It was in the autumn of 1928 when an interest grew among the community to resurrect a local football team.
Many of the pre-war clubs had failed to re-emerge and with the promise of local support, a new club was formed
to bring Junior Football back to Cumbernauld. However, as the old United had left a considerable trail of unpaid debts,
the new club elected to distance themselves from the name of Cumbernauld United and adopt a new name.
The new club decided on the alternative “CUMBERNAULD THISTLE” and it was not long before the new
club was making a name for themselves amongst the elite of Scottish Junior Football.
In Season 1931/1932 Cumbernauld Thistle reached the final of the Victory Consolation Cup playing Wheafletts Emerald.
The game ended in a draw and everyone believed they would win the replay, which was to be played at Broomfield Park, Airdrie,
but the day before the match tragedy struck when Team Captain Charlie Mulholland from Condorrat was killed whilst working in a local clay pit.
Clearly the tragedy affected everyone connected with the club, but after a great deal of soul searching by both the Committee and players, the decision was taken to play the Cup-Tie.
It was a sad team that took the field that day determined to do their best both for their dead colleague and the Village.
The side won 2-0, with goals by Hunter and Gillies and the medal that should have been presented to Charlie Mulholland was accepted by his mother.
After the game, both sets of players, some in tears, dedicated the match to their dead comrade.
Facilities in junior football were gradually getting better. The availability of bus hire brought quicker and more comfortable journeys to away matches for both players and supporters alike.
Some junior grounds had even installed water to enable players to wash after matches, but Thistle, like the old United, lacked financial muscle and
were using the Masonic Hall as a changing room for the home side and Jimmy McNeill’s Chip Shop in Main Street in the Village,
served as a changing room for visiting teams.
In season 1935-36, Thistle fought their way through to the Final of the Victory Cup and faced stiff opposition against one of Scotland’s strongest junior outfits, Dunblane Rovers. The game was played at Partick Thistle’s Firhill Park in Glasgow and Jimmy Quinn, father of the Glasgow Celtic legend, was Thistle’s leading goalscorer in that competition and scored both goals in a magnificent 2-0 win. That night a Victory Celebration Tea was held in the Old Manse Tea Rooms in the village, things were a bit more sober and staid in those days.
To be continued.
