Oli Anderson previews today’s Paul Hampshire Memorial Match against Dunbar United
Following on from what was a tough test against SPFL Premiership opposition in Falkirk on Tuesday night, where the Fifers fell 4-2, East Fife are back in action today. We travel to New Countess Park for a slightly earlier kick off of 2:30pm to play in the Paul Hampshire Memorial Match against Dunbar United.
Paul played for both East Fife and Dunbar, making over 50 appearances in a two-year spell with the Methil Milan from 2005-2007. From there, Hampshire would move on to the Seasiders.
Gregor Nicol was the standout in Tuesday night’s defeat, setting up Alan Trouten for the first goal, and scoring the second on his own. Plaudits must also be given to Matty Rollo in goal, who made a handful of very strong stops over the course of the contest.
The last time these two sides met, it was an afternoon to forget for the Fifers, as the East of Scotland outfit claimed a 1-0 victory to progress in the Scottish Cup. A Dean Whitson penalty was all that separated the sides on the day, but the result only added to East Fife’s recent poor form in Scotland’s prime cup competition.
Match Tickets
Tickets are available for tonight’s contest at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium with prices below.
Adults- £5
Concessions- £3
U16s- Free with a paying adult
Tickets are available to purchase online via Dunbar’s Fanbase page, though there will also be a cash gate at New Countess Park.
Squad News
Liam Newton continues to miss out through injury, though our trialists remain at the management team’s disposal for the clash.
Mon the Fife!
We continue our pre-season schedule with a trip to face Dunbar United on Saturday 5th July 2025, with a 2.30pm kick off at New Countess Park.
The match is being held in memory of Paul Hampshire, who had spells at both clubs during his career. Paul joined East Fife in July 2005 and made 53 appearances over two seasons before going on to join Dunbar United.
Admission Prices:
Tickets are available to purchase online, and a cash gate will also be in operation on the day.
Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Falkirk
The Fifers look forward to their first contest of the season this evening as they welcome newly promoted Premiership side Falkirk to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium in a friendly fixture. Undoubtably, it is a fantastic opportunity to get sharpness back into the players ahead of the fast-approaching Premier Sports Cup Group Stages, which kick off in less than a fortnight’s time.
Although this is our first action of the season, Falkirk have already had minutes under their belt, though in their most recent encounter, it did not go to plan as they were defeated by Michael McIndoe’s Edinburgh City side 3-2, even trailing by three goals to nil after a slow start. Following the defeat, assistant manager Paul Smith spoke with Falkirk TV:
“It was a wakeup call defensively today; we gave away three very poor goals in the first half and we became restless. We were very poor in both boxes today. I was very happy with the progress we had seen in preseason up until today, we are disappointed to let our standards drop.”
Match Tickets
Tickets are available for tonight’s contest at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium with prices below.
Adults- £10
U16s- £5
EFCFC members U16- Free!
Please not that there are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and we strongly encourage supporters to buy online in advance, and season tickets are unavailable for this game, season ticket holders can purchase tickets for their usual seat using the ST holders log in.
Squad News
Liam Newton misses out tonight through injury but tonight’s squad will be augmented with a handful of trialists.
Miscellaneous
The stadium bar is open from 6.00pm this evening for pre-match refreshments. A pop-up club shop will also be open in the lounge prior to kick off tonight.
Mon The Fife!
We will host Falkirk at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium next Tuesday (1st July) for our first pre-season friendly.
📅 Saturday 12th July 2025 | 🏟️ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium | 🎟️ £65 per person
East Fife FC is delighted to invite supporters to enjoy a special Matchday Hospitality experience as we welcome Livingston to Bayview in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday 12th July.
This promises to be a fantastic day both on and off the pitch as we kick off the new season—and we’re thrilled to announce a very special guest in the kitchen. Former fan favourite Tom Will will be donning the apron once again for a one-off return, serving up a delicious two-course meal that’s sure to stir some fond memories as well as your appetite.
What’s Included:
Whether you’re entertaining guests, catching up with old friends, or just want to treat yourself to something special, our hospitality package offers a memorable day out at Bayview—complete with great food, football, and Fife football legends.
💷 Price: £65 per person
Spaces are limited and expected to sell quickly, so early booking is highly recommended.
➡️ To book your place, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the club office on 01333 426323.
Come and be part of what promises to be a cracking day at Bayview. We look forward to welcoming you!
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!