Dewar Shield
Page created: 18 June 2020
Updated: 25 February 2024
Presented by Lord Provost Dewar of Perth, this competition was played between the winners of the Aberdeenshire, Forfarshire, Perthshire and Stirlingshire Cups, the winners being declared champions of the four Northern counties.
On Saturday 4 March 1899 at the Waverley Hotel in Perth two delegates from each of the four counties met to consider the offer from the Lord Provost to present a trophy to stimulate interest in football in the midlands and north of Scotland. The four County Associations agreed to accept the offer and detailed how the competition would be run. On a motion by Mr Jamie, Forfar and seconded by Mr Walker, President of Aberdeenshire Association, it was decided to have the competition among the cup holders of the four counties and should any club refuse to participate, the County Association were to nominate a replacement. The delegates were unanimous in preferring the trophy should be in the form of a shield.
Almost 86 GBP was split among the four participating teams of the inaugural tournament once expenses had been deducted from the gate receipts from the three games played in the inaugural tournament. This compared rather poorly to the Forfarshire Cup final which took in over 100 GBP alone for the single match. The Stirlingshire Cup final also had over 3000 supporters in attendance. It seems there was not a great deal of enthusiasm for the new trophy as it did not involve a Perthshire team in the final played in Perth.
The Baron Dewar was one of the sons of the founder of the John Dewar & Sons whisky distillery, and was widely known as a witty and forceful speaker, breeder of greyhounds and horses, and also a motoring pioneer. Attempts by the Fifeshire FA to be included were knocked back so as not to disturb the four club symmetry of the tournament. Originally played at the end of the season, in the post-war era it was often played into the following season or even stretched over several seasons, if played at all. After an abeyance of 12 years, the competition was resurrected by, the now Lord Forteviot in 1927. If a county hadn't played off their Cup, or it was still running, then that county FA would nominate a suitable club to enter the Dewar Shield.
From the 1960s the competition became increasingly erratic in its organisation with many matches being held over into subsequent seasons or not being played at all. In 1978 concerns were at last raised when it was noted it was running three years behind schedule and that the Aberdeenshire Cup winners were frustrated about the other county cup winners lack of interest and calls made for the Dewar Distillery to step in to take control. No winners had been declared since the 1972-73 competition until St Johnstone put the trophy up for the winners of their early season match against Forfar Athletic in August 1982. Saints won this match and the trophy still resides at the McDiarmid Stadium's boardroom in Perth.
With thanks to John Meffen, Stuart Robertson, Robert Hutchison, Gordon Hunter, Steve Bell and Thomas McGouran
Winners |
|||
1898-99 King's Park 1929-30 East Stirlingshire 1930-31 Aberdeen |
1931-32 Aberdeen 1948-49 Dundee 1952-53 Montrose / Falkirk 1953-54 Buckie Thistle 1955-56 Stirling Albion |
1963-1965 no
competition 1973-74 incomplete 1978-1980 no competition 1980-81 incomplete 1981-82 no competition 1982-83 St Johnstone |
1898-99 Dewar Shield First round 22 Apr King's Park v Orion 1-0 29 Apr Fair City Athletic v Arbroath 2-3
Final at Recreation Park, Perth 13 May King's Park v Arbroath 2-1 |
1899-1900 Dewar Shield First round 24 Mar Dunblane v Arbroath 4-3 14 Apr Stenhousemuir v Victoria United 2-0
Final 21 Apr Dunblane v Stenhousemuir 1-0 All ties were played at Recreation Grounds, Perth |
1900-01 Dewar Shield First round 23 Mar Dunblane v Dundee 0-4 30 Mar Orion v East Stirlingshire 0-3 Final at Dens Park, Dundee 13 Apr Dundee v East Stirlingshire 6-1 |
1901-02 Dewar Shield First round 22 Mar St Johnstone v Stenhousemuir 1-1 aet 12 Apr St Johnstone v Stenhousemuir 1-3 22 Mar Dundee Wanderers v Aberdeen 1-0 Final at Merchiston Park, Falkirk 19 Apr Stenhousemuir v Aberdeen 2-1 |
1902-03 Dewar Shield First round 11 Apr Victoria United v East Stirlingshire 2-0 18 Apr Dundee v St Johnstone 3-2 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 2 May Dundee v Victoria United 2-1 |
1903-04 Dewar Shield First round 2 Apr Falkirk v Aberdeen 8-3 16 Apr Dundee Wanderers v Dunblane 2-0 at Perth Final 23 Apr Dundee Wanderers v Falkirk 1-1 at Merchiston Park, Falkirk 30 Apr Dundee Wanderers v Falkirk 2-0 at Dens Park, Dundee |
1904-05 Dewar Shield First round 8 Apr Dundee v Aberdeen 3-1 15 Apr Alloa Athletic v St Johnstone 7-1 Final at Dens Park, Dundee 22 Apr Dundee v Alloa Athletic 4-0 |
1905-06 Dewar Shield First round 24 Mar Dunblane v Peterhead 1-0 at Perth 14 Apr Falkirk v Forfar Athletic 5-1 Final at Brockville Park, Falkirk 5 May Falkirk v Dunblane 6-0 |
1906-07 Dewar Shield First round 20 Apr St Johnstone v Arbroath 2-1 27 Apr Aberdeen v East Stirlingshire 2-0 at Brockville Park, Falkirk Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 4 May Aberdeen v St Johnstone 3-0 |
1907-08 Dewar Shield First round 18 Apr St Johnstone v Forfar Athletic 2-1 Aberdeen v Alloa Athletic wo-scr Final at Recreation Ground, Perth 25 Apr St Johnstone v Aberdeen 1-0 |
1908-09 Dewar Shield First round 27 Mar Aberdeen v Dundee 0-0 Dundee refused to play extra time so the tie was awarded to Aberdeen 3 Apr Alloa Athletic v St Johnstone 3-1 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 17 Apr Aberdeen v Alloa Athletic 2-1 |
1909-10 Dewar Shield First round 16 Apr Falkirk v Brechin City 3-1 23 Apr Dunblane v Aberdeen 0-2 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 30 Apr Falkirk v Aberdeen 3-2 |
1910-11 Dewar Shield First round 8 Apr St Johnstone v Fraserburgh 9-1 22 Apr Dundee Hibernian v King's Park 0-1 Final at Recreation Grounds, Perth 29 Apr St Johnstone v King's Park 4-0 |
1911-12 Dewar Shield First round 20 Apr Arbroath v Aberdeen 2-1 aet 20 Apr King's Park v St Johnstone 0-0 aet 24 Apr St Johnstone v King's Park 4-2 Final at Recreation Grounds, Perth 27 Apr St Johnstone v Arbroath 5-1 |
1912-13 Dewar Shield First round 19 Apr Aberdeen v Dunblane 6-2 24 Apr St Johnstone v King's Park 4-2 Final at Recreation Grounds, Perth 30 Apr Aberdeen v St Johnstone 2-1 |
1913-14 Dewar Shield First round 11 Apr Arbroath v Aberdeen 1-0 11 Apr St Johnstone v Falkirk 3-3 20 Apr Falkirk v St Johnstone 3-1 Final at Brockville Park, Falkirk 25 Apr Falkirk v Arbroath 4-0 |
1914-15 Dewar Shield First round 10 Apr Dundee Hibernian v St Johnstone 2-0 24 Apr Aberdeen v King's Park 3-1 Final at Dens Park, Dundee 1 May Aberdeen v Dundee Hibernian 1-0 |
1915-1926 Dewar Shield No competition |
1926-27 Dewar ShieldFirst round 8 Sep Dundee v Falkirk 0-1 25 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 2-1
Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 6 Oct Aberdeen v Falkirk 2-0 |
1927-28 Dewar ShieldFirst round 17 Aug Dundee v Falkirk 0-1 17 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 1-3 Final at Brockville Park, Falkirk 31 Aug Falkirk v St Johnstone 2-1 |
1928-29 Dewar Shield First round 15 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 3-2 14 Aug Dundee United v East Stirlingshire 3-1
Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 22 Aug Aberdeen v Dundee United 3-2 |
1929-30 Dewar Shield First round 14 Aug St Johnstone v Aberdeen 3-1 14 Aug East Stirlingshire v Dundee United 2-0
Final 28 Aug St Johnstone v East Stirlingshire 1-1 at Muirton Park 4 Sep East Stirlingshire v St Johnstone 2-0 at Firs Park |
1930-31 Dewar Shield First round 13 Aug Aberdeen v Falkirk 3-1 13 Aug St Johnstone v Dundee United 2-1
Final 20 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 3-3 at Pittodrie 27 Aug St Johnstone v Aberdeen 0-5 at Muirton Park |
1931-32 Dewar Shield First round 12 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 3-1 12 Aug Forfar Athletic v Falkirk 1-5 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 19 Aug Aberdeen v Falkirk 5-1 |
1932-33 Dewar Shield First round 17 Aug St Johnstone v Montrose 4-0 17 Aug Aberdeen v East Stirlingshire 7-1 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 31 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 4-1 |
1933-34 Dewar Shield Qualifying round 28 Apr 1933 St Johnstone v Vale of Atholl 7-3 First round 16 Aug Aberdeen v Montrose 2-0 16 Aug St Johnstone v Stenhousemuir 4-4 30 Aug Stenhousemuir v St Johnstone 2-4 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 6 Sep Aberdeen v St Johnstone 2-1 |
1934-35 Dewar Shield First round 15 Aug St Johnstone v Arbroath 0-0 29 Aug Arbroath v St Johnstone 0-4 14 Aug Alloa Athletic v Aberdeen 2-2 29 Aug Aberdeen v Alloa Athletic 3-0 Final at Muirton Park, Perth 5 Sep St Johnstone v Aberdeen 3-0 |
1935-36 Dewar Shield Qualifying round - 2 legs27 Apr 1935 Peterhead v Aberdeen 1-2 12 Aug 1935 Aberdeenv Peterhead 9-4 12 Aug Blairgowrie Amateurs v St Johnstone 1-11 one match only at Foxhall Park, Coupar Angus First round 14 Aug Falkirk v St Johnstone 4-2 2 Oct Dundee v Aberdeen 2-3 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 9 Oct Aberdeen v Falkirk 3-0 |
1936-37 Dewar Shield Qualifying round - 2 legs18 Apr 1936 Aberdeen v Keith 3-0 11 Aug 1936 Keith v Aberdeen 0-7 22 Apr 1936 St Johnstone v Blairgowrie 2-1 one match only at Foxhall Park, Coupar Angus First round 26 Aug Aberdeen v Arbroath 4-0 12 Aug St Johnstone v East Stirlingshire 3-0 Final at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen 2 Sep Aberdeen v St Johnstone 5-1 |
1937-38 Dewar Shield Qualifying round - 2 legs17 Apr 1937 Aberdeen v Buckie Thistle 2-1 28 Apr 1937 Buckie Thistle v Aberdeen 0-3 21 Apr 1937 St Johnstone v Breadalbane 8-0 one match only at Crieff First round 18 Aug St Johnstone v Aberdeen 3-0 18 Aug Stenhousemuir v 0-2 Final at Muirton Park, Perth 1 Sep St Johnstone v Arbroath 0-1 |
1938-39 Dewar Shield Qualifying round - 2 legs27 Apr 1938 Fraserburgh v Aberdeen 0-1 30 Apr 1938 Aberdeen v Fraserburgh 7-027 Apr 1938 St Johnstone v Blairgowrie 3-1 one match only at Coupar Angus
First round 17 Aug Dundee v Aberdeen 2-1 17 Aug Falkirk v St Johnstone 3-1 Final at Dens Park, Dundee 31 Aug Dundee v Falkirk 1-2 |
1939-40 Dewar Shield Qualifying round - 2 legs27 Apr 1939 Aberdeen v Buckie Thistle 5-2 14 Aug 1939 Buckie Thistle v Aberdeen 5-7 29 Apr 1939 St Johnstone v Blairgowrie 6-0 one match only First round 16 Aug St Johnstone v Falkirk 0-3 16 Aug Arbroath v Aberdeen 0-3 Final 30 Aug Aberdeen v Falkirk 2-2 at Pittodrie Park 30 Sep Falkirk v Aberdeen 1-2 at Brockville Park |
1940-41 Dewar Shield Qualifying round25 Mar 1940 St Johnstone v Black Watch 6-1 Competition unfinished |
1941-1945 Dewar Shield No competition |
1945-46 Dewar Shield First round - 2 legs 15 Aug Dundee v Falkirk 5-2 16 Aug Falkirk v Dundee 4-0 15 Aug St Johnstone v Aberdeen 2-1 16 Aug Aberdeen v St Johnstone 4-0
Final - 2 legs 13 Apr Aberdeen v Falkirk 2-0 23 Sep 1946 Aberdeen v Falkirk 1-1 both games were at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen |
1946-47 Dewar Shield Qualifying round15 May 1946 St Johnstone v No.5 ITC 'C' 4-2 First round - 2 legs7 May Aberdeen v Falkirk 2-08 Sep 1947 Falkirk v Aberdeen 2-022 Sep 1947 Aberdeen v Falkirk 1-630 Apr St Johnstone v Dundee 2-0 7 May Dundee v St Johnstone 4-2
Final - 2 legs 7 Apr 1948 Falkirk v Dundee 1-0 10 Apr 1948 Dundee v Falkirk 4-0 |
1947-48 Dewar Shield Qualifying round20 Aug St Johnstone v Breadalbane 9-0 First round - 2 legs 12 Apr St Johnstone v Aberdeen 2-0 19 Apr Aberdeen v St Johnstone 2-1 21 Apr Dundee v Alloa 3-0 28 Apr Alloa v Dundee 2-4 Final - 2 legs 25 Aug 1948 St Johnstone v Dundee 2-4 8 Sep 1948 Dundee v St Johnstone 9-2 |
1948-49 Dewar Shield Preliminary round 8 Sep Deveronvale v Aberdeen 2-3 21 Apr St Johnstone v Grandtully Vale 4-0 First round - 2 legs 6 Apr St Johnstone v Falkirk 3-2 16 Apr 1949 Falkirk v St Johnstone 1-2 18 Apr Aberdeen v Dundee 1-0 2 May Dundee v Aberdeen 2-1 3 Oct 1949 Dundee v Aberdeen 3-2 Final - 2 legs 18 Feb 1950 Dundee v St Johnstone 1-1 10 Apr 1950 St Johnstone v Dundee 2-5 The Dewar Shield Association had decided that Dundee as winners of the tournament for the previous season should be allowed entry. The Forfarshire Cup final for 1947-48 hadn't taken place by 30th April which had broken the Forfarshire FA rules and still hadn't taken place by the time of the Dewar Shield draw. Although the Forfarshire FA representative accepted this point he stated it had happened previously and nobody had protested. A counter proposal to allow either Dundee United or Forfar Athletic to enter the Dewar Shield was defeated. |
1949-50 Dewar Shield Preliminary round - 2 legs 4 May 1949 Aberdeen v Peterhead 3-3 7 May 1949 Peterhead v Aberdeen 0-1 29 Apr St Johnstone v Vale of Atholl 7-1 one match only First round - 2 legs 7 Sep St Johnstone v East Stirlingshire 2-3 12 Sep East Stirlingshire v St Johnstone 3-1 10 Apr Dundee United v Aberdeen 1-2 17 Apr Aberdeen v Dundee United 1-0 Final - 2 legs 3 May East Stirlingshire v Aberdeen 1-3 23 Aug 1950 Aberdeen v East Stirlingshire 3-0 |
1950-51 Dewar Shield Preliminary Round - legs 1 May 1950 Aberdeen v Peterhead 2-2 8 May 1950 Peterhead v Aberdeen 0-2 19 Apr 1950 St Johnstone v Grandtully Vale 5-1 one match only
First round - 2 legs 14 Apr Aberdeen v Falkirk 4-2 21 Apr Falkirk v Aberdeen 3-3 2 May Dundee v St Johnstone 4-0 5 May St Johnstone v Dundee 2-4
Final - 2 legs 27 May 1954 Dundee v Aberdeen 2-2 Second leg not played, Dewar Shield FA declared both sides joint winners |
1951-52 Dewar Shield Qualifying round - 2 legs15 May 1951 Aberdeen v Deveronvale 5-117 May 1951 Deveronvale v Aberdeen 0-7 9 May 1951 St Johnstone v Grandtully Vale 7-0 one match only
First round - 2 legs5 Sep St Johnstone v Falkirk 0-411 Sep Falkirk v St Johnstone 3-2 12 Apr Aberdeen v Dundee United 3-0 26 Apr Dundee United v Aberdeen 4-1 5 May Dundee United v Aberdeen 3-7
Final - 2 legs 8 Sep 1952 Falkirk v Aberdeen 5-5 Second leg not played, Dewar Shield FA declared both sides joint winners |
1952-53 Dewar Shield Preliminary Round 24 Apr Breadalbane v St Johnstone 0-6
First round - 2 legs 2 May Montrose v St Johnstone 1-2 6 May St Johnstone v Montrose 1-3 4 Oct Deveronvale v Falkirk 0-7 11 Apr Falkirk v Deveronvale 6-2
Final - 2 legs 16 Jan 1954 Montrose v Falkirk 2-2 Second leg not played, Dewar Shield FA declared both sides joint winners |
1953-54 Dewar Shield Preliminary Round - 2 legs 11 Apr 1953 Breadalbane v St Johnstone 1-4 27 Apr 1953 St Johnstone v Breadalbane 3-0
First round Buckie Thistle v Dumbarton wo-scr St Johnstone v Brechin City scr-wo
Final - 2 legs 26 Dec Brechin City v Buckie Thistle 1-3 21 Apr Buckie Thistle v Brechin City 2-0 |
1954-55 Dewar Shield First round 27 Apr St Johnstone v Dundee United 2-2 Dundee United progressed to the final as St Johnstone couldn't agree to a replay date 25 Apr 1955 Buckie Thistle v Stirling Albion 1-4
Final - 2 legs 23 Apr 1956 Stirling Albion v Dundee United 5-0 28 Apr 1956 Dundee United v Stirling Albion 2-2 |
1955-56 Dewar Shield First round - 2 legs 5 Sep 1956 Stirling Albion v St Johnstone 1-0 25 Dec 1956 St Johnstone v Stirling Albion 2-4 Final at Annfield Park, Stirling 12 Jan 1957 Stirling Albion v Dundee 6-0 |
1956-57 Dewar Shield First round 5 Sep St Johnstone v Dundee 2-2 8 Oct St Johnstone v Dundee 1-2 22 Dec Alloa Athletic v Fraserburgh 4-5
Final at Bellslea Park, Fraserburgh 2 May 1958 Fraserburgh v Dundee 2-3 |
1957-58 Dewar Shield Qualifying round6 Apr 1957 St Johnstone v Breadalbane 10-1
First round 14 Oct St Johnstone v Dundee 3-6 Buckie Thistle v Dumbarton wo-scr
Final at Victoria Park, Buckie 3 May Buckie Thistle v Dundee 1-1 Dundee were awarded possession of the trophy on the toss of a coin |
1958-59 Dewar Shield Qualifying round3 May 1958 Breadalbane v St Johnstone 2-3First round20 Dec Arbroath v Keith 3-12 May St Johnstone v Alloa Athletic 1-0 Final St Johnstone v Arbroath |
1959-60 Dewar Shield Qualifying round28 Nov St Johnstone v Breadalbane 10-0First round19 Mar St Johnstone v Brechin City 2-1 XXXXPeterhead v Stirling Albion 3-5
Final at Muirton Park, Perth 29 Aug 1960 St Johnstone v Stirling Albion 4-1 |
1960-61 Dewar Shield First round2 Nov Dundee v Keith 9-0 27 Sep 1961 Alloa Athletic v St Johnstone 1-2
Final at Dens Park, Dundee 24 Oct 1961 Dundee v St Johnstone 4-2 |
1961-62 Dewar Shield Qualifying round6 Sep Breadalbane v St Johnstone 1-5
First round24 Oct 1962 St Johnstone v Falkirk 2-0 Huntly v Dundee United Competition unfinished |
1962-63 Dewar Shield First roundDundee v St Johnstone Falkirk v Deveronvale Competition unfinished |
1963-1965 Dewar Shield No competition |
1965-66 Dewar Shield First round11 Oct Dundee United v Falkirk 6-1 27 Oct St Johnstone v Peterhead 6-3
Final at Tannadice Park, Dundee 22 Nov 1967 Dundee United v St Johnstone 5-1 |
1966-67 Dewar Shield First round3 Oct Dundee v Deveronvale 7-010 Oct St Johnstone v Falkirk 4-1
Final at Dens Park, Dundee 2 May 1969 St Johnstone v Dundee 0-0, St Johnstone won on toss of a coin |
1967-68 Dewar Shield First round13 Nov 1968 St Johnstone v Keith 3-0 11 Nov 1969 Dundee v Falkirk 2-2 25 Nov 1969 Falkirk v Dundee 5-2 Final due at Muirton Park, Perth St Johnstone v Dundee Competition unfinished |
1968-69 Dewar Shield First round Peterhead v Falkirk Peterhead withdrew after Falkirk refused to negotiate a date to play on [possibly Dundee United v St Johnstone] Final 23 Mar 1971 Falkirk v St Johnstone 4-0 |
1969-70 Dewar Shield No competition |
1970-71 Dewar Shield Final at Tannadice Park, Dundee 26 Feb 1972 Dundee United v Peterhead 3-0 |
1971-72 Dewar Shield First round 11 Oct St Johnstone v Dundee 0-1 26 Oct Falkirk v Peterhead 8-0
Final at Dens Park, Dundee 24 Apr Dundee v Falkirk 3-1 |
1972-73 Dewar Shield First round 13 Nov St Johnstone v Peterhead 6-0 12 Feb Dundee v Falkirk 1-1 Competition unfinished |
1973-74 Dewar Shield First round 31 Jul Peterhead v St Johnstone Competition unfinished |
1974-1977 Dewar Shield No competition |
|
1977-78 Dewar Shield First round Peterhead v Falkirk Competition unfinished |
1978-1980 Dewar Shield No competition |
1980-81 Dewar Shield First round 9 Feb Forfar Athletic v St Johnstone 1-1 Final Forfar Athletic or St Johnstone v Peterhead |
1981-82 Dewar Shield No competition |
1982-83 Dewar Shield at Station Park, Forfar 7 Aug 1982 Forfar Athletic v St Johnstone 0-1 No other clubs competed in this edition |
|