But their excitement turned to instant deflation when they arrived at the Elliot Road ground and found there were no pitch markings and the grass was overgrown.

The city council had scored a hugely embarrassing own goal.

Although the council issued a Press release informing the public of the fixtures, which appeared in Friday’s and Monday’s Evening Telegraph, it would appear nobody told the parks department.

As a result, the Linton Cup Final between St Ninian’s and Ancrum Road and the Junior Sports Cup Final between St Fergus and Macalpine were postponed because the pitches were unplayable.

The bungle left pupils and hundreds of supporters who turned up to cheer on the teams disappointed. The cup finals have now been rescheduled for early next week.

The finals were just two of six due to be played at Elliot Road this week.

Today, the parks department finally arrived at the ground to cut the grass and mark the pitch lines, making sure they would be in shape for the remaining cup finals tonight and tomorrow.

“What a fiasco,” said one angry mum. “Could Dundee City Council not have checked the pitches were ready earlier? Then the children could have been informed at school.

“Parents swapped shifts, and hurried home from work — I think it is a total disgrace.”

Another parent who turned up to watch the St Ninian’s v. Ancrum Road game said, “Can you imagine Celtic and Dunfermline players turning up at Hampden on Cup Final day to find there were no pitch markings and the grass overgrown?

“Surely when six cup finals are being played on the pitch, you would think somebody in the council would have made sure it’s playable before publicising the games.”

A Dundee City Council spokes-woman said, “Yesterday’s match had to be cancelled due to an oversight with the grass cutting.

“Dundee City Council apologises to the players, parents, and everyone that turned up. Another match will be organised for early next week.

“We are working on it today, so tonight’s and tomorrow’s cup finals will go ahead as planned.”