BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO THE BELL'S CUP ...

Sunday Herald, The, Aug 4, 2002 by Stewart Fisher

What's in a name?

The first round of the all-new Bell's Cup starts this Tuesday evening, marking the sixth incarnation of a trophy which has variously - and in chronological order - borne the moniker of the B&Q Centenary cup, the B&Q Cup, the plain League Challenge Cup, and then the Bell's Challenge Cup. In 1998/1999, perhaps because the powers at be couldn't work out a different permutation of the same words in time, no competition took place.

Confusing indeed. How does the tournament operate?

For all the changes in title, the competition has remained unchanged in its format, namely five rounds, all of which are settled on the night, first via extra time and then penalties. Rules dictate that the final round must also be played at a down-at-heel provincial neutral venue, most commonly Fir Park for some reason. Only Scottish Football League clubs are entitled to enter.

What, no SPL clubs? What is the point in that then?

The absence of Rangers and Celtic means it is one trophy that other teams have got a genuine chance of winning, a prospect which should be so appealing to the other 10 SPL clubs that they could soon be resigning from the other domestic competittions in order to apply to compete in it. In a time of turbulence for many domestic competitions, the sponsors are certainly committed to the competition, having signed a deal last winter that extends their backing until 2005. "It is a straightforward competition and we think that that is the solution for football in Scotland," said SFL secretary Peter Donald. "The clubs are happy with it and that is what is important."

Is it worth winning?

Just about. Apart from the kudos of receiving the Scottish Football League challenge trophy - a prize which even Donald admits is "modest" compared to the Scottish Cup and CiS Cup - the winners receive (pounds) 16,000, and the runners-up (pounds) 12,000, totals which should just about cover the cash expended on taking your team to five rounds in places as various as Peterhead and Gretna. "I don't think they are out of pocket by competing," Donald said. "If they get (pounds) 3,000 even to make it to one round, it is a fairly lucrative return for them." He is not wrong. A total of (pounds) 17,000 is the only recompense First Division teams receive from the league for a whole season.

Who has won it in the past?

It was fitting that Ian McCall and Terry Christie, who have won the title a combined total of three times, were the managers tussling for possession of the trophy last season. Airdrie United, who start their campaign at home to Airdrie old boy Antonio Calderon's Raith Rovers, will have to go some to emulate the achievement of their forerunners, who are still the competition's most successful side, having won on three occasions. But other hallowed names have also made an impact. A hat-trick from Billy Dodds took Dundee to the title in the trophy's inaugural season, while Hamilton and Falkirk have also taken the title a couple of times.

Ah . . . the romance of the cup. Is there the capacity for an upset?

Just ask Dundee United, who were beaten by Stenhousemuir 5-4 on penalties when they made it into the final in the 1995/96 season. "If you look at the past winners, they're not always first division clubs," said Donald. Queen of the South, who must make the long journey northwards to play Ian Wilson's Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium on Tuesday, will be just one of the first division teams who could face an uncomfortable start to their cup run.

What is the draw and who are the favourites this year?

Falkirk start their campaign with a visit to their prospective ground share partners Stenhousemuir, and the impressive strength of their squad is such that it could yet keep up the McCall connection, especially as the Bell's Cup is one competition that their lack of a 10,000 seater stadium cannot prevent them from winning. For similar reasons, Ayr United showed their prowess in the cup competitions last season, and also could be in with a shout, if they can first negotiate their way past a difficult trip to Stranraer's Stair Park. St Johnstone, who play Hamilton, St Mirren, who play East Stirlingshire, and Alloa and Clyde who both received byes, should all appear likely to make it through to the next round with a minimum of fuss.

The draw also ensures SFL new boys Gretna visit Hampden to play Queen's Park on their first outing in the competition, two cup specialists meet when Berwick take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and there is an intriguing local derby when Arbroath take on Forfar Athletic. Elsewhere, Dumbarton host East Fife, Elgin City entertain Dick Campbell's Brechin City and there are all-third division clashes between Morton and Stirling Albion, and Montrose and Stirling Albion.

What harm does it do?

None really, although justifying the journey and entry fee in the name of the Bell's Cup on a wet midweek to some bleak footballing outpost can stretch the patience of even Scottish football's hardiest followers.