Club History | Season 1980-1981

There were several notable performances. Hugh Whyte, Bobby Robertson, Kenny Thomson and Sandy McNaughton played in all 43 games. Sandy finished with 23 goals - a remarkable achievement in such a poor side.

Having consolidated their position in the middle division and in the first season of the new decade, could the eighties bring success and allow Pars fans to forget the miseries of the seventies? The season began with a couple of friendlies at home. First Nobby Stiles brought his Preston side to inflict a 3-1 defeat, then John Toshack brought Swansea City for a testimonial match for Ian Hall. Visiting East End Park had become a lucky omen for The Swans as they had been promoted after their visits at the start of the previous two seasons. This season they would go on to win promotion to the top division, after a 3-2 win at East End.

The season proper began on 9th August, at home to Dundee. Mike Leonard scored the only goal. Berwick Rangers at Shielfield was next and with Willie Leishman making his debut, Jim Bowie scored for The Pars in the 1-1 draw. Athletic came a cropper in a 2-0 defeat at home to Raith Rovers before a home and away tie with Kilmarnock in the League Cup. The first leg, at Rugby Park, finished goal-less before Killie won 2-1 at East End Park.

September got under way at Firs Park with a 4-0 win over East Stirling. Sandy McNaughton scored a hat-trick to go with John Salton`s goal. Dumbarton held out for a 1-1 draw at East End Park but Stirling Albion were dispatched 2-0 at the same venue. Unfortunately September was to end with a trio of poor results. First Falkirk won 2-1 at Brockville, next St Johnstone won 2-0 at East End and the Pars lost by a similar score away to Ayr United.

October did not bring about any improvement and two more 2-0 defeats followed, away to Motherwell and at home to a Hibs side including George Best. Sandy McNaughton scored to earn a 1-1 draw at Douglas Park before things bucked up with 3-1 win at home to Clydebank (McFarlane, O`Brien and Leonard the scorers). The month ended with a 3-3 draw at Annfield.
The 2nd November brought East Stirling and former Par Ricky Sharp to East End Park. Sandy McNaughton scored the only goal. Falkirk were next to visit and they won 1-0. Inconsistency continued when after a good 3-2 win in Perth, it was followed by 3-2 to defeat at home to Ayr United. The month ended with a narrow 1-0 loss at Easter Road.

Only 1,650 fans turned up at East End Park to witness The Pars go down 1-0 to Hamilton Accies. The few fans called for Harry Melrose to go. Three days later, they got their wish. A sad way to lose such a wonderful club servant. There was no new manager in place as the team returned from Clydebank with the points after a 3-2 win. The board turned to Cowdenbeath manager Pat Stanton but his first game was a 1-0 defeat at Dumbarton. The weather stepped in and the remaining games in December were postponed.

My annual promise never to do it again followed the hangover ridden, freezing cold misery of New Year`s Day at Starks Park, complete with 1-0 defeat. Further cancellations followed due to the weather, but The Pars Cup Tie at Easter Road did go ahead and Mike Leonard scored to gain a 1-1 draw and earn a replay at home. Hibs won this 2-1 and it was back to the rotten League form as Stirling Albion inflicted a 1-0 defeat at East End Park, to leave Athletic in second bottom position.

February`s weather continued to cause postponements and it was 14th before Dunfermline played their next game. It resulted in a superb 4-1 win at Douglas Park. Former Aberdeen war horse Davie Robb made his debut for The Pars and the goals came from Sandy McNaughton with two, Graham Hutt and Russell Dunlop. After that brief bright spot, the gloom returned with a 4-1 reverse at St. Johnstone and a 5-0 trouncing at home to Hibs. The programme mentioned the signings of Bobby Forrest and Grant Jenkins, the latter of which went straight into the team against Hibs.

The Pars started March as they had finished February, by losing, this time 1-0 at home to Falkirk. Three days later, more misery as Ayr United prevailed 2-1 at Somerset Park. A 2-0 loss at Dens Park was followed by another away game and Athletic scraped a 0-0 draw at Firs Park. The final game of a woeful month was at home to Motherwell, but The Steelmen won 3-1.
So to April and the club in danger of relegation on April Fools Day. A priceless 2-1 was achieved with two Sandy McNaughton goals. A 1-0 defeat away to Berwick did not help matters but two home games were next. Craig McFarlane scored to earn a 1-1 draw with Dundee, then Kevin Hegarty and a Joe Wark own goal provided a 2-1 win against Motherwell.

The last away game in a crowded month ended in a 2-1 loss to Dumbarton. The penultimate game was at home to Berwick Rangers and only 1,600 fans turned up to see Sandy McNaughton scrape a 1-1 draw. This proved vital as the point relegated Berwick along with Stirling Albion and saved The Pars. A bigger crowd of 2,535 turned for the last game which was at home to Raith Rovers. Predictably after such an awful season, Athletic lost 1-0.

There were several notable performances. Hugh Whyte, Bobby Robertson, Kenny Thomson and Sandy McNaughton played in all 43 games. Sandy finished with 23 goals - a remarkable achievement in such a poor side. The decade had not begun well. Harry Melrose had gone, but his record of 16 points from 20 games compared to Stanton`s 11 points from 19 games, meant that it had been a retrograde step. The only consolation was that relegation had been avoided.