The East Fife Community Football Club has received an early Christmas present in the form of a donation from the East Fife Football Club first team players.
The players operate a fines system between themselves for misdemeanours such as picking up unnecessary bookings, turning up late for training or on matchdays, leaving personal belongings behind after games & training and even not wearing flip flops in the showers. The money collected usually goes towards their Christmas and end of season nights out but this year with festivities curtailed, they decided they would like to donate the money to a local charity.
Club captain Kevin Smith explains; “When it became apparent that we would not be able to have our usual Christmas night out, it was unanimously agreed between the players that we would like to do something with the money collected for a local charity. We asked around and as soon as the EFCFC was mentioned we decided that is where we wanted the cash to go. The EFCFC is pathway for local youngsters to progress from age group football to the East Fife FC first team and their work is already bearing fruit with the likes of Liam Newton and Josh McConville joining the squad from the Under 20s this season. I am proud to be captain of a great club that is the heart of the local community and although £350 isn’t a huge sum, we all hope it helps in these testing times.”
Dave Heddle, the Director of Football for EFCFC was delighted with the generosity of the first team squad and reflected that “this shows the community spirit that exists around the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium and the links we have established between the CFC & EFFC. Like all charities at the present time, every penny is a prisoner, and we thank the East Fife players for acknowledging the work we do.”
With the continued postponement of the Lowland Development League, East Fife can announce that a further two members of our Under 20s squad had gone on loan.
Jamie Allan has joined East of Scotland Premier Division side Dundonald Bluebell. Midfielder Jamie made his first team debut against Montrose in September 2019 and was captain of the Under 20s side last season where he also picked up the East Fife Supporters Club Under 20s Player of the Year Award. Dundonald were scheduled to play Penicuick Athletic yesterday but the match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Dundonald’s next match is against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup on the 28th of December. The match is scheduled to be played at New Central Park, Kelty and will be shown live on BBC Scotland.
Forward Rory Cosgrove has joined East of Scotland Premier Division side Broxburn Athletic. Rory made his first team debut as a 16-year-old when he started in our challenge Cup match against Stirling Albion in August 2019. Broxburn were scheduled to face Musselburgh Athletic in the league yesterday but this match was also postponed. Next up for Broxburn Athletic is an away trip to face Nairn County in the Scottish Cup on Boxing Day.
Darren Young: “The main objective was to get the guys game time. It’s good for these guys to get them playing. The ones that have been around the first team haven’t looked out of place and have done well. A youth set-up is something that hasn’t been here for a few years at the club, but it gives you that opportunity to have a step-up from the Community Football Club as well. It’s a pathway that we wanted to create and hopefully it’s starting to beat fruits already”.
We are delighted to announce that Liam Newton has penned a contract extension until the summer of 2022.
18-year-old Liam was promoted to the first team in the summer after impressing for the Under 20s side last season. He made his debut against Cowdenbeath in the Betfred Cup in October before scoring his first goal against Raith Rovers in the same competition a few days later.
Speaking ahead of yesterday’s match against Peterhead, Manager Darren Young said: “Liam has come in and done very well so this is a testament to how he’s played. We spoke to him during the week to get everything agreed and signed so it’s great for the club and Liam himself.”
On Saturday, we welcome Airdrieonians to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium.
Unfortunately, due to current government and Scottish Football guidelines this match is being played behind closed doors with strictly no spectators permitted.
You can, however, watch the match live on East Fife TV from the comfort of your own home. The match is included in the Virtual Element of your season ticket and pay-per-view is available for £12.50.
East Fife TV’s coverage will begin at 2.30pm where we will be joined "in the studio" and on co-commentary by former player Kenny Deuchar.
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Today's scheduled League One match against Clyde has been postponed after they informed the SPFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture.
With the postponement of the Lowland Development League, East Fife can announce that five of our Under 20s squad had gone on loan until January 2021.
Left-back Cammy Dow has joined Carnoustie Panmure who play in the Scottish Junior FA East Region Premiership North league. Cammy started and scored in a 10-0 win for Carnoustie against Scone Thistle in their opening league match. Carnoustie are scheduled to travel to play Kirriemuir Thistle in the league next weekend.
Midfielders Ali Wilkinson and Jack Healy have joined East of Scotland League 1st Division Conference A side St. Andrew’s United. St. Andrew’s faced Hawick Royal Albert in the Challenge Cup yesterday with both Ali and Jack featuring in the starting XI. Losing 2-nil at half time, Jack pulled one back for his new side shortly after half time with a strike from outside the box and the Fife side drew level a couple of minutes later but Hawick grabbed the winner from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left to play. Next up for St. Andrew’s is an away match against Arniston Rangers, who sit one place below them, in the league on Saturday.
Defender Nathan Laird and forward Jordan Mackenzie have joined East of Scotland League 1st Division Conference B side Burntisland Shipyard. Nathan and Jordan both made their debuts as second half substitutes yesterday in a 4-1 loss to Kyle Bell’s Bo’ness United side in the Challenge Cup, although reports suggest the score line was harsh on the Fife side against their higher league opponents. Next up for Burntisland is an away fixture against the league’s bottom side Eyemouth United.
Darren Young: “Due to Covid it was a bit of a nightmare with the 20s not having any games we felt it was best to get them out there and get them playing until January when hopefully things change. If they do then they can get back playing together but as it is, it is best for them to be training week in and week out and getting games. Some of them did well last year and were knocking on the door. It’s down to them, they’re all good guys, so hopefully they go out, do well, keep their fitness up and try to improve and progress.”.
All the best to Cammy, Ali, Jack, Nathan and Jordan!