped through with a second half penalty from Robertson and the winner from Alex Edwards, after the Dons had taken a first half lead from Jimmy Smith.

Dunfermline were without suspended skipper Roy Barry for the quarter final against Partick Thistle on 9th March. The Pars had Bent Martin, who was in sparkling form, to thank for keeping a clean sheet. Bert Paton got the winner ten minutes from time.

Dunfermline were strong favourites to win the semi final against Willie Ormond's up and coming St Johnstone, but they made very heavy weather of it. In the first match, only a lucky equaliser from Pat Gardner kept an outplayed Pars side in the tie. When it went to a replay, Alex McDonald opened the scoring for St Johnstone, which seemed to provide the wake up call that was required and Bert Paton soon equalised. Almost at the end of extra time, substitute Ian Lister got the winner to take Dunfermline to the Final for the third time in seven years.

Dunfermline were favourites to beat Hearts in the Final and in the end were well worthy of the 3-1 victory. After a goalless first half Gardner volleyed Dunfermline into the lead. Three minutes later Bert Paton was tripped inside the box and Ian Lister made certain from the spot. Hearts got one back but Gardner sent the Cup back to Dunfermline with another crashing shot in the 73rd minute.

Dunfermline's Scottish Cup run was an amazing team effort that included manager George Farm,trainer Andy Stevenson, and the Cup Final team of Bent Martin, Willie Callaghan, John Lunn, John McGarty, Roy Barry (captain), Tom Callaghan, Ian Lister, Bert Paton, Pat Gardner, Hugh Robertson, Alex Edwards.

In addition, these players also played in the 1968 Scottish Cup run: Jim Thomson (started every game apart from the Final where he was an unused substitute), Alex Totten (started v Aberdeen), Jim Fraser (started three games), Bobby Kinloch (started v Partick Thistle), Barrie Mitchell (started v Partick Thistle), Ian Hunter (substitute for Fraser v Celtic), Stuart Gordon (substitute for Lunn v Aberdeen).

Heroes every one.

Pictures from the Fifth Hall of Fame