Rainbow Laces 2021

It started with a lace.

We’re so proud of our Rainbow Laces, worn in support of LGBTQ+ equality.

With more than a million people lacing up in rainbow so far, we are Team PROUD.

But something’s still tied up in knots.

Large parts of the LGBTQ+ community still feel unwelcome at sporting events, where the thrill should be a guaranteed result.

There are still those who bully, belittle and exclude, meaning team by team, event by event, LGBTQ+ people feel out of place. Reluctant to participate. Uncomfortable to spectate. Nervous to truly be their true selves.

But just think.

How much stronger would we be if we worked together? We’re all part of the same team, and our support is far stronger if we celebrate our differences.

East Fife Football Club are proud to once again stand beside Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign for 2021.

More than a million people have laced up, and 12 million participants engage every year. 

Thanks to your support: 

• 78 per cent of sport fans who saw the campaign considered that LGBTQ+ people are part of the sport community 

• 66 per cent of fans who saw the campaign feel they have a responsibility to stick up for LGBTQ+ fans of the teams and sports they follow, 

• As a result of seeing the campaign, 45 per cent of sports fans believe they would be more likely to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ language at live sport fixtures. ​

Sport is for all, so everyone is welcome, coming just as they are.

Laces have brought the awareness. Now we all need to bring the conversation.

Speak up for someone you know in the LGBTQ+ community.

Someone that matters.

What can we all do to make every person feel welcome?

It’s 2021. Let’s have the conversations to make the next game you attend a place for everyone.

Lace up. Make sport everyone’s game.

Match Preview - Alloa Athletic

We welcome Alloa Athletic to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this afternoon for Manager Stevie Crawford’s first match since re-joining the club. The visitors currently sit in 6^th position on 19 points.

Please note, there will be a minutes applause prior to kick off to remember supporters George Craig and John Sullivan who recently passed.

Squad News

Several players are carrying knocks ahead of today’s game and will be assessed this morning. Aaron Dunsmore misses out through suspension following his red card last weekend (2^nd match is carried over to next season’s Scottish Cup) but Scott Mercer is available for selection (suspension only applicable to Scottish Cup matches).

Danny Swanson underwent a scan on Thursday ahead of his return to training and Mikey Cunningham has returned to gym work following his ankle operation.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our traditional home colours of black/gold tops, black short and black stockings with the goalkeeper in all blue.

Alloa Athletic will be in their change strip of all white with the goalkeeper in all green.

Match Tickets

Tickets for today’s match are available to buy online here ahead of the game. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles, so we strongly encourage both home and away supporters to purchase their match tickets in advance. Tickets can be presented digitally or printed at home. Those unable to purchase tickets online can buy theirs from the matchday reception. Parent and Child tickets must be bought in person from the matchday reception.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £12

Under 16s** - £5

Parent & Child - £18

Parent & 2 Children - £21

*Over 60s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested

Season tickets are valid for this match. Turnstiles will open at 2pm.

Car Parking

Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.

Live Streaming

Those unable to attend today’s game can watch the match live on East Fife TV for £15. Coverage will begin at 14:45PM BST. Due to UEFA blocked hours this match is not available to viewers in England. Commentators this afternoon are Daniel Hughes and Stephen Mill. The match can be purchased here.

Matchday Catering

The Jeek Fleming Lounge will be open for pre-match refreshments from 12noon. Supporters of both clubs are welcome in the lounge before the game and after the full-time whistle. To comply with Scottish Government guideline, face coverings must be worn while moving around inside the lounge.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2pm. Please note, our pie stalls are cash only.

Matchday Programme

Issue 07 of our matchday programme is available to purchase for £2. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.

Stevie Frail Resigns as Assistant Manager

We can confirm that Stevie Frail has this morning resigned from his position as Assistant Manager at the club.

On the departure of Darren Young last week, Stevie agreed to take the first team squad until a new manager was appointed and did so for Saturday's Scottish Cup tie at Banks o' Dee.

Everyone at Bayview wishes Stevie well for the future & thank him for his efforts during his time at Bayview.

Stevie commented "While I have enjoyed my time at East Fife, I feel that as part of the management structure, I have to accept a share of the responsibility for the league position the club finds itself in and that it would be better for the new manager, Stevie Crawford, to form his own backroom staff. Despite the results I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bayview and wish everyone at the club well in their quest to climb the League One table."

Stevie Crawford Appointed First Team Manager

East Fife Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Stevie Crawford as First-Team Manager.

Stevie originally joined East Fife as a player in the summer of 2008 before being appointed Player-Manager in April 2009, guiding the side to 7^th position in Division 2 during his first full season. He stood down as manager in October 2010 but remained at the club as a player until January 2011. Stevie made 87 appearances for the club as a player, scoring 15 goals.

During a 20-year career, Stevie made over 700 senior appearances with spells at Raith Rovers, Millwall, Hibernian, Dunfermline Athletic, Plymouth Argyll, Dundee United, Aberdeen, Dunfermline (again), East Fife and Cowdenbeath before finishing off his playing career at Forfar Athletic.

Stevie made senior Scotland debut against Ecuador in 1995 in a Kirin Cup match scoring what proved to be the winning goal. After collecting 25 caps for his country and scoring 4 goals, Stevie made his final Scotland appearance against Sweden in 2014.

Stevie took up the position as Assistant Manager to Steven Pressley at Falkirk in 2012 before taking on the same role at Hearts as Assistant to Robbie Neilson in 2014 and following Neilson down to MK Dons in December 2016. Stevie made his return to Dunfermline Athletic in 2018 as part of Allan Johnston’s coaching staff before being appointed Manager in January 2019. Stevie left his position at Dunfermline at the end of last season after guiding the team to the Championship promotion play-offs and has latterly been supporting Gary Naysmith as Assistant Manager at Edinburgh City.

Chairman Jim Stevenson commented: “I am delighted to Stevie has accepted our offer to return to the club as our new manager. We received a number of applications from high profile candidates but after speaking to Stevie yesterday we are confident we have selected the right person to take the club forward.”

“We are all aware that Stevie has a difficult task ahead of him to get us out of current league position, but he has the full support of the board and I’m sure everyone connected to the club will get right behind him and the team starting with this weekend’s match against Alloa Athletic. I would also like to put on record our thanks to Edinburgh City FC for their help in facilitating this appointment.”

On his appointed Stevie Crawford added: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to manage East Fife Football Club again. It has all happened very quickly and it was the first job that I found myself attracted to since leaving Dunfermline Athletic in May.”

“I would like to thank Edinburgh City for giving me the opportunity to speak to East Fife and I wish Gary Naysmith, Jim Brown and everyone at Edinburgh City all the best for the rest of the season.”

Stevie will meet up with the player at training tonight and Thursday ahead of Saturday’s match against Alloa Athletic. A full interview with our new manager will be available on East Fife TV later this evening.

Welcome back to Bayview Stevie!

Match Preview - Banks O'Dee

We take a break from league action this week as we travel to Aberdeen to face Banks O’Dee in the 3^rd round of the Scottish Cup. Our hosts play in the North Region Superleague where they currently sit in 4^th place, 8 points behind leaders Culter but with 5 games in hand. Lasts time out, Banks O’Dee drew 1-1 with Bridge of Don Thistle.

Squad News

Ross Davidson and Ross Dunlop return to the squad this week, and both are in contention for the starting line-up however 3 players will have their fitness assessed prior to travelling after picking up knocks in training this week.

Danny Swanson is waiting on the results of a scan before getting the all-clear to return to training and Mikey Cunningham is still a few weeks away from returning to training following an ankle operation.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our traditional colours of black/gold tops, black short and black stockings with the goalkeeper in all green.

Banks O’Dee will be wearing dark blue strips with light blue hoops, white shorts and light blue socks. The goalkeeper will be wearing green tops, black shorts and green socks.

Match Admission

Admission for today’s match is via pay-at-the gate (cash only). Admission prices are as follows:

Adults - £12

Concessions - £6

Live Streaming

Those unable to attend today’s game can watch the match live on East Fife TV for £12. Coverage will begin at 14:45PM BST. UEFA blocked hours means today’s match is not available to viewers in England. Commentators this afternoon are Stephen Mill and Liam Anderson. The match can be purchased here.