The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 3, January 21, 2007, Article 20

1878 EDINBURGH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MEDAL SURFACES

Another rare early sports medal has surfaced, this time on eBay.
In a familiar pattern, local fans in Edinburgh, Scotland are
clamoring to bring it home for a sports museum:

"He was one of the star strikers of his era and helped the
then-fledgling Heart of Midlothian Football Club win their first
piece of silverware.

"Playing on a makeshift pitch at a farm at Powburn, James Whitson
was one of the 11 players who finally beat city rivals Hibernian
to give the maroon half of the Capital's football divide their first
taste of success in 1878.

"The epic Edinburgh Football Association cup final match was only
won at the fifth attempt and followed four intense games between
the two sides that all finished in a stalemate - capturing the
imagination of the 3000-strong crowds that watched the spectacle.

"Hearts' historian David Speed said that he was "amazed" to hear
that the medal had been found and put on sale, although he added
that its hefty price tag could put the club off buying it.

"He said: 'This is a hugely significant artefact for Hearts. I've
never seen one of the first cup-winners' medals before, so I would
be delighted to see it brought back to Edinburgh.'

"'Unfortunately, there's not much other information about him,
because the club didn't keep records until around 1888. He left
Hearts in 1880, so there may even be some of his descendants living
in the city who know more about his career than we do.'

"He said: 'Hearts are currently looking at building a museum within
Tynecastle stadium that will be dedicated to their history. This
medal would be an ideal addition to that plan.'

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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