Australia to Hampden: Dunfermline fans cross globe for cup final

Dunfermline Athletic fans have travelled across the globe to watch their team have a shot of glory at Hampden.

Supporters from Australia, the US, the Netherlands and beyond have made the pilgrimage to Scotland for the Scottish Cup final clash with Celtic.

Neil Lennon's Championship side beat top-flight Hibernian, Aberdeen and Falkirk en-route to the showpiece match.

And they will make history if they can overcome Martin O'Neill's Premiership winners and lift the trophy for the first time since 1968.

BBC Scotland News spoke to Pars fans who said they could not miss the big match -including a family who cut short a holiday.

Mark Smith, from Dunfermline, has lived in Batemans Bay in New South Wales, Australia, for 15 years.

He travelled home with his 11-year-old son, Jake, last week.

They booked flights last month, hours after Dunfermline beat rivals Falkirk in the semi-final.

He said: "We watched the game in the middle of the night by the time it got to penalties it was 7:00.

"We booked flights that morning. My cousin is Matty Todd so it will be really special.

"There is a bus with 80 of us driving over tomorrow morning.

"Our whole family is going - even my great grandma."

Mark and Jake flew from Sydney to Los Angeles, then London and Glasgow to make it back for the final, which kicks off at 15:00.

He said Jake was absolutely buzzing to see his cousin - and favourite player on the pitch at Hampden.

"My son was born in Australia but his Scottish team is just whoever Matty is playing for," he said.

"I coach his football team. Most of the kids there only really know Celtic or Rangers, when I ask who their favourite players are they all say Messi or Ronaldo.

"And my son Jake says, 'Matty Todd is my favourite player,' and they ask 'who?'"

"It would be tremendous to see Matty score but it will be a really special game regardless," he added.

Season ticket holder Paddy Thompson has lived in the Netherlands for 47 years and comes back every year to watch the team.

The 71-year-old, originally from Carnock outside Dunfermline, used to go to games with his late Dutch wife Joke and their daughter, Amanda.

The family attended the last cup final meeting between the sides in 2007.

And 19 years later Joke - who died last year - will be in the mind of her husband and daughter.

Paddy told BBC Scotland: "This is my fifth cup game this season and I have been to three league games.

"When I said we could go far at the first cup game, everyone said I was crazy but here we are in the final.

"It means everything to be here.

"I am hoping for a win and a good game but mostly I hope we all have a great time with so many Pars fans coming across. It is all about the day out."

Paddy's daughter, Amanda Thompson, flew in the night before the cup final.

She grew up in the Netherlands but remains a passionate Pars fan.

The last time the 37-year-old saw Dunfermline in a Scottish Cup final was almost two decades ago.

She said: "The final back then was truly an amazing experience.

"The joy and fun together with everyone, and the atmosphere in the stadium, are simply unforgettable.

"All the fans together - that's something you'll remember for the rest of your life.

"The fact that we're in the final again this year and that I get to experience it together with my father is incredibly meaningful. It feels like it was meant to be.

"A beautiful new memory that no one can ever take away from us."

One family were already on holiday in Croatia when they found out Dunfermline would be playing in the final.

Their original flight home would have been too late so they have booked last minute flights to get to Hampden on time.

John Heeps said: "We were due home on Saturday flying into Edinburgh at 13:30 which was a no go.

"So myself and my oldest son had to book an earlier flight which goes to Dublin then the flight to Glasgow, which arrives at 12:50.

"Fingers crossed all goes well and we make the game."

Heeps says he has seen 42-time cup winners Celtic beat the Pars too many times and hopes for a different result.

He added: "The holiday booked when we didn't think the Pars would produce the season they have had.

"I am nervous but hoping we can do it."