Jump to content

East Fife F.C.: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 90.198.143.103 to last version by Exxy (using Huggle)
No edit summary
Line 40: Line 40:
[[2006-07 in Scottish football|2006&ndash;07]] saw East Fife begin that seasons [[Scottish Third Division]] campaign impressively, at one point amassing a commanding nine point lead over their nearest rivals. The Fifer's form declined markedly but recovered to qualify for the newly implemented promotion play-offs. East Fife beat [[Scottish Second Division]] outfit [[Stranraer F.C.|Stranraer]] 4&ndash;2 on aggregate before losing 7&ndash;2 to [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]] on aggregate in the final. [[2007-08 in Scottish football|2007&ndash;08]] commenced with high expectations for The Fifers amidst a flurry of preseason signings.<ref>{{cite web | title=East Fife add five more to squad | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_fife/6748259.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=All to play for in the Third | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6927898.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-08-02}}</ref> The new acquisitions proved successful as the [[Methil]] team thoroughly dominated the early stages, culminating in a twelve point lead at the top of the division by Christmas. East Fife also revived their historic tradition in the [[Scottish League Cup]] by reaching the third round, beating [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]] and [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[St Mirren F.C.|St. Mirren]],<ref>{{cite web | title=St Mirren 0-1 East Fife | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6965521.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-08-28}}</ref> before losing out to [[Old Firm]] heavyweights [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web | title=East Fife 0-4 Rangers | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7010992.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-09-26}}</ref>
[[2006-07 in Scottish football|2006&ndash;07]] saw East Fife begin that seasons [[Scottish Third Division]] campaign impressively, at one point amassing a commanding nine point lead over their nearest rivals. The Fifer's form declined markedly but recovered to qualify for the newly implemented promotion play-offs. East Fife beat [[Scottish Second Division]] outfit [[Stranraer F.C.|Stranraer]] 4&ndash;2 on aggregate before losing 7&ndash;2 to [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]] on aggregate in the final. [[2007-08 in Scottish football|2007&ndash;08]] commenced with high expectations for The Fifers amidst a flurry of preseason signings.<ref>{{cite web | title=East Fife add five more to squad | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_fife/6748259.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=All to play for in the Third | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6927898.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-08-02}}</ref> The new acquisitions proved successful as the [[Methil]] team thoroughly dominated the early stages, culminating in a twelve point lead at the top of the division by Christmas. East Fife also revived their historic tradition in the [[Scottish League Cup]] by reaching the third round, beating [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]] and [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[St Mirren F.C.|St. Mirren]],<ref>{{cite web | title=St Mirren 0-1 East Fife | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6965521.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-08-28}}</ref> before losing out to [[Old Firm]] heavyweights [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web | title=East Fife 0-4 Rangers | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7010992.stm | publisher= BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-12-16| date=2007-09-26}}</ref>


East Fife secured the 2007/08 Third division title after beating [[East_Stirlingshire_F.C.|East Stirling]] at [[Firs Park]], [[Falkirk]] by 3 goals to nil on 15th March 2008. This gave them a points total of 74, 26 points ahead of Stranraer who could post the next best total in the league of 69 points if they were to win their remaining fixtures. This was East Fife's first league title for 60 years and their first piece of silverware since 1954.
East Fife secured the 2007/08 Third division title after beating [[East_Stirlingshire_F.C.|East Stirling]] at [[Firs Park]], [[Falkirk]] by 3 goals to nil on 15th March 2008. This gave them a points total of 74, 26 points ahead of Stranraer who could post the next best total in the league of 69 points if they were to win their remaining fixtures. This was East Fife's first league title for 60 years and their first piece of silverware since 1954.

== Players ==
== Players ==


Revision as of 20:34, 10 June 2008

East Fife
Crest of East Fife
Full nameEast Fife Football Club
Nickname(s)The Fifers
Founded1903
GroundBayview Stadium
Methil, Scotland
Capacity2,000
ChairmanScotland William Gray
ManagerScotland David Baikie
LeagueScottish Second Division
2007-08Scottish Third Division, 1st

East Fife Football Club (known informally as The Fife or The Fifers) is a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil. They are longstanding members of the Scottish Football League and currently compete in the Scottish Third Division.

The club, established in 1903, boasts a distinguished and unique history, being the first club to win the Scottish League Cup three times and the only club to win the prestigious Scottish Cup that were not a Premier League Team, which at that time was the second tier of the Scottish league structure (it is now the third tier).

East Fife are one of four senior clubs based in the Fife region but are the only one to bear the name of the area. The three other clubs are Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline Athletic and the Kirkcaldy based Raith Rovers, all of whom have historically shared rivalries with East Fife.

History

Local demand for the establishment of a senior football team led to a public meeting being held in January 1903 and resulted in the formation East Fife Football Club. After spending its first season competing in the Fife League and the Scottish Qualifying Cup, as well as playing in a number of challenge matches, the club joined the Eastern League for season 1904–05. The following season East Fife joined the Northern League, which included clubs such as Dunfermline Athletic and St Johnstone. The club remained in the Northern League until season 1908–09. In 1909, East Fife joined the Central League, which consisted of many of the teams who had played in the Northern League, with the addition of Alloa Athletic, Stenhousemuir and King's Park from Stirling.

File:East Fife early.jpg
The earliest known picture of East Fife Football Club

East Fife remained in the Central League until 1921, apart from a period during the First World War when the Eastern League was reformed. In the period following the war, the clubs competing for the Central League were mainly from the coal and shale mining communities of Fife and West Lothian. As the mining towns thrived with the growth of the mining industry and its associated influx of miners and their families, so did the local football clubs. The result of this was that by the end of the decade, the Central League clubs could afford to pay their players higher wages than they would receive in the Scottish Football League. In an effort to stop the migration of its players to the Central League, the Scottish League decided to admit the Central League clubs, including East Fife, to its membership. The Central League therefore became the Scottish Second Division at the start of season 1921–22.

Only six years after becoming members of the Scottish League, East Fife appeared in the 1927 Scottish Cup final, which it lost 3–1 to Celtic at Hampden Park. This remarkable feat would surpassed just over a decade later when "The Fifers" won the 1938 Scottish Cup. The prestigious cup was secured with a 4–2 triumph over Kilmarnock in the final. The game was watched by a crowd of almost 92,000 spectators, who witnessed the club become the first (and so far only) Non-Premier League side to win the Scottish Cup.

East Fife's best years were undoubtedly in the decade following the Second World War. During this "Golden Period", the club won the Scottish League Cup on no fewer than three separate occasions, as well as adding a third Scottish Cup final appearance to its achievements. The club’s league record is also impressive. In the five seasons between 1948 and 1953, East Fife finished its Scottish First Division (then the pinnacle of Scottish football) campaign in third place twice and in fourth place twice. In one of these seasons, 1952–53, East Fife were still in the running for the league title with only a few games remaining, eventually finishing only four points behind eventual champions Rangers.

In recent decades, the Methil outfit has struggled to match its historic success. This is emphasised by the fact that aside from three seasons during the early 1970s, the club has played all of its football outside the top league since the 1950s. In November 1998, East Fife moved to a purpose built stadium near Methil power station. This ground was officially renamed Bayview Stadium in 2007.

2006–07 saw East Fife begin that seasons Scottish Third Division campaign impressively, at one point amassing a commanding nine point lead over their nearest rivals. The Fifer's form declined markedly but recovered to qualify for the newly implemented promotion play-offs. East Fife beat Scottish Second Division outfit Stranraer 4–2 on aggregate before losing 7–2 to Queen's Park on aggregate in the final. 2007–08 commenced with high expectations for The Fifers amidst a flurry of preseason signings.[1][2] The new acquisitions proved successful as the Methil team thoroughly dominated the early stages, culminating in a twelve point lead at the top of the division by Christmas. East Fife also revived their historic tradition in the Scottish League Cup by reaching the third round, beating Queen of the South and Scottish Premier League side St. Mirren,[3] before losing out to Old Firm heavyweights Rangers.[4]

East Fife secured the 2007/08 Third division title after beating East Stirling at Firs Park, Falkirk by 3 goals to nil on 15th March 2008. This gave them a points total of 74, 26 points ahead of Stranraer who could post the next best total in the league of 69 points if they were to win their remaining fixtures. This was East Fife's first league title for 60 years and their first piece of silverware since 1954. They are now run by Kirkcaldy based scrap merchant Wullie Gray. Fans have raised concerns about the club paying high and unsustainable wages leaving it with unrealistic wage bills which may see them going the same way as Gretna FC.

Players

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Scotland SCO Willie McCulloch
— GK Scotland SCO Michael Brown
— DF Scotland SCO Dougie Cameron
— DF North Macedonia MKD Goran Stanić
— DF Scotland SCO Steven Tweed
— DF Scotland SCO Kevin Fotheringham
— DF Scotland SCO Sam Linton
— DF Scotland SCO Jonathan Smart
— DF Scotland SCO Jamie McGowan
— DF Scotland SCO Greig McDonald
— DF Scotland SCO Graham Guy
— DF Scotland SCO Paul Nugent
— DF Scotland SCO Jason Dair
— MF Scotland SCO Gary Greenhill
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Scotland SCO Ryan Blackadder
— MF Scotland SCO Paul Stewart
— MF Scotland SCO Lloyd Young
— MF Scotland SCO David Muir
— MF Scotland SCO Stephen Fortune
— MF Scotland SCO Paul Walker
— FW Scotland SCO Robert Campbell
— FW Scotland SCO Stevie Nicholas
— FW Scotland SCO Craig O'Reilly
— FW Scotland SCO Kevin Gordon
— FW Scotland SCO Paul McManus
— FW Scotland SCO Bobby Linn
— FW Scotland SCO Chris Templeman

Notable players

Managers

Stadium

Main article: Bayview Stadium

East Fife's home matches are played at Bayview Stadium, capacity 2,000 (all seated). The ground has one stand and is open at the three remaining sides. The far side is overshadowed by the derelict Methil power station. The club also offer a range of hospitality packages.

Achievements

Records

References

  1. ^ "East Fife add five more to squad". BBC Sport. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  2. ^ "All to play for in the Third". BBC Sport. 2007-08-02. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  3. ^ "St Mirren 0-1 East Fife". BBC Sport. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  4. ^ "East Fife 0-4 Rangers". BBC Sport. 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
Official websites
News sites
Fanzines / Unofficial sites

Template:Fb start

Template:Fb end

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=East_Fife_F.C.&oldid=218475465"