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The Scottish FA

The Scottish FA

Founding Fathers Humbled

Founding Fathers Humbled

Any doubts that the rest of the world had caught up, and in many cases surpassed, the British in footballing ability were dispelled during the World Cup of 1950.

England’s surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of the USA illustrated perfectly the growth and development of the game worldwide. The wonderful skill and technique of the South Americans produced performances far in advance of any of the Home Nations.

This point was hammered home when the marvelous Hungarian side containing Bozsik, Hidegkuti, and Puskas came to Wembley in 1953 and swept the English aside 6-3 with a display of sublime skill. There could be no dispute that primacy had slipped away from the game’s founding fathers.

The Hungarians came to Hampden the following year, running out comfortable 4-2 winners.

Scotland Team 1954The gulf in standards was rubbed in, in horrific fashion, during the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

Scotland portrayed all the traits that blighted the development of the game, with their narrow-minded and out-dated approach to the competition. The preparation was attrocious, Scotland only travelled with 13 players, and displayed a complete lack of tactical awareness, losing first to Austria, then being trounced 7-0 by a gifted Uruguayan team.

As the 1950s grew increasingly prosperous people became more leisure-minded, a number of alternatives to football became available for those with disposable incomes. Match attendances slumped as a result.

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