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Match Report - Elgin City

Elgin City 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 3rd February 2024

Borough Briggs, cinch League Two

Defeat at Borough Briggs spelled our second in succession as we fell 1-0 to Elgin City on Saturday afternoon in a game which marked the end of Greig McDonald’s tenure as East Fife manager.

It was a disappointing display where we struggled with our build up play, and only recorded one shot on target, sadly there was only one team who looked like winning it, and it wasn’t the Methil Milan.

Changes had to be made before the match even started, as Sean Docherty replaced skipper Stuart Murdoch, who suffered an injury in the warmup on Saturday. We wish le capitaine a swift recovery.

Kick off came, and it was a slow start from the Fifers, and they were under the kosh early doors. Conor McManus did expertly well to get in the way of Brian Cameron’s volley, turning the ball out for a corner.

Chances were hard to come by for the Fifers, though they were like London buses. Nathan Austin first flashed a ball across goal, having done remarkably well to keep it in play. Five minutes later, Kieran Millar had a chance, though his 20 yarder was well off target.

A flurry of chances then came in the favour of Elgin, before the end of the first half. Allan Fleming did well to dispose of Mitchell Taylor’s free kick, but sadly City did not stop there. They eventually bagged their goal in the 44th minute, with the aforementioned Brian Cameron being first to react to a loose ball which had just come back off the post.

Much to our dismay, the second half started no differently to how the first half finished, and Elgin were on the attack again after 53 minutes. Fortunately for us Rob Jones’ attempt was fired well over the bar and the score-line remained 1-0.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 56-minute mark saw changes be made, including the quick Jack Healy, whose job was clearly to break the Elgin back line down. Disappointingly, it was not the local lad’s day, and the Elgin full backs done their job well in nullifying Healy.

Brilliant goalkeeping was required by Fleming soon after the substitutions were made, as Golding had a great chance. Fleming was on top form though, and he tipped the effort over the bar.

Elgin looked incredibly comfortable in the contest, though McHale was eventually called into action, as he stopped a diving header from Nathan Austin that looked destined to find the back of the net. An Allan Fleming save in the 93rd minute was the last piece of action of the 90, with all three points sadly staying in the Highlands.

Luckily for ourselves, we weren’t the only team at the blunt end of the table to drop points as 10th placed Clyde conceded a 95th minute penalty against Peterhead. We remain 10 points clear of the drop zone as a result.

Looking forward to the weekend, we are set to host league leaders Stenhousemuir in what will be a challenging game. The Warriors were able to boast an unbeaten run in the league stretching back to August prior to a fortnight ago, when they were toppled by Peterhead.

Report by Oli Anderson

Elgin City – McHale, Cooper (Cairns 42’) Booth, Dolzanski, Draper, Gallagher, Dingwall, Cameron, Golding, Jones (Bray 90+1’), Taylor (Dangana 82’). Subs not used: Mackenzie, Jamieson, Kelly, MacLemon, Ewan, Duncan

East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Docherty (Page 55’), Easton, Millar, McManus, Hamilton, Walls (Shepherd 69’), Schiavone (Healy 56’), Trouten (Nicol 73’), Austin. Subs not used: Cunningham, Murray, Beveridge.

Referee – Alex Shepherd

Attendance - 605

Dick Campbell Appointed Manager

Tuesday 6^th February 2024

Dick Campbell Appointed Manager

East Fife Football Club are delighted to confirm the appointment of Dick Campbell as our new first-team manager.

Dick joins the club alongside his long-time backroom team of brother Ian and John Young and will take charge of his first match for this weekend’s match against Stenhousemuir at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

Dick brings a wealth of experience to the club after a managerial career spanning 7 clubs and 4 decades and counts no fewer than 4 league titles and 3 further promotions among his many achievements.

Dick Campbell commented: “I am overjoyed to be named as the new 1st team manager of East Fife Football Club. I have always had a soft spot for the club dating back to my playing days when we had some massive games.

“This is the third opportunity that has arisen for me to take charge but previously the timing wasn't right for various reasons. Unfortunately, as with all managerial appointments, it means that someone has lost their job & I feel for Greig McDonald whom I have known since he was a YTS player under me at Dunfermline.

“However, we must now look forward not back and I am relishing the chance to make East Fife a team to be feared again and to start climbing the leagues. I have been very impressed by the Board of Directors and their ambitions for the club, but we need everyone connected to the club to be 100% behind this project and that includes the fans.

“I am bringing with me my trusted backroom staff of my brother Ian & John Young and we can't wait to get started.”

Chairman Jim Stevenson added: “We as a board felt that this appointment had to be the right one for the club and had to be made quickly. Thankfully, Dick was available, and we were able to thrash out a deal to bring him and his backroom staff to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. We now look forward to what we hope will exciting times with Dick at the helm.”

Club Statement - Greig McDonald

Monday 5^th February 2024

Resignation Of Grieg McDonald As First-Team Manager

East Fife Football Club wishes to advise that manager Greig McDonald has tendered his resignation which has been accepted by the board of directors.

The club would like to place on record its thanks to Greig for his services over the last 18 months and wishes him well for the future.

The board of directors are now actively pursuing a new 1st team manager and hope to be able make announcement at the earliest opportunity.

Greig requested that the following message be relayed to our fans:

“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step down as the manager of East Fife.

“After the success of achieving the playoffs last season, admittedly this season has felt like an upward struggle with challenges both on and off the pitch.

“Having been involved with the club as a Player, Coach and Manager for nearly 10 years I only want the best for the club. By stepping away now this will hopefully allow everyone to get behind the new manager and potentially allow them to add before the transfer window ends.

“We’re currently sitting mid-table and where we finish in the league is very much in our own hands. I would like to thank the players for their efforts and look forward to watching them finish the season well.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks to the board for the opportunity and all the volunteers at the club for their help.

“Finally, I’d like to thank Jim Stevenson and my staff for their unwavering support and wish everyone connected with the club the best of luck for the future.”