Club History | Season 1966-1967
Unusual but no qualification for Europe. After netting 29 goals this season Alex Ferguson left. As if that was not bad enough, Willie Cunningham announced, in June1967, that he was resigning.
The new season brought the departure of two Pars Legends. George Peebles was sold to Stirling Albion, after 11 years of service and, just into August, Alex Smith went to Rangers for a then record fee between Scottish clubs, of just over £50,000. Also leaving was another stalwart in Paddy Wilson. Paddy was a fine winger and was extremely unlucky that his time at East End Park saw him fighting for a place against, Melrose, Peebles, Edwards, Sinclair and Robertson. He would have been a regular at most other clubs and moved north to join Harry Melrose at Aberdeen.
On their way in were:- Pat Delaney from Motherwell and John McGarty, a free transfer from Hibs. Joining the reserves were, Graeme McMahon, who had been a provisional signing last year and Tommy Titterton, who had starred for Bonnyrigg Rose in their Scottish Junior Cup win.
The season began with an attractive friendly against Arsenal. The Londoners brought many of their stars to East End, including George Eastham, Ian Ure, Frank McLintock, Peter Storey and John Radford. The Pars managed a creditable 0-0 draw. In the match programme adverts showed that the Alhambra had been given over to bingo, but films could still be seen at the Regal and the Kinema. The Ballroom still feature dancing to Dougie Campbell and the KB Band and Morrell was still entertaining diners at La Bella Palma.
Pars First Substitute
The season proper commenced, as normal, with the League Cup. This season`s rivals were Motherwell, Partick Thistle and Falkirk. Motherwell were up first, at East End Park. Pat Delaney made his debut against his former club and a narrow 2-1 victory achieved. The game was to make history as, being the opening game of the season, it was the first day that substitutes were allowed in Scotland. Motherwell`s Gus Moffat became the first substitute to score in Scotland. Mike Judge was The Pars substitute. A 3-0 win at Firhill was followed by a 2-2 home draw against Falkirk. Next on the agenda was the opening match in the European Campaign and a trip to Oslo to meet FC Frigg. After going behind early on, Alex Ferguson equalised and two goals from Jim Fleming ensured a 3-1 win. Alex Totten played in this game in place of John Lunn.
Following this was a trip to Fir Park, but despite goals from Hugh Maxwell and two from Ian Hunter, Motherwell won 4-3. The Well programme had a feature on their young goal scoring sensation Dixie Deans. The last day of August saw a return to winning ways as Partick Thistle were defeated 3-2 at East End.
September began with a trip to Brockville where Falkirk were defeated 2-1 and a place booked in the League Cup Quarter Finals. The Bairns programme praised the efforts of local swimmer Bobby McGregor who, after two near misses, had finally won a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal. The first League game had been delayed because of the European tie and was not played until 10th, when a 0-0 draw was fought out with newly promoted Ayr United at Somerset Park.
Due to Eric Martin`s injury, the away first leg of the League Cup quarter final found young Dave Anderson in the Pars goal. Celtic rattled six past the youngster in a 6-3 win. Things did not improve in the next match, at home to Hibernian when another hapless performance behind, it must be said, a creaky defence, found The Pars 4-0 down with over an hour played, What followed was amazing. Ian Hunter scored for the homesters in the 67th minute and three minutes later Pat Delaney added a second. Allan McGraw made it 5-2 for Hibs, with a long range effort, but, almost from the kick off, Pat Delaney made it 5-3 and with ten minutes still to go, Hugh Robertson made it 5-4. Four minutes later, the crowd went wild as Fergie got the equaliser. There then followed the most catastrophic display of refereeing I have witnessed to this day. Ian Hunter scored what should have been the winner, but although the ball had clearly crossed the line and the linesman was running back to the centre line, indicating a goal, the referee waved play on and amid the confusion, Hibs went up the other end and scored. There was not even time to re-centre the ball before he blew for full time. I have never been in favour of capital punishment, but I would happily have made an exception for the moron in black, who shall remain nameless. Dunfermline 5 Hibernian 6
The following midweek brought the home leg of the quarter final, and Eric Martin was back in the side but Celtic prevailed 3-1. A trip to Perth was next and the still shaky defence shipped another three goals. The forwards saved the day by scoring three goals to gain a draw. The defensive frailties were a concern, as fans rolled up for the return leg with FC Frigg, but manager Cunningham had a surprise up his sleeve. Roy Barry arrived from Hearts and was immediately handed a starting place. Two more goals from Pat Delaney and one for Tom Callaghan gave The Pars a 3-1 win and progress to the next round.
The 1st October brought Airdrie to East End Park, but the poor League form continued with a 1-0 reverse. The programme bemoaned the succession of injuries to key players such as Eric Martin, Jim Thomson, Jim Maclean, Alex Edwards, Alex Ferguson and to reserves Jim Fraser and Tommy Titterton. A slight improvement in the next game, also at home, this time to Aberdeen saw Roy Barry score his first Pars goal and earn a 1-1 draw. Both Paddy Wilson and Harry Melrose featured for The Dons.
St Mirren at Love Street was next and a 5-0 thrashing handed out to the Buddies. Two more goals for Roy Barry and one for Tom Callaghan secured a tight 3-2 home victory against Partick Thistle for whom Dan McLindon had a very good game. The next round in Europe brought Dinamo Zagreb to East End Park. Pat Delaney and Alex Ferguson scored two goals apiece. Unfortunately, so did Yugoslav international Slaven Zambata. The month concluded with an excellent 4-2 win at Tannadice. This was particularly impressive in that United were fresh from their win against Barcelona in their European tie.
November kicked off with the return tie in Europe. Zambata proved to be a nuisance again with two more goals giving Zagreb a 2-0 win. Unfortunately, the away goals rule had been introduced this season and out went The Pars.
A home League match against Clyde resulted in a fine 4-0 win but also to the loss of Tom Callaghan with a broken leg.
A trip to Tynecastle produced a 1-1 draw with Hearts before the home match with Celtic, which proved to be another amazing affair. Goals from Pat Delaney and Hugh Robertson had the home side 2-0 up when Bobby Murdoch`s goal was quickly cancelled out by Bert Paton, it looked as though Celtic, who had been completely outplayed, were in for a stuffing. Just before half time Jimmy Johnstone pulled one back. The Pars came out for the second half with all guns blazing and Alex Ferguson restored the two goal lead. Celtic started to fight back and, although the game was end to end, they scored the next two goals, through Bertie Auld and Joe McBride. The scores were level going into the last minute as referee Tiny Wharton awarded a goal kick when he noticed the enclosure side linesman with his flag up (nobody knew what for) and after discussion he pointed to the penalty spot. Joe McBride scored to give The Celts a 5-4 victory.
I was outraged, convinced that it was another case of Old Firm bias. I remained convinced until 40 years later when I was discussing the game with Roy Barry and he admitted that it was his hand and not Stevie Chalmers head which had put the ball past the post. My apologies to Mr Wharton. John McGarty had his contract extended until the end of the season. With five goals conceded in the last game, the fear was that the defensive frailties had returned and this was confirmed in the next match which was a 6-2 defeat at Fir Park.
December brought better fortune with a home win against Rangers. Alex Smith scored against his old club, but two goals from Fergie and an Alex Edwards penalty against a Jim Forrest counter saw The Pars record a fine victory. Eddie Ferguson, who seemed to have been at the club for ages was rewarded with a full contract now that his age permitted. The difficult trip to Kilmarnock was negotiated with a 1-1 draw. Dundee were the next visitors and they won 1-0. Eric Martin was injured in this game and Hugh Maxwell had to take over in goal.
The Christmas Eve fixture away to Stirling Albion was called off with the fans already in the ground. Arrangements at Annfield were most eccentric. The dressing rooms were not in either of the tiny stands but in Annfield House, an old mansion across the car park. It also housed the cafeteria. I remember being awe struck when my Dad and I bumped into Roy Barry and his team-mates coming out stocked out with a big pile of pies for the homeward journey. The final game of the year was, therefore, at Brockville, where Eddie Connachan put up the shutters and Falkirk, with future Pars in Doug Baillie and Ian Cowan inflicted a 1-0 defeat. It had not been a particularly satisfactory opening half to the season and Willie Cunningham threatened to resign. He was placated when the board appointed former Hearts boss Tommy Walker to be General Manager, leaving Willie free to concentrate on coaching the team.
A new year and new promise as Ayr United were thrashed 6-0 at East End Park, featuring a hat trick from Fergie. The programme announced that Jim Maclean was hanging up his boots due to a groin injury that just would not clear up. Jim had been an absolute rock at the centre of The Pars defence at home and in Europe. Making his debut was new goalie Bent Martin, who had been brought in to cover the absence, through injury, of namesake Eric. Easter Road was next and a comprehensive 2-0 defeat from Hibernian. The home match with St Johnstone was postponed, so the next action was a 3-0 victory at Broomfield. The fine form continued with another 3-0 win, this time away to Aberdeen, before this season`s cup campaign opened with a very difficult tie at Rugby Park. Two goals from Alex Ferguson brought the tie back to Dunfermline after a 2-2 draw. The Killie programme gave details of the security arrangements which would be in place when Russian Premier Kosygin took in their League match at home to Rangers on 11th February. As we travelled home, news came through of Berwick Rangers famous win over Glasgow Rangers, with a Sammy Reid goal.
The replay against Kilmarnock opened February`s account and a crowd in the region of 19,000 turned up to see the midweek action. An Alex Ferguson goal separated the sides and sent The Pars into the next round. Fergie was on great form and scored two more on the Saturday to send St. Mirren back to Paisley with a 2-0 defeat. The programme contained a belated welcome to Bent Martin who was keeping the, by now fit again, Eric Martin out of the team. Also welcomed was young reserve half back John McCluskey. The following Saturday led to Firhill and a 0-0 draw.
A feature at Glasgow grounds was a shout of "Erzimacroonsaandaspearmintchoony" in broad Glaswegian. I had heard it before and wondered what it meant. I managed to track down one of the callers and discovered that it was a greater spotted local purveyor of fine confectionery and that Macaroon Bars and Spearmint Chewing Gum, of dubious origin, was available for purchase. The next round of the Cup took The Pars back to Firhill, where they stayed in the cup thanks to Alex Ferguson, yet again. His goal secured a 1-1 draw and a replay, at East End Park. A hat trick from Pat Delaney plus counters from Hugh Robertson and, inevitably, Alex Ferguson eased The Fifers home 5-1. The month ended with a 3-3 draw at home to Dundee United. Twice two goals behind, The Pars fought back with goals from Pat Delaney, Roy Barry and Alex Edwards. On February 27th, former Dunfermline player John Kilgannon was seriously injured in a car crash. He died in hospital, the following day.
March opened with a trip to Shawfield to meet Clyde, never a happy hunting ground for The Pars. As was normal, Athletic came back without the points following a single goal defeat. The Cup draw had been particularly unkind with a third away tie against a top division side in Dundee United. Fresh from a 1-0 victory over Juventus, United inflicted a similar score on The Pars. The month continued to be unproductive with a 3-2 defeat at Celtic Park. Another Glasgow culinary delight was available at Parkhead, where guys were carrying around decaying cardboard boxes loaded with "Rolls and Meat". These turned out to be rock hard stale rolls, smeared with rancid butter or marge and containing thin slices of spam like meat which was imaginatively turning the same colour as the hoops on Celtic`s jerseys.
A swap deal saw Jim Fleming move to Hearts, with Don Kerrigan coming in the other direction. Also leaving the Club was Eric Martin who, unable to regain his place, moved to Southampton, where he was to become a firm favourite. Hearts were seen off 1-0 at East End Park before Motherwell came visiting and were beaten 2-1. The programme contained congratulations to Willie Callaghan and Alex Ferguson, who had both been selected for Scotland`s tour of Oceania in the summer. The month ended in Stirling where the game postponed on Christmas Eve, ended in a 1-1 draw.
April began well with a 1-0 win at Ibrox and continued, in midweek, with a 4-1 home win against St Johnstone. Kilmarnock were next to visit and the usual hard fought game ended 1-1. A 3-0 defeat at Dundee was followed by Wembley week and The Pars travelled down early so that they could play Arsenal at Highbury on the Friday night. Dunfermline suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat, watched by the Scottish International Team who went on to beat England the following day. This was the first time England had been beaten since winning the World Cup. It was the famous game where Jim Baxter, in particular took the micky, so far on top were the Scots. Back home, in Scotland, Stirling Albion held The Pars to a 3-3 draw at East End. The final game of the season was a most satisfactory 4-0 home win over Falkirk. Despite finishing 4th,
Dunfermline, most unusually, had not qualified for Europe. Fergie`s brother Martin, who had been on the staff, was released and it was announced that Rangers had been given permission to talk to self-confessed Rangers fan Alex Ferguson. Our brilliant goal scorer had netted a further 29 goals this season. As if that was not bad enough, Willie Cunningham announced, in June, that he was resigning due to a "total disillusionment with all things football".
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