Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup up for grabs in ‘Battle of the Spartans’

Posted on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

The Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup is up for grabs this weekend as Spartans take on their namesakes Blyth in the ‘Battle of the Spartans’ at Croft Park.

The fixture against the Evo-Stik Premier League will be the ideal test for Dougie Samuel’s men ahead of their Lowland League opener against Stirling University on Sunday August 2^nd.

The Challenge Cup, named in dedication to Honorary President Ronnie Swan who sadly passed away last year, has been competed for since season 2009/10.  Previous winners include Heart of Midlothian, Manchester United and ourselves twice.

Both clubs will be remembered last season for their Cup heroics, the hosts finally succumbing to Birmingham City after taking a 2-0 lead in their Round 3 clash whilst of course the Ainslie Park men took Berwick Rangers to replay before losing out by a single goal in front of a noisy 1,000 strong Spartan Army travelling contingent.

The sides last met back in the pre-season of 2009 in the inaugural Ronnie Swan tournament to mark the opening of Ainslie Park.  The ‘Battle of the Spartans’ finished all square at 2-2 after 90 minutes on a lush grass surface at the Academy. The Spartans goals from Hoskins and Moffat can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRHx2Ro-faY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t62P4zEiQ2o

It was a penalty shoot-out victory for the ‘Scottish Spartans’ that day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_yPwyHASxU (archive footage courtesy of our man in the stand, Grim).   The Spartans went on to become the first winners of the Cup with a 2-0 victory over the then SPL side Hamilton in the Final.

The Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup clash at Croft Park kicks off at 3pm. Admission: £5 – Adults £2 – Concessions.