DUNFERMLINE Athletic Ladies have announced the appointment of a new captain and vice-captain as their preparations for the new season begin to take side.

Angie Comrie's team will participate in the 12-team Biffa SWFL (Scottish Women's Football League) East in the upcoming campaign, and have been busy putting their squad together.

After the club announced the departures of five players, including last season's skipper, Mims Calis, they have appointed Claire Boles in her place, with goalscoring sensation, Alex Davie, taking up the role as her deputy.

Both players have agreed to stay on at the club for the new season, and have been joined by Jude Shepherd, Becca Todd, Hannah Colyer, Amy Reekie, Sammi Connell, Lauren Keay, Lauryn Dow, Ellis Barton, Tyler Sibbons, and Meg Reilly.

Several new faces have also been brought into the squad, with Comrie welcoming Ellis Yeaman, Emily McGurnaghan, Emma Swanson, Evie Turner, Chloe Lumsden, and Jessica Owens to the Pars.

At the beginning of 2023, Dunfermline - along with Aberdour SDC Ladies, who we reported last week would not be continuing for the forthcoming campaign - were part of the new-look Biffa SWFL regional league set-up.

A short season took place to align the four, newly-created regional divisions with the rest of the Scottish Women's Football (SWF) pyramid, allowing the introduction of promotion and relegation from women's League One.

In that campaign, the Pars played an historic, first-ever match at KDM Group East End Park - against Falkirk Development - and hundreds of spectators watched them win 10-0, with new vice-captain Davie grabbing four of them.

It was an event that player, Sarah Gibson, said that, "as a Pars fan from a young age, it was a dream come true to play at East End Park", adding: "To play in front of a crowd like that, and knowing we were inspiring the younger girls watching on, made it even more special".

Jamie Torrance expressed her pride at being part of the occasion, and noted that it was an "amazing experience, and ultimately the kind of things you want to experience as a footballer", whilst Davie commented: "Being a Dunfermline Ladies player, and having the chance to experience playing at East End Park, was truly amazing.

"I hope in future we have more opportunities to play here again, and to welcome more fans to come and watch us."

Wether at East End, or their home pitch at Pitreavie, the Pars players will hope to generate more support in the season ahead, where they will lock horns with Armadale Thistle, Central Girls, East Fife Development, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh University Thistle Development, Falkirk Development, Glenrothes Strollers, Linlithgow Rose, McDermid Ladies, Murieston United, and Musselburgh Windsor.

The team's pre-season build-up has included winning Glenrothes Strollers Ladies FC's 50th anniversary seven-a-side tournament; draw 5-5 with East Fife Development; and a 6-3 win over a Hamilton NP under-18s side.