1931 Scottish Cup Final

Peter Scarff and Bertie Thomson chase referee Craigmyle claiming a penalty. It was not given.

Jimmy McGrory's goal in the 1931 Scottish Cup FInal opening game.

In light of Celtic's pending Scottish Cup Final against Motherwell tomorrow afternoon, it only felt appropriate to revisit a classic Scottish Cup Final match that both teams shared back in 1931. 

​The 1931 Scottish Cup Final was to be the 53rd staging of Scotland's most distinguished knock-out competition, as both teams battled it out to lift the world's oldest national trophy. Celtic, eventually won the competition, after defeating Motherwell in the replayed final. 

​THE OPENING GAME

​The opening game of the final, played on Saturday 11th April 1931, was Motherwell's for the taking. The Steelmen were 2 goals up, with eight minutes to go when Celtic, unexpectedly, equalized. George Stevenson's and John McMenemy's goals would be cancelled out by Celtic legend, Jimmy McGrory and an unfortunate own-goal. It was said that even when McGrory scored to bring the game to 2-1, that Motherwell looked unlikely to fail. Yet, with ninety seconds to go fate took a hand in the game. Motherwell centre half Allan Craig, in an attempt to block a shot with his head from Bertie Thomson,  headed the ball back to goalkeeper Allan McClory and the ball ended up in the back of the net. The Scotsman newspaper noted that centre half Craig was one of the most outstanding players on the day, and that upon scoring the own-goal he threw himself to the ground in sorrow. Celtic's Thomson "danced for joy" the Glasgow Herald reported, while his Celtic team mates "hugged each other in delight". 

​The Times, London newspaper, noted that R. Thomson's (Bertie Thomson) was the player leading the charge. His performance was so effective that it may well have justified Celtic's narrow escape from defeat. 

NOTE: No Motherwell fan since has named their wean (Scottish slang for child) Allan. 

​ALSO NOTE: The Scotsman newspaper reported, "The official attendance on Saturday was 104,803—a six-figure "gate" for the second Saturday in three. " OH, HOW I WISH I HAD A WORKING FLUX-CAPACITOR AND A QUALITY DeLOREAN SO I COULD EXPERIENCE SUCH AN ATMOSPHERE. 

THE REPLAY

So the tie was taken to a replay, under the most unluckiest of circumstances. The replayed final would take place on the Wednesday evening at Hampden Park on 15th April 1931, 5pm kick off*. 

*Slightly defeats the purpose of this blog, but hey ho it's a cup final replay.

​Celtic, eventually, won the cup final beating Motherwell by 4 goals to 2 in the replay . Fan favourite, and outstanding player from the opening match, Bertie Thomson was the first on the score sheet for Celtic, scoring only 9 minutes into the game despite the Well keeper McCrory protesting to the referee in the centre of the field that Jimmy McGrory had handed the ball before Thomson scored. Murdoch equalized for Well, from a corner kick from Ferrier. The ball passed through the Celtic goalkeeper Thomson's hands, making it an easy shot for Murdoch. Celtic took the lead through Jimmy McGrory, who scored an easy tap in into an empty net. The Bhoy Bertie stepped up again to score Celtic's third.

It was 3-1 at the break. A change of events from the opening game, when the Steelmen lead 2-0 at half-time. George Stevenson scored for Motherwell, just as he did in the opening game, to make it 3-2 with 12 minutes to play. The minutes ticked by and the lead stood. With 4 minutes left on the clock, Napier broke down the line on the left side. Napier's shot went wide of the goal, but it was picked up by that man Bertie Thomson who sent the ball across the goal. Well goalkeeper McClory was yards away from his line, poorly judging the direction of the ball, and the infamous Jimmy McGrory was there to head the ball into the vacant goal in the 88th minute. Celtic 4 - 2 Motherwell.   

​If Celtic had fortune on their side when they managed a draw in the opening game, then they sure were deserving winners in the cup final replay. This would be the 13th time in which Celtic lifted the Scottish Cup. 

​TOMORROW'S FINAL

​Tomorrow Celtic could lift the double treble; becoming the first team in the history of Scottish football to do so. If Celtic win tomorrow, they will lift their 38th Scottish Cup. Celtic have met Motherwell in four Scottish Cup Finals and have won all four. 

1931: 4-2 victory in replay
1933: 0-1 victory 
​1951: 1-0 victory 
​2011: 3-0 victory 

​NOTE: Celtic were the first team in the world to complete the continental treble, winning the Scottish League, Scottish Cup and European Cup in 1967. 

​Let's hope we get a cup final classic like the Scottish Cup Final of 1931. 



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TEAM NEWS AND MATCH INFORMATION FROM THE REPLAYED FINAL:

CELTIC:
J. Thomson; Cook and McGonagle; Wilson, McStay, and Geatons; R. Thomson, A. Thomson, McGrory, Scarff, and Napier.
Scorers:
McGrory, Craig O.G.

MOTHERWELL:
McClory; Johnman and Hunter; Wales, Craig, and Telfer; Murdoch, McMenemy, McFadyen, Stevenson, and Ferrier.
Scorers:
Stevenson, McMenemy.

Referee: P. Craigmyle (Aberdeen).
Attendance: 104,803 

TEAM NEWS AND MATCH INFORMATION FROM THE REPLAYED FINAL:

CELTIC:
J. Thomson; Cook and McGonagle; Wilson, McStay, and Geatons; R. Thomson, A. Thomson, McGrory, Scarff, and Napier.
Scorers: R. Thomson, (2); McGrory, (2).

MOTHERWELL:
McClory; Johnman and Hunter; Wales, Craig, and Telfer; Murdoch, McMenemy, McFadyen, Stevenson, and Ferrier.
Scorers: Murdoch, Stevenson.

Referee: P. Craigmyle (Aberdeen).
Attendance: 98,579 

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Captain Jimmy McStay has a firm hold on the Scottish Cup after a 4-2 win over Motherwell.