Club History | Season 1979-1980
Dunfermline finish 10th place, Sandy McNaughton was top scorer with 19 goals, well in front of anyone else. Despite playing in a higher division, crowds were down to an average of around 2,600.
Having, at last, moved back up a division, could The Pars hold on to their higher status, or even improve upon it? To aid the cause, Sandy McNaughton was signed from Stenhousemuir. He had been a thorn in the side of the Athletic defence for a number of seasons and was a prolific goal-scorer. Also joining were youngsters Graham Hutt and Dave Wilcox, together with promising Jim McAloon from Queens Park. Before the serious business started, a number of fixtures were dealt with. The Drybrough Cup was first off, but a 3-0 reverse at Tannadice ended Dunfermline`s interest in that competition.
Reserve goalkeeper Dave Gillies made his debut at Firhill in a 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle in the Anglo-Scottish Tournament. A friendly against John Toshack`s Swansea City was next, a repeat of last year`s fixture in a season which both clubs won promotion. The Swans won 1-0 and this was also the score as Partick Thistle won the second leg of the Anglo-Scottish tie.
The season proper got underway with a League match away to Stirling Albion and a 4-0 defeat did not augur well for the campaign ahead. The League Cup was next at Stair Park where a draw 0-0 was fought out. The first home League match brought Berwick Rangers to East End Park. They left with the points after a 2-1 victory. In the programme, the centre for Fife`s entertainment appeared to be the Northern Roadhouse, where the next guests were Scodini and Christian. The return leg with Stranraer occupied the midweek slot and the wretched form continued with a 4-2 defeat. August ended with a 0-0 draw away to Raith Rovers.
The month of September started brightly when goals from Sandy McNaughton and Jim McAloon secured a 2-0 win at home to Motherwell, quickly followed by a 1-1 draw, also at home, to Clyde. Two away games were next, as the poor form returned with a 3-0 defeat against Ayr United and 1-1 at Gayfield. Mark Williams, a dazzling winger with a terrific shot and a serviceman with the Royal Navy based at Rosyth had experience with Southampton. He was signed and made his debut in the next game, at home to Dumbarton. Graham Hutt also came on from the bench but The Pars lost 3-1. The month ended woefully with two away defeats, 2-0 at Hamilton Accies and 5-1 at Airdrie.
The gloom continued into October as Clydebank inflicted a 3-1 defeat at East End Park. The Club was now firmly rooted at the bottom of the table. Things bucked up a bit with a hard fought 3-2 win at home to St Johnstone. Hearts away next and a 2-1 defeat before the month`s fixtures were completed with a first win on the road when a goal from Sandy McNaughton won the match at Shielfield Park. John Muir the experienced central defender ex Motherwell and signed from Stranraer, made his debut in this match.
Bobby Robertson got November off to a good start, scoring the only goal at home to Raith Rovers. Andy Rolland, who had never been given the due thanks for his huge input into the promotion run, was in dispute with the club and left. Shawfield was next and a Sandy McNaughton goal earned a 1-1 draw. The same score resulted from a stuffy display by Arbroath at East End Park, Sandy again the scorer.
The next game at East End Park did not involve Dunfermline as the League Cup semi-final between Dundee United and Hamilton Accies was scheduled to take place on the hallowed turf. Hallowed mud was a more accurate description as United won 6-2 in front of around 8,000 fans. Meantime The Pars were losing 2-1 away to Dumbarton in a game which saw the debut of Colin O`Brien, son of the former Pars star George. Colin scored on his debut. December began well when Jim Bowie scored the only goal to secure a home win against Airdrie. The weather curtailed the programme but an encouraging 3-1 win at Muirton was followed by a 2-1 home win against Berwick Rangers.
The eighties began at Starks Park and, as usual, a severe hangover, a freezing cold day and a dismal 1-0 defeat for The Pars was my welcome to the decade. Fortunately the home form continued in the next game with a 3-1 win against Clyde. The same score saw Athletic return from Gayfield with the points. The Cup gave Dunfermline a home tie against Buckie Thistle, which they won 2-0 with goals from Mike Leonard and Sandy McNaughton.
February was badly affected by the weather and it was the middle of the month before the first game which was in the Cup at Cappielow. Despite high hopes and a good first half performance, Andy Ritchie had one of those games and orchestrated a 5-0 win for Morton. In the month`s only other game it was Sandy McNaughton again who scored the only goal to beat St Johnstone at East End Park.
The first day of March produced no goals and precious little football as Stirling Albion were "entertained" at East End. Midweek produced another home draw as Ayr United visited. The score was 2-2 with Mike Leonard and Sandy McNaughton the scorers. Harry completed the signing of young Craig McFarlane from Newcastle United.
A trip to Motherwell was next at it also ended drawn, 1-1 this time. The Pars lost 2-0 at home to Dumbarton and drew 0-0 with Ayr United also at East End. Three more games in the month as teams caught up on earlier postponements. They all ended in misery for Athletic, losing 3-1 away to Clydebank, 3-0 at home to Hearts and 1-0 at Annfield. This dropped Dunfermline to 11th in the 14 team division.
April 1st brought Hamilton Accies to East End Park. The result a bore draw 0-0. Bobby Robertson scored a priceless goal in a 1-0 win at Kilbowie. Next up were Airdrie, who were battling it out at the top with Hearts. A spirited display and goals from Sandy McNaughton (2) and John Salton gained a 3-2 win at East End. It was down to earth with a thump in the trip to Douglas Park as Accies handed out a 4-0 roasting.
Athletic continued to have an effect on the top of the table as they held Hearts to a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle. This moved Dunfermline up to 10th place, a position they held on to when they drew the final game 1-1 at Fir Park, thanks, once again, to Sandy McNaughton. Sandy was top scorer with 19 goals, well in front of anyone else. Despite playing in a higher division, crowds were down to an average of around 2,600. Kenny Thomson, Sandy McNaughton and Bobby Robertson played in all 46 matches, with Hugh Whyte and Bonar Mercer not far behind. Jim Scott left for East Fife and Dave Hunter for Cowdenbeath. Jimmy Mullin and Jim McAloon both also left the Club.
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