Club History | Season 2014-2015
John Potter had been thrown into the deep end to a job he was clearly not ready for. A total of 33 players were used. Michael Moffat also appeared in all 41 games. The top scorer was Faissal el Bakhtaoui with 9.
As the season began, Craig Dargo`s contract was not renewed. Ryan Scully was welcomed back from Partick Thistle, for another season long loan. Also arriving were centre half Gregor Buchanan from Airdrie, striker Michael Moffat from Ayr United and winger Andy Stirling from Stranraer. Youngsters Cammy McClair, Jordan Orru and Gavin McMillan were also given contracts. Jim Jefferies continued as manager, with Neil McCann and John Potter as his assistants. Billy Braisby joined the board.
The opening game, scheduled for July 26th was against Raith Rovers, in the Challenge Cup, but a prolonged cloudburst before the kick off rendered East End Park unplayable and the game was called off, with the crowd already in the stadium.
The competitive season began the following week, at home to Annan Athletic in the League Cup, a first visit to East End for Annan, who included future Par David Hopkirk in their line up. The Pars won 5-1, with both Buchanan and Moffat making their debuts. The postponed game against Raith Rovers followed on the Tuesday and a Ross Millen goal separated the sides. Brechin City were next, also at home, to kick off the League campaign. A disappointing game finished 0-0, with Andy Stirling making his debut. The poor start to the League continued with a 2-0 defeat at Forfar and this was followed by an exit from the Challenge Cup, losing 2-1 at home to Falkirk. Airdrie were next to visit and were despatched 3-0 with two goals from Gozie Ugwu and one from Michael Moffat. Ex Par Paddy Boyle lined up for The Diamonds, as did giant centre half Ben Richards Everton, later destined for East End Park on a permanent basis. Young goalie Cammy Gill was given a two year contract. The Pars League Cup ambitions ended with a 2-1 defeat in Paisley, but the month finished with a 2-1 win at Stranraer. Central defender Stuart Urquhart arrived from Coventry City.
The first game in September was a 2-0 home win against Stenhousemuir, but a fruitless trip to Cappielow ended in a 2-1 defeat. The first ever home League match against Peterhead was next on the agenda and Jim McInally had his team fired up to kick anything that moved. Josh Falkingham was singled out for particular attention and only fifteen minutes had gone before the Blue Toon`s Jamie Redman was given his marching orders for a crude foul. Just before half time Steven Noble hacked down Falkingham and he was on his way, closely followed by his team mate Jordan Brown, who had got into a confrontation with Gregor Buchanan. Despite being down to 8 men, Peterhead held out until the hour, when Josh Falkingham smashed in a cracker. Gozie Ugwu and debutant James Thomas added to the tally.
October began with two away games, won 2-0 at Stirling and 1-0 at Ayr. Scorer in both games was Faissal el Bakhtaoui, who was showing signs of the star turn he was to become. The Pars were in second place as they lined up, at home, against League leaders Forfar Athletic. Dick Campbell`s Loons stayed top after a 0-0 draw. Towards the end of the game, Athletic were awarded a penalty and normal penalty taker Michael Moffat stepped forward to take the kick but Gozie Ugwu snatched the ball from him. Jim Jefferies shouted, from the touchline that Moffat was to take the kick but Gozie was having none of it. The captain, Josh Falkingham, should have ensured that order was restored, but failed to do so and it was some time before the kick was taken. Up stepped Gozie and his feeble effort was saved by Rab Douglas. What a farcical waste of two points. The month ended with a 2-1 home defeat against Morton, despite another goal for Faiss.
As a result of their lowly status, The Pars embarked on their Cup campaign at the beginning of November, with an away fixture against East Stirling. Two more goals for Faiss and one each for Shaun Byrne and Ross Millen ensured progress at Ochilview, where homeless Shire were playing their matches. It was Faissal yet again, who earned a share of the points in Peterhead but the next week`s return to Ochilview, this time to meet Stenhousemuir ended in a 1-0 defeat. Gozie Ugwu redeemed himself, somewhat, from last month`s fiasco, by scoring a hat trick in the 4-0 win at home to Stirling Albion. The month ended in the Cup at Stair Park, where The Pars contrived to throw away a two goal lead and would have to face a replay against Stranraer.
Sad news was received of the death of former Commercial Manager Audrey Bastianelli (Kelly) at the early age of 53. Audrey had been a big character around the club.
Before the replay, there was a home League match against Ayr United, which The Pars won comfortably 4-2. Young forward Allan Smith scored two of the goals. The following Tuesday brought the Cup replay, at home to Stranraer, but a dismal display ended with a 3-1 defeat and gone was the chance of a lucrative tie when the big boys joined. This was followed by a 3-1 defeat at Airdrie and, after this, the board decided to replace Jim Jefferies with John Potter, earlier than the planned changeover at the end of the season. It is to be hoped that Jim was amenable to this, as he had performed wonders in keeping the players together through the financial meltdown. Stranraer returned for a League match and won 1-0. The away game at Glebe Park fell foul to the weather.
The new year began with a lacklustre 1-1 home draw against Peterhead and Athletic followed this by drawing 2-2 at Forthbank. Making use of the transfer window, much travelled former Motherwell and Dundee United defender Jim Paterson arrived from Forfar, old favourite Andrew Barrowman returned from Morton and Rangers youngster Kyle McAusland also signed on. Out went Gozie Ugwu, Sorrell Chemin and Ross Drummond. Ross Forbes moved to Morton. The form, however, did not improve and a 2-2 home draw with Airdrie was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Cappielow. The last day of the month brought a welcome 2-0 win away to Ayr United, with one of the goals coming from David Hopkirk, newly signed from Annan Athletic. Two other new arrivals were Paul George on loan from Celtic and, as goalkeeping coach, superstar Andy Goram.
February began with an amazing game. Down 2-0 to Stenhousemuir at East End Park, Andy Barrowman pulled one back in the second minute of first half injury time. Kyle McAusland equalised in the 74th minute and, with a draw looking likely as the match entered the 4th minute of injury time, it was Barrowman again who came up trumps with a winner. The poor form continued, however, as the next game was lost 1-0 in Forfar. Brechin City were the next visitors and they departed with the three points after another wretched Pars performance, losing 1-0. Lewis Allan was brought in on loan from Hibs but the month ended with a 5-1 thrashing in Stranraer. The performances were appalling.
March began very brightly when Josh Falkingham scored in just over 30 seconds at Glebe Park, but Brechin equalised before the end. Athletic were sitting 5th in the table, just out of the play off places and the whole season was in danger of going pear shaped. Two home games followed and Andy Geggan scored the winner in a 2-1 win against Ayr United but it was back down to earth when a 1-1 draw was all that could be managed against Stirling Albion. Faissal el Bakhtaoui scored the winner away to Stenhousemuir but another dreadful result followed with a 4-0 drubbing at Cappielow.
April began with a trip to Peterhead and a 1-1 draw, thanks to Michael Moffat, but The Pars were now seven points off a play off place. Faissal got the only goal as Stranraer were beaten at East End Park, but when Brechin won 3-0 at Glebe Park, Athletic were down to 7th and ten points adrift. The month finished with yet another woeful display as Dick Campbell`s Forfar won 3-1 at East End Park.
The season ended feebly with a 3-2 loss away to Airdrie. John Potter had been thrown into the deep end to a job he was clearly not ready for, by an inexperienced board. Ryan Scully played in all 41 matches and managed 12 shut outs. A total of 33 players were used. Michael Moffat also appeared in all 41 games. The top scorer was Faissal el Bakhtaoui with 9.
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