A “PARS legend” has decided to leave his position in the club shop after 21 years of voluntary work.

David Laming, 80, of Halbeath Road, said he would "miss the companionship and the banter".

He told the Press: “I’ve watched kids grow into adults.

"Take (Pars vice captain) Chris Hamilton, I remember him coming into the shop with his mum at 10-years-old, I would say to him 'Who do you want to play for?' and he would always say Dunfermline.

“That’s the sad thing about it. I was the face of Dunfermline because I was the person that people saw when they came in to the shop.

“It kept me young. In my head I’m still 45 but it’s only when I look it the mirror that I realise I’m 80.

“When I retired, I thought it was easier to hold my hand out and help someone along the road rather than knock them down.”

David Laming received a special 80th birthday gift from the Dunfermline Athletic squad earlier this year. David Laming received a special 80th birthday gift from the Dunfermline Athletic squad earlier this year. (Image: Craig Brown) READ MORE: Pars boss aiming for an Ayr raid after back-to-back wins

David, who together with wife Janet celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month, said he left his role after feeling "disrespected" by management.

He said: “I just thought ‘I don’t need to take that at my age.’ “Twenty-one years as a volunteer and I never cost them a penny.

"On match days I was there from half eight in the morning until half five at night.

“I won’t be naming any names, that’s not the way to do it, and you wouldn’t hear me condemning the club, no way.”

His departure was raised on online fan pages but David said: “I don’t want anybody to boycott the club shop, at certain times of year it’s the only income that the club gets, and it needs it.

"I’m not bitter but I’ve made my mind up.”

David and Janet Laming. David and Janet Laming. (Image: Supplied.) In a social media post David thanked the Pars fans for their kind sentiments regarding his departure and wrote: “What happened was between me and the club.”

A spokesperson for the club told the Press: "DAFC are surprised and saddened by the comments made by David Laming suggesting disrespect towards him.

"The club is fortunate to have a pool of very committed volunteers who give up so much time and contribute so much to the DAFC cause.

"The club has enormous gratitude to all, whether they help in retail, stadium maintenance, community, media or elsewhere.

"Whilst we disagree with David's comments, we acknowledge his decision to no longer volunteer and we thank him for all the help he has offered to the club over the years.

"We know he is a passionate Pars fan and we hope to see him take his seat in the stands at our games."