1999 11

Monthly Digest - November 1999

Dick Campbell dramatically resigns from the manager's post at East End Park. Following a Tuesday morning meeting with chairman John Yorkston, Campbell offered his resignation, which was accepted. Despite losing just one game all season, Campbell revealed that his family had been subjected to abuse from some Pars supporters, unhappy with the way the team was playing. Despite Campbell's disappointment at leaving the job, he said, "I have had seven wonderful years at teh club and the supporters have been fantastic - I still honestly believe that Dunfermline will win the Championship". Campbell's assistant, Jimmy Nicholl will run the team, until a successor is appointed.

Defender Craig Ireland goes on a month's loan to Dundee, and makes his debut against Hearts.

Date:	6th November 1999	Opposition:	Raith Rovers	Score (H/T):	1-1 (1-0)
Competition:	Sc Division One	Venue:	East End Park	Attendance:	6,900
Scorers:	*[1-0]* Moss (9), *[1-1]* Stein (81)
Cards (Yellow):	Skinner (DAFC), Brown (Raith)
Pars Team:	Westwater; Thomson, Tod, Reid, McGroarty; Hampshire, French, Moss, Skinner; Crawford, Coyle. Subs not used: Smith, May, Potter
Raith Rovers:	Van de Kamp; McEwan, Andrews, Brown, Hamilton; S Tosh, Black, Burns, Stein; Agathe, Clark (P Tosh 73min).
Referee:	K Toner
Jimmy Nicholl's first game in charge was a disappointing affair, which failed to live up to the pre-match hype. David Moss opened the scoring with a fine header from a Skinner free-kick. As is often the case, the home side found it difficult to hold on to their lead, and after a number of near things, Raith equalised nine minutes from the end. Jay Stein latched on to a through ball, and sent a low drive past Westwater to deny the Athletic full points.

Pos		Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1	St Mirren	13	9	3	1	37	16	30
2	Dunfermline Ath	13	5	7	1	22	14	22
3	Raith Rovers	13	6	4	3	26	21	22

The crowd against Raith Rovers was the highest attendance of the season to date in the First Division.

Caretaker manager Jimmy Nicholl has declared his interest in the vacant manager's post at Dunfermline. Chairman John Yorkston reported that over 20 candidates have expressed an interest from a number of countries, including Sweden, Holland, France and England. Yorkston and his fellow directors will be drawing up a short list.

Andy Smith scored all four goals at Glebe Park as the Athletic reserves beat Brechin 4-0 in a Reserve East League fixture.

The 'In with the bricks' youth development programme is formally launched. Former players, Ross Jack, Grant Jenkins, Harry Melrose, George Peebles Greg Shields, and Norrie McCathie's mother, Ellen McCrindle were all present at the launch.


Date:	14th November 1999	Opposition:	Livingston	Score (H/T):	3-0 (2-0)
Competition:	Sc Division One	Venue:	East End Park	Attendance:	4,163
Scorers:	*[1-0]* Crawford (35 pen), [2-0] Moss (43), *[3-0]* Crawford (84)
Card (Red):	Sweeney (Livingston)
Cards (Yellow):	None
Pars Team:	Westwater, Thomson, McGroarty (May 75), Tod, Reid, Dolan, Skinner, Moss, Smith (Hampshire 83), Coyle, Crawford. Sub not used: Potter
Livingston:	McCaldon, Kelly, Deas, Sweeney, Coughlan, Millar, King (Feroz 56), McManus, McCormick, Bingham, Fleming Sub not used: McLaren
Referee:	B McGarry
Luck played its part in this win over promotion rivals Livingston. On the half hour mark Livi defender Sean Sweeney took a swing at Owen Coyle. Although missed by the referee, the incident was spotted by the standside linesman, with the result that Sweeney marched, and the Pars were awarded a penalty kick. Stevie Crawford took the spot kick, to record his first goal in black and white. Number two came just before the interval, when a Scott Thomson free-kick was headed in from close range, by Davie Moss. The goal that made sure of the points came six minutes from the end, when Thomson cut the ball back from the bye-line to Crawford to drive home from 12 yards.

Pos		Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1	St Mirren	14	10	3	1	39	16	33
2	Dunfermline Ath	14	6	7	1	25	14	25
3	Raith Rovers	14	7	4	3	27	21	25

The speculation as to who will be the Athletic's new boss continues. Amongst those declaring an interest are ex Everton manager Mike Walker, and former Wimbledon manager Bobby Gould. Other possibilities include, Allan Evans, Alex Totten, Terry Fenwick, Tommy Burns, current St Mirren boss, Tom Hendrie and caretaker manager, Jimmy Nicholl. General Manager Paul D'Mello stated that the Board would take their time with the appointment.

On loan striker Stevie Crawford extends his month long loan deal to five games, and expresses an interest in staying permanently.

On the instructions of the police, the game against Falkirk has been made all ticket. Meanwhile the Dunfermline Press reports that threats between supporters of the clubs have been made on the internet.

Dunfermline Reserves won through to the next round of the Reserve League Cup with a penalty shoot win over Ayr United. David Graham scored the Pars goal as the game ended 1-1.


Date:	20th November 1999	Opposition:	Falkirk	Score (H/T):	3-1 (1-0)
Competition:	Sc Division One	Venue:	Brockville	Attendance:	4,229
Scorers:	*[1-0]* Coyle (2), *[1-1]* Nicholls (50), *[2-1]* Crawford (56), [3-1] Crawford (68)
Cards (Yellow):	Skinner, Reid (DAFC), Crabbe (Falkirk)
Pars Team:	Westwater, Thomson, McGroarty, Tod, Reid, Dolan, Skinner, Moss (Hampshire 8), Crawford, Coyle, Petrie. Subs not used: Smith, Potter.
Falkirk:	Hogarth, McKenzie, Seaton, Rennie, Lawrie, Nicholls, Hutchison, Henry, Crabbe, McDonald, Hagen (McQuilken 76). Subs not used: McStay, Morris.
Referee:	K Bisset
A tremendous win for the Pars under caretaker manager, Jimmy Nicholl. At ramshackle Brockville, Owen Coyle scored the opener in just two minutes. Stevie Crawford forced his way past Bairns defender McKenzie, and crossed for the striker to volley past Hogarth into the corner of the net. Davie Moss then had to limp off injured after just eight minutes of his return to his former stomping ground. Davie Nicholls equalised five minutes after the break with a fine free-kick, but six minutes later the Pars were back in the lead. Petrie's cross was missed by the Falkirk defence, and after Coyle had an effort blocked, Crawford slotted the ball home. Number three came again from Crawford with a diving header, after a Thomson free-kick had been headed on by Andy Tod. The win was Dunfermline's first at Brockville for eight years.

Pos		Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1	St Mirren	15	11	3	1	41	17	36
2	Dunfermline Ath	15	7	7	1	28	15	28
3	Raith Rovers	15	7	5	3	28	22	26

The Athletic have been given permission to speak to Jimmy Calderwood, currently manager of Dutch Premier League side NEC Nijmegen. Calderwood is keen on returning to his native Scotland, after some 20 years in Holland.

Caretaker manager Jimmy Nicholl is trying to fix up loan signing Stevie Crawford on a longer deal.


Date:	27th November 1999	Opposition:	Clydebank	Score (H/T):	2-1 (2-0)
Competition:	Sc Division One	Venue:	East End Park	Attendance:	4,224
Scorers:	*[1-0]* Crawford (32), *[2-0]* Petrie (42), [2-1] McKelvie 83.
Cards (Yellow):	None
Pars Team:	Westwater, Thomson, Tod, Reid, May, Skinner, French, Dolan, Petrie (Hampshire 86), Crawford, Coyle. Subs not used: Graham, Potter.
Clydebank:	Scott, Wishart, Brannigan, Oliver, Cormack, Trialist, McKinstrey (Murdoch 50), Gardner, Cameron, O'Neil (McKelvie 58), Geraghty (Miller 74).
Referee:	C Hardie
The Pars put together a superb first half display to beat lowly Clydebank. After a succession of missed chances, Stevie Crawford finally scored with a 15 yard ground shot that had goalkeeper Scott well beaten. Number two arrived just before the break, with a rare Stewart Petrie header which looped over the keeper following a superb 40 yard run by Scott Thomson. After the break, Dunfermline were quite simply woeful. Deservedly Clydebank pulled a goal back with seven minutes remaining, giving the home team and supporters a nervous ending to the game.

Caretaker manager Jimmy Nicholl felt that despite their poor second half performance against Clydebank, his team didn't warrant being booed off the field at the end of the game.

Dundee are anxious to fix up defender Craig Ireland on a permanent deal following his loan deal at Dens Park.Out of favour striker Andy Smith could also find himself loaned out, with Kilmarnock and Hearts reported to be interested.

Dunfermline appoint 44 year old Glaswegian Jimmy Calderwood as manager. Calderwood made the move from Dutch Premier team NEC Nijmegen, after being impressed with the ambition being shown at East End Park. The Athletic paid Nijmegen a hefty compensation package to secure Calderwood's services, and have made him one of the highest paid manager's in Scotland.