In August 2017 Fifers For The Community (FFTC) assumed responsibility for the maintenance and management of the 3G pitch and introduction of community use at Bayview. Our first winter immediately highlighted that use of the floodlights increased ten-fold and after the lease was the major overhead cost for the Charity. The heavy electricity bills combined with the cost and limited availability of replacement bulbs was a major issue which FFTC and East Fife Football Club (EFFC) decided to address.
Six months ago both parties started to examine the options available and opened discussions with Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS). ZWS launched the project by carrying out an energy assessment to establish the benefit of installing LED floodlights at Bayview. The potential cost reduction was significant so with the support of ZWS the project was put out to competitive tender and a preferred supplier selected.
From there we started the process of identifying possible sources of funding and we were delighted to secure a heavily discounted, long term and low interest loan from the Energy Saving Trust. This alone left us with a difficult decision considering the past and future financial constraints caused by COVID-19.
It was at this stage that a white knight arrived. EFFC and FFTC have previously received enormous support from the Scottish Football Partnership (SFP) and once again they supported all groups involved at Bayview. Following an application by EFFC the SFP awarded a significant grant which turned this into a financially viable project.
Installation of the new LED floodlighting will begin on 22nd August of this year and will exceed SFA Bronze Level standard. Repayment of the loan will be made by FFTC from savings made on electricity usage during community use ensuring there is no financial burden to EFFC. The floodlights will become part of the fabric of Bayview Stadium and as such EFFC will be responsible for maintenance of the system which carries a lengthy warranty.
This has been a tremendous combined effort between FFTC and EFFC who would like to thank Zero Waste Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust and the Scottish Football Partnership for their support throughout.
East Fife TV's Liam Anderson caught up with new player Thomas Collins to discuss his move to the club.
The draw for the group stages of this season’s Betfred Cup took places this afternoon and we have been drawn in Group A alongside Heart of Midlothian, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Cowdenbeath and Raith Rovers.
The ties are scheduled to be played on 06 October, 10 October, 13 October, 10 November and 14 November with each team playing each other once.
Full fixtures, including dates & locations, will be announced in due course.
East Fife TV's Liam Anderson caught up with new player Danny Swanson to discus his move to the club.
East Fife are delighted to announce that former, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian & St Johnstone winger Danny Swanson has agreed to join the club on a 2 year deal.
Manager Daren Young is delighted to have got this deal over line and said,
"Danny signing is a massive coup for the club. We have been talking for the a few weeks now amidst interest from full time & other part time clubs but having spoken to some of our current players he was keen to come to Bayview. Danny is a Premiership quality winger and bring even more experience and creativity to our team."
Welcome to Bayview Danny!
The fixtures for our 2020/21 League 1 campaign were released today and we kick off the 27 game season with a trip to the Balmoral Stadium to face last season’s League 2 winners Cove Rangers on Saturday 17th October.
Our first home match sees us welcome Montrose to the Locality Hub Bayview stadium on Saturday 24th October. If fans are unable to attend, or crowd numbers are limited, East Fife TV will have exclusive live coverage of the game with all season ticket holders given complementary access to the live stream.
Forfar Athletic are the visitors to Bayview for our final home league fixture on Saturday 24th April 2021 before we round off with a trip to Firhill to face Partick Thistle on Saturday 1st May 2021.
Season Tickets for this season are now on sale from the online club shop. 2020/21 season tickets come with complimentary access to all home league matches live on East Fife TV for as long as crowd numbers are restricted. If numbers are limited, season ticket holders will be aloocated entry before individual match tickets are sold. Buy your season ticket now here.