Club History | Season 2016-2017
Dunfermline finished safely in 5th place, with 48 points, just missing the promotion playoffs. Top scorer was Nicky Clark with 16 goals.
After winning promotion in spectacular form, the close season brought quite a number of departures. Out had gone Mark McAusland, Shaun Rooney, Brad McKay, Craig Reid, Mikael Antoine Curier, PJ Crossan and Scott Robinson, all of whom had been on loans or short term contracts. Ryan Wallace and Shaun Byrne did not have their contracts renewed. There was much disappointment that the popular Josh Falkingham was not offered a new contract. Finally the brilliant high scoring Faissal el Bakhtaoui was looking towards the SPL and would finally sign for Dundee.
Coming in were Lee Ashcroft, Nat Wedderburn, Kallum Higginbotham and Paul McMullan. Gavin Reilly was signed on loan and youngsters Callum Smith and Scott Lochhead also signed. Allan Johnston continued as manager, with Sandy Clark as his assistant and John Potter as Youth Coach. Bobby Robertson was Club Doctor and Ross McArthur, Chairman. A young and dynamic Michael Mlotkiewicz was installed as General Manager.
The season began mid July at home to Arbroath in the League Cup. Lee Ashcroft, Gavin Reilly and Nat Wedderburn all made their debuts as Andy Geggan and two goal Michael Moffat secured a 3-0 win. Central Park, Cowdenbeath brought another 3-0 win. Two more Andy Geggen goals and one for Lee Ashcroft brought about the win. It was Kallum Higginbotham`s turn to make his debut. The next result was a shocker - a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Inverness Caley Thistle. The month and the League Cup campaign ended at Tannadice with a 2-0 defeat.
August was the beginning of the League season and a Joe Cardle hat trick together with a David Hopkirk goal got things off to a winning start, 4-3 at home to Dumbarton. However the rest of the month was a disaster, with defeats 2-1 at Easter Road, 2-0 in the Fife Derby at Starks Park and 1-0 at home to Queen of the South. Lee Robinson, Derek Lyle, Chris Higgins and Andy Dowie all lined up for The Doonhamers. Rab Stewart sadly passed away after illness. Before the closure of the transfer window, Nicky Clark, Farid el Alagui and John Herron all signed.
The month of September brought some respite, with a Challenge Cup tie away to Brechin City. Nicky Clark started and John Herron was on the bench as The Pars cruised to a 5-1 win. El Alagui`s debut came a week later as Athletic lost 3-1 at home to Dundee United. Nicky Clark scored his first goal in a 2-1 defeat at Cappielow but the newcomers came up trumps in the final game in the month, Nicky Clark with a brace and Farid el Alagui together with an own goal seeing a 4-3 win at home against St Mirren.
A draw 0-0 at Somerset Park opened October`s quota before two goals from Farid el Alagui took Dunfermline through to the next round of the Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win. Farid scored again in the next game but it was not enough as Falkirk won 2-1 at the Falkirk Stadium. Pars legend George Peebles died after a lengthy illness. Two days later George McKimmie sadly passed away. Yet another defeat, this time 3-1 at home to Hibs before the month`s fixtures ended with a 2-2 draw away to Dumbarton.
Dunfermline started November with a 0-0 draw at home to Raith Rovers but were then hit with two matches against bogey side Dundee United, both lost by a single goal. First in the league at Tannadice, then at home in the Challenge Cup. Between the two matches came the sad news that Ian Cowan had died. Nicky Clark scored the only goal, to defeat St Mirren in Paisley but more sadness was to follow with news of the death of Jim Gillespie. The Scottish Cup handed The Pars an away tie against Buckie Thistle and they had to battle hard to win 5-3.
December proved to be a great month football wise. It began quietly with a 1-1 draw at home to Ayr United. Two Michael Moffat goals earned a 2-1 home victory against Morton. In a year of too many Pars deaths, everyone was shocked by the sudden tragic death of Margaret Ross. Margaret had worked tirelessly during the financial troubles bringing the various fans groups together. She had earned her place as the fans` representative on the board. The following day Athletic brought a point back from Palmerston after a 2-2 draw. The year`s fixtures ended with a 1-1 draw at home to Falkirk.
2017 began very well when Lee Ashcroft and Nicky Clark scored to beat Raith Rovers 2-0 in Kirkcaldy. The unbeaten run moved on to 8 with another 2-0 victory, this time away to Ayr United. St Mirren held out for a 1-1 draw at East End Park and this was followed by the return of Callum Morris, who took his place in the side for the Cup Tie at Recreation Park where Alloa were beaten 3-2 and progress made to the next round. A second unbeaten month was completed with a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United. Farid el Alagui had left for Asian football and Drew Main had replaced Margaret Ross on the board.
The 11 game unbeaten run came to an end at the Falkirk Stadium when The Bairns won 2-0. Hamilton Accies arrived at East End Park on Cup business and won the tie on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Pars got things going again with a 2-2 draw at Easter Road, to complete February`s fixtures.
March began with a bang when The Pars won 5-1 at home to Dumbarton. Four of the goals were scored by Nicky Clark, with Paul McMullan getting the other one. Queen of the South provided stiffer opposition and drew 1-1 also at East End Park. The Dumfries side had six players with Pars connections. Former players Derek Lyle, Scott Mercer, Chris Higgins and Andy Dowie along with future Pars Dom Thomas and Lee Robinson. A trip to Paisley finished goal-less, then Ayr United sprang a surprise by winning 1-0 at East End Park. Another surprise was the appearance of Farid el Alagui in their line up. The month finished with a 1-0 win at Cappielow, thanks to a Nat Wedderburn goal.
Hibs were the first to visit in April and held out for a 1-1 draw. Athletic`s goal was scored by Kallum Higginbotham and it was Higgy who got the only goal in the home Fife Derby against Raith Rovers. Plenty of Pars connections in Rovers` side with ex-Pars Jason Thompson and Kevin McHattie with future Pars in Jean Yves M`voto and Declan McManus.
The United curse returned with a 1-0 reverse at Tannadice but a good 2-0 win at Dumbarton followed, thanks to Rhys McCabe and David Hopkirk. The penultimate home game was against Falkirk but a 2-1 defeat looked like ending the season on a low. The Pars put this right when Morton were beaten 3-1 at East End Park. Nicky Clark scored to win the final game of the season 1-0 at Palmerston.
Dunfermline finished safely in 5th place, with 48 points, just missing the promotion playoffs. Top scorer was Nicky Clark with 16 goals. Top for appearances was Lee Ashcroft with 46, missing only one game. Kallum Higginbotham made 43 appearances.
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