Dunfermline Athletic (Scotland)

Dunfermline Athletic FC is a Scottish football club from the former linen town of Dunfermline in Fife. The club was formed on June 2nd 1885 by discontented members of Dunfermline FC; which had been formed by members of Dunfermline Cricket Club to maintain winter fitness.

The club began as an amateur team playing in local and national cup competitions before becoming members of the Central League in 1909; becoming champions in 1910-11 and 1911-12 at East End Park.

The success led to a place in Division Two of the Scottish League for the 1912-13 season, joining the breakaway Central League in 1919-20 with Andy Wilson signed from Middlesbrough scoring many spectacular goals and becoming a Scottish international cap.

‘The Pars’ won the Division Two title in 1925-26 under manager Alex Paterson to go up to the First Division where they lasted for two seasons. After a couple of near misses Athletic regained their top flight status in 1933-34 before the 1936-37 season ended in relegation.

Manager Webber Lees led the second tier side to the final of the League Cup in 1949-50 where they went down 3-0 to local rivals East Fife at Hampden Park. In 1954-55 a runners-up place secured Dunfermline a place in the First Division.

Their spell in the top tier lasted two seasons before returning at the first attempt in 1957-58. Manager Andy Dickson and the goalscoring exploits of Harry Melrose managed to keep the team up despite a perilous end to the 1958-59 season.

The club made an inspired choice in 1960 when Jock Stein was appointed as manager to spark a golden decade at East End Park. He saved the side from relegation in his first six games in charge before leading the team to win the 1960-61 Scottish Cup.

The Pars drew the first game 0-0 against Celtic at Hampden in front of 113,618 fans before 87,866 attended the replay to see a 2-0 win against all the odds thanks to goals from Dave Thomson and Charlie Dickson.

The following seasons European Inter-City Fairs Cup saw Everton dumped out of the competition before going out to CF Valencia to go alongside a fourth placed league finish in 1961-62. Stein departed in 1964 to take the manager’s job at Hibernian before heading to Celtic.

Stein would be in charge against new Pars boss Willie Cunningham, when he led his side to a second Scottish Cup final in 1964-65. Athletic went down 3-2 despite goals from Melrose and John McLaughlin. The team also finished third in the league.

George Farm took over as manager in 1967 as Athletic lifted their second Scottish Cup in 1967-68 as Heart of Midlothian were defeated 3-1 with two goals from Pat Gardner and an Ian Lister penalty. Top four league finishes continued to be replicated.

In 1968-69 Farm led the side on an incredible run in the European Cup Winners Cup. Victories came against APOEL, Olympiakos and West Bromwich Albion before Dunfermline went out in the semi-finals to eventual winners ŠK Slovan Bratislava.

Throughout the decade the Pars enjoyed many fine European nights in the Fairs and Cup Winners Cups. Aside from the opponents previously mentioned, Dunfermline came up against the likes of VfB Stuttgart, Athletic Bilbao and RSC Anderlecht.

Alex Wright replaced Farm in October 1970 as the successes became memories. Dunfermline were relegated in 1971-72 with George Miller having taken over as manager. He took the team straight back up at the first time of asking.

Former player Melrose took over team affairs in September 1975 by which time Scottish football had been restructured with the implementation of the Premier Division. Athletic found themselves in the First Division before going down to the Second Division in 1975-76.

After a couple of near misses, the Pars won promotion as runners-up in 1978-79 before Pat Stanton became manager in December 1980 before a year long tenure under Tom Forsyth from October 1982 until the arrival of Jim Leishman in October 1983 as the Pars found themselves back in the Second Division.

Leishman corrected the situation with Athletic winning the Second Division title in 1985-86 and then going up to the Premier Division the following year as First Division runners-up. However, their spell in the top tier lasted just twelve months.

The Pars regrouped and won the First Division title in 1988-89. Leishman resigned in the summer of 1990 to be replaced by Iain Munro. Jocky Scott had taken over team affairs as the team went back down to the second tier in 1991-92.

Former player Bert Paton took over as manager in June 1993 with the Pars just missing out on promotion in 1993-94. The following campaign saw the team miss out on promotion through the play-offs before going up as champions in 1995-96.

However, the season was tinged with tragedy. Record appearance holder and skipper Norman McCathie died on the 8th January from carbon monoxide poisoning in his Fife home at the age of 34. The team went on to finish in fifth place in the Premier Division twelve months later.

Paton was replaced by Dick Campbell in the 1998-99 campaign that ended in relegation before the goals of Stevie Crawford saw an immediate return after Jimmy Calderwood had taken over in the manager’s seat.

In 2002-03 the Pars reached another Scottish Cup final; going down 3-1 to Celtic with Andrius Skerla scoring the consolation goal. A few seasons of top half finishes ensued including qualification for the UEFA Cup following a fourth place in 2003-04.

Calderwood moved onto Aberdeen, with Davie Hay and then a returning Leishman having spells as boss in 2004-05. A couple of seasons narrowly avoiding relegation followed with Athletic reaching the League Cup final in 2005-06; where they again lost out to Celtic.

Stephen Kenny was appointed as manager in November 2006 with the team going down to the First Division at the end of the season despite reaching another Scottish Cup Final. Yet again it was Celtic who broke Pars hearts.

Star players Dorus de Vries and Gary Mason moved on as Jim McIntyre replaced Kenny in January 2008. After a period of consolidation Dunfermline won the First Division title in 2010-11 as Andy Kirk, Pat Clarke and Martin Hardie banged in the goals.

The side went back down in 2011-12 with Jim Jeffries becoming manager before finding themselves in the relegation play-offs the following season. A defeat to Alloa Athletic sent Dunfermline down to the third tier League One after a restructuring of the divisions.

The Pars bounced back to reach the play-offs in 2013-14 but missed out on promotion over two legs in a derby with Cowdenbeath. John Potter arrived as the new manager before Allan Johnston took over in May 2015.

The goals of Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Joe Cardle fired the club to the League One title in 2015-16. Nicky Clark scored regularly to help the Pars consolidate in the Championship in 2016-17 before the team reached the play-offs again the following season.

Any dreams of a return to the top flight were ended by Dundee United before Johnston resigned in January 2019 to be replaced by former goalscoring hero Stevie Crawford. The team finished the season in seventh position, with an improvement of one place the following season when it ended early.

Dunfermline Athletic FC will play in the Scottish Championship in the 2020-21 season.


My visit

Dunfermline Athletic 2 Dundee 0 (Friday 24^th January 2020) Scottish Championship (Att: 3,722)

I’d had a tremendous first day travelling around Fife and visiting various football venues. I’d considered one more ground, but the light was fading, and I was knackered. Instead I alighted from the train at Dunfermline Queen Margaret.

A bus took me along Halbeath Road towards my hotel for the night. On seeing a gate open at East End Park, I jumped out to take a few photos of the ground in semi-daylight and of the stand where I’d be sitting which probably wouldn’t be possible later.

The bus station was just a couple of minutes from the Weatherspoon Guildhall & Linen where I’d booked a £40 room for the night. I grabbed some snacks, booked in and had a bite to eat before a quick nap and then out again to catch a bus.

I’d expected the group of youths on my service to be going to the match, so I was in a bit of a rush to press the bell when they didn’t make a move as we were passing the main South Stand. I had a quick look inside Legends Bar but it was a bit busy to get a proper look at all the memorabilia. 

My £20 ticket; printed at home before hand, was for behind the goal in The Norrie McCathie Stand. The concourse had the usual stalls along with people handing out leaflets for a Monday Club for those struggling with loneliness or depression; a most worthwhile cause, quite possibly with Stuart Adamson in mind.

Adamson was the front man with local band Big Country before he took his own life. He was a Pars fan who I later found out had a mural in the North Stand in his honour. I grabbed a programme for £3 along with a steak Bridie and Bovril for £4.40.

Bridie’s are more of an east coast speciality, a bit like a pasty down south. It had been highly recommended by Prorege, a font of knowledge of all things Scottish football on the Non-League Matters forum. Oh yes. It was good.

There was plenty of interest on the squad and officials list of the back of the programme. Gabby McGill, son of York City chairman Jason McGill was making his debut for Dunfermline. Former Scarborough Athletic defender Matty Bowman was outside the matchday squad.

Former Premier League chugger Graham Dorrans and Luke Strachan, the grandson of Gordon were in the Dundee line up. The latter made me feel so old. Finally, and not least, keeping order on the benches as fourth official was Colin Williams’ brother Duncan.

Colin was a cricket pal from Hampstead CC who told me to feel free in offering his sibling some feedback! It was Duncan’s first ever televised game. Congratulations on that. It takes a lot of time and dedication to reach that level no matter how much we mock the officials.

My seat offered a fine view with plenty of space to spread out with it being a 7.05pm kick-off for live BBC coverage. The Dees had a decent following under the circumstances, and especially after their poor performance in the Scottish Cup a week earlier.

Click here for a video view of East End Park prior to kick off.

The visitors were in the play-off places before the start, with the Pars just a few points adrift. The first half hour was as dull as ditch water with absolutely nothing of note taking place. The fourth official could have had a stroll around in midfield unnoticed if he’d have fancied it.

Fortunately, things livened up. Home skipper Paul Paton fed wide man Dom Thomas who took on his man and delivered a delicious cross for Ryan Dow to steal a march on his marker to stoop and head home past keeper Jack Hamilton.

Kevin Nisbet made it two after disposing Dees midfielder Lyall Cameron and then cutting inside at pace before bending the ball around Hamilton into the corner of the net from just outside the box. It was a brilliant goal.

Another Dunfermline band; The Skids were played welcomed the teams onto the pitch with “Into the Valley” and at the break we had Big Country along with other good tunes. My pal Car Ellis messaged to ask if there was any Nazareth? I couldn’t fail to be impressed by his knowledge of West Fife rock from fifty years previously!

It was more home side dominance straight after the break. Hamilton produced a superb stop to push a Nisbet shot against the post. Thomas set up the same player to fire narrowly wide. It was at this point for the second week running that Dundee decided to start playing when two goals behind.

Half time sub Danny Johnson had an effort on the turn go just over, while another replacement; Ollie Crankshaw on loan from Wigan Athletic started to create from his position wide on the left.

Hamilton smothered a Dow effort after he’d been released by Nisbet as the game continued to improve after its lacklustre start. Nisbet was denied once again before Johnson shot wide of Cammy Gill’s goal when well placed.

A goal at that point would have made things very interesting. I thought Dundee to be missing a cutting edge, with Kane Hemmings often flattering to deceive. I also thought that the home side got the rub of the green decisions wise from referee David Munro.

Despite having plenty of possession missing the final decisive ball or shot it wasn’t to be for Dundee, with the Pars still looking dangerous when going forward. At full time the home fans celebrated while serenaded by "The Bluebell Polka" by Jimmy Shand.

Halbeath Road was blocked by the police all the way to Garvock Hill to allow the crowds to get away. I’d considered a bus but decided to have a good walk to build up a thirst. I went past the large park and then Carnegie Hall on East Port.

Before I knew it, I was back by the Guildhall & Linen. I sought out The Commercial; which was unfortunately closed for a three week refurbishment and then The Canmore; which no longer brewed their own beer but was enjoyable nevertheless.

Another pal; Rich Spalding, saw my movements on social media and suggested Tappie Toories as it was formerly owned Stuart Adamson. Crikey, I hope it was more convivial back in the day. I felt like an away fan entering the Silver Cod in Hull in the 80's.

I ended the night with a few Tennants; a lager I do enjoy, in the Spoons before bed. My comfortable room was above the entrance to the pub, so I had the bonus of late night entertainment from the youths leaving.

It was better than the Drag Race showing on BBC1. Stop the world, I want to get off. It was not what I expected and to be honest totally alien to me. Despite that I’d had a cracking day out from which a good night’s sleep was very easy!

I woke the next morning with time for a whistle stop walk around the town centre taking photos of places of interest. I didn’t realise until Frazer Armitage informed me that Robert the Bruce was buried at Dunfermline Abbey.

Overall, I found Dunfermline to be a far more interesting place than I'd imagined, but quickly surmised that an England shirt would not be wise attire. Indeed, Paul Piper a former Services pal down south confirmed it could be interesting when visiting from work at Rosyth.

I’d enjoyed my brief stay. It was now time to take in some Junior and non-league football grounds, starting with Kelty Hearts.