Scottish Amateur Football Association - 1970 - 1979 A Decade of Dramatic Development

1979 A Decade of Dramatic Development

The 1970’s was to see huge changes in the development of the SAFA. Whilst the world was falling apart, the SAFA started 1970 by purchasing a set of strips from T Alexander of Paisley for £30.00 and advised clubs that frivolous appeals would result in costs being levied against clubs. This was sparked off by an appeal by Pencaitland Amateurs (Lothian AFA) requiring a Special Meeting with all the cost of postage, lets etc and eventually the appeal being deemed frivolous. On the brighter side, the SFA offered accommodation for SAFA meetings free of charge with telephone facilities. It was decided there would be a programme for the Scottish Amateur Cup final for the first time. Airdrie, Coatbridge & District AFL changed their name to Central Scotland AFL

At the 1970 AGM, there were now sixty one Associations/Leagues and eleven hundred clubs in membership. The SAFA Youth Select had won the SFA Youth Cup for the second season running. There were four hundred and thirteen entries for the Scottish Amateur Cup and the Association funds stood at £3694.75. The SAFA commissioned a Ballot Box in commemoration of Murray McNab and donated it to the SFA for use of all member bodies for their cup draws.

In February 1972, W P Allan, the SFA

secretary, addressed a Council meeting stating that Sunday football could not take place until (1) the SAFA changed their Constitution and (2) the SFA changed their Articles of Association. In a rare demonstration of unity, the SAFA supported the SJunFA and SJuvFA and put forward a motion to the SFA AGM “That Sunday Football be permitted where both clubs agree to play”. This was successful, but the SFA reminded the SAFA that an amateur could not play a trial for a Junior club if it was on a Sunday. The SFA agreed an amateur could play summer and winter football provided his registration with the appropriate Association/League was in order, but a change of rules was required before this could take place. The SFA also confirmed that professional players over the age of twenty one could be reinstated to amateur provided they were medically examined by their own doctor and the SFA doctor who had to agree they could not earn a living from playing football. The 1972 AGM saw two substitutes being allowed and penalty kicks being used to settle Scottish Cup ties. Later the SFA agreed they would alter their Articles of Association to permit SAFA member clubs to play on Sunday. This was a momentous decision which reflected the mood of the country at the time as the long held presbyterian outlook to the sabbath was left behind. There were four hundred and ninety six entries for the Scottish Cup and the SAFA funds stood at £3516.75. The SAFA requested the SFA change Article 126 to include the SAFA on the list of those able to participate in Sunday football and this was accomplished at the SFA AGM. This was a milestone in the development and expansion of the SAFA.

For season 1972/73, there were four hundred and sixty entries for the Scottish Amateur Cup and in an unusual departure

from normal business a dispute was settled by Fife Police. Abbotshill (Kirkcaldy & District AFL) played Tayport (Midlands AFA) in the Scottish Cup and the rule at the time meant the home team had to pay travel expenses to the opposition provided the distance travelled exceeded thirty miles. The clubs could not agree, and the SAFA called upon Fife’s finest who decided the distance between the grounds was thirty one miles. Thus Tayport were liable for expenses!

In 1976 Annan Athletic (Carlisle & District AL) successfully applied to play in the Scottish and the West of Scotland District Cups, and Iain McTweed succeeded Ian Barbour as SAFA secretary. In early 1976, Netherlee Church (Scottish AFL) took the unusual step of reporting three of their players for playing unauthorised football and suspended them. The players had to apply to the SFA for reinstatement to amateur status before continuing to play. Season 1975/76 was the only time the Scottish Cup final was not played as one of the finalists Cambusnethan Talbot were deemed to have played an ineligible player in an earlier round. The investigation prevented the final being played, and Colville Park (Central Scotland AFL) but then of the Lanarkshire AFA, were presented with the Scottish Cup and winners medals in October 1976, without having had the thrill of running out on to Hampden Park.

Sponsorship was being encouraged but clubs, Associations and Leagues were reminded that all sponsorship deals had to be submitted to the SFA for approval. This resulted in large numbers of applications to the SFA each month. The 1977 AGM saw a reported surplus of £765.00 for the year, the SAFA hearing thirty nine Appeals and the Scottish Cup attracting five hundred and eighty entries. Sunday football was up and running and it was agreed to have a Scottish Sunday Trophy, with the status of a District Cup from season 1978/79. Ties would be played only on a Sunday with 30 minutes extra time and penalties if necessary to decide the outcome. The secretary of the Dingwall & District AFA, Harry Windsor, had secured a trophy for the Highland Amateur Cup and was confident he would find a sponsor for the first competition. The SAFA received an invitation to play in the Faroe Islands with all expenses paid from time of leaving from and returning to Scrabster near Thurso on the north coast of Scotland. The SAFA sought assistance for the travel and accommodation to and from Scrabster from the SFA and the Sports Council, but their appeals fell on stony ground and they were unable to accept the offer.

The SFA now permitted sponsors’ names on jerseys but they were limited to twelve square inches in total. Later in 1978, Tennent Caledonian Brewers agreed to sponsor the Scottish Cup for three years,

and the SAFA accepted an offer to play the North Amateur League from Northern Ireland at Stranraer in April 1979. This had been considered in previous years but due to the troubles in Ireland had never materialised. The whisky company, Matthew Gloag & Sons, agreed a three year deal to sponsor the Scottish Sunday Trophy and also supplied the cup. Halkirk were beaten by South Ronaldsay from Orkney in the Highland Amateur Cup Final which attracted the largest ever crowd of 1200 to a match in Thurso. In October 1979, seven nominations were received for the position of Vice President of the SAFA and Tom Wilkie (Angus AFA) was successful in the ballot. Out of the blue, the SFA offered a one off grant to the SAFA to play the North League of Northern Ireland at Carrickfergus. December 1979 saw the SAFA agree to place all records on permanent loan to the Scottish Records Office.