Dunipace F.C.
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Dunipace Junior Football Club are a Scottish football (soccer) club based in Denny, Stirlingshire. Nicknamed the Pace, they were formed in 1888 and are based at Westfield Park. They currently compete in the West Region of the Scottish Junior Football Association and wear black and white strips (uniforms). In recent years they have fluctuated between the divisions of the leagues they have competed in.
[edit] History
Dunipace in the late 1800's was a community built around its workforce. Involved within the varied industries of the times, including Coal Mining, Iron Foundry, Brickworks and Paper Mills a group of men intrigued by the rise in popularity of football as a pastime all over the country started a small local club named Dunipace. Supported by the local community and bhoyed by the industrial growth of the area Dunipace grew into a hugely successful club.
The earliest recorded information on the club, from March 1888, focuses on an early match between Dunipace and Denny Football Club, with "The Pace" (the nickname that has stuck with the club throughout its history) sweeping aside their opponents by 6 goals to nil. In the same year, it is recorded that Dunipace took on Stenhousmuir at Bankend and were also victorious, winning by 3 goals to nil. Dunipace also took part in the Scottish Cup in 1888, drawn against Strathcarron in the first round, though the result it seems has been lost through time.
During the early years of Junior Football in Scotland there was no league setup as exists today. Instead, clubs played a series of friendly matches whilst concentrating on the various local cup competitions, with the main focus being the Scottish Cup. It would be in both arena's, local and national cup competition, that Dunipace would make their name.
In the 1890's Dunipace, like many clubs, endured great financial instability and in fact only just managed to survive. The initiation of a Stirlingshire league and its promise of more regular competitive action saw an upsurge in interest for the club that enabled the men in charge to keep Dunipace afloat.
The club later joined the Midland League (in 1896) and were to call this home for many years until they joined the Junior Association. In 1897, fuelled by a slump in senior football and the increased interest in the Junior game, Dunipace started a Junior combination that went on to win the Stirling and District Cup, beating Broomage Albion 2-1 in a replay after a 1-1 draw in the first match. This was Dunipace's first ever trophy.
Following various other local successes Dunipace enjoyed their first lengthy run in the Scottish Cup in 1901/02, where they reached the semi-finals with wins over Airth Castle Rangers, Smithston, Clydebank, Leith Ivanhoe and Renfrew before putting on what was described as their worst display of the season against Maryhill Juniors at Meadowside Park. Dunipace lost the match 3-1 in front of a crowd of over 6000.
The following season, Dunipace made it to the fifth round where they were defeated by Burnbank 4-1 (March 7th 1903). Then, the next season saw a disappointing second round exit at the hands of Strathleven at Alexandria and on February 4th 1905 Dunipace were beaten 6-3 by Petershill at Green Park.
During these disappointing runs in the Scottish cup however, Dunipace did win local league and cup competitions with great regularity. In fact, by the time Dunipace entered into competition in the Scottish cup of 1905/06, the club had won a massive 19 trophies! Thats an average of more than 1 a season. These wins included the Stirling and District Junior Cup (6), Stirling and District Junior League (5), The Stirlingshire Junior Cup (3), the Falkirk & District Junior Cup (3) and the Denny and District Cottage Hospital Shield (2).
However, season 1905/06 was to prove the most successful in the clubs history to date. Dunipace defeated Laurieston, Alva Albion Rangers, Dalkeith Thistle, Benburb and Bonyrigg Rose on the way to a semi final re-match of 1901/02 versus Maryhill. On March 31st 1906 at Brockville, Dunipace again put on a nervy performance in front of a crowd in excess of 7000, the match finishing in a goalless draw. Dunipace were however fortunate, with the home goalkeeper (John Westwater) saving a penalty to keep them in the tie.
The replay at Meadowside Park in Glasgow was played to a crowd of over 6000 and saw Dunipace lay to rest the awful display of 1903, defeating Maryhill 5-1 to reach the final. May 19th, 1906 saw Dunipace travel once more to Meadowside Park in Glasgow, this time to take on their modern day rivals Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. It was a closely contested match, finishing 2-2. On Monday night, May 21st, the replay took place at Brockville. After an Injury in the first half Dunipace were left with 10 men (no substitutes in those days) but managed to hold out till half time, where the injured player (Waddell) resumed with a heavy limp. 4 Minutes into the second half, Dunipace took the lead through W. Westwater and held out to win the trophy.
Although the trophy was not at Brockville to be presented, Dunipace enjoyed the moment thoroughly and on their return to Denny station were met by a 30 fog signal salute and a brass band to march them back to Dunipace to a crowd of hundreds who had gathered to welcome the team home.
In total, 1905/06 brought 5 trophies to the then Green Park (Original home of the club). The Scottish Cup, The Stirling and District Junior Cup, Stirlingshire Junior Cup , The Falkirk & District Junior Cup and The Denny and District Cottage Hospital Shield.
It was also in 1906, when Dunipace were having such great success, that Denny Hibernian were formed. They proved to be great rivals of the club over the years, winning the Scottish cup in 1931.
Dunipace continued winning local competitions and reached the final of the Scottish Cup again in 1912/13, where they were beaten 1-0 at Firhill by Inverkeithing. The clubs success continued into the 1920's where, unfortunately, things started to turn for the worse. Apart from a scattering of successes (1933/34/35 winning the Stirling and District Cup and 1937/38 winning the Stirlingshire Jubilee Cup) Dunipace were enduring the most difficult time in their history to date. They did however reach the semi final of the Scottish cup in 1938, where they were beaten by Cambuslang Rangers 4-0 at Tynecastle.
The next cup run of note was in season 1949/50, when "The Pace" reached the final of the West of Scotland Cup, where they were defeated 3-0 by Clydebank. Dunipace next enjoyed a successful Scottish cup run in 1958, when they lost in the quarter final against eventual winners St Andrews at Caronbank.
In 1972/73, Dunipace achieved a truly memorable feat, winning the C Division undefeated, drawing 0-0 with Glasgow Perthsire in the last game of the season to maintain their unbeaten record. They also won the McLeod Cup in the same year. In 1979 another Scottish Cup semi final appearance against Ballieston saw them lose after 3 games! Then in 1982/83 Dunipace were crowned champions of the C Division once more. In the Centenary year, 1988, Dunipace were promoted to the Premier division of the Central League whilst also winning the Centenary Cup. In 1992/93, Dunipace won the Bert McNab cup, followed in 1989/90 by the Sectional League Cup. Most recently, in 1998/99 Dunipace won the Evening Times Cup and the Central League Division 2.
Dunipace's 1 and only stint in the super league came after finishing Runner up in the Central First division in 2004/05. Unfortunately, Dunipace were relegated the next season.
In recent times the club has repeatedly struggled with the rising financial burdens placed upon Junior football teams and have done amazingly well to survive, employing a mix of young players on the rise and a scattering of experienced players with a connection to the club. Our continued existence owes entirely to the hard work and commitment of several members of the clubs general Committee. Without their continued dedication to the club and tireless work this historic football institution that has been a part of the community for nearly 120 years would surely struggle to survive.
[edit] Honours
Stirling and District Junior Cup: 1898/99, 1899/90, 1900/91, 1901/02, 1902/03, 1904/05, 1905/06, 1912/13, 1919/20, 1920/21, 1921/22, 1922/23, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35
Stirlingshire Junior League Winners: 1900/01, 1901/02, 1902/03, 1903/04, 1904/05, 1906/07, 1907/08, 1908/09, 1912/13, 1913/14, 1914/15, 1919/20, 1920/21, 1921/22, 1922/23, 1923/24
Stirlingshire Junior Cup: 1901/02, 1902/03, 1904/05, 1905/06, 1908/09, 1910/11, 1911/12, 1912/13, 1919/20, 1934/35
Falkirk & District Junior Cup: 1901/02, 1902/03, 1903/04, 1905/06, 1908/09, 1911/12, 1912/13, 1920/21, 1921/22, 1922/23, 1927/28, 1929/30
Denny and District Cottage Hospital Shield: 1901/02, 1904/05, 1905/06, 1906/07, 1907/08, 1908/09, 1909/10
Scottish Cup Winners: 1905/06
Scottish Cup Runner Up: 1912/13
Stirlingshire Charity Cup: 1920/21
Stirlingshire League Cup: 1920/21, 1921/22, 1922/23, 1923/24, 1926/27
Scottish Junior League (Eastern) winners: 1927-28
Victory Cup: 1927/28, 1938/39
McLeod Trophy: 1972/73
Central League Division 2 winners: 1972/73, 1981/82, 1998/99
Centenary Cup: 1987/88
Central Region Sectional League Cup: 1989/90
Bert McNab Cup: 1992/93
Evening Times Cup: 1998/99
Central League Division 1 Runner Up: 2004/05
