Jonny Macleod

Senior football returned to Armadale in 1910. Armadale Thistle Juniors committee men had been asked to start a new senior outfit and a public meeting in Mrach 1910 agreed to a proposal from Thomas Russell and Kenneth Moffat. Thomas Pow, Andrew Anderson, James Russell, James O'Brien and R Hendry formed the committee. The club joined the Scottish Union but opened the 1910-11 season with a friendly against Rangers, losing 2-0.

Fisrt Team : Black, Easton, J Ballantyne, McCall, Mulhern, Blair, T Ballantyne, McGuire, Taylor, Cunningham and Haddow. The East of Scotland Consolation Cup was won and election into the more prestigious Central League was achieved.

Money was spent on creating ' stripping apartments' and improvements to the park but debt was the inevitable outcome. This was solved by conceding home advantage to Aberdeen in the Cup. Cups began to be won in numbers and Armadale won the Central League Championship in 1914 and 1915.

In December 1915 Armadale were being billed as the only undefeated team in Britain. The Championship (the third in three years) was secured and a cup double achieved with a win over St Bernards.

Football struggled to sustain itself towards the end of the first world war. Armadale suspended operations, leaving only Armadale Lonie Boys and Atlas Rovers.

Armadale emerged from the war with something of a flourish, floating through the Qualifying Cup of 1919-1920 to the main tournament ushering in what were called the Scottish Cup 'shock days'. Clyde were the first famous name to come to the Volunteer in January 1920. Out they went. Hibernian were next. Armadale had lost only two home games in the previous four years. An early Prentice goal saw off the Edinburgh men.

Armadale then led Ayr United 1-0 until close to the end when a penalty gave the visitors a draw and a Somerset Park replay. A Glasgow Evening News advertisement for the all Ayrshire quater-final with Kilmarnock spurred the 'Dale. A Gordon goal near halftime meant the Killie would visit West Lothian. The teams exploits were captured on film and shown the following week.

In the quarter-final, goalie Willie Robb fisted out an effort after Killie had hit the underside of the bar but a goal was given (disputed until this day) and the game lost 2-1. Famously, the referee was smuggled out in a kit hamper to deny Armadalians the opportunity of expressing their views on the matter.

Armadale's Cup reputation was enhanced the following season when they went to Paisley and beat St Mirren, disposed of Bo'ness and lost only after three replays to Albion Rovers. There followed elevation to the Scottish League as the second division was revived.

PART FOUR