Club History | Season 1972-1973
The Highest Scoring Team In British Senior Soccer! Dunfermline win promotion back into the top division and in doing so, had scored 101 goals in all competitions. Graham Shaw led the way with 26 goals, Ken Mackie 24 and Dennis Nelson 15.
The previous season`s programme had contained a feature called The Young Ones, which had thrown the spotlight on the young players at East End Park. It was to the Young Ones that George Miller would turn in an attempt to get the team back up at the first time of asking and in his first full term as manager. The ranks of Alex Wright`s team dwindled. John Cushley was freed and rejoined Alex Wright at Dumbarton.
Bert Paton, one of the finest players ever to grace East End Park succumbed to his injuries and
after an attempted come- back at Berwick Rangers, retired from the game.
At the start of the season, there were only 16 full timers, including new signings Alex Kinninmonth from Dundee and Dennis Nelson from Hibernian. The part-timers included established first teamers Dave McNicoll, Jim Paterson and Graham Shaw. Of the new-comers Dave Edmonds, Billy McLardy and Kenny (Flash) Watson would all break through, whilst the others remained in the reserves.
The Pars kicked off their season with two friendlies against English opposition, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday (featuring former pars player, Jackie Sinclair). Recently retired legend from the glory days, Jim Thomson returned as coach replacing another former player in Ian (dad) Bain. Their poor start continued with a 6-1 drubbing away to Stirling Albion. Thankfully it was only a friendly. The season proper began with the League Cup and the team returned from Tannadice with a 2-0 defeat. Wednesday 16 August brought the first home game and, back in the classic candy stripe kit after last season`s interlude in a horrible all white kit, the hopes were high as Stenhousemuir arrived for their first visit in a long time.
The hopes were dashed as, despite two Dennis Nelson goals and with stalwarts Willie Callaghan and Jim Fraser in the team a 2-2 draw was the embarrassing outcome. Pars free transfer Stewart Kennedy was in The Warriors` goal. New signing Billy Mitchell from Celtic made his debut in the next game, away to Kilmarnock, but, despite him scoring, a 2-1 defeat was suffered. On to Ochilview and a pathetic display, ending in a 5-2 defeat, brought matters to a head.
Something had to give and manager Miller axed two more of the older stars. Legend Willie Callaghan was freed and left to join Harry Melrose at Berwick Rangers. Jim Fraser was also freed, this time to Airdrie. The next game brought an improved performance but no points as Dundee United went home with a 1-0 win. The final game in August and in the League Cup campaign at last brought a win at home to Kilmarnock, thanks to a Billy Mitchell goal.
As September began, Legend John Lunn finally had to admit that his illness would never permit him to get match fit again and he retired. This meant that there was no player left from the Glorious 60`s. The League campaign began with a 1-0 defeat away to Queen of the South and this was followed by another wretched performance and a 2-0 home defeat to Cowdenbeath. It was 11th before The Pars got their first win in the League, a 3-1 win at Hampden against Queens Park in front of 200 fans. The next game was also away, this time to St Mirren where Ken Mackie scored to secure a 1-0 win. At last things seemed to be on the up and a 5-1 home win against Queens Park, included a Graham Shaw hat-trick. Forfar Athletic were next to visit and they were defeated 3-1. Just before this game, manager Miller arranged a swap deal with East Fife with Ernie McGarr moving to Methil and striker Joe Hughes coming to East End.
A comprehensive 5-1 win at Albion Rovers was next, with a first goal for Joe Hughes. Cliftonhill is a very dilapidated venue and we watched the game from the slope opposite the stand. The eighth and final match of the month was a tight 0-0 draw at Annfield.
In contrast, there were only three games in October. A 2-1 defeat at home to Clyde was followed by a 2-1 win over George Farm`s Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy. October finished with an 8-0 home demolition of Brechin City, Dennis Nelson netting four of the goals.
November kicked off with a trip to Stranraer and a 2-0 win. Next was a home match and Hamilton Accies were hammered 7-2 as the free scoring Pars added to their tally. Another home match and East Stirling proved a tough nut, Dunfermline inching a 3-2 win.
December`s fixtures began at home to Berwick Rangers and the lessons had not been learnt as The Borderers won 2-1, their goals scoredbyfutureParIanHall and an absolutely delighted Willie Callaghan. Another defeat followed, this time 3-2 away to Montrose. Dan McLindon brought his Alloa side to East End Park and was, somewhat uncharitably sent packing with a 5-0 trouncing. Jim Gillespie and four from Ken Mackie were the scorers. Dunfermline went to Alloa the following week and found things much more difficult, relying on an Alex Kinninmonth equaliser to gain a 1-1 draw. The last game of the year was at East End Park to Queen of the South and a 6-1 defeat for The Doonhamers featured a hat trick for Graham Shaw.
New Year was a miserable experience, Cowdenbeath inflicting another defeat 1-0 at Central Park. A home 1-1 draw with St Mirren followed before Clydebank were beaten 4-0 in a first visit to Kilbowie Park. The following week brought a rare win at Shawfield as Clyde were beaten 2-1. In the League after 24 games, The Pars were second, three points behind Clyde but with a remarkable goal tally of 64.
February and it was time for the Scottish Cup. Interest did not last long as Dundee won 3-0 at East End Park. Albion Rovers were next to visit and they were soundly beaten 3-0. Being out of the Cup, the only other game in the month was at Station Park, Forfar. Six more goals were added to the Pars tally, without reply.
The beginning of March brought the first visit, for some time, to Glebe Park, Brechin. Youngster Billy McLardy was amongst the scorers as The Pars cruised to a 5-0 win. Most clubs featured a half-time draw, for a cash prize. Brechin had a quaint version of this:- `This Week`s Gellatly`s Cake`, courtesy of a local baker. Stranraer were next to visit Dunfermline and a 3-0 home win the outcome.
A wobble in the next game sawa2-1defeatatDouglas Park, Hamilton. Back on track in the next game as a Dennis Nelson goal was enough to beat Stenhousemuir at East End. The last day of the month saw a trip to East Stirling and a straightforward 2-0 victory.
April`s fixtures began with a visit to Berwick (or Tweedmouth to be more accurate) and a 1-1 draw. Stirling Albion were only two points behind The Pars, with a game in hand. A nervous display at home, ended in another 1-1 draw. Another home game was next and Montrose were well beaten 4-0. A home friendly against Rosenborg from Dunfermline`s Norwegian Twin Town Trondheim, resulted in a narrow 1-0 win. The tightness in the margin due to a large part in an excellent performance by Rosenborg`s giant goalkeeper Geir Karlsen, who later was signed by The Pars.
The penultimate match was at home to Raith Rovers and a precious Joe Hughes goal secured victory. Stirling Albion`s loss of points during the week, meant that Dunfermline were already promoted going into their last game, at home to Clydebank. The Bankies fought hard and a high scoring game finished drawn 3-3.
The Pars finished the season with 52 points but were beaten by Clyde to the championship. Nevertheless George Miller`s young team had got Dunfermline back into the top division and, on the way, had scored 101 goals in all competitions. Graham Shaw led the way with 26 goals, Ken Mackie 24 and Dennis Nelson 15.
The Pars had achieved their own accolade:- The Highest Scoring Team In British Senior Soccer!
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