Match Report | 1974: Dunfermline 3 Celtic/Rangers Select 3

Memorable Match #92
John Lunn Testimonial
East End Park
Monday 11th November 1974

Memorable Match #92
John Lunn Testimonial
East End Park
Monday 11th November 1974

Remembrance Day in 1974 had more than a touch of poignancy for Dunfermline as a crowd of 11,054 attended East End Park to remember John Lunn, a true Pars legend whose long fight with leukaemia came to an end just under a year earlier.

He was held in such respect that Celtic and Rangers readily agreed to combine forces in a benefit match for John`s family, while the SFA donated an all white Scotland strip for the Glasgow giants to wear.

Dunfermline lined up with four guest players in their ranks: Andy Penman, Donald Ford, George McLean and Alex Edwards. The Old Firm side kicked off with five from each club plus a very special guest filling the final place - the one and only Denis Law, who has come out of his recent retirement for one last game and accordingly was made captain for the night.

Despite a host of substitutions (thirteen in total) the match proved to be an outstanding success, played in a tremendous spirit with a superb atmosphere around the ground.

At half time it was 2-2, McLean and Edwards netting for the Pars with Dave Smith and Derek Parlane on target for the Old Firm Select. Substitute Gordon Forrest looked like to have given Dunfermline victory with a goal four minutes from full time. But another of those dubious penalty decisions brought the Select team level. The entire crowd was desperate to see Denis Law score one final goal and the crowd erupted when he netted from the spot. 3-3

A penalty shoot out was held to decide the winners and Dunfermline came out on top with a 4-3 scoreline. The deciding penalty was missed by Dixie Deans whose effort was saved by the Pars Norwegian keeper, Geir Karlsen.

Played in the memory of a man who took part in so many floodlit matches during his career, this was one of the most memorable nights East End Park has experienced.

DUNFERMLINE: - Geir Karlsen, Dick Campbell, Jim Wallace, Jim Thomson, Dave McNicoll, Alex Kinninmonth, Andy Penman, Alex Edwards, Donald Ford, Kenny Mackie, George McLean.
SUBS: Kenny Davidson, Kenny Watson, Allan Evans, Ian Campbell, Alan Reid, Gordon Forrest.
SCORERS: McLean, Edwards, Forrest

OLD FIRM SELECT - Ally Hunter, Sandy Jardine, John Greig, Steve Murray, Billy McNeill, Dave Smith, Tommy McLean, Kenny Dalglish, Derek Parlane, Denis Law, Bobby Lennox.
SUBS: Peter McCloy, John Kennedy, Jim Brogan, Derek Johnstone, Dixie Deans, Billy Mathieson.
SCOERS: Smith, Parlane, Law (pen.)

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