Goals—and plenty of them—are what the supporters want, and that is exactly what they received in the 1999-2000 Bell’s Challenge Cup Final. It’s hard to believe that these events took place 25 years ago, on Sunday, November 21, 1999, at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, in a match between two teams from different divisions, where each side was simply trying to score one more goal than the other. “The Wasps” took the game to Inverness Caledonian Thistle from the kickoff and never once fell behind, even extending their dominance into the penalty shootout.

First Division Inverness Caledonian Thistle were the favorites to win the trophy. On their way to the final, Alloa Athletic had won all their ties away from home—against Cowdenbeath, Airdrie, Ross County, and local rivals Stirling Albion in the semi-final. This was Alloa Athletic’s first national cup final in 121 years at that time.

As an Alloa Athletic fan, it was a dream to see “The Wasps” in a national cup final, which was held on a rain-soaked pitch. The high-energy game captivated fans, with Alloa taking the lead four times, only for the game to be ultimately decided by a penalty shootout that would bring one final twist.

With the penalty shootout tied at 4-4, it entered sudden death. Alloa Athletic goalkeeper Mark Cairns took control of the match ball and walked confidently to the penalty spot. Alloa manager Terry Christie, along with the supporters, watched in disbelief as Cairns confidently slotted his penalty past Les Fridge, putting “The Wasps” up 5-4. Cairns then returned to the goal and saved Mike Teasdale’s penalty, winning the Bell’s Challenge Cup for Alloa Athletic.

Alloa Athletic fans in the stands embraced each other, with many shedding tears as they processed what they had just witnessed. A part-time football club had won the cup, defeating four full-time clubs, all away from home. Inverness Caledonian Thistle had equalized four times, but Alloa’s players showed tremendous resilience, holding on and winning the trophy on merit. It was a great result for the club and for Clackmannanshire, and the game itself was a fantastic advert for football.

John Glencross
Alloa Athletic FC Club Historian

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Alloa Athletic FC winning the Bell’s Challenge Cup in an epic final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on November 21, 1999, I have produced a book to commemorate the occasion. For those who have spent their lives following the “wee team” from Alloa across the country, November 21, 1999, will always be remembered as a pinnacle moment. The book, in full color and 60 pages long, is now available for purchase at the club shop today or at the Alloa Athletic Football Memorabilia Exhibition, Glasstown House, Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EU. The exhibition is open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or the book can be ordered directly from John Glencross via email at jgxalloafc@aol.com. The cost is £5 plus postage for delivery. Relive the memories of the game and what it meant for Clackmannanshire—Alloa will always be Alloa.

Alloa Athletic are proudly continuing their support of Show Racism the Red Card’s Match Actions Campaign. Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism Education Charity, working within schools, workplaces, sports, and community organisations to educate children, young people, and adults on challenging prejudice and stereotypes. Using the power of football is a powerful tool to initiate conversations about anti-racism and our club has supported their messages of tolerance and inclusion for many years. Now more than ever, the importance of active anti-racism cannot be overstated.

Across Scottish football, clubs will show their commitment to anti-racism over one weekend – Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20^th October. This weekend also coincides with Show Racism the Red Card’s UK-wide annual fundraising drive, Wear Red Day, taking place on Friday 18th. On this day, individuals and groups up and down the country are encouraged to wear red and donate to show their support for the campaign and its message.

Billy Singh, Campaign Manager from Show Racism the Red Card in Scotland had this to say: 

We are delighted once again that Scottish football is supporting our much-needed anti-racist message. With the recent race riots in England and the continued demonisation of migrant communities across the UK we all have a collective responsibility to challenge all acts of racism not only within football but in our communities, workplaces and social spaces. In our schools we have, on average, 50 recorded racist incidents a week and on our streets there are on average 9 recorded racist incidents a day. Thankfully in Scotland we did not have the race riots that they had in England but there are people in our communities that want to divide us. Football fans can be a force for good and by being active anti-racists we can change hearts, minds and lives. Please continue to support our campaign.

Football is a sport that is loved across the world and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for everyone, of all backgrounds. Education is the key and since our formation in 1996 Show Racism the Red Card has engaged with over 1 million learners. Alloa are proud to support the campaign to reach their next big milestone and to ensure Scotland is equipped with the tools to challenge and eradicate racism from football and society.

Further information:

Website: www.theredcard.org
Education Hub: www.theredcardhub.org

Video platform: www.voices.theredcard.org

Wear Red Day: www.theredcard.org/wear-red-day

And follow them on:

Instagram @SRtRCScotland 

Twitter @SRtRCScotland

Facebook.com/theRedCardScotland

We’re pleased to welcome the loan signing of Falkirk youngster Scott Honeyman. The 18 year old winger has impressed at successive loan spells at East Stirling including contributing 7 goals and 2 assists in the 20 appearances in last season’s Lowland League.

Welcome to the Wasps, Scott!

We’re pleased to welcome the loan signing of Queen’s Park youngster Tyrece McDonnell. The 18 year old attacking midfielder has advanced to make four first team appearances this season for the Spiders after joining them on a three year contract in April 2023. He was previously a youth player at SPFL Premiership sides Celtic and Motherwell.

Welcome to the Wasps, Tyrece!

14 September 2024 2 – 2 Full Time

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KO KO 7 31 54 64 64 67 69 70 73 78 82 86 FT

• Highlights
• Match Info
• Lineups
• Past Meetings
• Ground

Highlights

Reaction

Alloa Athletic

31	PJ Morrison Goalkeeper
17	Kane Thomson Defender
6	Morgyn Neill Defender
15	David McKay Defender
2	Scott Taggart Defender
14	Miko Virtanen 18 Midfielder	54′
4	Steven Hetherington Midfielder
7	Kevin Cawley 12 Midfielder
20	Cameron O’Donnell Midfielder
19	Steven Buchanan Midfielder
9	Luke Donnelly Forward	73′
1	Tochukwu Ogayi Goalkeeper
5	Andy Graham Defender
11	Shay Nevans Forward
12	Stefan Scougall 7 Midfielder
18	Conor Sammon 14 Forward	70′

Inverness CT

21	Musa Dibaga Goalkeeper
2	Wallace Duffy Defender
4	Jake Davidson Midfielder
5	Remi Savage Defender
6	Daniel Devine Defender	7′
8	Adam Mackinnon Forward
9	William McKay 22 Forward
10	Adam Brooks 24 Forward
11	Luis Longstaff Midfielder
14	Calum Macleod Midfielder	67′ 31′
27	James Nolan 15 Defender	78′
1	Jack Newman Goalkeeper
12	Matthew Strachan
15	Calum Mackay 27
18	Robbie Thompson
19	Shae Keogh
22	Keith Bray 9
24	Cameron Ferguson 10 Forward
32	Connall Ewan

Past Meetings

6 March 2021 1 – 1 Championship N/A Alloa Athletic v Inverness CT
23 February 2021 2 – 2 Championship N/A Inverness CT v Alloa Athletic
19 December 2020 2 – 1 Championship N/A Alloa Athletic v Inverness CT
7 March 2020 2 – 0 Championship N/A Alloa Athletic v Inverness CT
1 February 2020 1 – 1 Championship N/A Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Alloa Athletic

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Ground

Indodrill Stadium
Leaflet | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Indodrill Stadium, Alloa

AS it stood

William Hill League 1 2024-25

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Alloa Athletic	6	2	4	0	7	5	2	10
2	Queen of the South	6	3	1	2	6	4	2	10
3	Kelty Hearts	6	2	3	1	9	6	3	9
4	Montrose	6	2	3	1	6	3	3	9
5	Stenhousemuir	6	3	0	3	10	10	0	9
6	Inverness CT	6	1	4	1	3	5	0	7
7	Cove Rangers	6	2	1	3	9	10	-1	7
8	Annan Athletic	6	2	1	3	6	10	-4	7
9	Dumbarton	6	0	6	0	10	10	0	6
10	Arbroath	6	0	3	3	4	9	-4	3

7 September 2024 1 – 3 Full Time

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KO KO 14 62 65 76 81 89 89 95 FT

• Highlights
• Match Info
• Lineups
• Past Meetings
• Ground

Highlights

Reaction

Partick Thistle

12	Myles Roberts Goalkeeper
2	Casper Nilsson Defender
3	Harry Milne Defender
6	Kyle Turner Midfielder
8	Stuart Bannigan Midfielder
9	Brian Graham Forward	14′
10	Logan Chalmers Midfielder
19	Luke McBeth Defender
21	Aidan Fitzpatrick Midfielder
22	Charlie Sayers Defender	81′
27	James Lyon Midfielder
24	Mason McCready Goalkeeper
4	Wasiri Williams Defender
5	Aaron Muirhead Defender
14	Robbie Crawford Defender
15	Liam Smith Defender
18	Terry Ablade Forward
26	Ben Stanway Midfielder
29	Zander Mackenzie Midfielder
34	Ricco Diack Forward

Alloa Athletic

1	Tochukwu Ogayi Goalkeeper
3	Calum Waters Defender
6	Morgyn Neill Defender
15	David McKay Defender
2	Scott Taggart Defender	95′
4	Steven Hetherington Midfielder
14	Miko Virtanen Midfielder
7	Kevin Cawley 17 Midfielder	65′, 76′
9	Luke Donnelly 11 Forward
19	Steven Buchanan Midfielder
18	Conor Sammon 20 Forward
31	PJ Morrison Goalkeeper
5	Andy Graham Defender
11	Shay Nevans 9 Forward
17	Kane Thomson 7 Defender
20	Cameron O’Donnell 18 Midfielder
22	Reece Mullen Midfielder

Past Meetings

21 June 2022 1 – 3 N/A Alloa Athletic v Partick Thistle Attendance: 531
4 January 2020 1 – 1 Championship N/A Alloa Athletic v Partick Thistle
16 November 2019 1 – 1 Championship N/A Partick Thistle v Alloa Athletic
3 August 2019 1 – 1 Championship N/A Alloa Athletic v Partick Thistle
20 April 2019 2 – 1 Championship N/A Partick Thistle v Alloa Athletic

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Ground

Firhill Stadium
Leaflet | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill, 80, Firhill Road, Firhill, Springbank, Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, G20 7AL, United Kingdom

SPFL TROPHY 4th Round Draw