Club History | Season 1970-1971
After such a narrow escape a financial crisis occurred during the summer, with the club nearly folding. Just a season and a half ago The Pars were a top club at home and in Europe, now survival was to be the name of the game.
After last season`s tribulations, all was not well with the team and optimism was conspicuous by its absence. With George Farm still in charge, the situation was that Doug Baillie had packed in the game and embarked on a successful career in journalism, Bent Martin had returned to Denmark, Ian Cowan had signed for Southend, Willie Renton remained in dispute, Barrie Mitchell and Alex Edwards had gone on strike, whilst Jim Fraser, Willie Callaghan and Pat Gardner had all repeated their transfer requests.
Four youngsters joined the full time list: Jim Wallace, Jim Scott, Andy Tracy and Bonar Mercer. Part-timers associated with the first team squad were Kenny Thomson, Arthur Walsh and Andy McEwan. George Grimshaw was on trial.
August kicked off, as usual, with the League Cup sectional ties, with Rangers, Morton and Motherwell sharing the section. After a 4-1 defeat at Ibrox, the first home game also ended in defeat 2-0 to Morton. Motherwell at Fir Park was next and a 3-0 loss. The misery continued as Morton won 3-2 at Cappielow and Rangers strolled to a 6-0 rout at East End Park. The final sectional tie ended in a 1-1 draw at home to Motherwell, with John Lunn the scorer. The month ended with a 4-1 drubbing in the League at Somerset Park.
September began with the first home League match, against newly promoted Cowdenbeath. In his programme notes, having lost the dressing room, manager Farm proceeded to lose any fans still on his side by proposing that the Fife teams should unite to form a stronger challenge to the Old Firm. As if that was not enough, the team lost 2-1. Two more youngsters, Paul Watchman and Ronnie Jeffries were added to the ranks.
Barrie Mitchell had settled his dispute and played in this game, but Willie Renton walked out and never returned. Hearts won 3-0 at Tynecastle before a trip to White Hart Lane to face Spurs in the Texaco Cup and another sizeable defeat, 4-1. Willie Cunningham brought his Falkirk side, featuring George Miller, Alex Totten and Alex Ferguson, to East End and won easily 4-2. With the defence tightened by the arrival of former Celtic centre half John Cushley from West Ham, The Pars managed a 1-1 draw away to St. Mirren before ending the month with the return match against Spurs. The London side freewheeled to a 3-0 win.
October`s business began in the board room, with Chairman Andrew Watson resigning on health grounds. Leonard Jack took over, with John Yellowley becoming vice-chairman. The new board promptly sacked George Farm, with three and a half years of his current five year contract remaining. The team had not won, in any competition, all season and Celtic kept that going with a 2-0 win at East End Park. Mr. Farm`s last act as manager had been to engage six young players on S-Forms: Jim Paterson, Jim Leishman, Gordon Pate, Peter Brown, David Stobie and Robert Marshall.
An improved performance still ended in defeat 3-2 at Pittodrie but it could not be sustained and Motherwell won 1-0 at East End Park. The programme gave an update on Bert Paton`s slow road to recovery, following the bone graft operation after his broken leg. He was building up his strength on a bicycle borrowed from Bonar Mercer. Alex Wright was appointed manager after a successful spell with St. Mirren, but an encouraging 2-2 draw at Tannadice was followed by the customary defeat at Shawfield, 3-1, this time.
November brought the beginning of the Alex Wright Era. On the playing front, George McLean transferred to Ayr United. Alex Edwards ended his exile and returned to the team as Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at East End Park. Another draw was achieved the following week, this time at Cappielow. There were high hopes of that elusive first win, as Dundee were next to visit, but they held out to draw 0-0. George Grimshaw moved to Stirling Albion and the month ended with a 5-2 gubbing away to St. Johnstone.
A home game against Kilmarnock heralded December`s fixtures but Killie squeezed a 1-0 win. An unusually good result was gained at Easter Road, with a 2-2 draw. On the 19th December, Christmas came early, when the run of 24 games without a win ended with a precious 4-1 home win against Airdrie. The final game of the year was at home to Ayr United. Could the momentum be sustained? Not half! The Honest Men were thumped 5-0. Joe McBride made his debut with 2 goals. The Pars were second bottom but now within a win of the three teams above them: Kilmarnock, St. Mirren and Ayr United.
Ne`er Day and it was off to Central Park, with high hopes. The misery continued when Cowden picked up only their third win of the season (one of the other two had been at East End Park). After losing 3-2 away to Falkirk, the next game was crucial. Barrie Mitchell scored the only goal at home to fellow strugglers, St. Mirren. Goalkeeper Ernie McGarr, signed from Aberdeen made his debut in this game. The Scottish Cup brought Arbroath to East End and they were seen off 3-1. A narrow 1-0 defeat at Celtic Park completed the month`s fixtures.
February brought Aberdeen to East End Park and Hugh Robertson scored the goal in a 1-0 victory. An item of good news was that Bert Paton had played his first reserve game, after a year out injured. How much the team had improved was indicated when Joe McBride earned a 1-1 draw in the Cup at Celtic Park. The replay was equally close but Celtic won 1-0 through Harry Hood. Their midweek efforts took a toll and Motherwell won 4-3 at Fir Park. The month ended well when Dundee United were beaten 3-1 at East End, the first time they had been defeated there in seven years.
The stuffy Clyde held out for a 0-0 draw in Dunfermline and Rangers were too strong at Ibrox, winning 2-0. Morton were next to visit the Kingdom and they were sent home with a 3-0 defeat, George O`Neil making his debut. Another midweek home match ended in a 2-1 loss to Hearts but a good point was brought back from Dens Park after a 0-0 draw.
As April began, The Pars had inched above St Mirren into third bottom place, one point clear and three behind Ayr United. Remember that at that time it was still two points for a win. There were four critical games left. George O`Neil scored his first goal to salvage a draw at home to St Johnstone.
A 0-0 draw at Rugby Park followed and game number three was at home to Hibs. A thrilling 3-3 draw ensued but a win was what was needed especially as The Pars lost 1-0 at Broomfield in their last game. St Mirren beat Dundee United 2-1 at Love Street to close within one point and they had a vital game in hand. That game was to be played the next Tuesday and was at Love Street against Celtic. The Hoops were still two points behind Aberdeen at the top of the table but had three games in hand so could be expected to go all out for a win. For Pars fans, the mathematics were simple. If the Buddies won, Dunfermline would be relegated, if they lost they would go down. In the event of a draw, The Pars superior goal difference would save them. A nail biting game finished 2-2 and the miracle had been achieved.
Pat Gardner led the way for appearances with 44, closely followed by Jim Fraser and John Lunn. Top scorers, with 10 goals each were Pat Gardner and Joe McBride, Joe in only 20 games. After such a narrow escape a financial crisis occurred during the summer, with the club nearly folding. Just a season and a half ago The Pars were a top club at home and in Europe, now survival was to be the name of the game.
Related Stories
views: 78