Today we welcome most of the players who won the Bell’s Challenge Cup, on 21st November 1999, it is difficult to believe that these events took place now 25 years ago at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, between two teams who were a division apart and on the day only looked to score one goal more than the opposition. “The Wasps” took the game to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, straight from the kick-off and at no point in the game were behind, even extending this to the penalty shootout.
First Division Inverness Caledonian Thistle were favourites to win the trophy, indeed on route to the final Alloa Athletic had won all their ties away from home – Cowdenbeath, Airdrie, Ross County and beating local rivals Stirling Albion in the Semi-final. It was Alloa Athletics first national cup final in 121 years at that time.
As an Alloa Athletic fan it was a dream to have “The Wasps” in a national cup final which took place on a rain sodden pitch, providing a high-powered game which kept the fans spellbound, having been ahead four times in the match, the game had to be settled by a penalty kick shoot-out, which itself was to produce another twist.
With the penalty shoot-out deadlocked at 4-4, we then entered sudden death. Alloa Athletic goalkeeper Mark Cairns took hold of the match ball and marched towards the penalty spot. Alloa manager Terry Christie, along with the Alloa Athletic supporters in the stands looked on in disbelief as Mark Carins confidently fired home his penalty past Les Fridge to put “The Wasps” 5-4 ahead on penalty kicks. He then returned, back between the posts and saved Mike Teasdale’s penalty, winning the Bell’s Challenge Cup for Alloa Athletic.
The Alloa Athletic fans in the stands were hugging each other and many a tear was shed coming to terms with what they had just witnessed.
Alloa Athletic, a part-time football club had won the cup by beating four full-time clubs all away from home. Inverness Caledonian Thistle kept coming back, after “The Wasps” had taken the lead on four occasions but the Alloa Athletic players showed tremendous resilience by hanging on and winning the trophy on merit. It was a great result for the club and Clackmannanshire but the game was also a great advert for football.
Today, we can confirm that most of the players who played for Alloa Athletic in 1999/2000 Bell’s Challenge Cup have accepted the club’s invitation to join us today and celebrate with the Alloa Athletic supporters. The players and back room staff will be introduced on the pitch to the fans at half-time accompanied by the Bell’s Challenge Cup Trophy.
Mark Cairns, Derek Clark, Davie Beaton, Craig Valentine, Paul McAneny, Mark Nelson, Ian Little, Gary Clark, Max Christie, Mark Wilson, Martin Cameron and Gregor McKechnie have accepted the invitation, plus, Jim Law (Physiotherapist), Dr Clarke Mullen & Nicol Campbell (Kit Man), we are delighted to have them with us today to celebrate such a historic achievement for the club.
At the end of today’s game against Dumbarton, the Alloa Athletic players from the victorious Bell’s Challenge Cup winners 25 year ago, will be in the “Wasps Lounge”, in the portacabin at the railway end of the ground to meet supporters and recollect memories from that never to be forgotten day.
John Glencross
Alloa Athletic FC
Club Historian
Terry Christie, Alloa Athletic FC Manager (at time of winning Bell’s Challenge Cup)
I have very happy memories of Alloa Athletics’ victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. It was one of the most exciting matches I ever was involved in. That day the Alloa Athletic team did everybody proud. All the players gave of their best and we were fortunate to have strikers Martin Cameron and Willie Irvine in top form. They gave the Inverness Caledonian Thistle defence a torrid time. Willie Irvine was one of the most talented players I managed and was a huge positive influence on the team. At the end of 90 minutes, the game was drawn at 3-3 and so we went to extra-time. Both teams scored in the additional 30 minutes, ending 4-4, and now it was a penalty shoot-out. After each team had taken five penalties the score was again tied at 4-4 and so it was on to Sudden Death. As was always I had nominated only five penalty takers assuming a sixth would not be necessary. But wait, what was happening, I remember running out of the dug out trying to stop Mark Cairns taking the match winning penalty. Fortunately, I was too sluggish to succeed. Great memories and happy times. I had taken Alloa Athletic to their first ever national trophy and was now returning home with the trophy.
Unfortunately, Terry can’t be with us today as he is currently on holiday in Portugal.
At the time, manager Terry Christie said after taking possession of the Bell’s Challenge Cup, “This has been an amazing match, we are a part-time team and yet we have won this cup by beating four full-time clubs all away from home.”
