Big price for Bully Wee medal

A medal from Clyde FC’s momentous first Scottish Cup win in 1938/39 has sold for £1,600 at auction in Glasgow.   

The fifteen-carat gold medal, which was awarded to Clyde FC right back, Jimmy Kirk, after the Bully Wee’s 4-0 win over Motherwell, was one of the top lots at McTear’s June Works of Art auction.  

McTear’s specialist, James Bruce, said:  “This is a fantastic piece of sporting memorabilia which has an important place in Scotland’s football history. There is no doubt it is a rare medal but there is added significance as this was the last Scottish Cup Final before the competition was suspended due to World War II.  It would be season 1946/47 before the competition was played again.

“There was a lot of interest in the lot beforehand so we knew it was going to be a lively auction. We weren’t disappointed, with the medal eventually selling to a Scottish collector after some fierce bidding.”

Clyde FC’s 1938/39 win was the first of three Scottish Cup’s won by the Club – the other two coming in the 1950s. The final was played at Hampden Park on 22 April 1939 in front of a crowd of 94,000. 

James Bruce added: “The owner of this particular medal was aware of its significance and potential value, however, that is not always the case. Very often the owners of unusual items have no idea how valuable they are, so we would certainly recommend having a look in those old boxes in the loft for anything that looks a little bit unusual. You never know what you may find.”

Price above includes buyer commission and vat thereon.