Campbell Charity Cup winners in 1951
The Campbell Charity Cup was a short-lived competition intended mainly to feature Moray's four senior football clubs. It ran from 1949 to 1951 but this was long enough for it to be significant in the history of Rothes Football Club.
Details of the competition were announced on 26 February 1949 in the Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express:
"Provided arrangements can be completed in time, Elgin City F.C. will probably invite Moray's three other senior clubs to take part with them in a cup competition to be played off during the first fortnight in May - the two weeks immediately following the official closing date of the present season."
The proposed new competition has been made possible by the presentation this week to the Elgin F.C. management of a handsome silver trophy by Mrs. Campbell, widow of Mr Alex. Campbell, who was a respected member of the Borough Briggs board for many years .
"Fittingly, it is o be known as the Campbell Charity Trophy, and all proceeds, less expenses from matches played in connection with it, will go to local charities. It is understood that, while City, Forres Mechanics, Rothes and Lossiemouth will probably form the nucleus of the competition, there's a possibility that other clubs outwith the county may also be invited to participate."
Semi-Final Monday 2 May 1949: Elgin City 3-3 Lossiemouth
Semi Final Wednesday 4 May 1949: Forres Mechanics 3-1 Rothes
S-F Replay Thursday 5 May 1945: Elgin City 4-1 Lossiemouth
Final Saturday 7 May 1945: Elgin City 2-0 Forres Mechanics
All four ties in May 1949 were played at Elgin's Borough Briggs ground, to maximise the contributions (£300) distributed to various local charities. The 1949-50 tournament was withheld owing to end-of-season fixture congestion but was resumed in April 1951.
Semi-Final 28 April 1951: Rothes 2-0 Lossiemouth (Russell (pen), Shepherd)
Semi-Final 14 May 1951: Forres Mechanics 3-2 Elgin City
Final Friday 18 May 1951: Forres Mechanics 4-5 Rothes
Under the headline, Rothes Win Campbell Trophy, the Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express saluted the Speysiders on their end-of-season cup success: "Congratulations to Rothes on winning their first senior trophy! They just deserved their 5-4 victory over Forres Mechanics in the final of the Campbell Charity Trophy at Borough Briggs last night but the issue was always in doubt. The Speysiders went ahead through Davidson in five minutes. End-to-end football ensued until the 20th minute, when Mackay put Rothes two up. Liddle reduced the leeway but just on half-time Mackay counted again."
Half-time: Forres Mechanics 1-3 Rothes
"In the second half, a rearranged Forres eleven opened well. Liddle notched number two. Against the run of play, Davidson counted for Rothes. Shortly afterwards it was level-pegging. Warburton made it 4-4 with two simple counters. Both teams went all out for the winner. Taylor had the honour two minutes from time. The trophy was presented to the Rothes captain by Dr. G. Thow."