Club History | Season 1974-1975
No SPL for Dunfermline. Jim Leishman incurs serious injury.
This was to be a momentous season for Scottish Football. A new structure had been agreed with an elite Premier Division of ten teams and the remaining teams to be divided between two lower divisions. To achieve this the top ten teams at the end of the season, would form the Premier League. The remaining eight would join the top six from the second division to form the new League Division One. The remaining fourteen would form the new League Division Two. At least the formula was fair. As with any innovation, there was an excited anticipation amongst fans. Could the Pars make it to the SPL?
There were several changes in preparation for the season, both behind and in front of the scenes. George Miller`s management team had been reshuffled. Ralph Brand came in as Assistant Manager. Jim Thomson was coach and Jock Thomson (Kenny`s Dad), sprint coach. Also helping was Ned McGeechan. Andy Stevenson had moved to Hearts and was replaced, as physio, by Jimmy Stevenson who had been with the Club in Jock Stein`s reign.
On the playing staff there were only 14 full timers, joined by Kenny Davidson from Hibs and young prospect Alan Reid. To the part-time ranks were added Ian Campbell`s twin brother, Dick from Cowdenbeath, ex Aberdeen and East Fife midfielder Jim Hamilton and ex juniors Iain Macleod andEddie Stephen. Leaving were high scoring winger Dennis Nelson to Crewe, old favourite Jim Gillespie to Alloa, Jim Baillie to Berwick and both Billy Mitchell and Jimmy Brown to Raith Rovers.
Before the season proper began, there was a series of friendlies. The first of these was at home to Middlesbrough, led by English Manager of the Year, Jack Charlton and featuring Bobby Murdoch and Graeme Souness. Two goals from new winger Kenny Davidson gained a 2-1 win for The Pars. The other results were a 3-1 home win over York City and a 1-1 draw against Doncaster at Belle Vue, followed by a 2-0 loss to York City at Bootham Crescent.
Serious matters began, as usual, with the League Cup. Our section included Hearts, Aberdeen and Morton. A Jim Wallace goal gained us a point at home to Morton and Dick Campbell made his debut. Hearts were next, at Tynecastle, and a superb hat-trick from Jackie Sinclair gained a 3-2 victory. Home form was not so good and Dunfermline laboured to a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen with Jackie scoring again. The double was gained over Hearts with a 2-1 win at East End Park, Jackie Sinclair, yet again and Ian Campbell the scorers. The game was marred, however, by a bad leg break suffered by Jim Leishman. The jolt affected the team and they lost the next game 3-0 at Pittodrie. Jim Scott scored to get a 1-1 draw at Cappielow but the final total was one short of qualification. The last day of the month brought the opening League match, but it ended badly with a 3-0 defeat away to Partick Thistle. The Jags programme included a feature on young defender Alan Hansen, who was on the verge of breaking into the first team.
As September began, The Pars got off to a good start, at home, with a 3-1 win against Arbroath. They followed this with a 1-1 draw at Boghead. The Sons were managed by Alex Wright and included former Par, John Cushley. next at East End were Hearts and the homesters maintained their unbeaten run against the Jambos with a 2-2 draw. The month ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Tannadice.
A trip to Shawfield is never easy for Dunfermline, but they began October with a better, than usual 2-2 draw. Unfortunately, a 6-1 home defeat from Rangers was next and a 3-1 defeat at Muirton did not help matters. Jim Markey made his debut as Dundee were beaten 3-1 at East End Park. By now I was resident in Hamilton and with no car, it was not going to be so easy to see The Pars. Hamilton is right next door to Motherwell, so no problem seeing
The Pars next game at Fir Park. Kenny Watson and Gordon Forrest got the goals to procure a 2-1 victory. The Well were managed by Willie McLean and included Peter Millar and Pat Gardner. Alex Kinninmonth scored to gain a 1-1 draw at home to Hibs and I persuaded my brother (who had a car) to drive us down to Kilmarnock. We were rewarded with a great display as two goals each for Kenny Watson and Kenny Davidson secured a 4-2 win.
John Lunn Testimonial Match
A testimonial match for John Lunn featured The Pars versus an Old Firm Select. Alex Edwards (Hibs) and Donald Ford (Hearts) guested for Dunfermline and Dennis Law for the Old Firm. The result was a hugely enjoyable 3-3 draw. Two home draws finished the month against Morton and Airdrie.
A narrow 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park heralded December. Back with The Pars, Gordon Forrest earned a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie, but the Post Christmas Blues arrived when Dunfermline lost 2-1 at home to Partick Thistle. As the year ended, The Pars were on course, just, for a top ten finish.
Ne-er Day brought a 3-1 win at Arbroath and this was followed up by a comfortable 3-0 home win against Dumbarton. The Pars lost a tight game at Tynecastle 1-0 but, because of bad weather, did not play again until the end of the month when they lost away to Second Division Clydebank in the Cup.
February began with a 1-1 draw at home to Clyde, courtesy of Jim Scott but the following week whilst The Pars were losing 2-0 at Ibrox, I took the opportunity to visit Fir Park, where Hibernian provided the opposition. Hibs had a young Hugh Whyte in goal and Roy Barry, just signed from Crystal Palace, at centre half. Well had Peter Millar and Pat Gardner in their side together with the brilliant partnership of Bobby Graham and Willie Pettigrew, up front. Motherwell won 4-1. The month ended badly for Dunfermline with home defeats, 2-1 to Dundee United and 3-2 to St. Johnstone.
March did not begin well either with a 2-0 reverse at Dundee. A home match with Ayr United was also lost and The Pars had dropped out of the top ten. There were to be four more games in March as teams caught up on the postponed matches. Athletic had lost their form completely and a 1-0 defeat at home to Motherwell was followed by a 5-1 trashing from Hibs. A Jim Markey goal earned a 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock and the month finished better with a 2-0 win at Cappielow.
No game for The Pars at the start of April. It was to be the 12th before Dunfermline returned to action, losing narrowly 2-1 at home to Celtic. This more or less finished any chance of a top ten finish and the remaining three games were miserable defeats 5-2 away to Airdrie, 3-2 away to Ayr United and 3-1 at home to Aberdeen.
So no SPL for Dunfermline, that honour went to Rangers, Hibs, Celtic, Dundee United, Aberdeen, Dundee, Ayr United, Hearts, St Johnstone and Motherwell. The Pars would contest the new First Division with Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, Airdrie, Falkirk, Hamilton Accies, St Mirren, East Fife, Dumbarton and Morton.
A long period of mediocrity loomed for Dunfermline.
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