Dunfermline: Pars squads from 1988-90 attend reunion event

Members of the club's 1988/89 First Division title winning squad, and the team which topped the Premier Division for the first time in its history in 1989/90, came back together at a sold-out Carnegie Conference Centre.

Around 250 supporters packed the venue for the event, which was organised and hosted by the Dunfermline Athletic Former Players Association (FPA), to take a fond walk down memory lane.

Alongside Jim Leishman, who was the club's manager, star names such as David Irons, Trevor and Mark Smith, Doug Rougvie, Stevie Morrison, John Holt, John Watson, Stuart Rafferty, Graeme Robertson and John Hillcoat were in attendance.

Graeme Robertson (left) and John Watson (centre) were amongst those who joined Jim Leishman (right) on stage. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Also taking to the stage and gaining one of the biggest cheers from the audience - as did former assistant manager, Gregor Abel, who performed the 'Dunfermline' song that he wrote - were Pars Hall of Fame member, Ross Jack, and striking partner, George O'Boyle, who revealed that Leish had travelled to his home in his native Northern Ireland to persuade him to attend the event.

George O'Boyle and Ross Jack spoke about their striking partnership. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Gregor Abel performed the 'Dunfermline' song he wrote, to the audience's delight. (Image: Craig Brown.)

The glory of the First Division championship win, clinched by Watson's equaliser in a final day draw against Meadowbank Thistle at a packed East End, and then reaching the summit of the top flight 13 games into the following season, after a draw at Motherwell, were recounted, as were a variety of other humorous tales.

There was, however, also a poignant moment as 'absent friends' Gary Riddell, Norrie McCathie and Bobby Smith, all playing members of the squad who have passed away, were remembered, as was legendary former kit man, Joe Nelson, and Audrey Bastianelli, who worked as the club's commercial manager.

Riddell, who was just 22, died the month after the 1989 title win while raising funds for victims of the Hillsborough disaster while running the Dunfermline Half Marathon, and Morrison, who became audibly emotional, paid a touching tribute to his team-mate and friend.

Video messages were also played from players who couldn't attend, including FPA chairman Ian Westwater, George Cowie, Stuart Beedie, Craig Robertson and Istvan Kozma, who spoke of his "beautiful" time with Dunfermline, and the special bond he enjoyed with the supporters, describing them as "family".

Speaking to Press Sport, Robertson said: "The players were different class. We had a great spirit.

"You listen to players and clubs now, and I just think we had good players, experienced players, and we had a good team spirit. I think that's the secret.

"It doesn't matter what level you play at - if you've got that within the squad, you've got a chance."

Grant Tierney, who remained part time after joining the club from Meadowbank during the title-winning season, said: "At the time I was there, we had five-figures attendances on average. We were pulling the crowds in, but I guess football in those days was different. It wasn't an all-seater stadium for a start!

"I could only say from being on the park what it was like. I thoroughly enjoyed it. For me, it was just tremendous times. I think everybody associated with the club at the time loved it.

"They were going through a rollercoaster period in their history, but that was certainly one of the highs that I was there for, albeit, for probably too short a period in my lifetime.

"But I loved every minute of it, absolutely every minute of it. It was sort of a dream come true for me because, to get to play Premier League football, as a part-time player, was just ridiculous, really. It won't happen today, and probably will never happen again."

David Irons and Jim Leishman share a joke. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Westwater, who couldn't attend due to being on holiday, told Press Sport ahead of the reunion: "I think people were desperate to come on the bandwagon with the football club and where we were going. It was just a fantastic time.

"Winning promotion that season, the way it all panned out with the Meadowbank game, the last game of the season - it's just fantastic memories."

The 1988-90 reunion followed on from a successful gathering of 'Paton's Premier Pars' - Dunfermline's legendary First Division title winners of 1995/96 - in 2022.

To find out more about the Dunfermline Athletic FPA, visit their website.