As always, I would like to start by wishing everyone good health.
After a lot of uncertainty, we are now progressing towards the start of the 2020/21 season with a degree of confidence that until recently had been in short supply.
By the time you are reading this the players will have resumed training and that in itself is a huge step forward. Darren [Young] and Tony [McMinn] have put together a rigorous programme for the players which will include double sessions at weekends.
While the players will not be required to be tested for Covid-19 we are still having to carry out temperature checks and stringent paperwork on everyone involved in and around the squad. To that end I would like to thank John Donaldson for the time and effort he has put in to ensure that we as a club are compliant with all of the protocols that we must adhere to.
But that is only one piece of the jigsaw, the players and management are under no illusions of how they will be scrutinised by the governing bodies, press and general public over the coming weeks and months. Football has never been in the spotlight as it will be this season. We all have a part to play in making East Fife Football Club as safe an environment as possible.
Our volunteers have been working tirelessly in and around the stadium to ensure that we are ready for what will be a very difficult time for all clubs. As always, I thank them all as without their efforts this would not have been possible.
At the time of writing we have not received any information on allowing fans back into the stadium so we are working to ensure that we are ready to carry out live streaming of our home games. All season ticket holders will receive further information on how to access the virtual element of their season ticket by the 18th of September. Although East Fife TV have been live streaming matches to overseas supporters for a couple of seasons now, the team have had to make a variety of necessary upgrades to cope with a vastly increased number of viewers and to that end we intend to host a test event in late September to trial the updates. This will also give you the chance to try out your set up at home and request support from the East Fife TV team prior to the season getting underway.
As mentioned in my previous message, once we know the actual number of fans that may be allowed to attend, season ticket holders will be allocated a seat as a priority. What is certain is that it may not be possible for fans to sit in their normal seats due to social distancing. I understand this is not ideal, but we will try to accommodate you in the seat of your choice. As soon as we have full details, we will let you know.
On the playing side, the summer signings of Danny Swanson and Thomas Collins will add a freshness to the squad and it testament to the work goes on behind the scenes that so many of last season’s squad have resigned for, in most case, a further two years. We are under no illusions as to how difficult season 2020/21 will be with the quality of the teams that we will be facing but we will be well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
I am delighted to announce that we have secured a full set of sponsors for all of our playing kit and my heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of our backers. Their continued support is gratefully received. A full list of our sponsors follows below. Also, for the first time as we allowed to display advertising on sleeves, we have chosen to thank our wonderful NHS.
We now received our home playing kit and replicas which will be welcome news to those who pre-ordered all those weeks ago. With the top being a bespoke design, it has taken longer than usual to get the kit into production with various prototypes being produced before the final version was settled on. I am sure that you will agree that the final version is fantastic and will be a much sought-after product. As I said the replicas are here and will be distributed over the coming week or so. Due to the current restrictions, Leona is still working from home and will be sorting out sizes and distribution on her own so we ask you to please be a little more patient as she works her way through the orders. We will announce times for collection from the stadium as soon as possible. Once all existing orders have been dispatched / collected we will reintroduce the home top to the Club Shop. At this time we will also be able put our new second strip up for sale as well.
Stay safe and hopefully we will be seeing you all very soon.
Yours in sport
Jim Stevenson
Chairman
SPONSORS 2020-22
BW Technology
Our new front of home strip sponsor for the next two seasons. Based in Scotland since 2010 BW Technology have been supplying manufacturers and service companies within the aerospace, defence, medical, industrial, marine and transportation markets throughout the world.
East Fife Joinery
Continuing their support for the Club for the fifth year in a row, East Fife Joinery will feature on the front of our second & third kits for the next two seasons. The Dunsire family have been in the construction industry since the early 1950’s and the current owners of East Fife Joinery Ltd., Murray, George & Angela Dunsire continue to operate in the very same premises where it all began 70 years ago.
W. Glendinning Haulage Contractor
W. Glendinning Haulage Contractors will appear at the top of the back of all here playing kits for the next two seasons. Watty Glendinning and his brother Andrew have developed a successful family business working for over 42 years and he has 10 trucks and 30 trailers which are all fitted out for agricultural work. The younger family members are now actively involved.
Pinpoint
Pinpoint have been sponsors of East Fife for many years and have once again renewed their sponsorship for season 2020/21. Pinpoint are UK leading developers of personal staff attack alarm systems designed to suit environments where staff are at risk of violence in the workplace.
Specsavers
Specsavers have renewed their sponsorship again with the club and in addition to their advertising board & back of the first-team training tops have sponsored our dugouts for season 2020/21.
Gordon Love
A well kent face around Bayview, Gordon is a lifelong supporter and will feature on our white shorts for the coming season.
East Fife Supporters’ Club
The financial contribution of the Supporters’ Club every year cannot be underestimated. Their tireless fundraising is greatly appreciated, and they will feature on the lower back of our third kit jerseys for season 2020/21.
East Fife Supporters’ Trust
Regular financial contributors to the Club and producers of our match day programme, the Supporters’ Trust will feature on our black shorts for 2020/21.
Fifers for the Community
The work done by this group in running the hire & maintenance of our pitch has made the community use of the stadium the success that it is. They will feature on our red shorts for season 2020/21.
East Fife Girls & Womens’ Football Club
Everyone at the Club is proud of the success of the Girls & Women’s teams over all age groups. They will feature on back lower of our away strip for season 2020/21.
East Fife Community Football Club
The pathway for youngsters to make their way to the first team evident with the progress of Under 20s players for this season. They will feature on the rear lower of the new home strip for season 2020/21.