Club History | Season 1967-1968
A season which had started badly, ended with silverware in the cabinet, a finish of 4th in the League and European Football to look forward to again
In preparation for the new season, the board had appointed Raith Rovers manager George Farm to the vacant manager`s office. Farm was the former Scottish goalkeeper, famous for his role for Blackpool in the "Matthews Final". For the first time in many years The Pars were not involved in European competition. It was felt that this might be a blessing in disguise, allowing them to concentrate on domestic competition. With Alex Ferguson`s move to Ibrox, for a record fee between Scottish clubs, Pat Gardner followed his manager from Kirkcaldy. Young winger Neil Leven made the move north from Arsenal. Also joining was the veteran goalkeeper from Peterborough United, Willie Duff, he had been a hero with the fans of both Hearts and Charlton Athletic. There was a further move on the managerial front when Admin Manager Tommy Walker moved to Raith Rovers to replace George Farm.
A glamorous friendly opened the season with German giants Borussia Dortmund the visitors. After many years with a red based change strip, Athletic surprised their fans with a new one for this match. It was a version of Chelsea`s all blue with white socks. Alex Edwards and Don Kerrigan scored for The Pars, with Pat Gardner making his debut. With Internationals Siggi Held, Lothar Emmerich and Stan Libuda in their side, the Germans shaded it 3-2.
Opposition in the League Cup would be provided this year by Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle and Airdrie. First up was an away tie at Rugby Park, where goals from Pat Delaney and a first for Pat Gardner earned a 2-2 draw. A 1-1 draw at home to Thistle followed then it was off to Broomfield to tackle Airdrie. Neil Leven made his debut in this game where goals from Alex Edwards and two from Bert Paton gained a 3-2 win. The month ended badly with two defeats, 3-1 at home to Kilmarnock and 3-2 away to Partick Thistle. September`s fixtures began with the final sectional tie, at home to Airdrie. Goals from Bert Paton and Ian Hunter were enough to beat The Diamonds 2-1. Willie Duff made his debut in this game.
The League season began at Starks Park and manager Farm sprang a surprise by fielding new signing from Arbroath, Barrie Mitchell. The Pars won 2-1 against a Raith team which included Bobby Kinloch and Ian Lister. Hearts won 2-1 at East End Park before a 1-1 draw away to Motherwell. Two days later a special match took place at East End Park, where a Fife Select took on Sunderland in aid of the Michael Colliery Disaster Fund. Roy Barry, Alex Edwards and Willie Callaghan were The Pars representatives. Sunderland included Cec Irwin, Colin Todd, George Kinnell, Jim Baxter, Colin Suggett, Neil Martin and Ralph Brand. The then princely sum of £1,919 was raised. The month ended with another disappointing home defeat 2-1 against Kilmarnock.
October began more brightly with a 1-0 win at Pittodrie but it was back to the gloom with a 2-0 defeat away to Hibs. Gloom turned to despair with yet another home defeat, this time 2-1 to Falkirk. Reserve goalkeeper Dave Anderson, still in his teens had to give up the game on medical advice. The month finished on a more positive note with a 0-0 draw at Ibrox. Into November and a home match with Clyde and a 1-0 win. At the Club`s AGM, the club doctor John Yellowley was co-opted onto the board.
St Johnstone were next and another narrow 1-0 win. Don Kerrigan was placed on the transfer list, the first of many players to fall out with manager Farm. The winning start to the month came undone with a 4-0 defeat at Dens Park but the good form returned with a 3-0 away win against Morton. John Lunn scored a rare goal to go with a first for Barrie Mitchell and one for Alex Edwards. Sadly as the month came to an end the death was announced of former chairman David Thomson.
With Christmas approaching, the 2nd December brought a home fixture with Stirling Albion. The Pars handed out a 6-0 drubbing. The next game, away to Airdrie was postponed due to bad weather. Partick Thistle were beaten 4-0 at East End Park. Dundee United returned to Dundee with a 2-2 draw, before the year ended with a narrow 3-2 defeat at Celtic Park. The new year started perfectly with a 6-0 Ne-er Day routing of Raith Rovers at East End Park, with hat tricks for both Bert Paton and Hugh Robertson. The following day, Pars fans were in seventh heaven after Athletic won 2-1 at Tynecastle, Hugh Robertson and Willie Callaghan getting the goals. Motherwell were sent packing with a 3-0 defeat but the next game away to Kilmarnock, fell foul of the weather. Aberdeen were next to come a cropper after a 4-2 Pars win at East End Park.
The month was to finish with a Cup match at Celtic Park, where The Hoops were still basking in unbeaten glory after their European Cup Final win, last season. The Pars played the European Champions off their park as Hugh Robertson and Pat Gardner won the match 2-0. What a wonderful month of results! The joy was tempered somewhat by Bertie Auld`s awful foul on Jim Fraser which left the young defender with a bad knee injury and in such pain that he bit through the shin pad of Tom Callaghan, who was first to try and comfort him.
As could probably be predicted, after such a fine month, February began with an anti-climax and a 1-0 defeat at home to Hibs. Young Stuart Gordon came in to replace the injured Jim Fraser. Midweek, they brought a point back from Kilmarnock after a 1-1 draw. The following Saturday also finished 1-1. This time at Brockville. The 17th found East End Park unplayable and the Cup game against Aberdeen, was hurriedly re-arranged for the Monday night. New signing Ian Lister, from Raith Rovers was included and although Jimmy Smith scored first, goals from Hugh Robertson and Alex Edwards won the day.
March began with the customary defeat at Shawfield, Clyde winning 4-3. This was followed by a midweek defeat at home to Rangers, not a good preparation for the Cup Quarter Final, at home to Partick Thistle. Manager Farm had real difficulties to contend with. Roy Barry was suspended and with Jim Fraser out injured and only the inexperienced Stuart Gordon for cover, it was felt necessary to find an experienced centre half, who was not cup tied. The answer was found in Bobby Kinloch from Raith Rovers. T o make matters worse, Bert Paton was injured and was not really fit enough to play - though he did. The Pars did not play well and did not look like scoring until the ever reliable Bert Paton netted the only goal.
Midweek brought a trip to Perth and Roy was available again but Bobby Kinloch kept a place due to Jim Thomson being out injured. The result was a hard fought 1-0 win for The Pars. The middle of the month brought a visit from Dundee and, with Jim Fraser deemed fit, he was back in the team for the 2-0 win. Another midweek fixture brought a 2-1 win away to Airdrie and the following Saturday a fine 4-0 victory at home to Morton was achieved on the back of a Bert Paton hat trick and a goal for Jim Fraser.
The month finished with a return to Tynecastle for the Cup Semi-Final against St Johnstone. To be honest, The Pars were awful and, had it not been for a strong defence, would have been further behind than the single Wilson counter which gave the Saints the lead. Athletic`s resilience was illustrated, however, by managing an equaliser without playing well. The wily Bert Paton had noticed that St Johnstone keeper Robertson was very one footed and closed him down as he was about to kick clear. He fluffed his kick and the ball fell to Pat Gardner, who gleefully smashed it home. April kicked off with the replay at Tynecastle. Bert Paton scored and Ian Lister added a second in extra time to take The Pars through to the Final.
The following weekend Airdrie put the mockers on the celebrations by winning 2-0 at East End Park. Another miserable midweek 2-1 defeat away to Stirling Albion, who were relegated. John McGarty came into the team as Partick Thistle were beaten 2-1 at Firhill.
A week before the Cup Final, a most encouraging 4-1 win was achieved at Tannadice. Along with McGarty, Willie Duff, Ian Hunter, Stuart Gordon and Barrie Mitchell were all given starts in this game. So to Hampden, and The Pars turned up with a vengeance. Hearts, with George Miller as captain, barely got a look in and two goals from Pat Gardner and an Ian Lister penalty against an own goal by John Lunn saw the Cup coming back, in triumph, to Fife. John McGarty played in only his third start. A long night of celebration followed.
Three days later and Celtic, who had just been crowned as Champions arrived in town. Cup Winners v Champions, it was the game everyone wanted to see. Nobody knows what the attendance was, as the turnstiles were stormed and walls clambered over. There were fans up the floodlight pylons and on the enclosure roof. It would, rightly, not have been allowed nowadays and it is astonishing that there were only around 50 serious injuries, one of which led to the death of the victim. Goodness knows what would have happened if the game had been called off with that crowd. Celtic won 2-1 but it was difficult to concentrate on the football.
A season which had started badly, ended with silverware in the cabinet, a finish of 4th in the League and European Football to look forward to again. John Lunn topped the appearances table with all 46 games, closely followed by Hugh Robertson (45), Tom Callaghan and Bert Paton (44). Top goal scorer was Bert Paton with 18. Both Pat Gardner and Hugh Robertson scored 16.
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