Tayport is a small harbor town and burgh close to the north east tip of Fife, originally known by its Gaelic name Partan Craig, which translates as "Crab Rock" (Population just under 8,000)In 1598 the settlement received its burgh charter in the name of Ferry-Port on Craig. In the 1850s, the Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee Railway Company established a railway service running from Edinburgh to Aberdeen that stopped in the town. They used the much simpler name of "Tayport” which soon caught on and eventually replaced Ferry-Port on Craig as the more commonly used name.The town is renowned for the line fishing industry, one of the oldest in Scotland, and of course the ferry service across the Tay, which was established in the 12th century. The railway ferry ceased in 1887 and the passenger-only ferry continued to run from the town to Broughty Ferry until 1920.
Tayport Amateurs formed in 1947 playing in the Midlands Amateurs’ Alliance League.Became Tayport FC when the Junior team was launched in 1990, beginning life in the Tayside League rather than the Fife League due to their geographical position. The amateur side played their final season in the Amateur Leagues in 2000-01.They won their first league title in 1991-92, becoming champions nine times in an eleven year period up to the 2001-02 season. SJFA East Region Superleague winners in 2002-03 and 2005-06, finishing runners-up the two years in between.Scottish Junior Cup winners 3 times in 1995-96 (Camelon 2-0) 2002-03 Linlithgow Rose (1-0) and 2004-05 Lochee United(2-0) also runners-up in 1993, 1997 and 2004.
Plenty of cup honours include lifting the North and Tayside Cup 6 times and the Currie Cup on 9 occasions.
The Canniepairt (Scottish grounds 71 - Scottish Juniors 25 Lifetime Junior Cup winners 18/27)Capacity 2,000The local council invited the club to move from East Common to this former farm land in 1975. The ground has a covered terrace enclosure running down on one side, behind the home dugout, the away club dugout is on the opposite side in front of a grass banking standing area. The changing rooms are behind the goal where there’s open hard standing. At the top goal there is a large hedge making The Canniepairt a three sided ground.
Tayport (15th) v Linlithgow Rose (4th)SJFA East Region Superleague Matchday 23/22Kick off 2.30pmAtt.175hcWeather:Sunny intervals, heavy rain shower in the second half.0-1 (24’) Tommy Coyne Ball slipped into the box to Coyne, who produced a nice finish into the roof of the net.1-1 (30') Alan TullethCross field pass found Tulleth unmarked on the left in acres of space, fired in a hard low shot into the far corner. 1-2 (31') Colin StricklandRight wing ball found the number 9 in the box, who had time and space to slot home.1-3 (40') Colin StricklandLong ball down the middle found Strickland, the keeper didn't come to meet the long ball which made an easy finish1-4 (60') Tommy CoyneCross from right headed in from six yards1-5 (87’) Conor KellyComedy of errors in the Port box, capitalised on by the substitute.Entertainment 8/10Top Bloke - Colin Strickland (Linlithgow Rose)SpondoolicksAdmission £5Programme £2Scotch pie £1.20Coffee £1Tea £1
The Gadabout185 miles door to door0945 East Coast train service from Newcastle to Edinburgh, arrived at 1105.
100FgC squad #155 James Little picked me up outside the station at noon for the 60 mile drive across to Fife, via the A90 and A91. Stopped off for a pint in Cuper on route, arriving at the ground just before 2pm.Afterwards James dropped me back off in Edinburgh in good time for a couple of pints in The Standing Order before boarding the 1900. Arrived back in the Toon at quarter to nine.
Footnote
I’m in the process of writing and hopefully getting a book published on the winners of the Scottish Junior Cup over the last 50 years, which will feature a thorough chapter on the history of Tayport and its football club.
Ground no.515 The Canniepairt - Matchday Web Album (31 pictures from Tayport)
