Dunfermline Athletic F.C.

Dunfermline Athletic
Full name Dunfermline Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s) The Pars
Founded 2 June 1885 (1885-06-02)[1]
Ground East End Park
Dunfermline
Fife
Ground Capacity 11,904[2]
Chairman Ross McArthur[3]
Manager Allan Johnston[4][5]
League Scottish Championship
2015–16 Scottish League One, 1st (promoted)
Website Club home page

Dunfermline Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. Founded in 1885, the club currently play in the Scottish Championship, being promoted in 2015–16 after being relegated from the Scottish Football League First Division in the 2012–13 season. Dunfermline play at East End Park, are nicknamed The Pars and are currently managed by Allan Johnston.[4][5]

The Pars' most successful period was in the 1960s, when the side won the Scottish Cup twice, in 1961 and 1968 under the management of Jock Stein and George Farm respectively. The club regularly played European football in this period, reaching the semi-finals of the 1968–69 European Cup Winners' Cup under Farm.

The club have played at East End Park since their formation in 1885, however, the pitch they initially played at – also known as East End Park – was slightly west of the present stadium.[6]

After a period of relative success in the 2000s marked by appearances in three major finals (the 2004 Scottish Cup Final, the 2006 Scottish League Cup Final and the 2007 Scottish Cup Final), all of which were lost against Celtic, Dunfermline were relegated to the First Division in 2007. The club then encountered financial problems and, in April 2013, applied for and was granted full administration at the Court of Session in Edinburgh,[7] and in October 2013, the fan group Pars United assumed control of the club.[8]

History

1950s

Bobby Ancell was offered the manager's post in 1950 but with the Pars making headlines for board room disputes, he declined the offer. With a new board in place two seasons later, Ancell was offered the position again and this time accepted. Improving year on year Ancell delivered promotion back to the top flight in 1955 before leaving to start a decade at Motherwell.

The golden age (1960s)

Jock Stein became manager in 1960 and so began the club's golden decade. The club played regular European football in the UEFA and European Cup Winners Cups throughout the 60s (and also early 70s).

Under Stein Dunfermline won the Scottish Cup in the 1960–61 season. They beat Celtic 2–0 in the final after a replay. In 1962 they reached the Cup-Winners Cup quarter finals, losing 5–3 on aggregate to Újpest Dózsa SC. On the way they beat St Patrick's Athletic and FK Vardar. In the 1962–63 season Dunfermline beat Everton in the Fairs Cup and then played Valencia, losing 4–0 away before winning 6–2 at home. The Pars lost the subsequent play-off. Stein left in 1964 to join Hibernian.

New manager Willie Cunningham took the club to the Scottish Cup final in the 1964–65 season. They lost the final 3–2 to a Celtic team that was at the beginning of new manager Jock Stein's era. The Pars finished 3rd in the league, one point behind top two Kilmarnock and Hearts. The following year Cunningham took Dunfermline to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup quarter-finals. Alex Ferguson was a player in the Dunfermline squad between 1964 and 1967.

George Farm was manager from 1967 until 1970. He matched Stein by winning the Scottish Cup in 1968 with a 3–1 win in the final against Hearts. Farm then surpassed Stein and took the club to their greatest achievement to date, the semi-final of the European Cup Winners Cup in season 1968–69, losing 2–1 on aggregate to eventual winners Slovan Bratislava (Slovan beat FC Barcelona in the final). On the way to the semi-final Dunfermline beat APOEL, Olympiacos and West Bromwich Albion.[9]

1980s

Dunfermline, managed by Pat Stanton started the 1980s in poor form. The core of the team were Pars stalwarts, Dr Hugh Whyte in goal, John Salton, Kenny Thomson and Dr Bobby Robertson in defence and Sandy McNaughton up front. Of this quintet only Salton was not an ever-present in the league campaign. The team developed a habit of losing streaks, 2 of five games and 2 of three games and this caused relegation nerves. They hovered in third bottom position for most of the last third of the season, only being saved by the ineptitude of the Stirling Albion side who failed to score in their last thirteen games and by Berwick Rangers who had held up the division for most of the season.

The Athletic made some headway in the 1981–82 season to mid table. Their home form let them down, only achieving three victories against St Johnstone, Queen's Park and East Stirlingshire whereas they won eight games on their travels. They were still over-reliant on 13 goal top-scorer Sandy McNaughton (in his last season at East End Park) but Grant Jenkins chipped in with 7. Team new boy, Norrie McCathie, signed in a swap deal from Cowdenbeath, scored 4 in his 19 appearances on his way to clocking up a club record of 497 league appearances before his death in 1996. Kenny Thomson and Bonar Mercer, both long servants, were freed at the end of the season. The team physio, Jimmy Stevenson retired after more than a quarter of a century of service.

In the 1982–83 season the team were poor throughout and in the drop zone almost constantly, especially after the New Year's Day hammering by Raith Rovers. A change of manager was inevitable and manager Stanton left to go to Hibernian. New manager, Tom Forsyth tried 29 players during the league campaign but never found a settled formation. McNaughton was gone and the lack of goals proved fatal, relegation to the lower Division was inevitable. The only bright spot in the whole season was the 2–1 home victory in February over Hearts. Off the pitch, the death of long-time director Andrew Watson was another low point.

A fresh season beckoned with a poor start with only three wins by the end of October caused yet another change of manager with the resignation of Tom Forsyth. The reserve team coach with no managerial experience was chosen from a long line of candidates. Jim Leishman had a strong Dunfermline pedigree, as a boy he had watched the 1960s Pars legends in European games and had progressed through the youth ranks to first team football before his playing career was ended by a bad leg break. The team initially continued to struggle under Leishman but he signed from Hong Kong Rangers John Watson for £300 in what proved to be a good move for the club. An otherwise uneventful 1983–84 season ended with a brief flourish and a final 9th position in Division 2. Hugh Whyte was the only ever-present and Stephen Morrison was the top league scorer with a meagre 9 goals.

The 1984–85 season opened in dramatic fashion. Six straight wins took the Pars to the top of the league with John Watson, Grant Jenkins and Norrie McCathie scoring well. The defence had been strengthened with the arrival of Dave Young at centre half. Good form lasted until October when the team hit a sticky patch which lasted until February. They managed one solitary victory over local rivals Cowdenbeath in November during this period and surrendered top spot to Alloa. The end of the league competition was closely fought but Montrose snatched the championship, with Alloa runners-up and Dunfermline third. Hugh Whyte, after long service since 1976, played his final league game of the season with a clean sheet against Stenhousemuir in March. Ian Westwater took over the goalkeeping mantle. The team scored 61 goals over the course of the season, John Watson leading the way with 15 but Grant Jenkins with 9, Norrie McCathie and Stevie Morrison with 8 each showed a great improvement on previous years.

To mark the Centenary a special game was arranged with Aberdeen as the visitors. Ian Heddle scored to seal a 1–0 victory.

Chart of yearly table positions of Dunfermline in the Scottish League.

The 1985–86 season league campaign opened with no major close season signings. An early defeat in the third week of the season when the Parslost 3–1 at Hampden to Queen's Park was followed with a long unbeaten run from September until mid-January. The attack were scored well, putting six past Albion Rovers and four past St Johnstone, East Stirlingshire and Berwick Rangers (twice). Six other games ended with the opposition picking the ball out of the net three times. The fixture list was badly disrupted during the three winter months with Dunfermline only managing to play six games. Three victories were not enough and the Pars surrendered the league leader position to Queen of the South. They Pars maintained second place during eight league matches in March and April. Dunfermline suffered consecutive away defeats in early April to Queen of the South and Meadowbank Thistle. this was followed with three 4–0 home wins against Albion Rovers, St Johnstone and East Stirlingshire, a 2–0 win at East End Park over Arbroath and then a 4–0 victory at Shielfield Park Berwick which took the Pars back to the top of the league. The last two fixtures were both away, the attack failed to score at Stenhousemuir in a 0–0 draw and the final game was at Stirling Albion. The Pars scored first but ended up losing 3–2. Fortunately for Dunfermline, nearest rivals Queen of the South also suffered in the final run-in, drawing two and losing two. This meant Dunfermline were promoted along with Queen of the South from the Scottish league's 3rd to 2nd tier. No player was ever-present, Ian Westwater and Dave Young missed only one game each and Norrie McCathie only missed two. On the scoring front, the Pars netted 91 times in the league. John Watson was top with 24, Ian Campbell was next with 15 and Grant Jenkins added 14.

1986–87 commenced with the visit of Forfar, the Pars squeezed a 1–0 win with a goal from John Watson and were up and running. Three more wins followed and the newly promoted men were top of the league. Their next visitors were East Fife who were yet to win in their start to the season. The form book was cturned on its head with East Fife racing into a 3–0 half-time lead. Dunfermline scored two in the second half but the visitors added another to triumph 4–2. David Moyes was substituted and this was to be the final appearance in his brief Dunfermline career. Ian Heddle was introduced to the line up in subsequent games and the Pars returned to form, won the next three games and drew the subsequent two. The second of which was against league leaders Airdrieonians. A crowd of more than 5000 watched a 0–0 draw. Hugh Whyte had to temporarily return between the posts for the next two games to cover for Ian Westwater, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Montrose but losing three in a draw in his final appearance at Forfar. The team were struggling to maintain consistency and their best form but kept in touch at the top of the league. Early leaders Airdrie were also losing form and were never to recover. Dunfermline had a poor November with wins over Kilmarnock and Montrose balanced by defeats at East Fife (again) and Airdrie and a home 2–2 draw with Queen of the South. Athletic managed to climb their way to the top of the league and were to stay there until the end of April. The season ended poorly with five defeats in the last eight games with Morton snatching the championship. Second place meant promotion again and the promise of matches against Scotland's top division teams in 1987–88. Norrie McCathie was the only ever-present. John Watson was the top scorer for the third year running with a more modest 13 goals. Ian McCall, in his first season, bagged eight and caught the eye of a number of clubs.

In the 1987–88 season, Dunfermline knocked Rangers, who were managed by Graeme Souness, out of the Scottish Cup in the 4th round with a 2–0 home victory. Mark Smith and John Watson scored goals early in each half. John Brown was sent off for Rangers.

Athletic opened the new league season with a 3–3 draw against Hibernian at East End Park. Central defender David Young scored two but didn't score again all season. Two away draws at Paisley and Falkirk followed before Celtic provided the first Old Firm visitors of the season. Craig Robertson opened the scoring, Andy Webster equalised from the spot for the Hoops before Eric Ferguson provided the winner giving Celtic one of only three defeats they suffered that season. Ian McCall was immediately sold for a club record £200,000 transfer fee to Rangers. In the next match the Pars travelled to Dens Park and slumped to a 5–0 defeat, their heaviest loss of the whole season. From then on points were hard to come by. Highlights were hard to find, three wins over bottom club Morton and two over St Mirren. A narrow 1–0 win over Hibernian and a fighting 2–2 draw at Ibrox in December gave a brief respite before eight consecutive league defeats. The bad run ended with a 6–1 victory over Dundee at East End Park to avenge the heavy loss earlier in the season. Overall the Pars used from many team changes and never had a settled side including to using five goalkeepers; Ian Westwater managed 28 appearances but Tom Carson, Nicky Walker, David McKellar and Hans Segers took their turn between the posts. Nobody managed to be ever present, Craig Robertson, who had arrived in midfield at the start of the season, was nearest only missing two games. This helped him to top scorer position with 13 goals. Relegation back to the First Division followed during league re-construction meant that three teams were going down. Morton and Falkirk also faced the drop. David Young and Bobby Forrest left the club and Bobby Robertson retired having made a record 360 league appearances. Amongst the new faces, Ross Jack showed promise up front with four goals.

1990s

The 1995–96 season featured a Scottish First Division championship title and automatic promotion to the Scottish Premier Division. However it was also the season when the club's then-captain and all-time great player Norrie McCathie died suddenly at the age of 34 of carbon monoxide poisoning. The team went on to remain in the Scottish Premier League until 1999, when they were briefly relegated to the Scottish First Division for one season. East End Park was redeveloped and the home fans' end of the ground was renamed the Norrie McCathie stand.

Scottish Premier League (2000–2007)

East End Park

Dunfermline's seven-year stay in the Scottish Premier League delivered mixed results. The 2002–03 season saw them finish 5th, their highest position yet with Stephen Crawford scoring 19 goals. The following season, Dunfermline did even better finishing in fourth place as well as reaching the 2004 Scottish Cup Final,[10] which also saw them qualify for the UEFA Cup.

It was at this point of relative success for the provincial club that saw manager, Jimmy Calderwood and assistant Jimmy Nicholl leave the club to join rivals Aberdeen.[11] This coincided with a downfall in the fortunes of the club. In 2004–2005 under the newly appointed David Hay[12] the team ended up in the lower half of the SPL and Hay being sacked.[13] Jim Leishman was promoted to the manager's job for a second spell and during the last 3 games of the season, guided the team to safety avoiding relegation.[14]

A year later brought another poor season during 2005–06 including an 8–1 home defeat to Celtic in February 2006, Dunfermline's worst defeat since the formation of the SPL in 1998.[15] This was in a season when the Pars also reached the final of the League Cup, losing 3–0 to Celtic at Hampden Park.[16]

The 2006–07 season proved to be a bad start and Leishman returned to his job as Director of football with Stephen Kenny being appointed as the new manager in October 2006.[17] However he could not turn round the fortunes of the club nor repeat Calderwood's success in the league as neither could the previous two managers.

Dunfermline were relegated from the Scottish Premier League on 12 May 2007 after losing 2–1 against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Jim McIntyre had put the Pars one nil up after 37 minutes, but two late goals from Caley Thistle sealed Dunfermline's relegation to the First Division.[18] Dunfermline lost their 3rd major final in four years (losing the 2007 Scottish Cup Final to Celtic 27 May). Since Celtic had already qualified for Europe by winning the SPL, Dunfermline were able to compete in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, thus managing the feat of being relegated and qualifying for Europe in the same season.

Return to the First Division (2007–2011)

After relegation to the First Division, Dunfermline lost two of their main players in goalkeeper Dorus de Vries who signed for Welsh side Swansea City and midfielder Gary Mason who opted to stay in the SPL with St Mirren. After losing the opening game of the season 2–1 to Hamilton Academical, the Pars played against a Manchester United XI in Scott Thomson's testimonial match, losing 4–0. Their first UEFA Cup match since defeat against FH Hafnarfjörður in 2004 came against Swedish Superettan team BK Häcken at home where they drew one all.[19][20] The return leg was played in Gothenburg two weeks later. Dunfermline lost the game 1–0, losing 2–1 on aggregate.[21][22]

Dunfermline continued to play badly and it took four games for them to record their first win back down on Scotland's second tier. The team found themselves in 9th position after only 7 games, recording only one win. One positive aspect of the new season was the team managing to get to the final of the Challenge Cup beating Clyde,[23] Airdrie[24] and Ayr United[25] on the way. On 25 November The Pars were defeated 3–2 by St Johnstone at Dens Park.[26] The date of the final was changed from 4 November to the 25th because it would have required the postponement of First Division games involving the pair.[27]

After one year in charge, Stephen Kenny's Dunfermline side languished near the bottom of the First Division Table. On 4 December 2007, Kenny was sacked as Dunfermline Athletic manager. Striker Jim McIntyre took charge as Caretaker manager of the club.[28] Mcintyre's first match in charge was a home clash against Clyde on 8 December 2007. The Pars managed to scrape a one all draw. After going six games undefeated, McIntyre was appointed as Dunfermline manager on a full-time basis on 3 January 2008, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.[29] In late March 2008, local newspaper Dunfermline Press announced that Dunfermline Athletic were going into administration. The newspaper claimed they had a "credible" source but this source could not be substantiated. Dunfermline Athletic later made a statement saying that the claims made by the newspaper were false and that they were "disappointed" by the article.[30] After languishing near the bottom of the table for the first half of the season, the Fife side managed to improve their results after Jim McIntyre was brought in, finishing 5th in the league after 36 games.

The following season, despite a positive start, Dunfermline failed to challenge for promotion again – ending the campaign fourteen points adrift of champions St Johnstone. However, a late rally did see them finish third on fifty-one points from their thirty-six games.

Jim McIntyre's second full season in charge of Dunfermline started in much the same way as the previous season, with The Pars again gaining only nine points from the first eight matches. Similarly to the previous season, a late improvement saw the side collect seven wins in their final ten games, however this was not enough to ensure promotion for Dunfermline and saw them again finish in third position, this time fifteen points behind champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Return to the SPL, Relegation and Financial Difficulties (2011–2013)

The next season, Dunfermline found themselves top after six games. From then on, they never fell outside the top two, spending the majority of their time in second. Dunfermline's home and away form throughout the season saw them only lose once at home (1–3 against Morton) and gain the most points away from home in the division. After a decisive home win over closest rivals Raith Rovers by 2–1 the week before in front of a capacity crowd of over 11,000, Dunfermline clinched the 2010–2011 First Division championship and promotion to the Scottish Premier League following a 2–0 away win over Morton on 30 April 2011. The final match of the season was at home to Falkirk, where they won 3–0. After the game they were presented with the First Division Trophy in front of their fans. This meant that they ended the season with a twelve-game unbeaten run and six wins in a row, and 10 points ahead of second-placed Raith Rovers. In March 2012, with Dunfermline bottom of the SPL with 19 points, eight games without a victory and no wins at home all season, manager Jim McIntyre was sacked by the club and replaced with Jim Jefferies. Dunfermline's first home win of the season was a 3–0 victory against Aberdeen on 28 April 2012. However, on 7 May 2012, Dunfermline were relegated from the SPL after a 4–0 defeat against Hibernian.

The Pars started brightly in the first few matches of the 2012–13 season, winning 6 of their first 7 matches however the club failed to pay the players' October wages on time[31] and in November 2012, reports arose that there were unpaid tax bills due to HM Revenue and Customs.[32] Chairman John Yorkston was adamant that any outstanding debt could be cleared,[33] however further issues arose over the coming months as it was reported in December,[34] January[35] and February[36] that players were paid late, and reduced wages,[37] prompting the squad to lodge an official complaint with the SFL.[38] In mid-February, the club announced it would launch their share issue,[39] but it was cancelled at the last minute.[40]

With the club facing a winding up order over unpaid tax of £134,000[41] on 26 March 2013, Dunfermline Athletic Football Club announced that the club would be put into voluntary administration,[42] with accountancy firm PKF appointed administrators,[43] and it was formally approved by the court the following day.[44] Bryan Jackson, who was appointed to oversee the administration proceedings, announced on 28 March that eight players, including captain Jordan McMillan were to be made redundant, however manager Jefferies stayed, on the condition that his salary would be reduced.[45] Assistant manager Gerry McCabe was also made redundant the following day.[46] Players made redundant only had until 31 March to find new clubs, as this was the last day of player registrations for the 2012–13 season.[47] The club's shareholder Gavin Masterton, who was responsible for placing the club in administration, apologised for his action.[48] A week before the club went into administration, Pars Community, the club's largest supporters group, made a bid to buy the club,[49] but the bid was unsuccessful and talks broke down.[50] The club's debt is thought to be around 8.5 million pounds,[51] with most of it due to Masterton and other directors at the club.[52] Due to being placed in administration, the Scottish Football Association placed sanctions on the club, restricting the club to signing only players under the age of 21, banning them from playing in the Scottish Cup and deducting 15 points.[53][54] This points deduction resulted in the club being brought into the relegation struggle, and, on the final day of the season, after losing 1–2 to Airdrie United, the club ended the season in ninth place, the playoff position.[55] They were subsequently relegated after losing the play-off final.

Scottish League One (2013–2016)

Jim Jefferies, Dunfermline manager from 2012–2014

Following their relegation from the Scottish First Division, the club were in Scottish League One (formerly known as the Scottish Second Division). The 2013–14 season started well, with the Pars winning three out of their first five games. Over the course of the season the club won a further sixteen games, drew six and finished the season in second place, forty-nine points behind league champions Rangers. The club participated in the Scottish Championship Play-offs where they successfully dispatched Stranraer 4–2 on aggregate in the semi-final. The play-off final was then set up against local rivals Cowdenbeath. The first leg at Central Park was an even encounter, which ended in a 1–1 draw, meaning that the second leg at East End Park was an absolute decider. Unfortunately for the club, they were defeated 4–0 by Cowdenbeath, with the visitors scoring their first of the match in just twenty-seven seconds. This result ensured that the club would face another season in the Scottish League One.

The 2014–15 season started well, with the Pars topping the table after the first nine matches. However, by mid-December the club had dropped to fifth place, outside the play-off positions. On 16 December 2014 Jim Jefferies resigned as manager, with under 20's manager John Potter stepping into the role as first team manager. After a poor second half of the season, in which the club finished in seventh position, Dunfermline confirmed on 30 April 2015 that Potter would return to the position of head coach.[56] On 8 May 2015, former Queen of the South and Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston was appointed as First Team manager of the Pars and tasked with improving on the side's league position for the coming 2015–16 season.[4][5]

Johnston in 1998

Within a week of taking the position of manager, Johnston had released eighteen players – including twelve first-team players – in order to reduce the club's squad size and allow him to bring in "the right faces" to push for promotion back to the Scottish Championship.[57][58][59] After making several high-profile signings including Jason Talbot and Callum Fordyce from Livingston, Ben Richards-Everton from Partick Thistle and Joe Cardle from Ross County, Dunfermline's start to the season consisted of some excellent scoring, with the club winning by 1–4, 5–1, 1–6 and 7–1 against Arbroath, Cowdenbeath, Brechin City and Cowdenbeath again respectively. After defeating Brechin City[60] and promotion rivals Ayr United[61] in December, the side remained at the top of the league for the remainder of the season, finishing 18 points ahead of Peterhead, their closest rivals.[62] On 26 March 2016, it was confirmed that Dunfermline were champions of the league, after a 3–1 victory over Brechin City, with star-player Faissal El Bakhtaoui netting the first hat-trick of his career.[63] This ended their 3-year exodus from the second tier of Scottish football after the club's administration and subsequent relegation in 2013.[64]

Scottish Championship (2016–)

Colours, crest and nickname

Colours

Dunfermline's original colours

For much of Dunfermline's history their home colours have been black and white striped shirts, with black shorts and black socks, though recently they have worn white shorts and white socks. From the club's formation in 1885 until 1901, the club's home colours were a plain maroon shirt with either navy or white shorts and either maroon, white or grey socks.[65] The club then went through a period between 1901 and 1909 when their kits were blue.[65] The club first wore their now well known black and white striped shirts in 1909 and have worn these colours every year apart from the 1971–72 season, when they wore all white, the 2004–05 season, when they wore a white shirt with a single black stripe running down the left side of the shirt and during the 2007–08 season, in which they wore an all-white shirt with black shorts and white socks.[65] For the 2008–09 season, the Pars reverted to their well known black and white stripes resembling the kit they wore for the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons.

Conversely, Dunfermline's change or away colours have been very inconsistent with no set colour or design. Since the 2000s the club has most commonly turned out in either a red or yellow coloured kits of varying designs, however the Pars have been known to turn out in blue coloured strips, whilst the 2010–11 away strip had purple and white stripes, with purple shorts and socks.

Sponsorship and manufacturers

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1977–1980 England Bukta none
1980–1983 Braisby Roofing
1983–1986 Rennie
1986–1988 England Umbro Aluglaze
1988–1989 Thomson's World of Furniture
1989–1992 Landmark
1992–1994 Germany Hummel
1994–1996 England Matchwinner
1996–1997 France Le Coq Sportif
1997–1999 England Avec
1999–2000 Auto Windscreens
2000–2001 TFG
2001–2005 RAC Auto Windscreens
2005–2007 The Purvis Group[66]
2007–2008 Germany Adidas
2008–2012 Germany Puma
2012–2015 Spain Joma
2015– SRJ Windows[67]

Badge

Current DAFC crest

The current Dunfermline Athletic club badge was designed in 1957 by Colin Dymock, an art teacher at Dunfermline High School. It was inspired by one of Dymock's mysterious nightmares.[68]

The "DAFC" represents the initials of the club, with the tower depicting the Malcolm Canmore Tower. The tower was adopted by the town of Dunfermline to be used for the Burgh Arms and old seals. Malcolm Canmore was King of Scotland from 1057 to 1093, and made his residence in Dunfermline within what is now Pittencrieff Park. The park is represented by the stormy, ghostly blue and black night scene behind the tower, including the park's infamous hanging tree.

The green area at the bottom of the crest is meant to represent the club's stadium, East End Park.

Logo used from 2001 to 2011

The Pars

According to Black and White Magic, a 1984 book about the club by Jim Paterson and Douglas Scott, there are numerous theories as to the origin of the club's nickname, the Pars. The authors wrote:

"Most tend to confirm the more common belief that the name arose from the team's parallel striped shirts, their drinking habits or their style of play. The latter were both described as "paralytic". The earliest theory claims that in the early days when the Football Club was closely connected with the Cricket Club, the footballers were renowned for their performances at the bar and so were called the "Paralytics".

However, in the early 1900s it is known that Athletic's nickname was the "Dumps" – shortened from Dunfermline – and this is said to have been coined by English sailors visiting East End Park when their ship docked at Rosyth. After World War I they were known as the Pars and some believe the parallel black and white stripes to be the reason. Another school of thought involves English workers who came to work at the armaments depot at Crombie and at Rosyth Dockyard; they kept their association with their local team by forming the Plymouth Argyle (Rosyth) Supporters Club and it is said that the Dunfermline nickname comes from the banners in evidence around the ground."

Another view, which holds water with the older supporters is that the name derives from the word 'Parr' which is a juvenile salmon with dark vertical markings.

Club Culture

Songs

Like other football clubs, Dunfermline has a number of songs and anthems. A popular song, and the anthem to which the team runs out is "Into The Valley" by local band "The Skids". Since the 1950s the crowd have left the ground after the game to the tune of "The Bluebell Polka" by Jimmy Shand and his band. After Dunfermline score a goal at East End Park, the chorus of The Dave Clark Five's Glad All Over is played.

Rivalries

Main article: Fife derby

Dunfermline Athletic have traditional rivalries with local sides Cowdenbeath and Raith Rovers as well as their near neighbours over the River Forth, Falkirk. They have also participated regularly in the Fife Cup since their formation in 1885, winning the competition more than thirty times, most recently during the 2006–07 season.

In popular culture

In the STV television detective drama Taggart, the writer and Dunfermline fan, Stephen Hepburn used the names of the 1968 Scottish cup winning side for the characters in a 2003 episode.[69]

Filth was the 1998 novel by Scottish writer Irvine Welsh. It was adapted into a 2013 film of the same name, directed by Jon S. Baird with James McAvoy in the lead role. In the film the Hearts supporting Officer goes to view his team's results in a shop window, at the top of the results page Dunfermline were said to have beaten Celtic at home by four goals to nil.

People

Players

First-team

As of 30 November 2016[70]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Scotland GK Sean Murdoch
2 Scotland DF Ryan Williamson
3 England DF Jason Talbot
4 Scotland DF Lewis Martin
5 Scotland DF Callum Fordyce
6 Scotland MF Andy Geggan (captain)
7 Scotland MF Michael Paton
8 England MF Nat Wedderburn
9 Scotland FW Michael Moffat
10 Scotland FW David Hopkirk
11 England MF Joe Cardle
12 Scotland DF Lee Ashcroft
No. Position Player
14 England DF Ben Richards-Everton
15 Scotland MF Lewis Spence
16 Scotland MF Rhys McCabe
17 Scotland FW Gavin Reilly (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
18 Scotland FW Paul McMullan (on loan from Celtic)
19 Scotland DF Euan Spark
20 England FW Kallum Higginbotham
21 Scotland MF John Herron (on loan from Blackpool)
37 Scotland FW Nicky Clark
43 Scotland GK David Hutton
48 France FW Farid El Alagui

Development squad

As of 14 November 2016[71]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
24 Scotland MF Conner Duthie
25 Scotland MF Evan Horne
27 Scotland DF Reece Duncan
28 Scotland MF Johnny Galloway
29 Scotland MF Robbie Crawford
30 Scotland GK Cammy Gill
No. Position Player
31 Scotland DF Stuart Morrison
32 Scotland MF Brandon Luke
33 Scotland FW Callum Smith
34 Scotland MF Scott Lochhead
— Scotland MF John James Henderson
— Scotland FW Ciaran Lafferty
For recent transfers, see 2016–17 Dunfermline Athletic season.

Club captains

Period Captain Vice-captain
1885–19?? Unknown
19??–1988 Scotland Bobby Robertson
1988–1996 Scotland Norrie McCathie
1996–1998 Scotland Craig Robertson
1998–1999 Scotland Andy Smith
1999–2000 Scotland Andy Tod[72]
2000–2002 Scotland Ian Ferguson
2002–2007 Scotland Scott M. Thomson
2007–2009 Scotland Scott Wilson Scotland Stephen Glass
2009–2010 Scotland Stephen Glass
2010–2012 Scotland Austin McCann
2012–2013 Scotland Jordan McMillan[73] England Josh Falkingham
2013–2014 England Josh Falkingham[74]
Scotland Andy Geggan[75]
England Josh Falkingham[75]
2014–2015 England Josh Falkingham[76] Scotland Gregor Buchanan[76]
2015– Scotland Callum Fordyce[77]
Scotland Andy Geggan[78]		 England Josh Falkingham

Management

Club officials

Coaching staff

Position Name
Manager Scotland Allan Johnston[4][5]
Assistant Manager Scotland Sandy Clark[79]
Coach Scotland John Potter
Goalkeeping coach Scotland David Westwood
Physiotherapist Scotland Kenny Murray
Club Doctor Scotland Bobby Robertson
Sports Scientist Scotland Gary McColl
Kit Controller Scotland Mo Hutton

Source:[80]

Board of directors

Position Name
Chairman Ross McArthur
Vice chairman Billy Braisby
Director Ian Hunter
Director Jim Leishman
Director Bob Garmory
Director Kip McBay
Director Margaret Ross
General Manager Michael Mlotkiewicz
Financial Controller David McMorrine

Source:[81]

Managers

Achievements

Honours

Major honours

Minor honours

Club records

European record

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History: 1985 to 1959". dafc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "DAFC board changes". dafc.co.uk. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "DAFC appoint new First Team Manager". DAFC. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "DAFC appoint new First Team Manager". DAFC. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Allan Johnston: Dunfermline appoint former Kilmarnock boss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "History: 1895 to 1959". DAFC.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Dunfermline's move into full administration unopposed". BBC Sport. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "Dunfermline: Pars United assumes control of club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  9. ↑ George Farm career profile
  10. ↑ "Larsson caps Celtic triumph". BBC News. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  11. ↑ "Calderwood agrees Dons move". BBC News. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  12. ↑ "Dunfermline unveil Hay". BBC News. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  13. ↑ "Dunfermline call time on boss Hay". BBC News. 2 May 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  14. ↑ "Leishman given Dunfermline post". BBC News. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  15. ↑ "Dunfermline 1–8 Celtic". BBC News. 19 February 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  16. ↑ "Dunfermline 0–3 Celtic". BBC News. 19 March 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  17. ↑ "Kenny appointed Dunfermline boss". BBC News. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  18. ↑ "Inverness CT 2–1 Dunfermline". BBC News. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  19. ↑ "Dunfermline 1 BK Häcken 1". Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  20. ↑ "Pars held by Swedes". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  21. ↑ "BK Hacken 1 Dunfermline 0". Retrieved 30 August 2007.
  22. ↑ "BK Hacken 1 Dunfermline 0". BBC News. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
  23. ↑ "Clyde 1–4 Dunfermline Athletic". BBC News. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  24. ↑ "Airdrie 0–2 Dunfermline". BBC News. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  25. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic 1–0 Ayr Utd". BBC News. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2007.
  26. ↑ "Dunfermline Ath 2–3 St Johnstone". BBC News. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2007.
  27. ↑ "Challenge Cup final date changed". BBC News. 4 October 2007. Retrieved 4 October 2007.
  28. ↑ "Pars part company with boss Kenny". BBC News. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
  29. ↑ "McIntyre named Dunfermline boss". BBC News. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2008.
  30. ↑ "DAFC Statement". Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  31. ↑ "Dunfermline run short on wages". Daily Express. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  32. ↑ "New football tax crisis". The Herald. Glasgow. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  33. ↑ "Dunfermline chairman confident of paying November tax bill". BBC Sport. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  34. ↑ "Dunfermline pay tax instalment and delayed wages". BBC Sport. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  35. ↑ "Dunfermline players ready to wage war by reporting club to SFL over unpaid salaries". Daily Record. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  36. ↑ "Dunfermline: Players receive only 20% of February wage". BBC Sport. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  37. ↑ "Dunfermline players face wage payment problems". BBC Sport. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  38. ↑ "Dunfermline players complain to SFL over partial wages". BBC. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  39. ↑ "Dunfermline set to launch share issue to see them through to end of season". Daily Record. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  40. ↑ "Dunfermline share issue delayed due to document amendments". BBC Sport. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  41. ↑ "Liquidation threat grows as Dunfermline braced for winding up order from HMRC". The Herald. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  42. ↑ "Voluntary Administration". dafc.co.uk. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  43. ↑ "Dunfermline granted interim administration order at Court of Session". STV. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  44. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic live to fight another day as they go into interim administration". Daily Record. Scotland. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  45. ↑ "Dunfermline: Andy Barrowman describes redundancy experience". BBC Sport. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  46. ↑ "Gerry McCabe exits as three players find new clubs". BBC. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  47. ↑ "Andy Barrowman describes redundancy experience". BBC. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  48. ↑ "Dunfermline owner Gavin Masterton apologises for crisis at club". STV. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  49. ↑ "Pars Community, the club's largest supporters group". Sky Sports. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  50. ↑ "Dunfermline future remains in balance after fans' takeover bid fails". Sky Sports. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  51. ↑ "Dunfermline squad told to expect 'brutal' redundancies". The Daily Telegraph. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  52. ↑ "Dunfermline braced for 'brutal' job cuts with axe set to fall heavily on stricken Fife outfit". Daily Mail. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  53. ↑ "Dunfermline docked 15 points following administration". BBCSport. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  54. ↑ "Dunfermline given Scottish Cup ban for Hamilton debt". BBCSport. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  55. ↑ "Dunfermline 1–2 Airdrie Utd". BBCSport. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  56. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic looking for new manager as John Potter steps down". The Courier. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  57. ↑ "18 Pars players released". DAFC.co.uk. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  58. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic release 18 out of contract players". Dunfermline Press. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  59. ↑ "Dunfermline: New boss Allan Johnston axes 18 players". BBC Sport. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  60. ↑ "Dunfermline 3–1 Brechin City". BBC Sport. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  61. ↑ "Ayr United 1–2 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  62. ↑ "Dunfermline 1–0 Peterhead". BBC Sport. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  63. ↑ McLaughlin, Brian (26 March 2016). "Dunfermline 3–1 Brechin City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  64. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (19 May 2013). "Dunfermline 1–0 Alloa Athletic (agg 1–3)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  65. 1 2 3 "Dunfermline Athletic-Kit History". Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  66. ↑ "Purvis Group extend sponsorship". dafc.co.uk. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  67. ↑ "DAFC and SRJ Windows". dafc.co.uk. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  68. ↑ "Club Badge1". DAFC.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  69. ↑ Radio Times magazine, 18–24 September 2010, page 112
  70. ↑ "First team squad". Dunfermline Athletic F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  71. ↑ "U20'S SQUAD". Dunfermline Athletic F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  72. ↑ Dunkerley, Stephen (2015). Into the Valley: an East End odyssey. Dunfermline. p. 105.
  73. ↑ "JDunfermline: Threat to players' jobs concerns Jordan McMillan". dafc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  74. ↑ "Josh Falkingham". dafc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  75. 1 2 "New recruits for the PST". dafc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  76. 1 2 "2015-02-12 Dunfermline Athletic Supports Council minutes". dafc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  77. ↑ "Leading the way". dafc.co.uk. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  78. ↑ "Captaincy is big thing for Geggs". dafc.co.uk. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  79. ↑ "Dunfermline to appoint Sandy Clark as assistant boss". The Courier. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  80. ↑ "Coaching Staff". Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  81. ↑ "DAFC Board of Directors". Retrieved 2 March 2015.

External links

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