Club History | Football in the new century
The Pars entered the new century in the old first division (now the Championship), but with Jimmy Calderwood at the helm there were good times ahead.
In the previous chapters we have followed football from the late 1950s to the end of the twentieth century. Now it is time to complete the journey by travelling from the turn of the century to the year 2021. The Pars entered the new century in the old first division (now the Championship), but with the appointment of Jimmy Calderwood and confirmation of Jimmy Nicholl, as his assistant, they ensured that the first full season of the century would be in the top division. This was to be the start of another glorious spell which saw the return of Cup Finals and European matches. Athletic reached the Cup Final in 2003/04 and 2006/07, also the League Cup Final in 2005/06. They competed in Europe in seasons 2004/05 and 2007/08. Unfortunately they lost the lot. The Pars were relegated in 2007 and spent most of the time since in lower divisions.
In 2013 they went into Administration and very nearly went out of existence. Fortunately they were saved and are still there to provide us fans with our `fix`. Just before the end of the twentieth century, East End Park changed out of all recognition. In 1997 new floodlights were installed. In 1998, two new stands were opened, the East Stand in August and the West in September. The North Stand already had seats installed, so East End Park was now all-seater. Undersoil heating went in during 2001. The main (South) stand was completely refurbished in 2002 and now houses function suites and private boxes. The dressing rooms and players facilities are now in the West Stand, which is named after Norrie McCathie.
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An artificial surface was laid in 2003 and lasted a couple of years. Fashion wise, things settled down a bit and clubs returned to an annual variation of their traditional strip. It was left to goalkeepers to turn our stomachs with some hideous designs. Then they went fluorescent with garish lime green, light blue or even pink kits. Next, horror of horrors, the referees felt left out and also started wearing fluorescent outfits. This is not so bad if the referee is tall and has retained some hair. Wee dumpy baldy guys do look quite ridiculous though. My Saturday had changed considerably from the idyllic times of my teen years. I was certainly in no condition to even contemplate playing a sport.
Despite the attempts of the authorities to ruin it, Saturday to most fans, myself included, is football day. I have already turned 70 and am now enjoying a sort of pensioner`s idyll or I was until lockdown. I would rise late on a Saturday morning and after enjoying a leisurely breakfast of a Cappuccino or Mocha, a glass of fresh orange juice and my daily cocktail of medication, it would be time to head towards East End Park. I would arrive just before noon, so that I could welcome the Former Players Association Guest of Honour, a scheme which I both sponsor and organise. After he is safely ensconced in the hospitality suite I would enjoy a chat with the excellent people who work behind the scenes.
Around 2pm, the former players would start arriving. The Board at Dunfermline, have generously allocated a free seating area for the former players and, with a sponsor providing free half time refreshments, they can enjoy a great day out with fellow stars. Roy Barry is usually first to arrive - on his way to Legends Sports Bar. Other regulars include Cammy Fraser, Willie Callaghan, Paddy Wilson, Colin O`Brien and Bonar Mercer. Bert Paton, Ian Westwater, Willie Renton, Scott Thomson, Bobby Robertson and Gregor Abel also attend often and two or three times a season we are joined by Jim Herriot and Dan McLindon from Lanarkshire, - What A Team! After the game it is home to a nice single malt (or two), then my dinner then it is time for `Strictly Come Dancing`. Next it is Match of the Day, followed by the Football League Show. It is impossible to stay awake during this show and I usually woke up at half past one with a ricked neck and cramp, with a mouth tasting like a Glasgow tram seat and in desperate need of a pee. Thankfully these programmes are now repeated on a Sunday morning.
Most rule changes (though not all) have progressively ruined the game. When I started watching, it was a contact sport and the skill of tackling just as important as any other component. Gradually rule changes meant that tackling was largely outlawed and contact (other than pulling jerseys) penalised. Nowadays it is even worse and players are allowed to anticipate contact and collapse in a screaming heap. So is it now to be an `anticipation of contact sport`?
Before I get too carried away, let me relate an incident which restored my faith in the comedy to be seen at a football match. It took place at Fir Park many years ago, where Motherwell were at home - I cannot remember who against other than it was not The Pars. A shot from a Motherwell forward hit an opposing defender smack on the coupon. Down he went, in instant paralysis, spread-eagled and motionless on his back. It must have hit him quite hard but the ball was in the Motherwell penalty area before play was stopped. Back in the opposition penalty box our injured hero had not moved, causing consternation in his team and a total lack of sympathy from The Well`s East Stand (which is where most of the growlers sit).
Time moved on and the trainer was trying to provoke some reaction from the apparent corpse. Enter John Philliben. John was a very good player and a great servant to Motherwell but he was a bit liable to the odd mistake like an own goal or giving away a penalty. He lofted the ball back down the park towards where the referee was. It was an almighty lob, reaching a height where it must have been gathering snow but now it was on its downward trajectory and it was becoming increasingly obvious where it was heading. It all seemed to unfold in slow motion and our wounded hero, surrounded by the trainer, the referee and several team mates had not moved. Smelling salts were being considered as, from the heavens, John`s lob landed with a satisfying plop amid the propagatory organs of the immobile player. Suddenly there was movement as his two arms and two feet arose, in perfect harmony and to a delicious squeal. Who said football was not entertaining?
As technology advanced so did the mobile phone. Now we have smart phones and people are addicted to them. You can keep up to date with other games, your bets, your friends and completely miss what is taking place on the field. People go to meet their friends at the pub and don`t talk to each other because they are all on their phones telling their other friends that they are in the pub. They wouldn`t have anything to say anyway, because they would have already texted or phoned those friends when they were in the pub with others and told them all their news. If you want to contact someone on their mobile/smart-phone with something important, you can often fail to get through because they are engaged in exchanging inanities or sending each other pictures of their meal or drink. It is all insane! Modern technology is wonderful. Unfortunately we are not sophisticated enough to use it sensibly.
This leads me inevitably to VAR. If ever technology has been hopelessly abused here it is. It was meant to stop blatant errors and allow the referee to correct a wrong decision like a penalty or a goal, not to see after fifteen different reviews and five minutes time elapse, whether a player had a pubic hair in an offside position. Football should be a fast moving game and not have players, referees and most importantly fans standing around not knowing what on earth is going on, or worse still going back to an incident which happened two or three minutes ago. It is a good thing that fans are not at matches this season, as I cannot believe that they would have put up with it. The current lockdown has shown me one thing above all others.
Following your team is a social event. It`s about meeting up with your friends and fellow fans. It`s about the immediacy of the game. It`s about having a subject we all love to discuss during the week and to read about. No matter how badly your team has played, it is soon forgiven, and it`s about champing at the bit for the next game. If you are lucky enough to support that wonderful institution which is Dunfermline Athletic, you are truly blessed. COYP.
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