Groundhop Day - Sunday 27th May 2018 - Scottish Junior Cup Final

Auchinleck Talbot 3 Vs 2 Hurlford United

Groundhop Day - Sunday 27th May 2018 - KO 16:10
Competition - Scottish Junior Cup Final
Stadium - Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Address -  Rugby Park, Rugby Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 2DP
Built - 1899
Home Team - Kilmarnock (Based on Stadium)
Nicknames - Killie (Based on Stadium)
Founded - 5 Jan 1869 (Based on Stadium)
Capacity - 18,128 (Based on Stadium)
Attendance - 4,874 (Based on game)
Record Attendance - 35,995 Vs Rangers - Scottish Cup, lost 4-2

Little did I know, tagging along to a football game I knew nothing about, simply because my mate had a spare ticket, That I would fall back in love with live football.

But hey I thought may as well its a day out and I can tick Rugby park off my list of Stadiums.

So there we are, sitting outside waiting on the game, melting in the sun, more smoke in our lungs than a fireman and he is raging as he is 'the designated driver' and so can't drink lol. (I abstained in solidarity)

I am now quizing him about this team, I can never pronounce or remember the name (assuming it is from the outer hebrides given the sound of the name.) well in my head at least, I can only hear the most steriotypically northern scottish accent. Later I would realise how far wrong I was.

So now we are in, and I am looking around this 18 thousand capacity stadium, thinking ooft a couple hundred people in here will look dire and sound terrible! weeeelllll to my pleasant suprise and contrary to my views of what I thought the juniors were...

A packed house of rowdy fans, all in Black and Gold, guys in kilts, banners, flags, flares and an insanely loud atmosphere a regular chorus of EEEEKKAAA PEEEKAA! THIS WAS CLASS, and intoxicating (even given the gutting nature of nae drink for us on the day.)

THE GAME!

It was a slow affair as Hurlford scored early and tried to play like Athletico Madrid, running the time down right from the beginning, it was as draining as the sun. The talbot crowd still in good spirits,  continued to rally behind the boys with the enthusiasm of a stag or hen do! did i mention eeeeeeeeekkkaaa peeeeeekkkaaa?!?

Will mention this here as it is key to the final part, ALL STADIUMS NEED TO HAVE A CLOCK/TIMER/SCOREBOARD as it helps add to the drama of the game!!! We couldn't stop staring at the clock it was now on 90! My mate had just turned to me and said you are a jinx, yer no coming to football with me again, gutted that all seemed lost.

But wait, was this the Camp Nou in 1999?, no it was Rugby Park, and on the 91st minute Talbot put in a corner..... POW! 2-2 and the place exploded like the Nevada dessert during a test, people going mental at the fact there was still a chance to go into extra time. Could we? or would we do it?....NO! another corner...93rd minute...

At this point I just remember bouncing about in a see of limbs with bits and pieces blaring in the background, nearly losing my voice screaming EEEEKA PEEEEKA PUKKA PO! with my mate.

What a day, to quote Patrice Evra "I LOVE THIS GAME!"

So this 'Little unknown' team made me fall in love with football again, a feeling I hadn't experienced since i was younger. The last minute drama and the passion of the Talbot faithful leaves this arguably the greatest game I have ever attended live, what an amazing set of supporters and club.

To top off the day we discovered Jurgen Klopp is a Talbot fan (Pictured here). In fairness its just a good look alike, although if we could have got steamin it could have been a great or awkward photo op lol.

Already covered my feelings on the need for Scoreboards at games, or at the very least a clock that shows the 90! Well now I cover the other pet peeve, clubs that don't do 'PRINTED' but just 'ONLINE' Versions of programs, a staple part of the match day experience. Well the Scottish Junior cup gets a PASS on this.

My Jerry Springer esk Final Thoughts

I kind of had a poor view of Scottish football before this game if I'm being honest. Viewing it as nothing more than the Old Firm smashing a bunch teams, simply there to make up the numbers.

Talbot and their fanbase helped change this perception, opening up an amazing world of football right on my doorstep.

Part of the inspiration to start writing fan columns to help share the amazing world I found. Football isn't just a television product for the super sized clubs, making a few people super rich, whilst rinsing your pockets. NO! Football is everyones game, its the global game and we should all support our local teams!

Growing up watching the bigger teams in Scotland, I never really felt any affilition to any club, but following this game I was now on a mission to find my Scottish Club.

Talbot was now my Junior Side! Away the Bot, AWAY!

Which senior side would I call home... if any?

Groundhop day - Scottish Junior Cup Final 2018 - YouTube check out some footage of the trip here.