Scottish Cup final: Getting to Hampden against the odds

AS HUNDREDS of cars and buses make the relatively short trip along the M8 today, you might want to spare a thought for those who have embarked on far greater journeys.

Although there are fans of both Hibernian and Hearts coming from as far afield as South Africa, Hong Kong and Australia, there are some supporters who have faced a much more arduous journey.

Hearts fan Robin Blacklock, of Aberlady, is well-known for his fundraising efforts, visiting the home of all 27 European Cup-winning teams, as part of a 7000-mile charity bid to raise £100,000 to show his appreciation to the health staff who had treated his son Angus, who was born with one ear due to Microtia, a condition that also causes speaking difficulties.

Eight months on, and with an historic cup final looming against city rivals Hibs, Angus underwent surgery on his throat at the start of May, with the sole intention of making the final. Despite some initial problems, Angus began to recover, eventually being allowed home, with his condition improving to the extent that he even returned to school, but not before some support from his Gorgie heroes.

“We got a couple of messages on Twitter from Craig Beattie and David Templeton,” recalls Robin. “Ryan McGowan very kindly popped in to see Angus, and was very keen to tell him that Hearts needed him fit for the final because they were counting on his support from the stands.”

Firmly believing that the gestures helped Angus on his road to recovery, Robin will take him through to Hampden today, to cheer on his team.

“Angus might be a little restricted in his cheering, but Hearts can count on him to support them, as well as they supported him,” adds Robin.

Someone who’ll be in the Hibs end today is 19-year-old Shaun Corrigan, who has a rather different story. After leaving Tranent and moving to Australia on a working visa in February, the Hibs fan vowed to return if his team met Hearts on May 19th.

“I said before I left that if it was a Hibs Hearts final I would come home,” he says.

“As soon as the final whistle went in the other semi-final, I booked the time off work, and my ticket home.”

Based in Perth, Shaun left Australia on Tuesday, with his return ticket booked for this coming Tuesday. It’s worth noting that Shaun has also pledged to buy every souvenir in the Hibs shop to take back to Australia, should they win the cup.

He might have a battle on his hands though, from Graham Spencer. A Hibs fan based in Melbourne, Graham arrived in Edinburgh on Friday morning, amidst claims from his friends that he had travelled furthest out of all the exiles.

“It’s 10,563 miles from Melbourne to Edinburgh according to the internet – I’d walk every one of them,” says Graham, before gallantly paying tribute to wife Joanne, who sorted out the travel arrangements. Picking up the story, Joanne points out the extent of Graham’s love for the Easter Road side, adding: “He’s only in Scotland for four days, so he doesn’t miss Wednesday night training with the under-11 football team he coaches in Melbourne!”

Back on the maroon side, Ron Ross, a 73-year-old Hearts fan based in Toronto, has witnessed Hearts lift the Scottish Cup not once, not twice, but three times. Having followed the club since 1948, Ron witnessed Hearts defeat Motherwell in the League Cup final in 1954 – their first trophy in 50 years – and was also in the crowd as Celtic succumbed to a superior Hearts side in the 1956 Scottish Cup final. He can also boast a connection with the club dating back over a century, to 1911, when his grandfather Tom Brandon was trainer with the Tynecastle side.

Despite having seen Hearts lift the cup three times, Ron has also witnessed two defeats, but remains confident about the team’s chances today.

“Hearts, for me, are the form team this year, and I’m looking forward to my fourth time of seeing the Jambos lift the Scottish Cup!” he says confidently.

Having left Toronto on Thursday night and arriving in Scotland on Friday morning, Ron will be flying back to Canada on Sunday morning, giving him a mere 48 hours on Scottish soil, and as he points out, is in every sense a “flying visit”.

“Getting back to Scotland has never been easier than it is today and now that I’m retired, I have the time to travel. It will be tiring and strenuous, but the exhilaration of watching Hearts play in an historic game, surrounded by 20,000 other Hearts fans, will be an unforgettable memory.”

Whatever the result in today’s match, Robin, Shaun, Graham and Ron will surely feel that one unforgettable personal victory has already been achieved.

Scottish Cup final on scotsman.com

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