Club History | Season 1983-1984
The Pars finished 9th in Scotland`s third tier. Hugh Whyte (43), Norrie McCathie (42) and Stevie Morrison (39) led the way for appearances, Stevie Morrison was top scorer with 10 and Hugh Whyte managed 11 shut outs.
The previous season Tom Forsyth`s management had got the team relegated to the bottom division. The board boldly assured fans of a return in one season and that Tom Forsyth was the man to lead it. Few fans shared their optimism. On the playing front, out went Hugh Hamill to Queen of the South and the costly Doug Considine who was reputed to have refused to play since the start of the year. He did not play senior football again. The seldom fit Joe Smith was released to Arbroath. Incoming were John Perry from Falkirk, former Airdrie full back John Lapsley from Partick Thistle and Bobby Dall who returned from Meadowbank. Long serving goalkeeper Hugh Whyte was made captain.
The League Cup had returned to a home and away knock out formula and with no friendlies due to the pitch being re-laid, it was 20th August before The Pars kicked off their season with an away League match against Cowdenbeath, won by a Stevie Morrison goal. The League Cup ties against Dundee United completed the month`s fixtures, a 6-1 mauling at Tannadice and a 2-0 defeat at East End Park.
September, as usual, was a busy month, with six League matches to be competed. In the first of these, a Rab Stewart goal saved a 1-1 draw at home to East Fife. A week later a narrow 2-1 defeat at Palmerston preceded a long awaited home success, when Norrie McCathie scored to send Berwick Rangers away pointless. Two away games followed, a 1-1 draw against Albion Rovers and a 2-1 defeat at Stirling Albion. A miserable month ended with another 2-1 defeat, at home to Forfar Athletic.
The 1st October found Athletic at home to Stenhousemuir with Bobby Forrest and Grant Jenkins securing a 2-0 win. A Stevie Morrison strike brought a 1-1 draw back from Stranraer. When the next game was lost 1-0 at home to Arbroath leaving The Pars in 8th position, manager Forsyth did the decent thing and resigned. With Cammy Murray also leaving, coach Jim Leishman was put in temporary charge, but not in time to prevent a 3-1 reverse away to Queens Park. Allan Forsyth was recruited from Raith Rovers, to toughen the defence, and he made his debut as John Lapsley scored to save a 1-1 home draw against East Stirling. Home crowds had dropped below the 1,000 mark.
Ian Heddle was signed and Jim Leishman confirmed as manager. Jim brought in former Ipswich Town stalwart, Bill Baxter, to assist. November began the recuperation, but with so much to be done behind the scenes to restore morale and confidence, it would be a while before results improved noticeably. Having said that, the month got off to a good start with a 1-0 win at Montrose. John Perry scored to bring back a 1-1 draw from Shielfield and Queen of the South were beaten 1-0 at East End Park, Bobby Dall the scorer. The month ended unbeaten with a 1-1 draw at Stair Park.
After a successful month, December began badly with away defeats, 2-1 at Ochilview and 1-0 in Forfar. New signing John Watson from Hong Kong made is debut in this game as Derrick Rodier departed for Berwick Rangers. Boxing Day brought a share of the points at home to Stirling Albion but a miserable year ended with a 3-1 defeat away to East Fife.
Adverse weather meant no games over New Year and it was 9th January before The Pars began 1984 with a 1-0 win the Cup away to Forfar, Rab Stewart the scorer. Unfortunately the next trip North ended with 3-0 defeat at Gayfield. The Pars came very close to a shock in the next game, away to Rangers in the Cup. Leading through a Rab Stewart goal, it took two late goals from Colin McAdam and Ally McCoist to spare the Gers blushes.
As usual when there have been postponements, February was going to be busy, with six games to be dealt with. In the first of these, a Rab Stewart goal gained a point at home to Montrose but a wretched performance led to a 2-1 home defeat from Albion Rovers. Trevor Smith and John Perry scored to beat East Stirling 2-0 at Firs Park but this was followed by a 1-0 loss at Palmerston. Stevie Morrison and Norrie McCathie earned a 2-2 draw at home to Queens Park in front of a paltry attendance of 675.
Jim brought in Gregor Abel as coach, the beginning of what was to be a tremendous partnership and Gregor witnessed a win in his first game as Gavin Tait scored to defeat Stranraer 1-0 at East End Park. Things continued to look up as March began with a 2-1 win at Cowdenbeath, thanks to Gavin Tait and Jim Bowie but the inconsistency returned with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of East Stirling. Stirling Albion were beaten 2-1 at Annfield but Cowdenbeath held out for a 0-0 draw at East End before the month ended badly in a 2-0 defeat away to Montrose.
Steve Morrison and Grant Jenkins were the scorers as Arbroath were defeated 2-0 at East End Park, to begin April`s fixtures. Bobby Dall left the Club for the second time, on this occasion to Alloa. John Watson scored his first goal in the 3-1 home victory over Forfar Athletic and Queens Park were also beaten 2-1 at Hampden. It was back down to earth when East Fife won 1-0 at East End but The Pars went on the rampage in the next game, beating Albion Rovers 5-0 at home, John Watson getting two of the goals. In May, with nothing to play for, the season petered out with two away defeats, 2-1 at Ochilview and 1-0 at Shielfield.
The Pars finished 9th, which, on the face of it, was awful. This was reflected in attendances which had dropped to nearer 500 than 1,000. Those fans left felt a bit of optimism, however. The recent years of mismanagement had ended with a Pars man in charge. An excellent coach had been appointed and team spirit was beginning to be restored. After a slow start, John Watson was beginning to look like a potent goal-scorer. Add this to the near thing at Ibrox and there was hope that next season might see the fightback.
Hugh Whyte (43), Norrie McCathie (42) and Stevie Morrison (39) led the way for appearances, Stevie Morrison was top scorer with 10 and Hugh Whyte managed 11 shut outs.
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