SCOTTISH FA CUP 1895-96

Winners: Heart of Midlothian

Runners-up: Hibernian

Holders from previous season: St Bernard's

Scottish Football Association AGM: Qualifying Cup Proposal

7 May 1895

The Scottish Committee proposed that a qualifying cup should be instituted. Mr Sliman said it would be a stimulas to the young clubs, and would be for the good of football generally. Mr McLean (Ayr Parkhouse), seconded its proposal, as it frequently happened that the exempted clubs snuffed out at the first attempt the qualifying clubs left in. Mr Hood (Ayrshire), was against the exemption rule altogether. He moved accordingly. Mr McCulloch pointed out that the country clubs had a double chance. It was agreed by 28 to 23 votes to have the qualifying cup.

Evening Telegraph (8 May 1895)

Committee Meeting - Exemptions

6 June 1895

The selection of the 16 clubs to be exempted from the preliminary stage of the National Cup competition next season was considered. In addition to the semi-finalists in the last competition, St Bernard's, Renton, Heart of Midlothian and Dundee, it was agreed to exempt Queen's Park and the 7 remaining clubs in the first division of the League - Celtic, Rangers, Third Lanark, St Mirren, Clyde, Dumbarton and Hibernian. For the last 4 places, 6 clubs were nominated, and the result of the ballot was that the following 4 were successful: Leith Athletic (16 votes), Kilmarnock (16 votes), Port Glasgow Athletic (15 votes) and Morton (12 votes). The unsuccessful clubs were: Motherwell (11 votes) and Abercorn (5 votes).

The Scotsman (7 June 1895)