Spring Cup
# Spring Cup

The Spring Cup was a Scottish football tournament played in 1976. It was introduced for members of Division One and Two of the Scottish Football League in the wake of league reconstruction in 1975, to be played after the conclusion of all the league fixtures at the end of the 1975–76 season. It derived its title from the season (spring) it was played in.

## League reconstruction and foundation

When Scottish Football League member clubs voted in favour reconstruction in the summer of 1974, the format they approved was a three division structure of 10, 14 and 14 teams respectively, to be introduced at the beginning of the 1975–76 season. The new Divisions One and Two would now contain 14 teams, previously considered a difficult number for creating a balanced schedule. A 26-game programme (with every team playing each other home and away) was considered too short, a 52-game programme (with each team playing each other home and away twice) too congested. A 39-game schedule would leave an imbalance with sides having two fixtures at home against some teams, and one against others. The solution the Scottish Football League opted for was a 26-game calendar augmented by a supplementary cup competition, the "Spring Cup". The tournament, to be played at the season's end, was open only to teams from Divisions One and Two.

## Format

The 28 Division One and Two clubs were divided into seven groups of 4 teams. These sides would play each other home and away, with two points awarded for a win and one for a draw, the top two sides in the group qualifying for the second round. In addition, the two third-placed sides with the best record would also qualify. The second round and quarter-finals were played on a two-leg, home and away basis, while the semi-finals and final were to be played at neutral venues.

## 1975–76 Spring Cup

Division One Airdrieonians won the competition, defeating Division Two Clydebank in the final. They had qualified from a group containing Brechin City, East Fife and Stranraer. In the second round they eliminated Dunfermline Athletic 5–4 on aggregate, while in the quarter-finals they beat Hamilton Academical. In the semi-final, a strike from Cairney and two own goals helped them defeat Morton 3–1 at Love Street.

### First round

**Group 1**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Airdrieonians | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 7 | +3 | 9 |
| East Fife | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 7 |
| Brechin City | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 5 |
| Stranraer | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 3 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| Airdrieonians | 2–1 | Brechin City | 6 March 1976 |
| Stranraer | 1–0 | East Fife | 6 March 1976 |
| Brechin City | 4–0 | Stranraer | 13 March 1976 |
| East Fife | 3–0 | Airdrieonians | 13 March 1976 |
| East Fife | 2–0 | Brechin City | 20 March 1976 |
| Stranraer | 0–1 | Airdrieonians | 20 March 1976 |
| Airdrieonians | 1–0 | East Fife | 27 March 1976 |
| Stranraer | 2–2 | Brechin City | 27 March 1976 |
| Brechin City | 1–1 | Airdrieonians | 3 April 1976 |
| East Fife | 4–2 | Stranraer | 3 April 1976 |
| Airdrieonians | 6–2 | Stranraer | 10 April 1976 |
| Brechin City | 1–1 | East Fife | 10 April 1976 |

**Group 2**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Falkirk | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 9 |
| Alloa Athletic | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 7 |
| Kilmarnock | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 5 |
| Berwick Rangers | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 3 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| Airdrieonians | 2–1 | Brechin City | 6 March 1976 |
| Stranraer | 1–0 | East Fife | 6 March 1976 |
| Brechin City | 4–0 | Stranraer | 13 March 1976 |
| East Fife | 3–0 | Airdrieonians | 13 March 1976 |
| East Fife | 2–0 | Brechin City | 20 March 1976 |
| Stranraer | 0–1 | Airdrieonians | 20 March 1976 |
| Airdrieonians | 1–0 | East Fife | 27 March 1976 |
| Stranraer | 2–2 | Brechin City | 27 March 1976 |
| Falkirk | 3–1 | Alloa Athletic | 3 April 1976 |
| Kilmarnock | 3–1 | Berwick Rangers | 3 April 1976 |
| Alloa Athletic | 2–0 | Berwick Rangers | 10 April 1976 |
| Falkirk | 2–0 | Kilmarnock | 10 April 1976 |

**Group 3**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| St Mirren | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 2 | +16 | 10 |
| Partick Thistle | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 8 |
| Meadowbank Thistle | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 17 | -11 | 5 |
| Forfar Athletic | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 1 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| Forfar Athletic | 0–1 | Partick Thistle | 6 March 1976 |
| Meadowbank Thistle | 0–4 | St Mirren | 6 March 1976 |
| Partick Thistle | 5–0 | Meadowbank Thistle | 13 March 1976 |
| St Mirren | 5–0 | Forfar Athletic | 13 March 1976 |
| Forfar Athletic | 3–3 | Meadowbank Thistle | 20 March 1976 |
| St Mirren | 1–2 | Partick Thistle | 20 March 1976 |
| Forfar Athletic | 0–1 | St Mirren | 27 March 1976 |
| Meadowbank Thistle | 2–1 | Partick Thistle | 27 March 1976 |
| Partick Thistle | 4–2 | Forfar Athletic | 3 April 1976 |
| St Mirren | 4–0 | Meadowbank Thistle | 3 April 1976 |
| Meadowbank Thistle | 1–0 | Forfar Athletic | 10 April 1976 |
| Partick Thistle | 1–3 | St Mirren | 10 April 1976 |

**Group 4**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dumbarton | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 8 |
| Arbroath | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 6 |
| Albion Rovers | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 6 |
| Stenhousemuir | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 4 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| Stenhousemuir | 0–2 | Arbroath | 6 March 1976 |
| Dumbarton | 4–1 | Albion Rovers | 10 March 1976 |
| Albion Rovers | 1–0 | Stenhousemuir | 13 March 1976 |
| Arbroath | 0–1 | Dumbarton | 13 March 1976 |
| Albion Rovers | 1–0 | Arbroath | 20 March 1976 |
| Stenhousemuir | 2–1 | Dumbarton | 20 March 1976 |
| Dumbarton | 1–2 | Arbroath | 27 March 1976 |
| Stenhousemuir | 2–3 | Albion Rovers | 27 March 1976 |
| Arbroath | 0–1 | Stenhousemuir | 3 April 1976 |
| Albion Rovers | 1–2 | Dumbarton | 7 April 1976 |
| Arbroath | 3–2 | Albion Rovers | 10 April 1976 |
| Dumbarton | 3–1 | Stenhousemuir | 10 April 1976 |

**Group 5**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Queen's Park | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 7 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 7 |
| Hamilton Academical | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 6 |
| Cowdenbeath | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 4 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| Cowdenbeath | 3–0 | Hamilton Academical | 6 March 1976 |
| Queen's Park | 1–1 | Dunfermline Athletic | 6 March 1976 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 1–0 | Cowdenbeath | 13 March 1976 |
| Hamilton Academical | 1–1 | Queen's Park | 13 March 1976 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 1–2 | Hamilton Academical | 20 March 1976 |
| Queen's Park | 2–0 | Cowdenbeath | 20 March 1976 |
| Cowdenbeath | 4–0 | Dunfermline Athletic | 27 March 1976 |
| Queen's Park | 1–1 | Hamilton Academical | 27 March 1976 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 2–1 | Queen's Park | 3 April 1976 |
| Hamilton Academical | 1–0 | Cowdenbeath | 6 April 1976 |
| Cowdenbeath | 1–3 | Queen's Park | 10 April 1976 |
| Hamilton Academical | 0–2 | Dunfermline Athletic | 10 April 1976 |

**Group 6**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Raith Rovers | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 9 |
| Clydebank | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 8 |
| Clyde | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 5 |
| Queen of the South | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 2 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| Clyde | 1–3 | Clydebank | 6 March 1976 |
| Raith Rovers | 4–2 | Queen of the South | 10 March 1976 |
| Clydebank | 1–2 | Raith Rovers | 13 March 1976 |
| Queen of the South | 1–2 | Clyde | 13 March 1976 |
| Clyde | 2–2 | Raith Rovers | 20 March 1976 |
| Clydebank | 4–0 | Queen of the South | 20 March 1976 |
| Queen of the South | 1–3 | Clydebank | 27 March 1976 |
| Raith Rovers | 2–1 | Clyde | 27 March 1976 |
| Clydebank | 3–0 | Clyde | 3 April 1976 |
| Queen of the South | 2–0 | Raith Rovers | 3 April 1976 |
| Clyde | 1–0 | Queen of the South | 10 April 1976 |
| Raith Rovers | 2–1 | Clydebank | 10 April 1976 |

**Group 7**

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Montrose | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 9 |
| Morton | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 9 |
| East Stirlingshire | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 4 |
| Stirling Albion | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 2 |
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| East Stirlingshire | 1–2 | Morton | 6 March 1976 |
| Morton | 2–4 | Montrose | 13 March 1976 |
| Stirling Albion | 0–0 | East Stirlingshire | 13 March 1976 |
| Montrose | 3–0 | East Stirlingshire | 20 March 1976 |
| Stirling Albion | 0–1 | Morton | 20 March 1976 |
| East Stirlingshire | 2–1 | Stirling Albion | 27 March 1976 |
| Montrose | 1–4 | Morton | 27 March 1976 |
| Montrose | 3–2 | Stirling Albion | 31 March 1976 |
| Stirling Albion | 2–3 | Montrose | 3 April 1976 |
| Morton | 1–0 | East Stirlingshire | 7 April 1976 |
| East Stirlingshire | 1–1 | Montrose | 10 April 1976 |
| Morton | 1–1 | Stirling Albion | 10 April 1976 |

### Second Rounds

**First leg**

| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| - | - | - | - |
| Arbroath | 2–1 | Falkirk | 14 April 1976 |
| Clydebank | 4–1 | Albion Rovers | 14 April 1976 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 4–2 | Airdrieonians | 14 April 1976 |
| Montrose | 3–1 | Hamilton Academical | 14 April 1976 |
| Morton | 1–1 | Queen's Park | 14 April 1976 |
| Partick Thistle | 1–0 | East Fife | 14 April 1976 |
| St Mirren | 3–0 | Alloa Athletic | 14 April 1976 |
| Raith Rovers | 2–2 | Dumbarton | 17 April 1976 |

**Second leg**

| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date | Agg |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Airdrieonians | 3–0 | Dunfermline Athletic | 17 April 1976 | 5–4 |
| Albion Rovers | 2–0 | Clydebank | 17 April 1976 | 3–4 |
| Alloa Athletic | 1–4 | St Mirren | 17 April 1976 | 1–7 |
| East Fife | 2–0 | Partick Thistle | 17 April 1976 | 2–1 |
| Falkirk | 2–0 | Arbroath | 17 April 1976 | 3–2 |
| Hamilton Academical | 6–3 | Montrose | 17 April 1976 | 7–6 |
| Queen's Park | 2–3 | Morton | 17 April 1976 | 3–4 |
| Dumbarton | 4–0 | Raith Rovers | 19 April 1976 | 6–2 |

### Quarter-finals

**First leg**

| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| - | - | - | - |
| Clydebank | 1–0 | East Fife | 21 April 1976 |
| Dumbarton | 4–2 | Falkirk | 21 April 1976 |
| Hamilton Academical | 0–4 | Airdrieonians | 21 April 1976 |
| Morton | 1–0 | St Mirren | 21 April 1976 |

**Second leg**

| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date | Agg |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Airdrieonians | 5–0 | Hamilton Academical | 24 April 1976 | 9–0 |
| East Fife | 1–0 | Clydebank | 24 April 1976 | 1–1 |
| Falkirk | 1–2 | Dumbarton | 24 April 1976 | 3–6 |
| St Mirren | 0–1 | Morton | 24 April 1976 | 0–2 |

### Semi-finals

| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Date |
| - | - | - | - |
| Airdrieonians | 3–1 | Morton | 28 April 1976 |
| Clydebank | 3–1 | Dumbarton | 28 April 1976 |

## Demise

It quickly became apparent that the competition was not proving popular with spectators, and club directors began to talk of further change. The Scottish Football League itself seemed to have an ambiguous attitude to the competition, failing to have the trophy engraved before the first final. In May 1976, a motion forwarded by Albion Rovers to have a 39-game Division One and Two calendar, effectively ending the Spring Cup, was overwhelmingly backed, coming into force for the start of the 1976–77 season.

