The club was saddened to learn news of the passing of former player Dick Smith.
Born in Perthshire, Smith moved to Methil as a 23 year old in April 1963 from Newburgh, making his debut at Cappielow Park against a high flying Morton side in front of an 8,200 crowd. The 5-0 defeat turned out to be the penultimate game in charge for manager Charlie McCaig, who was replaced by former player Jimmy Bonthrone, who handed Smith the number nine shirt for his first home game a week later. It turned out to be quite an occasion under the Bayview lights as Smith scored the only goal of the night with five minutes remaining to secure a win against Stranraer.
The following season saw Smith mostly occupying a full back position, with the Fifers reaching the quarter finals of the League Cup, drawing with Rangers 1-1 in the first leg watched by a 14,000 Bayview crowd before going down 3-1 at Ibrox the following week.
The league campaign was notable for a 3-1 victory against a Morton side that had won a remarkable 26 consecutive games with Smith featuring on the left side of defence. Bonthrone’s men finished in a much improved fourth position at the end of season, but for Smith after 31 appearances and 7 goals for East Fife, it was farewell as he emigrated to Australia, where he would turn out for Sydney side Hakoah.
Dick Smith later returned to Scotland and will be remembered a successful businessman and a popular figure in junior football circles. Everyone at East Fife Football Club would like to pass on our condolences to Dick's family and friends.
Dick Smith in action against Rangers at Ibrox
Due to high demand, the 1903 Travel Club will be running an additional bus to Falkirk for our league match on Saturday 28th September.
Congratulations to Darren Young who has picked up the Ladbrokes League 1 Manager of the Month award for August after an unbeaten start to the season.
The month started with a 1-1 draw in our League 1 opener away to newly promoted Clyde where a second half goal from Anton Dowds cancelled out an early opener from David Goodwillie from the penalty spot.
That was followed up with another 1-1 draw against last season’s League 2 Champions Peterhead at the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium. Derek Lyle had given the Blue Toon the lead in the 34th minute before Ryan Wallace levelled the match shortly before half-time. East Fife were the dominate side throughout the second period but were unable to find a breakthrough.
Next up was a clinical 4-1 victory over Airdrieonians on 24th August at Bayview. Ross Davidson gave the home side the early lead when he capitalised on a slip from Diamond’s ‘keeper David Hutton to stoke the ball home from 30-yards before Liam Watt doubled the lead with his now trademark goal, cutting in from the left & curling a strike into the far corner. After the break, Aaron Dunsmore added goal number 3 with a well-worked move down the right & Scott Agnew completed a clean sweep for the midfield 4 with a strike from 20-yards. Airdrieonians pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Calum Gallagher.
The month ended with a resounding victory in the Fife Derby over Raith Rovers. Jamie Gullan had put the visitors ahead after taking advantage of a short pass back to know the ball into the empty net before from then on East Fife were by far the better side. Anton Dowds equalised almost immediately after good work from Ryan Wallace. Chris Higgins added a second after half-time and Wallace a third when he got on the end of Agnew’s free kick. Raith pulled a goal back with 6 minutes to go to set up a nervy finish but Agnew made sure of the points 6 minutes into injury time with a strike from 10-yards.
This is Darren’s second Manager of the Month award while at East Fife after picking up the same accolade in last September after guiding the side to 5 wins out of 5 in all competitions during an impressive run of 8 wins in a row.
August record (league only) - Played: 4 Wins: 2 Draws: 2 Defeats: 0 Points: 8 Goals Scored: 10 Goals Conceded: 5
We’re delighted to announce that Scott Agnew & Ross Dunlop have both agreed 2-year contract extensions, keeping them at Bayview until June 2022.
Scott joined East Fife in the summer of 2018 from Stranraer and so far has 48 East Fife appearances to his name & finding the net 14 times since his debut at the start of last season.
Ross also signed on last season after helping Stenhousemuir gain promotion to League 1 through the play-offs and has featured on 51 occasions do far, scoring once.
East Fife Football Club in conjunction with Peninsula would like to invite you to attend a complimentary event for local business owners.
Join our expert HR and health & safety speaker from Peninsula at this brief but invaluable event which will enhance the way you run your business by giving you the knowledge and advise to resolve any employee challenge.
The event takes place on Tuesday 15th October 2019 at the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium from 9.30am to 12.45pm. A light networking lunch will be provided after the event.
You will learn how to:
- Manage work-related health problems such as stress, depression and anxiety.
- Review contracts, handbooks and other essential employee documents.
- Deal with staff behaviour, performance, attendance and attitude.
- Handle health & safety, risk assessments, fore safety policies and procedures.
- Understand the six fair reasons for dismissal to help avoid tribunal claims.
- Manage gender-balance, employment status and pay.
You can book your place via phone (0844 892 2771) or email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by quoting 44694C.