“The Bunnet” is back

It is always pleasing to see former players or managers of Dunfermline Athletic who I liked and respected do well within the game despite moving on from East End Park. I’ve had a number of those down the years (don’t worry, I’m not going to list them- at least not today).

And one of those men is Dick Campbell, who returned to football last Thursday with Third Division outfit Forfar Athletic. Campbell, or the man with “the bunnet”, had been out of football since being sacked by Second Division champions Ross County in October, despite leading them to the top of the table.

Campbell was certainly a hero of mine at East End Park. He had a spell with the club in his playing career, but it was when he returned to be Bert Paton’s assistant manager in 1993 that he helped carve his own little niche in the history and shaping of the Pars.

There were 2 successive last day failures to win the First Division, to fierce rivals Falkirk and Raith Rovers, as well as play off disappointment against Aberdeen. But in 95/96 the hugely popular management team finally led the club back to the Premier League, despite having to deal with the death of skipper Norrie McCathie.

After 5th and 8th placed finishes in the Premier, Paton resigned in January 1998 with the club bottom of the league. Dick took over and although results improved, he could do nothing to prevent relegation as draws cost the Athletic.

He began our First Division campaign of 1999/2000 but after a 3-1 defeat to St Mirren at Love Street in October of that season, he resigned as Pars manager, having won 5 out of 12 games in that early part of the season.

He then pitched up at Brechin City, where he had spent time as a player. He led them from the Third Division all the way to the First Division in consecutive seasons. Although he couldn’t prevent instant relegation, he led City to the top of the Second before leaving towards the end of the season to join Partick Thistle.

His stay though at Firhill was an unhappy one and he was sacked in 2007 before joining Ross County last summer.

Forfar vice-chairman Mike McEwan was delighted to get his man.

“We had a very good response to the job, and the calibre of candidate was very high, however Dick was the outstanding candidate, with good experience and a track record that speaks for itself.”

His record in the lower leagues has been excellent and the Loons will hope he can haul them towards a promotion bid next season, instead of occupying bottom spot in the Scottish Football League.

Good luck to Dick and the Loons!