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The Bayview | Black and Gold and Blue - Andy Matthew
Bayview Youth Club, founded by East Fife manager Dave McLean before the second world war, was a nursery club that produced many players for the Fife during the halcyon days of the late 1940s and early 1950s, as well as some notable players for other clubs including the like of Hearts’ goalkeeper Jimmy Brown and half-back Davie Laing.
Andy Matthew was one such player, stepping up from Bayview Youth Club to East Fife in December 1949 at the age of seventeen.
As would be expected, it took some time for the youngster to break into what was an established and very successful first team, with East Fife League Cup holders at the time of Andy’s signing, having won the trophy for the second time just months earlier.
The team were also challenging for the Scottish League title and were Scottish Cup finalists during andy;s early days at Bayview, so it was inevitable that he would have to ‘bide his time’ with the reserves.
Finally, on 18th August 1951, Andy was handed a starting place in a League Cup clash with Aberdeen at Bayview when he replaced Davie Duncan on the left-wing. East Fife won convincingly by three goals to nil, and the maytch report that appeared in the following addition of the Dubndee Courier singlied young Andy out for praise:
“Andrew Matthew did all that could be expected from a young lad making his big game debut. He has the ideas and the courage. All that he now required is the confidence”
Andy retained his place in the side for the remainder of the League Cup sectional ties, before making a scoring league debut at Tynecastle on 8th September 1951, when the Fife went down 3-1 to Hearts.
Ironically, the man in goal for Hearts that afternoon, who put in one of his “best-ever performance” according to press reports, was none other than the aforementioned former Bayview Youth ‘keeper Jimmy Brown!
Despite Andy Matthew’s favourable performances, East Fife decided to bring Davie Duncan back into the side just a week after Andy’s league debut, and once again he was confined to the reserves. For the remainder of season 1951/52 and die season 1952/53, Andy made only occasional first team appearances, but during season 1953/54 he finally won the number eleven jersey from legendary rival Duncan who, following a spell in the reserves, was eventually transferred to Raith Rovers.
In October 1953, Andy’s efforts were rewarded when he played his art in the East Fife team that lifted the Scottish League Cup for the third time following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Partick Thistle at Hampden. Just under a month later, Andy won his first international honour when he was selected to pull on the dark blue jersey of Scotland for an “unofficial” international against the British Army at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Wednesday 18th November 1953.
Previewing the match, the Dundee Courier were of the opinion that the talent on display, include the East Fife winger, would no doubt attract the interest of several club managers from south of the border. In an article which appeared on the morning of the match, under the headline “English Managers May Outnumber Scottish Supporters!” reporter Colin Glen observed:
“The Scots who lined up against the Army at Goodison Park, Everton, today may not have many of their countrymen supporting them, but there will be plenty English managers there watching them inaction, three players in particular are fancied – Joe McDonald, Sam Baird and Andy Matthew. These three are all newcomers to a Scottish jersey and for Scotland’s sake, I hope they plat to their club form. Newcastle, Preston, Liverpool and a host of other clubs will be hoping the same.”
However, the reporter was also of the opinion that in the event it was unlikely East Fife would part with Andy Matthew and concluded:
“The Fifers have had a food season financially so far, with the League Cup success, and their various floodlight trips. They need Mathew and will hang on to him”.
Unfortunately, despite victory by the odd-goal-in-five, the Scots team’s performance on the night was disappointing, with Andy having a quite game on the left wing and playing no part in any of the three Scotland goals.
Andy then fell out of the international selectors’ reckoning for a number of seasons, as East Fife approached the end of their halcyon days and slipped down the league table/
It was perhaps surprising, therefore, when Andy was selected to play for the Scottish League in a trial match against a Scotland XI on 3rd February 1958, arranged as part of Scotland’s build up to the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
In front of an incredible crowd of 45,436 at Easter Road in Edinburgh, the largest at the time to have witnessed a floodlit match, Andy found himself on the losing side as the Scotland trial eleven won by three-goals-to-two. Despite being involved in the build up to the Scottish League’s second goa, Andy, just like his previous appearance in a Scotland jersey, had a quiet game, and subsequently bowed out of the international scene.
Later that same year, with East Fife having just been relegated to the Second Division of the Scottish League, Andy Matthew signed for Rangers and kept his top-flight football career alive. Following two seasons at Ibrox, Andy returned to Fife to spend a season at Raith Rovers before moving on to Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath, thus becoming one of the few players to turn out for all four Fife clubs. He played his last senior match when he appeared as a substitute for Cowdenbeath during season 1968/69.
Andy passed away in October 1992 aged just 60.
Jim Corstorphine
The Bayview | Meet The Fans with Adam Bellamy
Name: Adam Bellamy Aged 9
Location: Leven
East Fife
How long have you been an East Fife supporter and what was your first game?
I have been an East Fife supporter for 3 years. My first game was a 2-2 draw with Queen’s Park in September 2014. Liam Smith scored a late equaliser
Most memorable moment following East Fife?
When we won 6-1 against Airdrieonians in November. I was there with all of the 2008 East Fife Youth Team – was a great match!
Least favourite moment following East Fife?
Losing to Dunfermline on penalties in the League Cup. East Fife deserved to win that game!
Favourite player (present)?
Mark Lamont
Favourite player (all-time)?
Mark Lamont
Pick your all-time East Fife 11
Ryan Goodfellow, Chris Kane, Johnny Page, Mark Docherty, Pat Slattery, Kyle Wilkie, Mark Lamont, Kevin O’Hara, Jordan Austin, Chris Duggan and Fash.
Scotland
Favourite Scotland game?
Scotland v England in 2017 – I though we might win ☹
Favourite Scotland player (all-time)?
Robert Snodgrass
When do you think Scotland will next qualify for a major tournament?
2022???
General
Ronaldo or Messi?
Ronaldo
Favourite away ground?
Stark’s Park, especially when we win next time!!!!
If you could change one football rule what would it be?
No offside rule
Matchball Sponsors on Sat. 10th February
Commercial director presenting signed balls to on left, Liam Anderson, Architectural services, Methil and then to John Tindal, of Tindal projects, Kirkcaldy on Saturday, 10th February after the game against Queens Park.
Looking for Relatives - Help Required
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of our Scottish Cup win in 1938, we are looking to track down the descendants of our winning team. We are still looking for relatives of Jimmy Milton, Bobby Tait, Andy Herd, Bobby McCartney, David Millar, Danny McKerrell and John Harvey. If you are able to help please email the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This year also sees us commemorate the 70th anniversary of our first League Cup triumph in 1947/1948. We are still looking to contact the relatives of Manager Scot Symon and players Jimmy Philp and Dougie and Jackie Davidson. Again, if you are able to help please get in touch.
Spiders Next Up After Stranraer Success
Queen’s Park are the visitors to Bayview Stadium tomorrow afternoon as East Fife look to build on last Saturday’s well-earned 2-0 victory at Stair Park. Manager Darren Young was a happy man following the win, particularly with three midfielders having to call off through injury during the week. New signings Connor McManus and Adam Livingstone were handed their debut, with Robert Jones also being given an early introduction after Chris Duggan’s first-half departure after sustaining a heavy knock.
Despite the Spiders’ lowly league position, Gus MacPherson’s men can always be expected to provide tough opposition, and having won both encounters between the sides this season will be desperate to pull clear of the automatic relegation place they currently occupy. The Methil men’s record against Queen’s Park in recent years has been less than impressive, with the Fifers last victory at Bayview occurring more than nine years ago when goals from Greig McDonald, Chris Templeman and a double from Stevie Crawford secured a 4-1 success.
Once again East Fife physiotherapist George Good’s treatment table has been in high demand, with Kyle Wilkie, Craig Thomson and Mark Docherty all sidelined last week, while Greg Fotheringham misses out for the visitors through suspension after his sending off in the defeat to Raith Rovers at Hampden Stadium .
Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game.
East Fife Back To Winning-Ways With Victory Over Stranraer
Ladbrokes League 1
Saturday 3rd February 2018
Stair Park
Stranraer 0
East Fife 2 (Linton 58’ (P), Lamont 61’)
Stranarer XI: Currie, Robertson, Neill, McGowan, Hamill, Woods (Anderson 64’), Agnew (Hawkshaw 64’), Turner, Beith, Dykes (Lyon 64’), Okoh
Subs: McLaren, MacPherson, Barron, Thomson
Booked: McGowan
East Fife XI: Goodfellow, Dunsmore, Kane, Page, Linton, Lamont (Watson 76’), McManus, Millar, Livingstone, Duggan (Jones 41’), Smith (Slattery 86’)
Subs: Wilson, Mutch, Knox, MacKenzie
Booked: Page
Referee: Colin Steven
Attendance: 383
East Fife made the long trip down to Stair Park to face Stranraer and returned to Bayview with all 3 points after picking up their first win on the road since November. Manager Darren Young made 5 changes to the side that lost to Forfar Athletic last time out with new-signing Connor McManaus and Adam Livingston, Kevin Smith, Kieran Millar and Aaron Dunsmore, free again after the last game through suspension, replaced the injured trio of Mark Docherty, Kyle Wilkie and Craig Thomson with Pat Slattery and Craig Watson dropping to the bench.
East Fife should have taken the lead on 11 minutes when a good break by Livingstone picked out Smith in the middle of the park, Smith lifted the ball over the top for Chris Duggan who put the ball past on-rushing ‘keeper Max Currie only for the flag to be raised for offside – replays showing that Duggan was in fact well onside when the ball was played. Stephen Okoh fired over from close range on 14 minutes for the home side before Currie saved comfortably from Jonathan Page’s header on 21 minutes at the other end.
East Fife rode their luck a bit in the first half and a combination of Ryan Goodfellow and Chris Kane were required to keep out a goalmouth scramble on 23 minutes. Duggan should have done better when he broke free from his marker to get on the end of Linton’s free kick on 31 minutes but didn’t get enough on the ball and it flew wide. Livingstone registered the visitor’s first shot on goal on 32 minutes when his left-footed volley was saved by Currie.
Angus Bieth curled a shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post for the home side on 37 minutes after being played in by Scott Robertson. New-signing Robert Jones came on for his debut 5 minutes before the break as a replacement for Duggan who picked up a dead leg after a challenge from Morgyn Neill and almost gave the visitor’s the lead in bizarre circumstances. With a Stranraer player down injured play ground to a halt but without the referee stopping play, McManus was invited to play on and fed Jones down the left who drove into the box and forces Currie to turn his shot behind.
There was little between the sides at the break who both teams struggling to find their passing game on a pitch that was struggling after harsh weather conditions.
Linton sent a right-footed shot wide of the post shortly after the re-start before Stranraer had a penalty shout waved away by referee Colin Steven on 49 minutes when Beith’s shot appeared to hit the arm of Page – replays showing that it was the correct decision as his arms were in front of his chest. Currie spilled a shot from Jones on 53 minutes but was able to recover quickly with Smith waiting to pounce.
East Fife were awarded a highly debatable penalty of 56 minutes when Kieran Millar broke through the Stranraer defence and raced in on goal only to be brought down by Chris McGowan as he was about to shoot. Stranraer argued that McGowan played the ball first but replays have proved to be inconclusive but the fact the challenge came from behind is what probably swayed the decision in East Fife’s favour. With regular penalty taker Mark Docherty missing through injury, Scott Linton stepped up to give East Fife the lead with his 3rd goal of the season.
It was 2-0 shortly after when Mark Lamont won a footrace against McGowan to latch onto Millar’s through ball and slot past Currie for his 4th of the season. Jones was next to get in behind the Stranraer defence but dragged his shot just wide of target on 66 minutes. Lamont went close to adding a second with 20 minutes to play but flashed his shot over from the edge of the box.
Beith blasted over from 10-yards for the home side on 72 minutes after Grant Anderson’s cross was only partially cleared before Okoh just failed to get on the end of Anderson’s knock down as the home side looked for a way back into the game.
It wasn’t to be however as East Fife held on for a thoroughly-deserved first League win on the road since a 1-0 victory against Airdrieonians in September and will look to build on that performance when Queen’s Park are the visitors to Bayview on Saturday.