Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors: Industrial anger, police horses & and dressing room set on fire

Amidst the mayhem, both clubs made their names as titans of junior football.

But as the Scottish football landscape has changed in recent times, they both find themselves in the upwardly mobile world of the West of Scotland Premier League.

Talbot currently top the table with designs on promotion to the Lowland League.

They are in frightening form, scoring an average of almost five goals a game. They go into Friday’s derby as favourites against their mid-table rivals.

While Auchinleck’s population is only 3,500 compared to Cumnock’s 12,000, so much of the dynamic goes back to a fire that was literally started in 1972.

Vandals burned down the Talbot dressing room. To compound a miserable year, they were also thrashed 11-0 by Cumnock.

Amidst this crisis, the Auchinleck community rallied round and Talbot have never looked back.

“I don’t think we see them [Cumnock] as much of a threat,” says club historian Macaulay. “Even though we enjoy the derbies, I think we have risen above a wee bit.”

Naturally Cumnock fan Weir takes a slightly differently view.

“Talbot fans are so used to having success that it is almost a God-given right to them,” he says. “And when it doesn’t happen for them, I think they could turn very quickly. Cumnock fans are a bit more humble in defeat.”

The needle off the pitch clearly never ends. The needle on it should be quite the sight to behold. Hold on to your horses, this could be a wee bit tasty.