THE man who many veteran Pars fans feel was responsible for the club's first Scottish Cup win in 1961 is keenly looking forward to the 50th anniversary celebrations later this month.

Goalkeeper Eddie Connachan defied Celtic twice within the space of four days, pulling off a string of top-notch saves and recording two shut-outs.

But the miner with the golden hands played down his part in the final and said that it was a success which involved 13 men who gave their all for the cause and a very special manager.

Press Sport caught up with Connachan at his South African home and found that he has forgotten not one thing of the Athletic's finest hour.

He said, "It was just an amazing four days and we had a major ace in the pack in our manager Jock Stein.

"He was a superb tactician. When we lost centre half Jackie Williamson through an injury picked up in the first game he drafted in John Sweeney and he made a change bringing in Davie Thomson up front for Danny McLindon and the moves paid off.

"Davie scored a great goal while John came in at left back and worked overtime to keep our goal intact.

"But then everyone worked overtime in both games for we were up against a really good Celtic team which had players of the quality of Pat Crerand, Willie Fernie and Stevie Chalmers in it.

"But we had some very good players ourselves. Guys like Ronnie Mailer, Alex Smith, Geordie Peebles, Charlie Dickson, George Miller, Cammy Fraser, Willie Cunningham and Harry Melrose worked superbly as a team gelled together by Jock." But the Press reports of the two games suggest that the £25-per-week Preston Grange miner was a little bit modest in his assessment of the role he played.

The replay report states, "The man who on this great occasion did most to defy Celtic was Eddie Connachan and the Celtic players heaped sincere congratulations upon him.

"Connachan was really great, the crowd knew it, Celtic knew it, so did the rest of the Athletic team as they showed by twice hoisting him shoulder high. A wonderful tribute for a truly miraculous display of inspired goalkeeping from his own mates." It added, "On the return to Dunfermline the home crowd showed their appreciation by keeping up an incessant chant of 'We want Eddie' outside the Town House." In the first game the Pars had to play much of the second half with Williamson suffering badly from an injury.

And in the closing minutes they were without him (no substitutes in those days).

But Jock Stein persuaded the injured defender to go back on and he did his best to occupy opponents.

It meant that Celtic went in for the kill but a Connachan-inspired defence held firm to earn the replay.

Recalled the 'keeper, "They came at us strongly but the defence was superb and I had a couple of good saves.

"The replay was another big occasion and we got a real lift when Davie Thomson headed us ahead.

"They came back strongly but the re-shaped defence was outstanding with George Miller in great form at centre half.

"I had two or three difficult saves and then as time was running out Pat Crerand hit a tremendous shot which I managed to grab hold of." Dickson added number two soon after to ensure victory for the Pars.

"I remember going to pick up my gloves after the final whistle went and all I saw was this flood of green and white coming onto the pitch," added Connachan.

"I thought I had better make a run for it, however, they were soon upon me. But I should not have worried.

"They were all congratulating us on a great performance. I do not suppose you would get that at a game these days!" The goalkeeper, who joined Middlesbrough in 1963, felt that Dunfermline Athletic had a real family atmosphere about it in those days.

He added, "There were people behind the scenes such as the secretary, Jimmy McConville, and directors, Andrew Watson and Bob Torrie, who worked so hard to lay the foundations on which the success of the 1960s was built." The goalkeeper moved to South Africa in 1969 but is back in Dunfermline for the reunion and will be at Saturday's QoS match.

He added, "I enjoy speaking to all the players who were part of that cup campaign and I cannot wait to see them at the 50th anniversary celebration.

"I have received tremendous assistance from John McNeill and Jimmy Drummond, two long-time supporters, in keeping me in touch with what is going on at the club." The 50th anniversary celebration goes on at the Alhambra on Friday 29th April, with a 7.30pm kick off. Tickets for 'Cup Heroes', which is being sponsored by KDM Shopfitting Limited with the Press as media sponsors, are priced £10 and are on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, the Alhambra Theatre on 740384 and the Pars club shop on 626737.