In 72-73 the four lower sides were again eliminated immediately but the competition was still a success – a total of 67,000 watched the opening round. The Final was scheduled for Hampden – probably in anticipation of an Old Firm clash – but it was an all-green affair as Celtic bested Aberdeen 3-2 in front of 40,000 at Parkhead in the semis while Hibs crushed a full-strength Rangers (nine of the Cup-Winners Cup winning team plus Colin Jackson and Andy Penman) 3-0 before a crowd of 27,111.
But the competition had powerful detractors. None more so than Jock Stein who made his view quite clear in the match programme for the Aberdeen game: “I am one of those who are not really enamoured of this kind of cup-tie football at this time of year.”
Those comments were made at a time when Celtic were a very successful club.
The Final was a thrilling affair where Celtic came back from two down at the interval to take the game to extra time before Hibs triumphed 5-3. While the attendance of 49,462 was nowhere near filling Hampden, it was a reasonable attendance for the first week of August.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF DRYBROUGH La CO. LTD.—
ROSS GIBBONS
The 1971 Drybrough Cup roijrr,arnc,,r — the first eve, sponsored evern ezcluswely for Scottish clubs — was such a resounding success that it was difficult to envisage ever again reaching the same standards of excitement and interest. Nevertheless, here we are a year later with, it anything, all the ingredients toe an even greate, and more memorable event
Where else other than in Scotland could so much soccer talent be gathered together in one coin petition? It is with the utmost pride $bat we at Drybroughs associate ourselves alongside the Scottish F’or,tbail League with this tremendous conflict. We are honoured too that the League have chosen to experiment with the off-side fw in the Dry brouh Cup. an experiment dire crly in line with the aims of our tournament, to make .coccer even more attractive and enjoyable. I wish all of you here today a great match arid, whet more can one say but, “may the best team win f’
Message from Mr J. R. Aitken PRESIDENT, SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Another season is almost with us end again the Drybrough Cup Competition supplies the aperitif. I trust the snappy nature of the tournament will prove an exciting and corn• patitivo pipe opener to an vritbjl season.
The teanle concerned qualified for places on their goal-scoring records, and it is to be hoped that this ability will be in ample evidence in the various games. and the fans rewarded by exhibitions of a high quality.
Throughout the series a variation on the offside rule will be tested and no doubt the several authorities whO recommend the experiment will watch the outcome wth interest. Briefly. it is proposed to extend the penalty area lines to the touch lines and the present offside rule will only apply between the respective goal lines and penBlty lines.
Finance and prolee,uriel football are nseparable and every avenue which provides additional money must be explored and suppur ted where itS benefits would be ri the best interests of the game.
The present tournament in its second year will again, I am sure, prove beneficial to the sponsors, the League clubs arid tlic fans.
On behalf of the Management Committee I wish it every success
Hibernian Pen Pictures
JIM HERRIOT (Goalkeeper) Returned to Scotland lest season after a spell in South Africa to make a considerable impression in the reshaped Hibs side- Herriot has had international experience and was a regular during Scotland’s last bid for a World Cup place.
JOHN BROWNLIE (Full back) Rated to be one of Tommy Docherty’s top discoveries for Scotland and at 20 years of age must have a brilliant future aheat Made his international dehut in Russia in Bobby Browns squad and later became an automatic choice,
BILLY McEWAN (Full back)
Another Easter Road youngster who has muved into First Division football with impact. Formerly a ground staff boy, he has been used in a variety of roles with success. Recruited from the junior club Pumpherston.
JOHN BLACKLEY (Wing half) An unyielding defender who has also moved into the international lime light. Captained the Under 23 side over a year ago and in the past season proved to be one of the strong men in the I-fibs line-up. Came to Easter Road in 1965 from the ace juvenile club Gsirduch.
JIM BLACK (Centre half) One of the club’s big money buys of recent times Made his name at Airdrie and was signed for a £30,000 fee. A regular in the side and blends perfectly alongside Ftleckley and Stanton 
.
PAT STANTON (Wing half) One of the country’s outstanding defence men. Skipper of the side. Stanton has picked up over 20 representative honours and looks set for many more. Capable of turning out in any role and is perhaps most effective pushing up with hit attack.
ERIC SCHAEDLER (Full back) Bought from Stirling Albion to’ £10,000 during the Willie McFarlane era at Easter Road, this player truly emaroed last season. Fast on the overlap, he fits perfectly into the set-up.
ALEX CROPLEY (Wing half, Winger) So often in the headlines before an injury ruled him out for
most of lest term. Another man in Tommy Docherty’s eye. he is also high on the fist of a number of English clubs.
ALEX EDWARDS (Wingar) Signed from Dunfermline for the bargain fee of £14,000. this fiery character is capable of winning games on his own. Known as ‘Micky. he packs quite a shot around goal and can also operate most effectively as a midfield man
JOHN HAMILTON (Midfield) A hard-working player who revels in being right in the middle of the action. Originally a winger. he was converted some time ago end while ha has not claimed a regular place, Is a handy fellow to have standing by.
JIMMY O’ROURKE (Inside forward) One of the longest serving players at Easter Road yet is still in his twenties! The penalty ace in the sida, he was among the goals last term and in common with most of his mates is adaptable, Generally regarded as a striker these days.
ALAN GORDON (Centre forward) A cultured player with a deceptively lazy style, but without question is one of the finest headers of the ball in the game today. A £12,000 buy from Dundee United, Gordon has proved to be one of Eddie Turnbull’s smartest purchases. An MA at Edinburgh University, Gordon Is now completing training to be an accountant.
JOHN HAZEL (Midfield) Another young man who occasionally comes into the side to underline the wealth of talent available. Appeared in the Cup Final side in an attacking role.
ARTHUR DUNCAN (Winger) Joined Hibs from Partick Thistle for £35,000. One of the fastest winqers around and in top Form is a real headache for defences. A qualified chiropodist.
BERTIE AULD (Inside forward) Known for the tremendous contribution he gave Celtic in the late ‘60s. Now in the veteran category. his experience is still invaluable and he was used as substitute in the Cup Final.
What the Players have to say
The pre-season battle for full fitness is over, Football is back with a bang and in the coming weeks the big chase for success and glory goals and points will be under way with a vengeance
But before the ‘bread and butter’, the Drybrough Cup has to be won. and this year this sponsored competition has been bigger and better than ear.
How do the players sum up football backed by big business? Does an aIl’ection start to the season appeal to them?
Vie gathered together a number of the men who have been involved this week and quizzed them on these points. Here they give their own viewpoints.
TOMMY McLEAN (Rangers)
“The game must get an extra-special edge if there in a cup to be won Up until now I have never taken part in sponsored football but I feel this is the best possible start to a season. Players would much rather play in a competition of this kind at home as against traveling long distances to take part in friendly games.”
HARRY HOOD (Celtic)
“The Cup provides the fans with what they really want at this time of year. It comes up with a quick result in contrast to the long slog in other cup tournaments, In addition it gives clubs a proper build-up for the hard games ahead and certainly gives us, the players, a chance to attain full fitness, It can be argued the game is being bogged down with competitions but lets face it, clubs would carry on anyway to get a string of games fixed before the League Cup’
DAVY WILSON (Dumbarton)
“Sponsorship is great for the game and it gives the smaller clubs a real boost The tournament comes at just the right time as people have been away from football for some time and they have a fresh appetite. As far as we at Dumbarton are concerned, the competition gives us a chance to get the feel of First Division football at a high level . . – and that can’t be bad I”
BOBBY CLARK (Aberdeen)
“The game can only benefit if money is put into it and used in a proper manner, At no time do we treat the tournament as a pre-season warm-up . . . it is the first real competition of the season and in time Im sure it will be acceptud as part of the programme for every year. The competition is a good idea in every way and with the top scoring sides from the two Leagues involved, the injection of less fancied aides always appeals As the Wetnay Cup in England proved, the smaller clubs can come oul on top.”
ALEC STUART (Montrose)
“This kind of set-up is the lifeblood of the game and I fool morn ideas of this kind must come along We would all like to think the experiment has been successful and that the promoters will be willing to continue In the future.”
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