Arbroath retain world record score

Loss of their record would have hit Arbroath financially

The town of Arbroath - and its football club - can breathe a sigh of relief after it retained perhaps its greatest claim to worldwide renown.

While the Arbroath Smokie is a well-known delicacy, and the Declaration of Arbroath was an important political landmark for Great Britain, it is the football club's world record 36-0 victory that places the north east town in the Guinness Book of Records.

Romanian side Carpati Mirsa put that under threat when they recently defeated Avintul Dirlos 41-0.

But Guinness has ruled that the Eastern European result does not count as it was not in a professional league.

Financial headache

So Arbroath, presently in Scottish Division Two, retain their world record for defeating Aberdeen club Bon Accord 36-0 in the Scottish Cup on 12 September 1885.

Scott Peters' club are still world beaters

Had the Romanian result been ratified, it would have created something of a financial headache for the club.

Prior to news surfacing of the record bid, they had ordered up a large batch of "36-0 Record Holders" scarves to celebrate the achievement.

Committee member Mike Leonard told the club's official website: "It was certainly an anxious time.

"We'd just ordered up the scarves when news of the challenge came through.

"Thankfully, however, it has been confirmed that our record stands."

Earlier this week, Angus MSP Andrew Welsh tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament to acknowledge the historic achievement.