Pars make solid start as Bamba gets set for Watford

So the season officially got underway for Dunfermline on Saturday in the 1st round of the highly prestigious Scottish League Challenge Cup. The priority of this tournament was reflected in the attendance of just 1340 for the clash with Stirling Albion at East End Park but the Pars got their season off to a confidence boosting start, easing to a 3-0 success.

Of course, victory over part-time second division opposition in this particular competition does not immediately give an indication as to how the season will go but the manner of victory will give manager Jim McIntyre belief that the team, starting with Saturday’s First Division opener away to Partick Thistle, can mount a challenge for promotion.

There was growing discontent prior to the season starting about McIntyre’s failure to sign strikers other than Graham Bayne, having lost the likes of Mark Burchill and Stevie Crawford in the close season. And while Bayne in his early performances has gone some way to winning over any doubting supporters, concerns still remain about the lack of a suitable partner for the former Inverness target man.

This has been put down to being priced out of signing targets, but the club received an unlikely boost this week thanks to Dundee United and former player Noel Hunt. His sale to Reading for £600,000 provided the Fifers with a £120,000 windfall, generated by the 20% sell on clause negotiated in the deal which took Hunt to Tannadice in the summer of 2006.

But the chances of McIntyre seeing that money are pretty slim in order to appease the club’s finances. However, the manager’s budget looks set to be given a boost with the sale of popular defender Sol Bamba. The Ivory Coast under 23 skipper has been on trial with Championship side Watford and manager Aidy Boothroyd, impressed with what he saw, has tabled a bid of over £100,000 and a deal should be concluded in the next few days.

The erratic performances of Bamba has made the sale an easy one for the fans to take, added to the fact that we have the likes of Greg Shields, Scott Wilson and Scott Thomson all able to slot into the centre back positions. He has also made no secret that he would like to try his luck darn sarf so a move will benefit all parties.

So the freeing up of Bamba’s wages will ensure McIntyre can hopefully sign a new striker for Saturday, and rumours of interest in ex Hearts and Kilmarnock player Gary Wales again resurfaced on Saturday as he was supposedly spotted in the directors box.

If he was, he’d have been impressed at how Dunfermline confidently knocked the ball about and created a lot of chances using Bayne as the lone front man in a 4-5-1, with the likes of Kevin Harper and Alex Burke supporting. Burke opened the scoring on 4 minutes and Harper set up Nick Phinn, impressive in midfield, for the second while young striker Iain Williamson netted the third.

Some fans again had reservations about the system operated by McIntyre. Needs must while the striker search goes on but if the formation is successful, who will complain? 4-5-1 doesn’t immediately mean a negative way of playing- look at Holland at Euro 2008. Using quick and incisive midfield players to create can result in a fast moving game, and that was the case on Saturday.

So the championship charge starts at Firhill this weekend, probably without Bamba, and perhaps with a new striker in tow. A start has been made, while promotion favourites St Johnstone and Dundee slumped to defeat in the Challenge Cup; now it’s time for the team to hopefully send a big travelling support home to Fife with real optimism for the campaign ahead.

Pars fans prejudging? Who’d a thunk it?

Being a Dunfermline Athletic supporter guarantees quite a few things. For every high point, you know that just around the corner, a low point awaits you. It is ingrained in you to be rather pessimistic about things, as if you dare be optimistic, it all goes pear shaped (see last season’s First Division campaign as proof).

Back in the mid 1990s when I first started attending Pars matches home and away, we had a terrific core support. Now, currently we still have a good core support in terms of number, which can hover anywhere between the 4-6,000 mark. Back then though, the crowd were right behind the team from the off- and could act as the proverbial 12th man.

Manager of the 1995/96 First Division winning team, club legend Bert Paton, noted that, in reference to the 1-0 defeat of Dundee United in the penultimate day which almost assured the Pars of the championship, “anyone who doubts our support is a 12th man should have heard the volume that day.”

Those days are still there for the big games, but Pars fans in recent years have taken on a new side to their persona, and it is one of prejudging players, or finding a scapegoat for if things don’t work out too well on the pitch.

Why am I bumbling on with this? Well, manager Jim McIntyre finally secured the signing of his top summer target this week in the shape of Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker, Graham Bayne. The Athletic paid the Highlanders £30,000 to lure the Fifer back to the Kingdom to bolster our attacking options which had been left down to the manager and youngsters such as Iain Williamson, following the departures of Mark Burchill and Stevie Crawford, adding to Jim Hamilton leaving for St Mirren in January.

Having seen him play with Caley against us before, I know exactly the kind of player we’re getting. Bayne, as McIntyre points out, will bring a physical dimension to the team. He will act as a player to link the play, bring his team-mates into it and create chances for them.

“He is strong in the air and can hold the ball up. He is good with his back to goal and his strength is his team play. He works hard, runs the channels- he is just a good all round team player,” McIntyre commented.

However, despite this, some Pars fans have immediately dismissed him as “rubbish” and “a waste of money”. Why? The only thing they have looked at is his goalscoring record- 33 goals in 159 games. Admittedly, strikers will always be judged on their goalscoring record and Bayne’s isn’t exactly prolific, but I can’t get my head around punters immediately dismissing him as a no-hoper.

McIntyre is fully aware that he isn’t renowned for hitting 15-20 goals a season, but he will be able to lay on chances for a more prolific strike partner, with the boss working hard to sign at least 2 strikers as well as a right sided midfielder before we kick off our First Division assault at Partick Thistle in August.

Instead of prejudging, I wish some Dunfermline fans would wait until they’ve at least pulled on the black and white before assessing the contributions, or lack of, a player can make to the team. What should count in the hitman’s favour is that he’s determined to come in and work hard- Pars fans love a grafter- and is a Fifer, which is another plus point when playing for the West Fifers.

I welcome Graham to the club and am sure he will be a success. It would be ironic if he went on to score 20 odd goals and have his most prolific net bulging season- the opinions of those already judging him would soon change.

Young joins Dundee as Bamba shines in Toulon

As anticipated in a previous post, Darren Young has officially left Dunfermline and has agreed a 2 year deal with First Division rivals Dundee. Young’s rejection of a new contract with the club signals the end of his five year association with the Pars and he will look to help the Dees to First Division glory next term. Having struggled with fitness in the past season, this is a move I feel suits all parties. Manager Jim McIntyre now has more room for manouver within the transfer market with more wages freed up, while Young himself will no doubt relish a new challenge at Dens Park.

He alluded to this himself, by saying ” There are a lot of positive things happening here.

“It makes you want to come here and play for them and do well.”

I wish him well up there, but hopefully not too well as we can but hope the Athletic will be chasing the title.

However, Alex Rae has been busy in the transfer market as well as signing Young. He is rumoured to be on the verge of bringing former Scotland goalkeeper Rab Douglas back to Dens. The 36 year old played for the Dee in the 1990s and his form won him a move to Celtic. Since leaving the Hoops for Leicester in 2005, his career has stalled. Loan spells with Millwall, Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle have been unsuccessful and Douglas was released by Leicester following their relegation to League One.

Rae is clearly looking for experience and if he adds him, along with another rumoured target, former Kilmarnock and Nottingham Forest midfielder Gary Holt, then the Dark Blues could well be in a strong position to challenge at the top next season. A challenge which both Dunfermline and St Johnstone will look to match before the season kicks off.

But back to Dunfermline and defender Sol Bamba, who seemed to fall out of favour towards the end of the season, has been busy making a name for himself in the Toulon International tournament over the past fortnight or so. As captain of the Ivory Coast side, he has starred as they have marched all the way to the semi finals, where they narrowly lost to Chile. Bamba’s side will take on Japan in the third place play off and commentators on Eurosport, who have been showing the tournament live, have been impressed with Bamba’s play overall. During one match, and forgive me for paraphrasing, but a commentator suggested something along the lines of ‘you’d have a very hard time getting around him’.

It is good to see Sol doing well while representing his country’s under 21 side in France. Rumours have suggested that the Pars are looking to offload the big man, but if he can regain his confidence and given the right kind of coaching, he could become a good player. He has pace, is very strong both on the ground and in the air and can tackle but at times erratic play creeps into his game, leading to him giving away possession cheaply. If he works on his passing and composure on the ball, then he’ll do a very good job for Dunfermline.

But, thats for the future. Well done to Sol on having what appears to be a successful tournament and he is all set to represent the Pars in this summer’s Beijing Olympics by playing for the Ivory Coast in the football tournement. Could la Bamba have a gold medal in his pocket by September? Stranger things have happened……

To read more about Dunfermline Athletic, why not visit my Pars page? Click here to find out the history and fascinating facts about my great club.

Dundee United 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic, April 1996

This was huge. A whole season’s work could be won or lost on the outcome of this match. Dundee United and Dunfermline went into it battling it out at the top of the First Division to see who could win promotion to the Premier League.

Going into the penultimate day, United were top by a point from the second placed Pars. Victory for the home side would see them clinch the championship. Victory for Bert Paton’s team though would see them claim top spot going into the final day of what had been an unbelievable season.

The match at Tannadice began in front of a 12,000 capacity crowd and an indication of its meaning could be heard via BBC Radio Scotland covering it live. United had moved the Dunfermline support from behind the goal to the dingy main stand in an attempt to swing the atmosphere their way, but the 2,000 black and white shirted hordes made their voices heard. And they got louder just 7 minutes in.

A foul by Maurice Malpas gave Dunfermline a free-kick just inside United’s half. A high hopeful ball was flicked on by Allan Moore (the smallest man on the park incidentally) into the box. United keeper Ally Maxwell raced out to collect but he and United defender Grant Johnson got in each other’s way and Stewart Petrie gleefully nipped in to poke the ball home for the opener. As Jock Brown famously proclaimed on Sportscene later that night, “Its a dream start for Dunfermline.”

 The United crowd were silenced and, in truth, they really struggled to get going. Perhaps the expactation of the big crowd got to them, but a Gary McSwegan snap shot on the turn, comfortably held by Pars keeper Ian Westwater, was about all they could muster in the first half. Indeed, Petrie went through on goal again and although he appeared to be held back inside the box by Mark Perry, he got his shot away which was beaten around the post by Maxwell.

So, half the job done then but two minutes into the second half the Pars had a huge escape. A United free-kick from Dave Bowman found the head of Christian Dailly, whose header crashed off the crossbar. The United fans found their voice again.

Pars though always looked dangerous on the break and superb play between Andy Smith and Moore carved out a chance. Smith touched the ball over the head of Malpas, and a Moore head flick was met by Smith whose first time shot on the turn fizzed just wide of the post.

But then, controversy. Petrie, already on a yellow card, made a challenge on Malpas on the near side. Malpas made a meal of it, and referee Alan Freeland duly sent him off. Down to 10 men, the Pars would have to battle even harder. And they did.

They restricted United to very few clean efforts at goal, and even Andy Tod had an effort at goal for the Pars. As time wore on, Dunfermline had to defend and United forced a series of corners and, from one, Craig Brewster’s delivery was met again by Dailly and, unbelievably, he hit the bar again.

The luck was out on United and when Westwater caught another cross ball, it was all over and Dunfermline went to the top of the First Division. An outstanding victory and an outstanding performance- one full of battling qualities and a never say die attitude. The title was won the following week, but this was the big result. The reaction in the video below is a joy.

Rejoice!

Dunfermline Athletic: Westwater, Miller, Millar, Tod, Den Bieman, Fleming, French, Robertson, Moore, Smith, Petrie.

“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!

Murdoch moves on

There was another move through the East End Park exit door today as Pars goalkeeper Sean Murdoch signed a two year contract with First Division champions Hamilton Accies for an unidisclosed fee.

After Bryn Halliwell turned down a new contract at New Douglas Park, Billy Reid moved to snap up Athletic’s reserve keeper, who had a loan spell there last season, making 11 appearances.

Sean signed for Dunfermline in 2003 from the Hearts youth set up, and was a regular in the Under 19 side. He was capped at Scottish schoolboy level and in 2005/2006 he went on loan to Forfar Athletic to gain first team experience. He appeared 13 times for the Loons and kept four clean sheets.

The following season he went back to Station Park for a second loan spell for the first half of the season. In February of that year, he then went on loan to Accies.

Sean made his senior debut for the club this season, coming on after 10 minutes as a substitute for the injured Roddy McKenzie in the UEFA Cup first leg clash with BK Hacken. Unfortunately, in the second half he was caught out as a long ball bounced over his head and gave the Swedes an easy goal, which didn’t help the Pars’ cause as they crashed out in the 2nd leg.

He made a further 4 top team appearances, against Livingston and Clyde in the league, as well as Clyde and Airdrie in the Challenge Cup. With Paul Gallacher making the number 1 spot his own and signing a 3 year deal to stay with the club, Murdoch’s chances were always going to be limited.

I wish Sean well with his new club.

Changes already afoot at East End

Saturday’s penultimate game of the season saw Dunfermline go down to a 3-0 loss at Greenock Morton, in a performance where the desire and effort of the team left a lot to be desired. With little to play for except pride, a lacklusture Dunfermline may have been expected not to play at maximum potential, but it is unacceptable, especially to the hardy band of diehards who followed them west. Morton needed the points in their bid to avoid a relegation play-off and were undoubtedly more up for it, but the way in which the Pars collapsed after going a goal down epitomised the season- one in which we’ve been pretty damn gutless and, quite simply, inept.

A rather damning verdict perhaps, but one which most Athletic followers would agree with. Changes are badly needed as the current squad simply will not take the First Division by storm and win promotion like Billy Reid’s excellent young Hamilton Accies side have done this year.

And to start what will no doubt be an exodus out of the East End Park exit door, on Friday it was confirmed that Mark Burchill and Stephen Simmons will leave after rejecting new deals. Scott Thomson has taken a cut in wages to re-sign for another year, a decision I am happy with as he has been excellent since returning from injury and has helped shore up our shambolic defence.

But back to Burchill and Simmons. Striker Burchill is our top goalscorer with 13 goals, and in his first season with the club netted a significant number which helped ensure we beat the SPL drop and reached the CIS Insurance Cup final. Often he has been posted missing in action though and is a player we need focused and on the pitch- he’s no use in the stand injured, which has happened throughout his time with the club. A loss he will be, but not irreplaceable.

But my biggest cheer regarding football this weekend was the news that Simmons will be leaving. Since joining the club, he has simply failed to deliver. Too often he is found missing in games as he is simply far too lazy. He does have some ability, but he isn’t as good as he thinks he is and has simply decided not to turn up this season, in a campaign where we needed all of our squad pulling in the same direction.

A clear-out simply has to happen at East End, and we need to look at this season’s deserving champions as an example. Accies have a lot of youth in their squad aided with some experienced pros, and they have played skillful, quick and entertaining football throughout.

Pars boss Jim McIntyre has to go down that road if we are to be looking at making a title challenge for next season, otherwise it’ll be a long, hard struggle.

We await the summer with baited breath and see what changes McIntyre makes to a horrendously underachieving football club.

Pars look ahead to fresh start

It has been a truely wretched season for Dunfermline Athletic, and one which the Pars faithful are glad has only four matches to run before its conclusion. A season which began with so much optimism and hope way back in August descended into one of depression, confusion and apathy. Yep, its fun to follow Fife’s finest.

Having been relegated at the end of last season and losing the Scottish Cup final in heartbreaking fashion while playing some good football, the feeling was that the Athletic would mount a serious challenge for an instant return to the Premier League with the hope that the experienced players we had, such as Stevie Crawford, Darren Young, Greg Shields, Scott Wilson and Stephen Glass, would enable us to fight our out of what could be described as the country’s toughest division. On top of that, the carrot of UEFA Cup football dangled in front of the team so the opportunity for a memorable season was there to be grasped.

But by the end of August, we were out of Europe by BK Hacken and October saw us already way off the pace of leaders Hamilton Accies. Consecutive humilations in losing 0-5 at home to Hamilton, 0-3 at Stirling Albion and 0-4 to Livingston saw us embroiled in a relegation fight. By December, manager Stephen Kenny was gone, replaced by veteran striker Jim McIntyre.

Results have improved and Dunfermline now sit in mid-table mediocrity, with only 4th place and the avoidance of an extra round in next season’s Scottish Cup left to play for. Its as low as we’ve been since I started watching the team back in 1994 but the focus is on a title challenge next term. McIntyre has signed winger Alex Burke, with the jury still out on him, as well as Stirling Albion’s young midfielder Steven Bell on a pre-contract agreement. Bell has impressed against the Pars this term, and netted a good goal in the Beanos 3-2 defeat to Dunfermline at Forthbank last week.

But one of the biggest cheers of the season could be heard this week when it was announced popular goalkeeper Paul Gallacher had signed a three year contract to remain with the club. Gallacher, or Peter Barlow as he is affectionately known by the fans due to looking very much like the ex Coronation Street character, has impressed since signing for Stephen Kenny in August after falling out of favour at Norwich City.

Much like Dorus de Vries last year, Gallo has saved Dunfermline a lot of points this season, including two crucial penalty saves in a draw at Dundee and in the 3rd minute of stoppage time in a 1-0 win at Queen of the South in October. Capped 7 times for Scotland, Gallacher’s form and general ability caused me to question Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall on Tuesday night. I went along to their game with Dundee at Firhill with the Radio Scotland team (my Beeb match report will appear at some stage on here) and in his programme notes, he described his goalkeeper Jonathon Tuffey as the league’s best.

Undoutedly, he is a fine keeper but, come on Ian, Gallacher has won praise from managers and fans of our first division rivals all season. He is a goalkeeper with international experience and should be playing at a higher level than the Irn-Bru SFL. But it is great to know we have a top quality keeper on board for next season, and shows the club look like they mean business in putting this term’s wrongs right.

We will have to wait until the summer to see how McIntyre rebuilds the squad, and it can’t come quick enough. Roll on season 2008/2009 and hopefully a fresh, exciting new start for Fife’s biggest club.