Club History | Season 2003-2004
Scottish Cup Finalists, a return to Europe next season confirmed. The team had finished 4th with 53 points, they had scored 63 goals in all competitions with the top scorer being Stevie Crawford with 17 goals.
Bert Paton`s team finished in 5th place in the SPL in season 1996-1997. Jimmy Calderwood equalled that in 2002/03 but he went one better in 2003/04 and led The Pars to their best ever SPL season, with a 4th place finish, a Cup Final and qualification for a return to Europe.
The two Jimmies had a stated aim of season on season improvement and had certainly delivered so far. Of course the more they achieved, the more difficult it became to keep improving. The Board financed a substantial spend on quality players, the sort of thoroughbreds like Andrius Skerla, Barry Nicholson, Stevie Crawford and Craig Brewster, that Bert was never given the money for. They expected the fans to turn up in numbers to see a top quality team, playing exciting football and competing at the highest level. As was now normal, a lot of preparatory work had been done at the end of last season. Gus MacPherson had left to become player manager at St Mirren. Billy Mehmet had arrived from West Ham. In time for pre-season training, Darren and Derek Young came in from Aberdeen, Aaron Labonte from Newcastle and Anthony Storey from Middlesbrough also arrived. One other signing was the return to the fold of Andy Tod from Bradford City, after loan spells with Hearts and Dundee United.
August began with a friendly against Portsmouth, which The Pars won 1-0. A week later the season kicked off at home to Celtic. Jim Leishman, newly restored to the club as Executive Director/General Manager, was introduced to the fans before the match and was well received by both sets of supporters. Dunfermline played well and thoroughly deserved the 0-0 draw which resulted.
The Young brothers both made their debut and Sandy Clark was added to the coaching team. Once the game was over, the pitch was dug up and a FIFA sanctioned artificial surface installed. This would take a while and the grand opening was scheduled for 20th September. Until then all games would be away from home. The travels started well with a 2-0 win at Dens Park. Aberdeen were next and goals from Craig Brewster and Barry Nicholson earned a 2-1 win. The last game of the month was a narrow 1-0 defeat at Tynecastle.
There had been a lot of activity before the transfer window closed. Arriving were Richie Byrne from Shamrock Rovers and reserve defender Craig McKeown whilst there were seven departures. Jason Dair moved to Motherwell, Scott Walker and George Fotheringham were released, Andre Karnebeek went back to Holland and joined De Graafschap, Stephen Hampshire and Kevin McLeish moved to Brechin City and David Nicholls` loan to Falkirk was turned into a permanent transfer.
Still away from home, Dunfermline typically lost 4-0 at Ibrox. The big day arrived on the 20th September and Hibernian were the first to try the new plastic pitch. To help promote the launch, Ian Rush, Karl Heinz Riedle and Jean Pierre Papin were in attendance and mingled with the fans. The game itself was a bit of an anti-climax and finished 0-0, with a crowd of 9715. One item of note in the programme was a picture of 8 year old Scott Mercer who was the scorer of the last goal on the old surface, having taken part in a half time competition during the 0-0 draw with Celtic. Little was anyone to know that in just over ten years time, Scott would be knocking on the door of the Pars first team, as a promising U-20 player.
Two home games completed the month, a 2-0 win against Cowdenbeath in the CIS Cup and 2-1 in the league against Partick Thistle, both goals coming from Stevie Crawford. October was, as usual, spoiled by International Weekend - so no football to go to. The first game for The Pars was at home to Kilmarnock and ended in a 3-2 defeat. Greg Shields had his usual excellent game but he was now playing for Killie. The same score saw Dunfermline eliminated from the CIS Cup away to St Johnstone.
The 1st November brought Dundee United to the Kingdom and a splendid 2-0 win for The Pars. Young Aussie Andy McDermott made his debut. At one time he had been a £400,000 signing for West Brom from QPR, but had lost his way somewhat. United had Paul Gallacher, Jim Paterson, Craig Easton and Jim McIntyre, with Mark Kerr on the bench - all future Pars players. Andrew Gillies resigned from the board and the Club Announcer, Bert Thomson sadly died. The Old Firm handed out their usual thumping, this time it was Celtic who won 5-0 at Celtic Park. Things picked up again as Dundee were beaten 2-0 at East End Park, in a game in which Billy Mehmet and Aaron Labonte made their first starts. Stevie Crawford and Craig Brewster scored to bring a point back from Motherwell after a 2-2 draw and the month finished with a similar score at home to Aberdeen.
December got off to a flier with a home win against Hearts, 2-1. Three new directors were announced:- Ed Smyth, Rodney Shearer and David McIntyre. Rangers were next to visit the hallowed plastic and it was sheer ecstasy as they were comprehensively beaten 2-0. Before the year ended there were two away trips. An excellent 2-1 win at Easter Road as both goals were scored by Craig Brewster. It was back down to earth with a thump as Partick Thistle handed out a 4-1 drubbing. As 2004 emerged, Dunfermline drew 2-2 with Livingston at East End Park. The third round of the Cup was next and it was Dundee United at home. A comfortable 3-1 victory saw the team safely through. Back to the league and a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park was followed by a 1-0 defeat of Motherwell, at East End Park. Greg Shields had been signed from Kilmarnock and it was good to see him back. He was on the bench for this game. Before the transfer window closed, Chris McGroarty, who had been on loan with Clyde, moved on a permanent contract, to St Mirren.
The first game in February was at Broadwood and The Pars were ahead 2-1 with goals from Noel Hunt and Barry Nicholson, when the game was abandoned amidst a blizzard. Richie Byrne made his debut in this game and Andy Smith led the Bully Wee attack. In the midweek, Celtic had their usual easy win, 4-1 at East End Park. Behind the scenes, though, the club was in crisis and on the verge of financial collapse. The expected increase in attendances had not materialised, despite the success on the pitch. They were nowhere near the levels generated by Jim Leishman and the expenditure on quality players had not been recovered. Now everyone was going to have to make cuts if the club was to survive. Despite all the troubles Noel Hunt scored to gain a 1-0 win away to Dundee, keeping The Pars in 4th place in the league.
Aberdeen inflicted a 2-0 defeat at Pittodrie before a second attempt to complete the Cup tie at Broadwood. This time Dunfermline were merciless and won convincingly 3-0. To end an eventful month, a 0-0 draw was fought out at home to Hearts. March began with the Cup Quarter Final, away to Partick Thistle, a venue where just over two months ago, The Pars had been cuffed 4-1. A superb display and goals from Richie Byrne, Barry Nicholson and Craig Brewster produced a 3-0 victory. After a gap of just over a week, Thistle came to East End Park in the league. Dunfermline found it tougher this time, winning 1-0. Three of the younger players had moved on. Scott McNicoll going to Forfar and Mark McGarty and Anthony Storey both released. Two away games completed the month, a 3-1 defeat at Ibrox followed by a 0-0 draw at Livingston. There were three games left before the split and The Pars retained 4th place
The first game in April was at home to Kilmarnock which finished in a 2-1 win. Coach John Ritchie left the club. On 10th April it was off to Hampden for the Cup Semi Final, against Inverness Caley Thistle. The Pars did not play well and were eternally grateful to Craig Brewster for keeping them in it with a 1-1 draw. The following midweek Hibs came visiting and shared the points with a 1-1 draw. It was announced that Marko Ruitenbeek would be returning to Holland at the end of the season. A narrow 1-0 defeat away to Motherwell and Dunfermline held on to 4th position after a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United. d The Pars retained 4th place.
The Semi Final replay was next on the agenda, staged at Pittodrie. A crowd of 5728 watched a memorable match. The Fifers were down and out until a fine second half performance, especially by Craig Brewster and a magnificent goal by Barry Nicholson (similar to the famous Archie Gemmill goal against Holland) produced a 3-2 win and booked a Cup Final place. Darren Young and Craig Brewster got the other two goals. The first post-split match was at home to Motherwell and resulted in a fine 3-0 win. The first three games in May were all away. In the first of these, a pleasant surprise as Dunfermline beat Celtic 2-1 at Parkhead, Barry Nicholson and Gary Dempsey the scorers. Two narrow defeats followed 1-2 at Tynecastle 2-3 at Tannadice. The League season finished with a 3-2 home defeat against Rangers.
In preparation for next season, Jamie Langfield was signed from Partick Thistle, to replace Marco Ruitenbeek and youngsters Pat Clark, Gary Greenhill, Craig McKeown and Iain Campbell were re-engaged. So to the Cup Final and despite leading at half time through an Andrius Skerla goal and being denied a stonewall penalty, Henrik Larsson took over and Celtic won 3-1.
Once fans got over the disappointment of losing the Final, they were able to celebrate a return to Europe next season. Jimmy Calderwood had delivered despite the most trying of circumstances with the financial situation and its ramifications. The team had finished 4th with 53 points, they had scored 63 goals in all competitions with the top scorer being Stevie Crawford with 17 goals. Derek Stillie had achieved 16 shut-outs. It couldn`t last could it? As we were to find out next season.
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