Striker Iain Williamson is hoping Raith Rovers can give the town of Kirkcaldy another famous sporting moment by beating Dundee United in Sunday's Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Like most of the Stark's Park players, the 22-year-old has been constantly reminded that Raith's last appearance in the last four of the competition was in 1963 when they lost 5-2 to Celtic at Ibrox. There was an element of revenge when the Irn-Bru First Division club beat Celtic in the 1994 Coca-Cola Cup final at Ibrox, but Williamson is hoping to end 47 years of Scottish Cup frustration against the Taysiders.
"We hear about 1963 quite a lot," the former Dunfermline player said. "That year has been mentioned a few times. It's been a while and and you can feel it around the place."
Williamson added: "The kit man knows a lot of people in the town who remind him and he keeps reminding us of it. So we are well aware of how big an occasion it is for Kirkcaldy and the football club.
"It's only the semi-final and we are looking at just this game, but we have to believe and beating Dundee and Aberdeen in the cup run so far has given us more belief. This is another step and we will be confident going into it."
Williamson has personal reasons for wanting to reach the Hampden showpiece occasion.
He came on as a late substitute for Dunfermline when they lost the 2007 final to Celtic.
"There was disappointment that we lost in a close game to Celtic and that they scored with a few minutes to go," he said.
"However, later I realised it was big achievement just to get there and play so I'm quite proud of that.
"I would love to get to the final again and win this time."
Source: PA
