Death of Historic Team was the headline in the local paper in 1980. After 100 years in Border Football the Hearts of Liddesdale team gave up for 3 seasons. They could no longer field a team in the Carlisle and District League. Apathy amongst the villagers was blamed for the death of the once-famous team pictured here at the turn of the century.

Newcastleton Football team in the early 1900's. Back: Bob Murray, Tommy Scott, Andy Bell, Sandy Craw, Rob Wilson, Wull Armstrong, Walter Telfer, Thomas Inglis. Front: David Oliver, Jim Jackson, John Armstrong, Bob Little, Archie Scott.

Hearts were first formed in 1880, when they were known as Newcastleton Football Club long before the inception of any league. Matches were arranged between various local sides and by all accounts these encounters hardly lived up to the name of ‘friendlies’. The club was renamed Hearts of Liddesdale in 1909 and joined the Borders League which had just been formed.

In the 1924 season the club contested the Lumley Cup against Gala Rovers. This game was played at Bathgate Park Edinburgh, where the team experienced playing on cinders for the first time. The gate was 7,000 and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The replay was staged in Portobello and over 200 supporters travelled from Newcastleton in a lavish train decorated with blue and white ribbons. Hearts won 3-2, and when the team arrived home after midnight the whole village turned out to give them a rousing welcome.

An observation often voiced through the clubs long history "he's nae as guid as his father". For many generations proud fathers have watched sons playing in the same position as they played, and even over our long history the names have remained mainly the same – Armstrongs, Davidsons, Olivers, Scotts and Elliots. That tradition remains with 7 families still playing for the club today.

There can't be many clubs in the land that can boast more than 1 or 2 families carrying on the traditions of their fathers and fore fathers who continue to play for the team, but the village is unique – we have 7 families that continue these traditions.6 are pictured here. From left to right: Toto and Barry Paterson, Peter and Martin Pearson, Clive and Irving Foster, Ryan, Greg and Jim Cuthbert (front), Davie Blaikie, Dean Thomson. Unfortunately the Brough’s; Keith, David and Simon along with Billy Thomson and Ross Blaikie were unavailable at the time this picture was taken.

There are many heated debates following hotly contested matches where the cry still rings true “he’s nae as guid as his father” and long may it continue!