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East Fife FC Welcomes Balgowan Fine Foods as New Hospitality Catering Partner
East Fife FC is delighted to announce Balgowan Fine Foods as our new hospitality catering partner for the upcoming season. Led by the highly respected and locally connected Chris Hazelton, Balgowan Fine Foods brings a fresh and exciting flavour to matchdays at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
Chris Hazelton, Head Chef and founder of Balgowan Fine Foods, boasts an impressive culinary career. Rising through the ranks of some of Scotland’s best kitchens, Chris became Executive Chef at Peebles Hydro in 2015. His journey then took him to Carnoustie’s Rookery and the prestigious St Andrews Links, where he oversaw both kitchen and front-of-house operations as Head of Food and Beverage. In 2018, he was honoured by his peers with induction into the Master Chefs of Great Britain—a recognition of his talent, leadership, and contribution to the industry.
This year, Chris took the exciting step of launching his own food manufacturing business, and East Fife FC is proud to be one of his first major projects. His first game in charge of hospitality at Bayview will be the home match against Alloa Athletic on Saturday, 9th August.
Chris brings more than just culinary skill to the role—he brings passion and a personal connection to the club. “One of my first jobs was on the turnstiles at Old Bayview and then at New Bayview,” Chris shared. “Old Bayview was just up the road from my grandparents’ home. Looking after the hospitality at Bayview is a perfect fit for me and the team. I have a passion and reputation for big flavours and friendly hospitality and can’t wait for the first game of the season so we can get going.”
Lee from the East Fife Commercial Team commented:
“First of all, I want to say thank you to Rod and Louise from RL Catering who came in last season and made an unbelievable difference. Our hospitality offering went through the roof towards the end of last season, which allowed us to attract some top-quality candidates. Chris comes with a real pedigree that matches our ambition. He’s worked in some of Scotland’s top hotels, catered at Royal Ascot, and is one of the elite group of Chefs who can call themselves a Master Chef in Britain. The fact that he’s got ties to the club is the icing on the cake.
“We’re beyond excited for the start of the season and welcoming guests new and old to get a real ‘taste’ of the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. We were absolutely blown away by the quality of applicants for the position, but from the moment we spoke to Chris, we knew we had our man.”
We look forward to working with Chris and the Balgowan Fine Foods team to elevate our matchday experience and deliver best-in-class hospitality to fans, sponsors, and guests.
Full details of hospitality packages and pricing will be announced soon. Stay tuned and prepare to enjoy a whole new level of East Fife matchday experience!
We're Hiring: East Fife FC Bar Manager & Bar Staff
East Fife FC is on the lookout for enthusiastic and reliable individuals to join our matchday and events team!
Bar Manager
We’re seeking a responsible and organised Bar Manager to lead our bar operations.
You must hold a Personal Licence.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee all bar operations during events and matchdays
Manage staff rotas and supervise bar team
Monitor and manage stock levels and ordering
Ensure compliance with licensing laws and health & safety regulations
Bar Staff
We’re also looking for friendly, hardworking Bar Staff to provide top-class service to our supporters.
Applicants must be 18 or over. Both roles require evening and weekend work.
Whether you're experienced or just starting out, if you’re a team player with great customer service skills, we want to hear from you!
To apply: Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., FAO Robert Cargill.
Come be part of the team at the heart of the action at Bayview!
East Fife FC Club Open Day 2025
East Fife FC is delighted to invite all supporters to our Club Open Day on Saturday 28th June at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium – a great opportunity to get behind the scenes, meet the team, and enjoy a day out at the home of the Fifers!
The day kicks off with an open training session from 11:30am, giving fans a chance to watch the squad in action as they prepare for the new season.
From 12:45pm, supporters will have the chance to meet the players, chat with them, and grab photos and autographs.
At 1:30pm, we’ll host a Q&A session with the management and board, offering fans an opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts, and hear directly from those at the heart of the club.
The club shop will be open throughout the day with a range of merchandise available, and the stadium bar will also be open for refreshments.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or a new face, everyone is welcome – come along and enjoy a day with the East Fife family!
Donald Walker Appointed Vice-Chairman of East Fife FC
East Fife Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Donald Walker as Vice-Chairman.
Donald brings with him a wealth of professional experience and deep-rooted passion for the club. A seasoned media and communications executive, he currently serves as a national director of communications in the third sector following 25 years in the national media, first on Fleet Street then holding senior editorial roles at The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday where he was Deputy Editor of both titles as well as on the Scotsman Publications management team.
A lifelong East Fife supporter, Donald is a season ticket holder, shareholder, and proud third-generation fan — with his sons now representing the fourth. His deep connection to the club has seen him involved in numerous initiatives over the years, including:
- Member of the Kevin Smith Testimonial Committee, also serving as a dinner tribute speaker.
- Host of the East Fife All-Time Greats Gala Dinner at the Dean Park Hotel.
- Key figure in locating and reconnecting with the club’s legends of the 1940s and 1950s, as well as organising three reunions for former players from the 1970s and 1980s.
He also brings prior experience of other football clubs through AGMs, share issues, annual reports, and stakeholder engagement processes — expertise that will be of significant benefit to East Fife as the club continues to evolve.
Donald said: “The chance to support the club’s new chairman Liam Anderson and his board of directors during a time of change is an exciting and motivating prospect.
“The directors demonstrated their ambition for the club with the appointment of the Campbells last year, and that move has quickly borne fruit with promotion to William Hill League 1. Along the way, the club has strengthened its connections with the local community, and it has been encouraging to witness people responding positively.
“I look forward to tackling the challenges and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead as we face the future with genuine grounds for optimism and a united desire across the club to develop East Fife’s potential.”
Commenting on the appointment, Chairman Liam Anderson added: “Donald is someone I've long believed would be a great asset to the football club, but for various reasons, the timing hasn’t been right – until now. I’m absolutely delighted to welcome him not just to the board, but also into the role of Vice-Chairman. He brings a fresh perspective and valuable experience to direction we’re heading at Bayview.”
We welcome Donald into his new role and look forward to working alongside him as we continue building toward a bright future for East Fife FC.
