Club History | Season 1999-2000
Dick Campbell leaves, the Two Jimmies arrive and promotion achieved
As Dunfermline Athletic prepared for the Millenium, in the wrong division, albeit unluckily, there had been changes behind the scenes. Roy Woodrow had retired as Chairman but had remained on the board. His replacement was John Yorkston. On the playing front, there were no major departures other than Gavin Johnson heading back down south to sign for Colchester. Coming in were Brian Reid from Burnley and Eddie May from Motherwell, whilst a young John Potter was signed from Celtic to bolster the reserves.
The season kicked off with a 6-1 thrashing handed out to Cardiff City in a friendly before starting in earnest at home to Inverness Caley Thistle and a 4-0 win. Midweek brought Morton to East End Park in the Challenge Cup. It finished 2-2 but Morton won the penalty shoot out. The League Cup was next and Queens Park were easily dispatched 4-0 at East End. Morton came back on League business, but this time two Andy Smith goals secured a 2-1 victory. This turned out to be Greg Shields` last game before his transfer to Charlton Athletic. The last game of the month was at home to Falkirk and despite falling behind to a David Moss goal, substitute David Graham snatched an equaliser.
Dunfermline began the month of September away to Livingston. Justin Skinner, newly signed from Hibs, made his debut as an Owen Coyle goal secured the points. Dick Campbell pulled off a masterstroke by signing David Moss from Falkirk. Not only would we be able to benefit from his high scoring rate from midfield but we would be depriving one of our main rivals of those qualities.
Moss made his debut in the next game, at home to St. Mirren in front of 6220 fans. A belter of a goal from Richard Huxford earned a draw. The late pressure in this game had come from the Buddies and a visiting reporter was impressed to hear Dick Campbell shouting Symmetry Symmetry to his under pressure defence. After the match he was complimenting Dick on wanting his team to keep their shape. Dick`s reply was priceless:- ` Son, I wasnae shouting Symmetry I was telling them to howf the ball into the effin cemetery`. The month ended with a 2-1 win at home to Ayr United, with John Potter making his debut.
October began at Cappielow, where Clydebank were currently in exile, 4-1 to The Pars. A narrow 1-0 defeat at Ibrox ended Dunfermline`s League Cup hopes. Lee Butler was transferred to Halifax Town as Stephen Hampshire made his debut at home to Airdrie in a dull 0-0 draw. Former chairman, Jimmy Watters sadly died after a short illness. Stephen Hampshire`s first goal enabled a share of the points in Inverness. The month ended badly with a 3-1 defeat away to St Mirren, despite the inclusion of Stevie Crawford, signed on loan from Hibs.
November started with a shock. Despite his team being unbeaten until the reverse at Love Street, the board failed to give Dick a vote of confidence, citing too many draws as unsatisfactory. With a record of W5 D6 L1, Dick was on his way, leaving Jimmy Nicholl in temporary charge. Ironically, the next game was at home to Raith Rovers and ended in a 1-1 draw. Things picked up as Livingston were beaten 3-0 at East End Park and this was followed by a splendid 3-1 win away to Falkirk. A narrow win at home to Clydebank 2-1, rounded off the month with Jimmy Nicholl still in control.
As the new month opened, experienced European coach Jimmy Calderwood arrived from Dutch football. Jimmy gradually took control over the next two games, both away from home and both won 3-0 against Ayr United and Morton. Andy Smith was allowed to go out on loan to Kilmarnock. Andy, who had been a great success with The Pars found that his style did not suit Jimmy Calderwood`s and there was to be no way back for Andy. Craig Ireland also found himself surplus to requirements and moved on to Dundee. Andy Tod got the winner at home to Inverness Caley Thistle and Jimmy Nicholl was confirmed as Jimmy Calderwood`s assistant. As The Two Jimmies they forged a very successful partnership.
After such a great start to the new partnership, the new century began badly with two defeats, 3-0 away to Raith Rovers and 1-0 away to Livingston. The first home game was against Falkirk and there were two major changes. In came Belgian goalkeeper Kris Mampaey on a short term contract and former Rangers star Ian Ferguson was immediately installed as captain, to instil some grit in midfield. the game finished 2-2 in front of 7233 fans. Old favourite Ivo Den Bieman scored The Bairns` equaliser. The next Saturday saw the first win of the century with a 2-0 defeat of Ayr United. The high spot was a thunderous drive by Ian Ferguson for the second goal.
Former manager Alex Wright sadly passed away. January`s last game saw an end to Cup hopes with a 4-1 reverse at Easter Road. February began with a 3-1 win at Cappielow against Clydebank, two of the goals scored by Stevie Crawford to celebrate making his signing permanent. New signing Lee Bullen scored the other. Morton were next at East End Park and held out for a draw, their goal scored by Welsh Internationalist Robert Earnshaw, on loan from Cardiff City. A bumper crowd of 7132 saw another home draw, this time against St Mirren before the month ended with a 2-1 win away to Airdrie. A superb performance heralded March fixtures. Two great Stevie Crawford goals, without reply and an excellent win at Love Street. Typical Dunfermline, the next game was a huge disappointment, a 2-0 defeat at home to Raith Rovers. A draw away to Falkirk completed the month`s fixtures.
April Fools Day and a 4-1 thrashing of Livingston had Pars fans heading cheerfully home from East End Park. Michel Doesburg, signed from Motherwell had made his debut. A 2-0 win away to Ayr United was followed by a 6-0 defeat of Clydebank at East End Park. The biggest cheer of the day was for the appearance as substitute, of The Bankies` player manager Stevie Morrison. A trip to Inverness produced a 2-1 win. With promotion achieved, the month finished with a narrow win at home to Airdrie. The Pars season finished away to Morton, so promotion achieved, there was aslight disappointment that St.Mirren had won the championship, but the Two Jimmies had certainly delivered and hopes were high for next season.
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