A Second "Scottish" Success for Saints (1959)

(first published in the match programme for St. Mirren v Livingston, 25^th April 2026)

25^th April 1959 saw St Mirren and Aberdeen contest the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. Although Saints were making their fourth appearance in the Final and Aberdeen their fifth, both clubs were seeking only their second success in the competition. St Mirren had defeated Celtic 2–0 in 1926, while Aberdeen's triumph had come more recently with a 2–1 win over Hibernian in 1947. Saints were also out to avenge their defeat to the Dons in the 1955 League Cup Final.

The programme for the 1959 Final comprised twelve large-format pages in the familiar style used throughout the decade. Printed in red and dark blue on glossy white paper, it was produced by Hay, Nisbet & Co. Ltd. for the Scottish Football Association.

The front cover featured the Scottish Cup trophy set amid a lively cartoon-style crowd scene above the match details. Introduced the previous season, this design — and its variations — would remain in use well into the 1960s.

Page three, titled "Introducing The Dons", presented pen‑pictures of the eleven Aberdeen players expected to start. The St Mirren squad appeared on page five under the heading "Men From The Thread Town", accompanied by a photograph of inside‑forward Tommy Gemmell.

The centre spread displayed both line-ups in the traditional 2-3-5 formation on a red background, along with details of referee Jack Mowat and his linesmen. In those days the Cup Final did not dominate the entire football calendar, and a half-time scoreboard listed a selection of Scottish and English League fixtures being played that afternoon.

The left half of page six outlined the Scottish Daily Express‑sponsored pre‑match entertainment, which included music, gymnastics, cycling and athletics. Opposite sat a photograph of St Mirren director William W. Waters, then President of the Scottish Football League and Chairman of the SFA Selection Committee.

Supporters were reminded that if the match finished level after ninety minutes, no extra time would be played; a replay would instead be scheduled for the following Wednesday.

Page seven offered a curious anecdote from the aftermath of the 1922 Cup Final, when Morton's unexpected victory over Rangers left the Greenock club unprepared for celebrations, which were postponed until their return from a friendly in England two days later.

Attention then returned to the 1959 finalists with a look back at St Mirren's victorious 1926 campaign. Their route to Hampden in 1959 had begun with a bye in the first round, followed by an unsurprising 10–0 home win over Peebles Rovers. Tougher tests followed, but Saints overcame Motherwell (3–2) and Dunfermline (2–1), both at Love Street, before sensationally defeating Celtic 4–0 at Hampden in the semi-final.

Page ten's "When Aberdeen Won The Cup" revisited the Dons' 1947 triumph, reviewing their win over Hibernian. Their 1959 run comprised home victories over East Fife (2–1) and Arbroath (3–0), followed by a 2–1 win at Muirton Park against St Johnstone. Kilmarnock were beaten 3–1 in the quarter-finals at Pittodrie, while their semi-final against Third Lanark at Hampden was settled after a replay (1–1, 1–0).

The programme, which included four full-page advertisements, can still be obtained today, though it commands a far higher price than the sixpence charged on the day.

A crowd of 108,591 attended the Final — the second and last time a six-figure attendance was recorded for a national Cup Final not involving the Old Firm (the other being the 1952 Final between Motherwell and Dundee).

Under overcast skies, Aberdeen captain Archie Glen won the toss and chose to play with the wind at his back, leaving St Mirren to kick off. Early chances fell at both ends, with a Norman Davidson header for Aberdeen and a Gerry Baker shot for Saints each grazing the woodwork.

St Mirren opened the scoring in the 43^rd minute when Alistair Miller crossed from the left for Tommy Bryceland to head past Fred Martin into the right‑hand corner.

Aberdeen began the second half brightly, but Saints doubled their lead in the 65^th minute. Tommy Gemmell's shot was blocked by Martin, sparking a frantic goalmouth scramble. The ball eventually broke to Miller beside the left‑hand post, and he tapped home.

With fourteen minutes remaining, Gerry Baker put the result beyond doubt. Collecting a pass from Bryceland, he evaded Jim Clunie's challenge and fired high into Martin's net.

Aberdeen centre-forward Hugh Baird struck a fine consolation goal in the final minute, but it was far too late to alter the outcome. The Scottish Cup was bound for Paisley for the second time.

After the match, Saints' all-time top goalscorer Davie McCrae appeared on television with Davie Lapsley and "Scotsport" commentator Arthur Montford to open a bottle of whisky that had remained sealed since the 1926 Cup Final. McCrae had vowed it would only be opened when Saints next won the Cup and, with the wait finally over, he poured a small drop to toast his successors.