Club History | Season 1988-1989
Pars bounce back up as champions and with Ross Jack as top scorer with 18 goals and John Watson with 16,
Although bitterly disappointed at having failed to retain their higher status, there had been enough positive signs for fans and club alike to be hopeful of a return at the first time of asking. Equally, with only one club to be promoted, everyone could see how difficult it was going to be. With the number of departures at the end of the previous season, it was not surprising that the only additional leavers were Eric Ferguson, who after a loan period had signed for Raith Rovers, and Vetle Andersen. Youngsters Graeme Davidson and Martin Feenie were given full contracts. There was a number of pre-season friendlies including a 6-0 defeat from Bordeaux.
The important business got under way at Firhill where goals from Graeme Robertson and Ross Jack secured a good 2-1 win. Graeme Davidson made his debut from the bench. It took penalties at Bayview for Dunfermline to make progress in the League Cup. The first home game saw Craig Robertson`s goal beat St Johnstone 1-0. The Perth Saints had a large former Pars enclave with Alex Totten, manager, Bert Paton his assistant and Kenny Thomson, Gary Thompson and Ian Heddle in the team. Grant Jenkins was also in the pool. The next round of the League Cup brought a visit from Motherwell who were despatched 2-1. A similar score saw Raith Rovers sent home defeated, Trevor Smith and Craig Robertson the scorers. The League Cup run came to an end in the Quarter Final when Hearts handed out a 4-1 pasting at East End Park. The programme paid tribute to George Cowie who was having to hang up his boots due to injury. Also leaving, though on loan was Dave McKellar who was on his way to Hartlepool.
September got up and running with a trip to Brockville where Falkirk prevailed 2-1. Paul Smith had been signed and made his debut in front of the cameras as Queen of the South were beaten 4-2. The Pars goals came from Craig Robertson, John Watson, Ross Jack and Trevor Smith. Commercial manager Karen Grega left the club. no explanation was given, and General Manager Jack Kyle took over her duties. A 2-1 defeat at Kilbowie was followed by a friendly win over Orlando Lions.
Back on League business, the month finished well with a 3-0 win at home to Kilmarnock. Clyde were still playing their home fixtures at Firhill, having lost out to the dogs at Shawfield. This suited Dunfermline, who had an awful record there. Trevor Smith scored to save a 1-1 draw. John Watson netted to beat Airdrie at East End, then a trip to Somerset Park ended in a 2-2 draw. With the run of decent form, nobody expected the next result, a 3-1 home defeat by Meadowbank. Dave McKellar had returned from his loan at Hartlepool only to depart again, this time to Carlisle United, again on loan. Other signing news was the arrival of 16 year old Mark Haro. The Pars finished the month with a trip to Cappielow, where they lost 1-0 to the League leaders.
November opened at home to Forfar Athletic on the 5th and two Ross Jack goals allowed everyone to enjoy the fireworks and stovies after a hard fought 2-1 win, Craig Brewster scoring for The Loons. Willie Callaghan had returned from a loan spell at Walsall as a 0-0 draw was fought out at Palmerston. Two more draws followed, both 2-2, at home to Clydebank and away to Kilmarnock. Dunfermline finished the month in 6th place. Dave McKellar`s loan to Carlisle was made permanent and Ken McNaught resigned from the coaching staff. Hugh Burns arrived on loan from Hearts and went straight into the team at Rugby Park.
An excellent away win 1-0 at St Johnstone, Stuart Beedie the scorer, got December off with a bang. This was The Pars last ever visit to Muirton Park, as St Johnstone were installed in their new stadium at McDiarmid Park at the start of next season. John Holt was transferred to Dundee before a 2-1 home victory against Morton. Craig Robertson moved north to join Aberdeen and a trip to the capital was next. It was not to face either Hearts or Hibs, instead it was to face Meadowbank. Grant Tierney made his debut and John Watson scored the only goal.
One day later and Hearts were the visitors for a Testimonial Match for George Cowie. Hearts won 5-3 against a Pars side with Ian McCall and Ray Stewart guesting. High spot for me was a short but majestic midfield display by West Ham`s Trevor Brooking in a Pars strip. Graeme Davidson departed for Berwick Rangers and it was back to League business on Christmas Eve with a 5-1 thumping handed out to visitors Ayr United.
The last day of the year brought Falkirk to East End Park and The Pars finished in style with two goal Ross Jack and one for John Watson producing a 3-0 win in front of a crowd of 12,889, which put Athletic in top spot. Hugh Burns loan was turned into a full contract.
New Year`s Day was a Sunday and there was no football, so I was able to stay indoors and nurse my hangover without risking hypothermia and suicide watching The Pars at Starks Park. That came the following Tuesday, by which time I had recovered. Dunfermline won 3-1 with goals from Ross Jack, Paul Smith and Trevor Smith. They slipped up in the next game when they lost 2-1 away to Forfar. A 3-2 home win against Partick Thistle got things back on course. Airdrie at Broomfield is always a tough battle but with Ray Farningham making his debut and goals from Ross Jack and Norrie McCathie a 2-0 win was recorded. This was a good prelude to the home Scottish Cup tie against SPL Aberdeen. In front of a crowd of 16,656 The Pars held their own in a 0-0 draw.
February began with the replay at Pittodrie, but the Dons ran out fairly easy winners 3-1, to leave Dunfermline to concentrate on the important matter of winning the League. Only two more games in the month, both at home, a 3-0 win against Clyde and a 1-0 win against St Johnstone kept Athletic in top spot.
March came in with a trip to Clydebank, where Eddie Gallagher made his debut as an own goal gave The Pars a 1-0 win. An embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Brockville was followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to Raith Rovers and the nerves began to jangle. Young Raymond Sharp had made his debut. Leaving the club was Steve Morrison. This was the end of an era as Zico or Snowy, as he was known, had made a total of 275 appearances. The ship was steadied when goals from Eddie Gallagher and David Irons secured a 2-0 win away to Queen of the South. Gardner Speirs was brought in, on loan, from St Mirren and made his debut in this game. The month ended with a tough encounter at home to Kilmarnock, which ended drawn 0-0.
April Fool`s Day brought a trip to Firhill, where the points were shared after another tense 0-0 draw. With six games to go The Pars were still top, but the next opponents were Airdrie who, along with Falkirk were just two points behind. In front of 8,303 fans it was closer still after this game which finished 1-1, as The Bairns had won their game. Willie Callaghan went out on loan to Clyde. Ross Jack got the only goal, at home to Morton which left two away trips to complete the month. Paul Smith and John Watson got the goals which secured a 2-1 win at Somerset Park and it was Davie Irons who scored to beat Forfar at Station Park.
May arrived with Dunfermline in top spot with only two games to go, both at home. The only team who could overtake Athletic was Falkirk, but they were three points behind. In the penultimate game, The Pars only drew 1-1 with Clyde, with John Watson the scorer, but The Bairns beat Queen of the South 7-1 to move within two points going into the last game and with a much better goal difference. At that time it was still only two points for a win. If Dunfermline lost and Falkirk won, the title would go to Brockville on goal difference. At half-time the position was worrying, Athletic were only drawing at home to Meadowbank and Falkirk were 1-0 up at Forfar. Into the second half and the unthinkable happened, with The Bairns now leading 2-1, Gordon Scott put Meadowbank in front from an excellent cross from, of all people, Bobby Forrest.
The Pars promotion was going up in smoke and a hero was needed. Cue the flame haired warrior, John Watson, who scored to send the 12,976 crowd delirious. There was still time for it to go wrong but the only other goal was an equaliser for Forfar.
It was a wonderful mixture of relief and joy as Jim Leishman took off on his famous aeroplane impression and it was also a great achievement. Back up, as champions and with Ross Jack as top scorer with 18 goals and John Watson with 16, there was much to look forward to over the summer holiday.
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