Club History | Season 1986-1987
Norrie McCathie had played in all 46 games as Dunfermline finally made it to the Scottish Premier League.
Buoyed by the manner of their promotion as champions, Pars fans were confident that Jim Leishman`s team would do well enough to consolidate their position in the middle league, without a nail-biting fight against relegation.
In preparation for the new season, Ian Gordon was sold to Raith Rovers and exciting newcomers Eric Ferguson from Rangers and Ian McCall from Queens Park were joined by centre half Grant Reid from Stenhousemuir and ex Dundee defender John Waddell. Jim Watters retired as chairman and was replaced by Mel Rennie with Bill Braisby stepping up to vice-chairman. The only pre- season friendly was at home to Aberdeen and finished 2-2.
The season proper began on 9th August, at East End Park, with Forfar Athletic as visitors. Reid, Ferguson and McCall all made their debuts as John Watson scored to separate the sides. The first away game was at Boghead and a Mark Clougherty own goal produced another 1-0 win for The Pars. Alex Totten was the Sons manager and Bert Paton his assistant. Across the river, at Cappielow another 1-0 scoreline, courtesy of Norrie McCathie kept Dunfermline top of the League.
The League Cup was next and brought SPL side St Mirren to East End Park, where two Frank McGarvey goals saw the Buddies into the next round. The League campaign resumed with a visit from Clyde. John Watson and Ian McCall got the goals in a 2-0 win but, just when things looked rosy, East Fife served up a wake-up call by winning 4-2 at East End Park.
September arrived with a tricky trip to Kilmarnock, but The Pars had taken their warning and won 2-1 thanks to Grant Jenkins and Bobby Forrest. This was achieved despite John Waddell picking up his second booking and the inevitable red card as early as the 26th minute. Brechin City were despatched 4-1 at Glebe Park before the visit of Partick Thistle. Grant Jenkins and an own goal by The Jags John Donnelly gave Dunfermline a 2-0 win. Queen of the South, who had been promoted alongside The Pars, had also been playing well in the higher division. The 1-1 draw at Palmerston was, therefore, a satisfactory result. Manager Leishman "rewarded" John Donnelly for his goal by signing him for Athletic and he made his debut at home to Airdrie, the only team above The Pars in the table. A crowd in the region of 6,000 saw a tough 0-0 draw. The last game of the month was also at home, this time to Montrose and with Hugh Whyte making his first appearance since March 1985, John Watson scored the only goal.
October began with a trip to Forfar and a share of the points after a tough 3-3 draw. Westy was back for the next game, at home to Dumbarton, but after a poor display, The Sons came out on top 1-0. That graveyard of Pars hopes that is Shawfield had disappeared from the football map and Firhill was now the venue for Clyde`s home games. Another 1-0 defeat for Dunfermline, kept the jinx in place. The poor form continued as Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Morton. The final Saturday of the month saw a return to form as Brechin City were at Cappielow. There was time for a midweek match before the month ended and this time Firhill was more hospitable as a John Watson goal beat Partick Thistle.
November got under way with a 1-0 home win against Kilmarnock, with John Donnelly the scorer. East Fife at Bayview was next but The Pars lost 2-1 against their fellow Fifers. Queen of the South were next to come visiting and escaped with a point after a 2-2 draw. The month finished with a trip to Links Park, where Montrose were beaten 2-0, with the goals coming from John Watson and Rowan Hamilton.
As December kicked off, John Watson and Stevie Morrison got the goals which beat Forfar at East End Park, whilst it was Ian McCall and Norrie McCathie who secured a 2-1 win away to Dumbarton. Bad weather meant that the next game was after Christmas at Cappielow where Norrie McCathie and Ian McCall were scorers in a 2-2 draw.
Despite all the promises made on previous miserable, football and drink ruined, pain wracked Ne`er Days, I turned up at East End Park to see my heroes take on East Fife. It was tailor made for disaster, so i was relatively pleased with a 1-1 draw. A few changes had taken place over the holiday. Ian Campbell had been appointed Player-Coach to assist Gregor Abel. Ian Heddle had transferred to St Johnstone and John Waddell freed. The first Saturday of the year took The Pars down to Ayrshire to meet Kilmarnock and they returned with a creditable 2-2 draw. The next two games fell victim to the heavy snow which covered the country. It was the 24th before the next fixture which was at Palmerston, where The Pars picked up their first win of the year, 2-1. The last day of January saw this season`s Cup campaign begin and end at Easter Road where Hibs triumphed 2-0.
A series of home matches opened February, Airdrie took a pint from a 1-1 draw in which Billy Mackay, on loan from Hearts, made his debut from the bench. This was followed by a visit from Clyde. Eric Ferguson and John Donnelly got the goals in to win 2-0. Despite a John Donnelly own goal, Eric Ferguson and Ian McCall secured a 2-1 win. Donnelly, had scored an own goal for The Pars earlier in the season whilst in a Thistle shirt. The first away game of the month was a trip to Brechin and a 2-0 victory but on the last day of the month another trip to Angus was less productive after a 3-1 defeat at Forfar.
A winning start for March as Dunfermline saw off Montrose 2-0 at East End Park and this was followed by a visit from Dumbarton. A Steve Morrison strike was enough for a 1-0 win. The Pars away record against Clyde was woeful but this time Norrie netted a last minute winner. Typical Pars, they followed this with an unexpected home defeat from Morton. To freshen things up for the run in, Jim Leishman signed striker Willie Irvine from Hibernian. He had been a real thorn in the flesh, particularly during his time with Stirling Albion. Leaving the club was a real fans favourite - Jim Bowie who moved to St Johnstone. Ziggy, as a part-timer, had not featured for a while but everyone was sad to see him go. Irvine scored on his debut as a 1-1 draw was fought out at Bayview. With six games to go, Athletic held a two point lead over Morton and seven over third place Dumbarton. Things were looking good.
April started badly with a 1-0 defeat at home to Kilmarnock, despite a debut for Stuart Beedie, signed from Hibs. The following Saturday, it was off to Firhill and a comfortable 2-0 win against Partick Thistle. The Pars never do anything easy and somehow contrived to lose the next match 2-0 at home to Brechin City. With two going up, Dunfermline had it in their own hands going into their home match with Queen of the South. They played well and went ahead through Willie Irvine, before holding on for a 1-0 win. The SPL beckoned for the first time.
With the fans and club expectations joyously exceeded, The Pars proceeded to throw away the Championship by losing their last two games, both away from home, 2-1 at Airdrie and 1-0 at Montrose. Nevertheless, Jim Leishman`s achievement had been remarkable. He had saved the club, given it back to the fans. He and Gregor Abel had the team playing exciting football and the fans had responded by turning up in numbers. The rise back to the top division had been achieved in the three years of Jim`s reign.
On the playing side, Norrie McCathie had played in all 46 games and not far behind him were Ian Westwater, John Watson and Bobby Forrest. Roll on next season!
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