Rare & attractive 9ct rose gold Scottish football medal hallmarked Birmingham 1919 by Fattorini & Sons.
The medal was presented to W. Smith as Bathgate FC won the Scottish Qualifying Cup in the season 1919 - 20, for the first time in their history. They would go on to win the competition twice more in 1929 - 30 & 1930 - 31. The Scottish Qualifying Cup was a competition for senior Scottish teams with earlier winners including Aberdeen, Motherwell & Kilmarnock.
The front of this attractive medal bears an applied raised roundel depicting the Scottish Lion Rampant, beautifully hand-engraved. It is further engraved:
"SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION".
The obverse is engraved:
"QUALIFYING CUP SEASON 1919 - 20. WON BY BATHGATE F.C. W. SMITH".
Included with the medal is a printout relating to the now-defunct Bathgate FC.
Photos 3 & 4 are extracts from the excellent reference book "THE WINNERS" by Bernard Stocks which shows all the winners of the Scottish Qualifying Cup between 1895 - 96 & 1930 - 31. This confirms Bathgate FC won the competition in the season 1919 - 20 (this information is for reference only and is not included with the medal).
Weight: 9.5 gm. Width: 31 mm. Height: 43 mm. Hall Mark: Birmingham 1919. Maker's Mark: Fattorini & Sons.
Bathgate FC: The club was formed in 1893 and was based at Mill Park in Bathgate, Scotland. It was a member of the Scottish Football League Division 2 from 1921 to 1929 and finished 3rd in the League in the season 1923 - 24.
However, the club was continually dogged by financial problems and resigned from the League in March 1929. It continued in the East of Scotland League, playing its final fixture on 16th April 1932. It was finally dissolved in October 1938. Bathgate has since been represented in junior football by Bathgate Thistle.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos & history (above) this is a rare & collectable medal, particularly for anyone with a connection to Bathgate, Scotland. The club did not win many senior medals so this is a real collector's item. Good luck!