On 1 March 1961 Motherwell recorded a marvellous victory when they beat Rangers 5-2 at Ibrox in a Scottish Cup replay. The triumph is still remembered in song!
The first leg at Fir Park looked lost when the visitors took a two goal lead but goals from Ian St John and an equaliser from captain Bert McCann offered a second chance in a midweek encounter in Govan.
The old Ibrox stadium as packed for the replay. The crowd was reported to be 90,000 and the home support were happy to see their team take a 2-1 lead despite McPhee scoring the opener for the Steelmen.
Hunter, Weir, Martis, St John
But the great Motherwell side of that era dug in and turned the tide. Pat Delaney drove a thunderous free kick into the net and on the hour Bobby Roberts prodded us into the lead.
St John and Roberts killed them off to deliver us into the quarter final. It remains one of the highlights of times past. We had a wonderful team in the late 50s and early 60s – the Ancell Babes.
In typical Motherwell fashion we were knocked out of the cup in the next round by Airdrie at Fir Park.
All together now....
As I walked down the Copland Road
I heard a mighty clamour
For the boys in blue
Got f***** 5-2
By the boys in claret and amber