[7] Nevertheless, "much to their own surprise", the club was the second winner of the Churchill Cup, in 1882–83, the key match being an unexpected 6–1 drubbing of Moffat in the second round.

in a five-a-side tournament at Palmerston, the players earning themselves a pair of orange and black socks each.

[19] The Rovers name was briefly retained as the name of the Vale o' Nith reserve side,[20] and the SFA removed it from the roll in 1884.

Its unexpected 3–0 semi-final win over the QoS Wanderers was "one of the most exciting games played this season" and full-back Wilson was chaired off the field because of his display.

in the final, the match demonstrating "the finest exhibition of play [Southern Counties chairman Johnson] had seen in the district"; the Vale had the disadvantage of the tie being at Palmerston, the Wanderers having pulled out of hosting duties at the last minute.

[22] The Vale's protest against an "objectionable incident" when Duff, in the 5th's goal, struck Haining in the eye, was dismissed.

The tie had been abandoned (while the score was 2–2) when the referee walked off, having been "caught by the throat" by a Thornhill player.

On 22 September 1888 the club Mid-Annandale 3–1 in the second round, in a typically brutal game with the Mids, who had the temerity to protest about rough play; the appeal found that, as the Vale finished the match with 8 men because of injuries, which included a broken leg to Dickson, that "the club complained of had come off worst" - nevertheless Lavin of the Vale (as well as Mitchell of the Mids) were suspended for a month.

[32] East End Rovers' colours were orange and black hooped jerseys and hose, with white knickers.

[33] The club originally was forced to use public fields, before securing Vale Park, a three-minute walk from Dumfries railway station, in 1882.