Nothing will compare with playing for Pars

“If I can come here and be part of some success then that would mean a lot to me.

When twenty year old Chris Hamilton signed for Dunfermline Athletic on 8th June it was a dream come true for the lifelong Pars fan who was introduced to his hometown team by his late grandpa.

That dream had the odd nightmare for him along the way like a record home defeat to Celtic but the player whose first steps on his pathway to professional football was in the mini kickers of the Pars Foundation, proudly recalls supporting Dunfermline Athletic in a cup final and through thick and thin. Friday night football has enabled him to return more recently to East End Park with his brother but in the coming season Chris will be delighted to be out there doing his very best for the club. He told the media:-

“As soon as I heard that the manager was interested, I’ve never been that excited when thinking about joining a club and the games I could be involved in.

“Even just getting the chance to play for Dunfermline at East End Park. I’ve played here for Arbroath but there were no fans here. That’s totally different from the chance to play for the club and be a Dunfermline player. It was really exciting, straight away.

“Arbroath was great and it was a pleasure to play for Hearts, but when it’s your team, the team you supported and grew up with, that your family all supported — nothing compared to that.”

From the time he first knew what football was, coming to games at East End Park with his grandpa he never believed his dream to play out there one day was possible.

“It will be special for my family to come and watch me here, having been watching a Dunfermline team for so many years. No matter what I go onto do in my career, I’ll be massively proud to say, ‘I’ve played for Dunfermline’.”

Chris made 34 starts for Arbroath last season while on loan from Hearts and with a good season behind him he is very thankful for the opportunity that he got at Gayfield since he sensed his stay at Tynecastle Park was running short:

“I spoke to Robbie Neilson last summer so I had an idea then. I still had a year of my contract left so I wanted to see that out, while going out on loan and trying to get experience at a high level. Dick Campbell believed in me and gave me a platform.

“By the time I left, I needed to move on. Obviously, there was some sadness — I’ve been at Hearts for pretty much my whole footballing career — but I knew it was time for something else.

“There was a bit of interest in me but, not only because I’m a Dunfermline fan, but Dunfermline are a massive club. I might realise that more because I’ve supported them and been to so many games here.

“Yes, they are in League One, but they are still a massive club with big ambitions. If I can come here and be part of some success then that would mean a lot to me. We get pre-season out of the way, make sure we are as fit as possible and just start winning games. We need a feel good factor and get the fans back onside.”

Related Stories

• Hamilton Comes Home
• Supporters Meeting
• Pre Season Day 2 Update – Rosyth and new Goalkeeping Coach
• Season Tickets 2022/2023 on sale now