On this day 1891: Hearts win first-ever trophy with Scottish Cup final win over Dumbarton

Jambos lift first-ever silverware against the odds with narrow win over much-fancied opponents
The victorious Hearts team poses with the Scottish Cup trophyThe victorious Hearts team poses with the Scottish Cup trophy
The victorious Hearts team poses with the Scottish Cup trophy

On 7 February 1891, on a dull afternoon at what we know today as Cathkin Park, "Heart of Mid-Lothian" won their first trophy, defeating the "hitherto unconquered Dumbarton" 1-0 thanks to Willie Mason's 15th-minute goal.

A reported 10,386 turned out to watch the match - around half of them Hearts fans - with The Scotsman later reporting: "The attendance consequently exceeded all expectations and by 3.15, the hour fixed for kick-off, there could not have been less than 12,000 present. £600 was drawn at the gate, and the closely-packed stand would doubtless furnish fully £100 more."

The road to the final

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Hearts had defeated then non-league side Raith Rovers 7-2 in the first round, held on 6 September 1890, were awarded a walkover against Burntisland Thistle in second round on 27 September and recorded a 3-0 win away to Methlan Park - another Dumbarton-based club - in the third round on 18 October.

On 8 November 1890, Hearts defeated Ayr FC 4-3 to advance to the fifth round where they beat Greenock Morton 5-1 on 29 November. In the quarter-finals, held five days before Christmas, East Stirlingshire were beaten 3-1 by the Capital side who swept Third Lanark aside by four goals to one in the semi-final held on 31 January 1891.

Dumbarton, meanwhile, had seen off Smithston Hibernian 8-2; Hibs 9-1; Clydebank 6-0; Mossend Swifts 7-3; 5th Kirkcudbrightshire Rifle Volunteers (KRV) 8-0 after the initial match was declared void; Celtic 3-0 in the last eight and Abercorn 3-1 in the semi-finals.

The match itself

Despite Dumbarton's perceived superiority - the Sons were declared joint-winners of the league with Rangers after finishing level on points and drawing a play-off; had scored 44 goals and conceded just seven en route to the final and had already lifted the cup once in 1883 and been runners-up in three previous finals - The Scotsman reports that "popular sympathy appeared to be decidedly in favour of the Heart of Mid-Lothian".

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Both teams engaged in "an excellent passing game" in the opening period, and Davie Russell had a shot cleared off the line as the underdogs looked to get the upper hand. Youngster Jock Fairbairn, in goal for Hearts, denied the prolific Jack Bell as Dumbarton had a chance of their own, and Russell went close again with a header as both teams put on a show despite the strong wind.

Then came the goal; Jimmy Adams feeding George Scott whose pass found Willie Mason. The inside right then found the net with a fine effort that "fairly baffled John McLeod" in the Dumbarton goal.

Although Hearts were deemed worthy winners, the second half "degenerated considerably" with Jambos half-back Johnny Hill picking up an injury and, with no substitutes at the time, Davie Baird dropped from the forward line to support his stricken team-mate.

'Proper' holders

During the post-match proceedings, both teams and the officials dined in Alexandra Hotel on Glasgow's Bath Street.

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Referee and SFA President Mr Tom Park, congratulated Hearts and formally presented the Cup to the winners, remarking that it was only right and proper that "Scotia's Cup" should find a resting place in in "Scotia's capital."

Post-match celebrations

The team and club officials eventually arrived back in Edinburgh after 11pm, although crowds had started to gather "long before nine o'clock" at the Caledonian Station. Reports of the time state that police "had difficulty in keeping the crowd off the platform at which the train was to arrive".

A "brake" or horse-drawn wagon had arrived to take the victors to the Union Hotel in Lothian Road but the enthusiastic public uncoupled the horses from the cart and pulled it up the road themselves.

Hearts won a further three Scottish Cups in the fifteen-year period between 1891 and 1906, lifting the trophy in in 1896 (against Hibs); 1901 (against Celtic) and 1906 (against Third Lanark).

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Dumbarton: McLeod, goal; Watson and Millar, backs; McMillan (captain), Boyle and Leitch Keir, half-backs; Taylor, Galbraith, Mair, McNaught, and Bell, forwards.

Hearts: Jock Fairbairn, goal; Jimmy Adams and George Goodfellow, backs; Isaac Begbie (captain), John Macpherson and Johnny Hill, half-backs; Willie Taylor, Willie Mason, Davie Russell, George Scott, and Davie Baird, forwards.

The Scotsman's match report of February 9 1891

Extraordinary general interest centred in this important contest, which was decided at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Saturday.

The brilliant victory of the Heart of Mid-Lothian of the previous week over the 3d Lanark Volunteers had greatly assisted to this end, and on all hands the opinion was freely expressed that the hitherto unconquered Dumbarton men had met opponents equal in skill and pluck to themselves.

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The most elaborate arrangements had been made in view of the importance of the contest in the district, as well as Dumbartonshire.

Two specials left Caledonian Station here - the first at 11.30, containing no fewer than 1500 passengers, while a second at 1.15 was patronised to the extent of 1000. The specials from Dumbartonshire were also well-filled, and when the gates of Hampden Park were thrown open at 1.30 the field at once presented a busy and animated appearance.

From that hour, all was bustle and excitement at the gates, every conceivable vehicle being brought into requsition to convey spectators to the scene of action. The attendance consequently exceeded all expectations and by 3.15, the hour fixed for kick-off, there could not have been less than 12,000 present. £600 was drawn at the gate, and the closely-packed stand would doubtless furnish full £100 more.

The weather, though dull, was well-adapted to the game, while the ground was in capital condition. From start to finish the game was conducted in the most desperate manner, although it must be said that the players kept themselves wonderfully well in hand for a final tie.

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All round, however, the Edinburgh team were superior and their victory of one goal to nothing was thoroughly well-deserved. Five minutes before the time the teams made their appearance in the field and though both were well received, popular sympathy appeared to be decidedly in favour of the Heart of Mid-Lothian.

The toss favoured Dumbarton, who compelled their opponents to face a stiff and somewhat puzzling south-west wind. After the customery interchanges the teams settled down to an excellent passing game, and it soon became evident that Dumbarton would have all their work cut out to stall off the determined opposition of the Tynecastle players.

Galbraith was early prominent for the west country men, but he was pulled up in fine style by Goodfellow.

Russell was then prominent for the Heart of Mid-Lothian, and looked very dangerous until Watson came to the rescue of his side just on the line.

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Bell shortly afterwards sent in a hard shot to Fairbairn, but the youthful custodian caught and threw out in a style which gave great confidence to the supporters of the Club.

After some quiet and even play the Heart of Mid-Lothian broke away in really excellent style, and Russell all but scored with a header.

Thus temporarily driven back the Edinburgh team continued to assert their superiority, and after fifteen minutes from the start their efforts were crowned with success.

Adams with consummate judgement passed the ball to Scott, who in turn sent it to Mason, and the latter with a fine effort fairly baffled McLeod.

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This success against the wind was received with tremendous cheering.

The Dumbarton team replied pluckily to this reverse, but their opponents were playing a fine game, and easily kept them in check.

Till half-time the game proceeded generally in favour of the eastern men, who however, were unable to add to their score.

On resuming, Dumbarton showed up in famous style, and had the players kept their heads better success would probably have rewarded their dashing efforts.

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Cool and collected the Tynecastle men drove them back, and McLeod had all his work cut out to keep his charge intact.

The game in this half degenerated considerably, however.

Hill was suffering from lameness, and Baird was taken from the front rank to assist him.

This at once spoiled the combination, more especially of the forwards, and was generally considered to have been a mistake.

Against the wind it might have been a judicious move; as it was, the Hearts probably lost a goal through it.

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Yet, with but four forwards, they more than held their own - Scott, in particular, putting in some famous runs on the left wing..

From one of these Mason nearly effected the downfall of the Dumbarton goal, McLeod jumping up and saving just under the bar.

As time approached it became evident that nothing could prevent the cup coming to Edinburgh, their representatives playing with easy confidence, while Dumbarton were to all intents and purposes a beaten team. When the whistle sounded, therefore, the Hearts, amid extraordinary excitement, secured possession of the much-coveted trophy.

The winners were loudly cheered, most of the players being carried shoulder-high to the pavilion.

Those who specially distinguished themselves on the winning side were Adams, Macpherson, Russell and Scott.

Boyle and McLeod did best for the losers, whose play generally was disappointing.