Club History | Season 1965-1966
The team had to be content with a 4th place finish and no silverware. What should not be forgotten, though, was that 94 League goals had been scored and well over a hundred in all competitions.
Alex Ferguson scored 39 goals of his own with Bert Paton on 25,
After the huge effort during the previous season, The Pars started the new campaign with some changes in personnel. John McLaughlin left for Motherwell, whilst two further major stars had left during the close season. Jim Herriot moving to Birmingham City and Jackie Sinclair to Leicester City. Jackie`s replacement was the supremely gifted ball player Hugh Robertson from Dundee.
To replace Jim Herriot, the club decided to give the chance to young reserve Eric Martin, who had made his debut last year. Also signed from Dundee was full back Alex Totten, to provide cover for the two best full backs in Scotland:- Callaghan and Lunn. His partner in the reserves was the promising George Moran. Another young goalkeeper, Dave Anderson was signed from Hearts. With a half back choice between Alex Smith, Jim Thomson, Jim Maclean and Tom Callaghan and with Jim Fraser in reserve, there was no need for signings in that department.
In the forward line, Alex Edwards, Bert Paton, Jim Fleming, Alex Ferguson, John Kilgannon, George Peebles and Harry Melrose now along with Hugh Robertson and with Paddy Wilson, Mike Judge and Ian Hunter all chomping at the bit the side was well catered for. Nonetheless Paul Breslin from Queens Park was added.
Headlines rolled when manager Cunningham added two Brazilians to the squad, Chico Filho and Alexandre Gabrielli. Their background was a bit confused and it was rumoured that one or both of them were really Venezuelans who had been playing in Brazil. Chico made it in to the first team, briefly, but neither stayed for long.
As usual, the season kicked off with the League Cup sections. Rivals were Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Partick Thistle. Having started with a 1-1 draw at Firhill, the first home match brought St Johnstone as visitors. The Pars were in top form and handed out a 5-1 thrashing, the first of many in the season to come. Fergie scored a hat trick to go with an Ian Hunter strike and an own goal by Bill McGarry.
The match programme continued as an 8 pager including adverts for the three cinemas:- The Kinema, The Regal and The Alhambra. The Kinema Ballroom had dancing to Dougie Campbell and his KB Band. The next game was also at home but Kilmarnock won 3-1 to put a dampener on the fans` hopes. Hugh Robertson scored his first Pars goal in this game. As was normal, the first League match was next and a creditable 3-1 victory achieved at Fir Park. Back to the League Cup and Partick Thistle were sent packing from East End Park with a 6-2 defeat as Athletic`s forwards clicked again.
September began with a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to St Johnstone but the team rallied to beat Kilmarnock 1-0 in the final sectional match, at Rugby Park. Bert Paton, returning from his cartilage operation, made his first start of the season. Despite this there was to be no qualification for the quarter final stage. Off the park, Pars director David Thomson had been elected Vice-President of the Scottish League and a new club doctor, John Yellowley, appointed.
The home League campaign kicked off with Hearts as visitors. Alex Edwards scored for Athletic in a 1-1 draw. Roy Barry was in the Hearts side. Cappielow was the destination for Chico Filho`s debut, a 1-1 draw. Willie Cunningham said " Bearing in mind he has not played competitive football for nearly two months, Filho turned in a serviceable game". One can only guess at how Chico compared high tide in Greenock with The Copacabana. He and Gabrielli left soon after. The month ended with another had fought game at home to Kilmarnock, Hugh Robertson scoring the game`s only goal.
October started at Brockville, where The Pars beat Falkirk, 3-0. The Bairns programme welcomed back their former player, Hugh Maxwell newly signed by Dunfermline from St Johnstone in exchange for John Kilgannon. Bolstered by the addition of Bob Methven as Assistant Trainer, Athletic faced Dundee United. A disappointing 4-2 home defeat was the outcome. Dunfermline nightlife still centred around the three cinemas and the Kinema Ballroom, where The Redhawks were now featured along with Dougie Campbell and his band. A new advert had appeared for La Bella Palma Room - a restaurant in Pittencrieff Street - where you could " Dine, Wine and Dance to the music of Morrell on the Cordovox" The mind boggles.
Back to the football and a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie was followed by another high scoring home match. This time, however, it was not so easy as Partick Thistle were beaten 4-3, another hat trick for Fergie in this game. The month ended with another big win, 5-1 away to St Johnstone. Paddy Wilson came in for Alex Edwards in this game and scored one of the goals, along with Bert Paton, Alex Ferguson and two for Jim Fleming.
With November, came the start of this season`s European campaign, with a home tie against the Danish club 1903, Boldklub of Copenhagen. Paddy Wilson kept his place in the team as The Pars devastating attack racked up another five goals without reply.
Back to the League and there was no let up as St Mirren were hammered 5-1 at East End Park. Hamilton Accies, at Douglas Park, were the next lambs to the slaughter, 6-1 the score this time. The return leg in Denmark had manager Cunningham with a poser. The devastating form of the team shouted out No need to Change. On the other hand Alex Edwards was now available again. It seemed desperately unfair when Paddy made way for Mickey (Alex Edwards). The game was won, easily, 4-2. Clyde at home was next on the agenda and ten more goals as The Pars won 6-4. The following Wednesday was set aside for a Testimonial Match for Pars Legend Ron Mailer. Alex Ferguson got both Pars goals in an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Czech giants Dukla Prague. Most of their side were current internationals led by the marvellous Josef Masopust. The month ended with a 1-1 draw at Easter Road.
Bad weather caused postponement of December`s first fixture, at Dens Park. The month`s first game was, therefore, the home League match against Stirling Albion. Yet another thrashing for the opposition as The Pars romped home 5-1. For the next game, at home to Celtic, Dunfermline introduced a glossy new programme, including four extra pages and some photographs. Celtic were not impressed and inflicted a 2-0 defeat. Revenge on the Old Firm was achieved when Athletic won 3-2 at Ibrox in the next game. Bert Paton and two goal Hugh Robertson made the difference. Robertson was unplayable and gave Rangers international Davie Provan the run around. Bertie`s goal was a rasper from 30 yards.
Ne`er Day brought a 2-1 home victory against Morton and two days later, a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle. Motherwell were next to be put to the sword as the deadliest attack in Britain ran in another six goals to win 6-1 at East End Park. Kilmarnock inched home 1-0 at Rugby Park but the scheduled match at home to Falkirk fell foul to the weather.
The next outing was at home to Spartak Brno and a tough match finished 2-0 in The Pars favour, Bert Paton and Alex Ferguson the scorers. Athletic celebrated by beating Dundee United 4-0 at Tannadice. Harry Melrose had moved on to Aberdeen but George Peebles was back in the side for this game.
With February came this season`s Scottish Cup campaign and a home tie against Partick Thistle. A 3-1 win for The Pars set them on their way. Dan McLindon featured for The Jags. Two more postponed games led up to the away leg against Spartak Brno. A backs to the wall defensive display kept the lead intact. Willie Cunningham was ill in hospital, so Andy Stevenson took charge of the team. The next round of the Cup was a tight 0-0 draw away to Stirling Albion but the goals returned in the League as St Johnstone were hammered 5-1 at East End Park. The month ended as around 14,500 fans watched the home replay against Stirling
Albion, which finished comfortably with a 4-1 win.
March began on Cup business with a Quarter Final home tie against Kilmarnock. In what was to turn out to be an absolute thriller, 19,363 fans packed into East End Park to watch a game which was electric from the first whistle. Killie had absorbed all of The Pars pressure and taken the lead when Jackie McInally, neatly put through by Bertie Black, had charged on, rounded Eric Martin and slotted home. Dunfermline came out for the second half absolutely determined and Bert Paton got control of the midfield. Bert it was who held off Frank Beattie before wheeling and belting in the equaliser. Despite having the bulk of the pressure, it looked as though Athletic`s potent attack was going to be stifled out. With a minute to go, Hugh Robertson picked up the ball and slotted it down the centre forward channel to Alex Edwards in the clear but it seemed miles out. With it all to do, Mickey kept his cool, drew Bobby Ferguson and slotted home. Midweek brought a 4-3 defeat away to St Mirren.
The following Saturday produced a big let down when Hamilton Accies who had been cuffed by everyone, held The Pars to a single goal, scored by Alex Smith, at East End Park. This was not the best preparation for the Fairs Cup Quarter Final against Real Zaragoza. Willie Cunningham was back at the helm as a Bert Paton goal won the home leg.
Sadly, from here things started to go wrong. Manager Cunningham had a relapse and went back into hospital and, on the field Athletic suffered defeats 3-2 at home to Aberdeen and, disastrously 6-1 to Clyde, at Shawfield.
The Scottish Cup Semi-Final produced a flat perfomance and a 2-0 defeat from Celtic. The second leg in Spain, would have seen The Pars through on away goals as they fought back to only a 3-2 reverse, but the rules had changed and now extra-time was played. The Spaniards scored again to put the brave Pars out. Match Report - Real Zaragoza 4 Dunfermline 2
March gave way to April and a 3-2 home win against Hibs had everyone feeling a bit better, however, Dundee returned North with a point after a 2-2 draw. The postponed game at home to Falkirk was played midweek and Fergie scored 4 goals in the 6-1 drubbing handed out to The Bairns, Ian Hunter and George Peebles getting the other two. A trip to Annfield was unproductive with a 2-1 defeat but another away trip, this time to Firhill saw another six goals added to the tally in a 6-2 victory. An unusually good result at Dens Park, a 2-0 win was to be the last flurry, as the season ended on a whimper when Rangers won 2-1 at East End Park and Celtic, by the same score, at Celtic Park.
The team had been over-stretched again and had to be content with a 4th place finish and no silverware. What should not be forgotten, though, was that 94 League goals had been scored and well over a hundred in all competitions.
Alex Ferguson scored 39 goals of his own with Bert Paton on 25, Jim Fleming on 16 and
Hugh Robertson on 14, adding to the tally. Eric Martin played in all 51 games with both John
Lunn and Alex Ferguson on 48. Bert`s 25 goals came from only 30 appearances. Phenomenal performances all round!
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