A FORMER Pars player, a local barber and a graphic designer have launched a new project out of their love for Dunfermline Athletic that they hope will "make a difference".
Ahoy Ahoy Social Club - they've taken the name from the lyrics of the Skids famous anthem, Into the Valley, which Athletic run out to before their matches - aim to set up events and sell merchandise to raise funds for good causes, while embracing music, art and fan culture.
It's been founded by Pars season ticket holder and local barber Mark Dowie, graphic designer Scott Dawson and media consultant Christian Brown, who after a successful spell in the youth set up, went full time at Dunfermline under Jimmy Calderwood.
All three are lifelong fans of DAFC and, motivated by the "DIY spirit and punk ethos inspired by St. Pauli", who played the Pars in pre-season, they've come up with a new design for pin badges, printed t-shirts and re-launched vintage Athletic kits, with more ideas on the way.
Mark explained: “Football culture is very much of the moment.
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"People across social media celebrate vintage and retro football kits from particular eras and there is so much interest in clubs across Europe and South America, but we never see anything related to Scotland and teams in our country.
"So why not start now?”
He continued: “I’ve been overwhelmed with the positive reaction to what we’re doing.
"The idea initially came about in the run up to our friendly with St Pauli.
"We started off by creating a set of pin badges which combined the Pars and St Pauli logo to celebrate the friendship between the two clubs. This was designed by local creative McNaughton Studio.
“When I showed them to people there was a really positive response.
"So, we decided to order a limited edition run of 138 pin badges.
"Richard Jobson from The Skids was also kind enough to lend his support and signed five of the pin badges, which sold out in 48 hours.”
They have now moved on to a limited t-shirt run which can be purchased on Everpress.
The 'Sankt Sammy' tee is a tribute to Dunfermline Athletic's beloved mascot, Sammy the Tammy.
The image is in the style of the Jolly Roger, famously associated with St. Pauli, and profits will go towards the creation of a 'Sankt Sammy' flag to unfurl at East End Park.
Mark said: “Our first line of products leans heavily into our relationship with St Pauli, but we are already working on new designs that celebrate club icons from the past.
“The support we have received so far has been phenomenal.
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"We put together a photo shoot for our Sankt Sammy t-shirt and The Old Town Barber Club and The Old Inn were good enough to give us space to take some shots.
"Local band T-A also gave up their time to take part in the shoot as well. We cannot begin to say just how appreciative we are of this.”
Mark said Ahoy Ahoy is a non-profit brand with a commitment to both style and community, and is united through art, DIY spirit, football and music to create change.
He continued: “We want to keep everything as local as possible and work with Dunfermline-based businesses, talent, designers, photographers, musicians and creatives and foster trust within the Dunfermline community.
"We want to create a movement that can make a difference.”
As part of its commitment to transparency, Ahoy Ahoy will regularly update customers and the community on the projects they've supported through their website and social media channels.
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