Tom Forsyth (1949 - 2020)

Former Dunfermline manager sadly passes away

Dunfermline Athletic are sad to learn of the death of one of their former managers, Tom Forsyth. He held the manager’s position from September 1982 to October 1983 and the club’s thoughts and condolences go to Tom’s family.

Following the resignation of manager Pat Stanton early in season 1982/83 the DAFC Board gave Tom Forsyth the opportunity to try his hand in football management. Tam was a high-profile former international player but a recurring knee injury had brought his playing days to a premature end in March 1982. Six months later Dunfermline offered the 33 year old the chance to start his managerial career at the club.

Tam had no managerial experience and had no previous connection with the club and unfortunately he failed to find success at Dunfermline. He resigned in October the following season.

Forsyth returned to the game as Assistant Manager to Tommy McLean at Motherwell in 1985 but never again sought to be manager in his own right. It was as a player that the Glasgow born man had the greatest success.

Born on 23rd January 1949, Tom Forsyth was signed by Motherwell as a seventeen-year old and quickly developed a fearsome reputation as a tough-tackling defender.

His first Scotland cap in 1971 was followed a year later by a £40,000 transfer to Rangers where he earned three League Championship medals, four Scottish Cup winners medals (scoring the winning goal in the 1973 Final against Celtic) and one in the League Cup.

He went on to make 22 appearances in a Scotland shirt, most of them under Ally McLeod, who considered Forsyth to be the most consistent player he had, but his international career came to an abrupt end after the 1978 World Cup Finals.