Doncaster City cites ancient treaty in bid to play in Scottish Cup
We all know that Cardiff City and Swansea fromWales, play in the English Football League and Football Cups and Berwick Rangers, located in England, play in the Scottish League and Cups. A spokesperson for Doncaster City Football Club, who formed earlier this year, confirmed their application had been submitted to the Scottish Football Association, to allow Donny to play in their Cup.
A treaty dating back to 1136, which handed Doncaster to the then Scottish King, could permit the team to play north of the border.
The football club from South Yorkshire is using an ancient treaty to launch an “ambitious” bid to play in the Scottish Cup.
Bosses at newly-formed Doncaster City FC now believe it could give them the right to compete north of the border. The club had hoped to exploit a twelfth-century treaty which saw Doncaster handed over to King David I of Scotland in 1136 as part of a peace deal after he had conquered parts of northern England.
Bankrolled by Sports Direct, the non-league club from the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior Football League Division Two, came up with the idea, as it is not currently permitted to take part in the English FA Cup. Officially, the city has never been handed back, prompting Doncaster City to try its luck with an application for entry next season – and generate some publicity in the process.
The club, which was formed in June and plays in the thirteenth tier of English football with average attendances of around 100, had visions of hosting one of the Old Firm at their temporary home – the 2,000-capacity Welfare Ground in Armthorpe. Doncaster City are currently holding trials for prospective players amid ‘stacks’ of interest since news of the club’s formation broke, according to first-team manager Terry Curran. Former Bradford City winger, Leon Osborn,e is among those who have been trying to impress Curran in recent weeks.
But, according to the Scottish Cup's rules of entry, their status as members of the English Football Association, rather than that of Scotland, means they do not meet the eligibility requirements.
A spokesman for the club said: “We want to play as high as possible, I think it comes down to ambition. The group that we are, we’re very ambitious, so let’s have a go.”
On Friday Doncaster City beat Barnsley-based Houghton Main, who play two leagues above them, 3-2 in a friendly. On the same day the club, which has been set up by the wife of football agent Willie Mackay, unveiled its sky blue-coloured home shirt sponsored by retail chain Sports Direct.
Curran previously told The Free Press: “These (Doncaster City) are going to have money behind them. "They are going to have big sponsors. It will be going in the right direction.”He continued: "It’s a matter of building it up, getting it going, and helping young players, as well as helping us to take the club on an adventure.” It is unknown if Murray has any involvement with Doncaster City.
The Scottish Cup is the oldest association football trophy in the world and has been the country’s major knockout tournament since 1874. Last season it was won by Rangers who defeated Hearts at Hampden in extra-time.
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup is an annual knock-out cup competition for men's football clubs in Scotland. The competition was first held in 1873-4. Entry is open to all 122 clubs with full membership of the Scottish FA, along with up to eight other clubs who are associate members.
Although it is the second oldest association cup in football history, after the English FA Cup, the Scottish Cup trophy is the oldest in association football and is also the oldest national trophy in the world. It was first presented to Queen's Park, who won the inaugural tournament in March 1874. The current holders are Glasgow Rangers, who won the tournament for the 34th time by defeating Heart of Midlothian 2–0 in last season's final..
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