FROM Everton to Valencia, Bordeaux to Slovan Bratislava, and Anderlecht to BK Häcken, opponents from across the continent have come face-to-face with Athletic.

Teams hailing from Iceland to Spain, from Poland to the Republic of Ireland, and many more besides, have played the Pars in competitive competition over the years.

Nights of both triumph and disappointment have been felt by supporters and players throughout those adventures and, now, a new project that is being launched to commemorate those matches whilst raising funds for the Dunfermline Athletic Youth Academy.

Renowned artist Paul Town, who, in 2021, showcased a triology of artworks telling the story of epic Inter Cities Fairs Cup wins over Everton and Valencia, and the 1969 European Cup Winners Cup semi-final with Slovan Bratislava, in conjunction with the Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust, will produce a series of 22 paintings recording the shirts worn by the Pars, and their opponents, in their European matches between 1961 and 2007.

Supporters are being given the chance to snap up their own unique piece of history by purchasing the prints, each of which are numbered and signed by the artist, and include images of artefacts associated with the game in focus, such as match programmes, ticket stubs and newspaper cuttings.

The first pair of paintings, featuring matches with Everton and Athletic Bilbao, have been completed and are available to buy.

In 1962, Jock Stein's Pars were drawn against the Toffees, known as the 'Mersey Millionaires', who would go on to become champions of England that season.

After a 1-0 loss in the first leg at Goodison Park, Athletic turned the tie around in stunning fashion at East End Park, as goals from George Miller and Harry Melrose sent them through to play Valencia in round two.

Three years later, Dunfermline faced Bilbao in the third round of Inter Cities Fairs Cup and, after a single goal loss in the first leg, Alex Smith won the return for Dunfermline by the same scoreline, which led to a toss of a coin to decide the venue for a decisive third match, and the Pars bowing out 2-1 in Spain.

A total of 44 prints of each game will be sold, in addition to one that will be gifted to the club, and purchases of each Everton edition will be offered the similarly numbered Bilbao equivalent to buy, as well as a folder that can hold each of the 22 produced.

It is anticipated that the next two prints, which will be produced over several years, will be available by late June, when an exhibition of Bradford-born Paul's work will be held at East End, whilst details will be announced shortly that will give fans the opportunity to enter draws win original prints of the Everton and Bilbao matches.

To express your interest, visit https://entries.easydb.uk/dafcnet/european.