1985: Dunfermline 1 Aberdeen 0

Memorable Match #96
Centenary Match
East End Park
Wednesday 7th August 1985

In 1985 Dunfermline Athletic was in the third tier of Scottish football but there was a feel good atmosphere about the place as the Pars seemed to be on the cusp of much greater things. To commemorate the centenary former player Alex Ferguson brought to East End Park his Aberdeen side as champions of Scotland, to play Jim Leishman’s Pars, who had agonisingly missed out on promotion on the last day of the previous season.

Around 120 former players and managers (including Jock Stein) gathered on the park before the match. There was a particularly good response from players who represented Dunfermline in the 1950s and amongst those who attended were Gerry Mays and Jimmy Cannon of the side beaten in the final of the League Cup in 1949.

At half time Alex Ferguson and Jim Leishman took part in a six a side match along with Willie Callaghan, Alex Edwards, Jim Herriot, George Miller, Jackie Sinclair, Alex Smith, Jim Thomson, Alex Totten, Paddy Wilson and Alex Wright.

The main affair was won by Dunfermline thanks to a spectacular hit from Ian HEDDLE goal and the trophy is now part of the Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust collection.

There could be no hiding the delight on the faces of the Dunfermline players and fans when the final whistle went. Aberdeen never found their true form and the Pars victory was well deserved.

Match sponsor John Goldie presented the trophy to Jim Leishman. Ian Heddle received a trophy for the goal of the match - yes there was only one but it was a classy strike to beat Jim Leighton and Norrie McCathie was presented with the Man of the Match. An excellent start to the new century.

DUNFERMLINE: Ian Westwater: Bobby Robertson, Bobby Forrest, Norrie McCathie, Dave Young, Ian Heddle, Trevor Smith, Steve Morrison, John Watson, Ian Campbell, David Houston
SUBS: Jim Bowie, Rowan Hamilton, Grant Jenkins, High Whyte (GK)
SCORER: Heddle (29)

ABERDEEN: Jim Leighton: Stewart McKimmie, David Robertson, Billy Stark, Alex McLeish, Brian Irvine, Joe Miller, Neil Simpson, Frank McDougall, Neale Cooper, Peter Weir
SUBS: Ian Porteous, Steven Gray, Brian Mitchell, McIntyre

REFEREE: Jim Renton, Cowdenbeath
ATTENDANCE: 5500
MASCOTS: Neil Frier and Duncan Cowan

A legacy of the Centenary Year was the formation of the Centenary Club. The first draw was made at the Centenary Dinner held in Dunblane Hydro.

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