He was THE face of the Spartans match programmes at the turn of the century appearing on the front cover of ‘special editions’ for Qualifying Cup and Scottish Cup ties, holding the prized silverware in his white with red striped kit.
“It was the only photo I think they had at the time” joked former Midfielder Kenny Ettles as he looked back at his favourite Scottish Cup memories and just what the tournament meant to him.
“As a Spartans player throughout the 1990s playing in the Scottish Cup was always the biggest match of the season. It gave us the chance to show the League clubs we could a play a bit too; hopefully win and draw a big gun like the Old Firm when they came in in Round 3; and whatever the result, watch the match highlights on Sportscene later that night over a beer in Ryan’s Bar!
“Round 2 involved the equivalent of the current League 1 and League 2 clubs plus any remaining non-league clubs. Ties were always played on the first Saturday in the New Year, and you had to be ready for it as we knew the League clubs would be, so we trained pretty hard over the festive period.
“Our City Park pitch was always heavy going in January – on a slope, wet, and would cut up quickly. You had to wear the longest aluminium studs the ref would let you away with, and “get stuck in” – I loved those sort of games.”
Kenny, who spent 10 seasons at the club from 1991 to 2001 clocking up c300 appearances, featured in several Scottish Cup adventures however one tie remains firmly etched in Ettles’ memory.
“Other matches against Clyde and Arbroath also come to mind, but my favourite match memory is playing East Fife at City Park on 6 January 1996 in front of a crowd of around 1000. They were a good side and got promoted that year to what is now the Championship, but we played really well, created a few chances in what was a very tight game, and drew 0-0.
“I played in midfield and directly against their player/manager Steve Archibald. Steve was in his late 30s then, but was still very fit and an absolute class apart, particularly his first touch on the ball I remember well!
“We actually played better, creating more chances in the replay in Methil the following Saturday in front of an expectant and noisy home crowd, and were unlucky to lose 2-1 in another tight match (with Andy Nixon scoring for Spartans).”
Kenny is photographed with Stevie Archibald at a recent event where they shared their memories of the two Scottish Cup ties.
