Club History | Season 1964-1965
After all 56 games The Pars had come so close to a treble and closer still to a League and Cup double.
With a resounding crunch, The Pars iron man centre half Jim Maclean brings a Third Lanark attack to an end. The Hi Hi`s centre forward Max Murray lies in a crumpled heap on the edge of the penalty area as play rages forward towards the other goal. A voice rings out from the small band of Third Lanark fans: `Hey Maxie - you`re offside` It is the second home match in The Pars League Cup campaign, they had already beaten Hibs 2-0 in the first game.
Back in those days, the season started with the League Cup, which in its early stages was in sectional format. The Pars history in the tournament was not particularly noteworthy, though they had reached the final in 1949. They had been drawn in a section with Airdrie, Hibernian and Third Lanark and only dropped one point, in an away draw with Hibs. New strike force John McLaughlin played in all six matches and scored four goals, Alex Ferguson played in three, scoring three goals and John Kilgannon scored two in the home win against Airdrie.
The Pars were to go on to play Third Lanark a total of seven times in the season, the two League Cup matches, two in the League and a twice replayed Scottish Cup tie the last of which was played at neutral Tynecastle. In his programme notes, new manager Willie Cunningham congratulated director David Thomson who would represent Scotland on the Fairs Cities Cup Executive Committee. There was a mention too for Alex Ferguson who had decided to go full time, for new trainer Andy Stevenson, who had now settled in the town and for Mike Judge who, it was felt, was one for the future.
Halfway through the League Cup campaign, the opening League match was played at Ibrox and the team returned with a creditable 0-0 draw. As August ended, A Hard Day`s Night moved into the Regal cinema for a two week run and the Co-op was advertising boys` duffle coats at 38/6 (38 shillings and six pence or 192.5 pence today). September began with a remarkable individual performance. One day after the Queen had opened the Forth Road Bridge, Harry Melrose scored all five goals in the 5-1 thrashing of Falkirk at East End Park. Hugh Maxwell, later to play for The Pars got the Bairns` consolation goal. A creditable draw away to Hearts was followed on the Monday by the first leg of the League Cup quarter final, at home to Rangers. No way could be found past Norrie Martin in the Gers goal and the Glasgow side ran out 3-0 winners.
The game marked the last appearance in the first team of Pars legend Charlie Dickson. He dropped back into the reserves and was transferred to Queen of the South during October. The second leg resulted in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox. The following Saturday it was back to League business and a 7-2 thrashing handed out to Clyde at East End Park. The programme notes announced that George Miller had been chosen to play for the Scottish League against the League of Ireland the following Wednesday. The month ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Rugby Park, where three days earlier, Kilmarnock had completed an amazing comeback in the Fairs Cup, finally beating Eintracht Frankfurt 5-4 on aggregate. The next big film at the Regal had been Cliff Richard in Wonderful Life, which also enjoyed a two week stint. The Co-op`s big promotion was for a Hoovermatic Twin Tub Washing Machine/ Spin Drier at 59 guineas and a Hoover Deluxe Vacuum Cleaner at 31 guineas. A guinea was £1:1:0 or 21 shillings or 105 pence today.
October started with a visit from Motherwell, managed by former Pars boss Bobby Ancell and with future Pars Pat Delaney and Joe McBride in their ranks. Goals from George Peebles, Alex Ferguson and John McLaughlin without reply gave The Pars a 3-0 win. Preparation for the home Fairs Cup Tie against Orgryte was not helped by a 2-0 reverse away to Morton but two goals each from John McLaughlin and Jackie Sinclair gave Dunfermline a 4-2 win. Lennart Wing and Orjan Persson played for the Swedes and both later signed for Dundee United, Persson going on to enjoy a splendid career with Rangers. After a 4-3 win at Broomfield the second leg of the Fairs Cup saw an excellent defensive display from The Pars, which secured a 0-0 draw. Aberdeen were beaten 2-0 at East End Park and Partick Thistle by the same score the following week, also in Dunfermline. Charlie Dickson had been transferred to Queen of the South and as the month ended another legend left the Club as George Miller moved to Wolves.
As winter approached, two trips to `Dull Dreich Dundee` ended in defeat, 3-1 at Dens Park and 2-0 at Tannadice. With some of his first teamers carrying knocks, Willie Cunningham gave them a rest in the United game, by giving places to promising youngsters Bob Murray, Paddy Wilson and Ian Hunter. The full team was back in action for the home leg against VFB Stuttgart. Tom Callaghan had taken over George Miller`s position and it was he who scored the only goal. With John McLaughlin unwell, the match saw the return of Bert Paton to the side. This was followed by a home win against Hibernian and an excellent 4-1 win away to St Mirren.
On 1st December, The Pars achieved a remarkable success in Germany. In the face of a brutal onslaught from Stuttgart, abetted by some spectacularly weak refereeing, another superb defensive display secured a 0-0 draw. Amongst a host of heroic performances, goalkeeper Jim Herriot even saved a penalty. Away wins, 3-1 against St Johnstone and 2-1 against Celtic (Fergie getting the winner) saw the year out. Ne-er day had The Pars winning 4-0 at Brockville and a day later a crowd in the region of 20,000 watched as Dunfermline beat Hearts 3-2 at East End Park. Clyde inflicted a 1-0 defeat at Shawfield. Kilmarnock were next to visit and a Bert Paton goal separated the sides. The programme notes informed fans that Jim Herriot, John Lunn and Jackie Sinclair had been called up for International duty. Motherwell at Fir Park was next and a 3-1 win kept things ticking over as a trip to the Basque area of Spain resulted in a narrow 1-0 defeat against Atletico Bilbao.
February saw Dunfermline set off on another Scottish Cup quest with an away fixture against Queen of the South. Charlie Dickson played or the Doonhamers but was well looked after by Jim Maclean. Bert Paton and John McLaughlin got the goals for a 2-0 win. Home games followed in which Morton were beaten 6-0 and Airdrie 3-1. The
following Saturday, it was Cup business again away to Third Lanark. Although no-one knew it at the time, this was the last ever Cup Tie to be played at Cathkin Park. The Hi-Hi`s were drawn away the following season and wound up by the time of the next competition. Jim Herriot got himself sent off and Jim Thomson went in goals. The game finished 1-1. Four days later, the replay at East End Park ended in a 2-2 draw. The month ended with a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie. New signing Jim Fleming, signed from Partick Thistle, played in this game and scored the second goal.
The 1st March saw a third attempt to get past Third Lanark in the Cup at neutral Tynecastle. The Glasgow side again put up stout resistance before The Pars finally prevailed 4-2. Two days later it was Europe again and the second leg against Atletico Bilbao. Alex Smith scored to level the tie but there was to be no winner and the toss was lost for home advantage in the third match. Just three more days and a very tired team beat Stirling Albion 2-0 in the Cup Quarter Final at East End Park. The following Monday, the impossible schedule continued with a 2-1 win at Firhill. Dundee at home was next and an exciting 3-3 draw with Dundee ensued at East End. Young Eric Martin was in goal for this game with Jim Herriot injured. The programme noted that Bert Paton was making good progress following his cartilage operation.
Midweek and Dunfermline, by now Scotland`s only representatives left in Europe had to travel to Spain. After battling back to level after a ridiculous penalty decision went against them, they lost out to a 20 yarder from Uriarte, five minutes from time. No sooner were they back from this disappointment and Dundee United had to be faced at East End Park. A Finn Dossing goal decided the game with The Pars out on their feet. There is no doubt that their impossible schedule put The Pars at a serious disadvantage against their rivals for the League title, Hearts and Kilmarnock.
Still no respite and the following Monday it was home to Third Lanark in the League. Thirds were taken apart and Dunfermline got rid of some of their frustrations with an 8-0 victory. On the Saturday it was all roads to Tynecastle for the Cup Semi-Final against Hibernian. A superb performance saw Hibs outclassed 2-0 and a place in the final booked. March was still not over and a tenth game was crammed in four days later, with Hibs gaining some revenge with a 1-0 victory at Easter Road.
April kicked off with two narrow victories, at home to St Mirren and away to Third Lanark, both finishing 2-1. Back to midweek football and a crucial match at home to Rangers was successfully navigated with a 3-1 win. The good work was undone on the Saturday when a draw was all that could be achieved at home to St Johnstone. Fergie missed a sitter in this game and it was this which allegedly cost him his place in the Cup Final. If true, it was most unfair, since the Pars defence was collectively at fault in the Perth Saints equaliser scored by fringe player Ian Hawkshaw. In my view Fergie`s omission cost The Pars the Cup. Despite playing very well in the final and leading Celtic, the season finally caught up on the tiring team and Billy McNeill scored a majestic winner. The season finished with a revenge 5-1 thumping of Celtic at East End Park.
After all those games (56 in all), The Pars had come so close to a treble and closer still to a League and Cup double. The fact that they were in so many tournaments coupled with the number of replays weighed heavily against the resources of a provincial club. They were not helped by only gaining one point from the eight available against the two Dundee clubs. The month of May brought even more football with the ill-starred Summer Cup. They were drawn in a section with Falkirk, Hearts and Hibs but the fans and the players had been through enough and they failed to qualify for the later stages.
A remarkable performance by a provincial club - but what might have been?
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