The original World Cup is coming home to West Dunbartonshire almost 140 years after Renton FC became the first ever club to hold the title.
The club sailed to victory with a 4-1 win against West Bromwich Albion in May 1888. Taking place in Cathkin Park in Glasgow, the match was organised to decide the Champions of the World between Scotland’s cup holders and England’s FA cup holders.
Now the cup will return home as part of World Cup celebrations in West Dunbartonshire, where it will be displayed alongside photographs of the team in the Alexandria Library’s heritage centre from Friday 19 June to Thursday 2 July.
Current Renton Craigandro players and coaches were invited along for a sneak peek at the cup this week.
In addition to the cup, visitors can come along to a talk around the World Cup and the rich footballing history in the West Dunbartonshire with Iain Campbell Whittle, of the Scottish Football Historians Group on Tuesday 23 June (6.45 pm-7.45 pm) and on Saturday 27 June (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) there will be a World Cup card swap event, both taking place at Alexandria Library.
Convenor of Corporate Services, Councillor William Rooney, said: “We are excited to have this incredible piece of world footballing history come home. Renton’s achievement in 1888 is spectacular and often not spoken about enough, and this is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to reconnect with the glory of 1888.”
Vice Convenor of Corporate Services, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, pictured above with members of the Renton Craigandro playing and management squad, said: “Renton’s victory marked a special moment in football at the time, and bringing the original cup back to the area is a reminder of West Dunbartonshire’s important place in football history. It’s a story that deserves to be celebrated and shared with new generations.”
Top of page picture: Dumbarton, Celtic, Hibernian, Borussia Dortmund and Scotland star Murdo MacLeod, who played for the international team in the 1990s.
Scott McTominay and John McGinn, both with strong Dunbartonshire connections, who will play for Scotland against Morocco in the World Cup in Boston, USA, tonight.