Scotland v England, matchday programme 1954

At this time, the Home Championships doubled as World Cup qualifiers and, as the programme cover proclaims, in 1954 England and Scotland were already ‘Bound for Berne’, having secured their places at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland with first and second placed finishes. There was a celebratory mood at Hampden but the visitors dominated, winning the game 4-2. 1954 was Scotland’s first appearance at a FIFA World Cup, despite the fact that the team qualified to play in 1950. Incredibly, they were withdrawn by the SFA for finishing second in the Home Championships – after the governing body announced that they would attend the finals only if they won them!