May 7 will mark a decade since a group of Dumbarton Accies players wrote their names into the history books.
Victory in the West of Scotland Cup gave Accies their first national silverware since Bobby Chalmers’ team won the Scottish Cup in 71, and entered into Accies folklore.
A tense 0-0 draw with the heavily fancied Colville Park saw the game, at Hamilton Academical’s New Douglas Park, go to extra time and then penalties - with Accies keeper Andrew McGillivray the hero.
Reflecting on the achievement 10 years on, Kenny Watters explained that there was a good feeling about the club from the start of the campaign.
He said: “The manager that year, Derek Duffy, had a winning mentality beyond doubt, with Del at the helm, driving everyone on, Accies were certainly in with a shout.
“Helping out the first team, Brian Mulholland, Rab Porter, and our own Gerry Doc, and along with Peter McKenzie the kit man, the support team were ready to rock.
“The West Cup was a definite target, one of the hardest amateur trophies to win.”
Accies’ journey began in the second round, as they beat Stevenston Town 3-2, before demolishing Glenburn 7-1.
In the fourth round came a walkover against Gallowhill, leading to a hard tie at Knockentiber away, which Accies won by a single goal
In the last 16, Accies beat Kelvin 3-0, before a 4-2 victory against Bannerman gave the side a semi-final to look forward to.
Standing between Accies, and a place in the final, was a tough tie against Bannockburn.
Dumbarton FC director Gilbert Lawrie had given Accies use of the club’s Strathclyde Homes Stadium, in the hope it could help the run.
Kenny recalls: “The semi-final was hard and though Andy MacDonald scored, Accies were 2-1 down with time running out,
“But with set pieces and big Mark Docherty in your team we believed we’d be in with a shout.
“The Doc climbed the highest and scored a wonderful header, to level the tie at two each. Then, right at the end, he did it again - and Accies’ spot in the final was booked.
The heavily fancied Colville Park were to be Accies opponents.
And Kenny remembers the game well.
He continued: “A lot of ex-players, families and friends made the trip that night to encourage the team.
“Bobby Chalmers was there in search of another Accies cup winning dream. The Muirs, club president Billy and David were there, they are Accies through and through. John O’Neil the match secretary, another club stalwart, and the quiet man, Phil McBride too.
“The final that night was a very tense affair, both teams gave nothing away. The game ebbed and flowed, clear chances were few, defences were on top you could say.
“After a full 90 minutes it was still 0-0 with nothing between each side, and with nobody scoring in extra time, it was over to penalties to decide.”
A tense shootout sat at 3-2, with Chris McDonald knowing if he netted then Accies had the glory.
He made no mistake – sparking jubilation from the Accies players, and amongst their sizeable support.
Kenny concluded: “Celebrations that night went on for a long time. There were cheers and beers and some happy tears.
“The memories of the players superb team performance, would reverberate around the club for years.”
The Accies team that night was: A.McGillivray, Dickie, Dooley, Packham, Watters, Maitland, Gourlay, Caldwell, Nicolson, McHard, MacDonald. Subs: Harvie, Docherty, McDonald. Unused: Eaglesham, Kemp, S.McGillivray.
Ross Thomson, Graeme McBride, Martin O’Neill, and Kevin Graham, also played that season, Andy Love was unfortunate to be injured and miss the final, while Alan Sweeney, on holiday, took some teasing from his teammates.
