HADDINGTON Athletic legends who lifted the East of Scotland Junior Cup 50 years ago have returned to Millfield.

Five of the team that defeated Linlithgow Rose in the final in 1973 were reunited with the trophy on Saturday.

Mick Thorburn, Peter Dargo, Jimmy Little and Pat Glynn were joined by Colin Dickson, who netted the only goal of the game, which was played at Hearts’ Tynecastle Park.

Drew Donaldson, Haddington Athletic president, was delighted to welcome the former players back through the gates.

He told the Courier: “It is always good to see former players coming down.

“Ally Matheson [who was also part of the team] was in Australia but lives in West Saltoun.

“He only got back on Monday and was a bit annoyed that he could not make it.

“We see him now and again and Stewart Cooper, who does the programme, had interviewed him.

“Of all the teams he played for, he likes being back at Haddington the most.

“It is nice when you get compliments like that.

“He is here now and again and all in all it was a busy day, with a crowd of 430.”

The five former players visited the ground to mark half a century since the cup triumph.

Coincidentally, Haddington were playing the beaten finalists on the day in an East of Scotland Football League Premier Division clash.

Goals from Alan Sneddon and Connor McMullan meant Linlithgow had one hand on the league trophy, before Gabri Auriemma narrowed the deficit.

At full time, it was the West Lothian side celebrating lifting silverware as they won the league title – 12 months after Tranent Juniors won the same prize.

Mr Donaldson congratulated the opposition on their victory.

He said: “It all went well – apart from not getting another couple of goals.

“We gave them a nervous last 15 minutes!”