First Hall of Fame - November 2004

Inductees at the First DAFC Hall of Fame

Jimmy McConville, JP: Director and Club Secretary, 1952-1990 .
Jock Stein, CBE: Manager, 1960-1964 .
Willie Cunningham: Player, Captain and Manager, 1960-67 .
George Farm: Manager, 1967-1970 .
Ron Mailer: Player and Captain, 1951-1964 .
Jim MacLean: Player and Captain, 1962-1966 .
Roy Barry: Player and Captain 1966-1969 .
Joe Nelson: Trainer and Kit man, 1968-present .
Charlie Dickson: Player and record goalscorer, 1955-1964 .

Chairman John Yorkston welcomed a company of around 250 to the first ever Dunfermline Athletic Hall of Fame held in the Glen Pavilion on Saturday night. Chairman John Yorkston welcomed a company of around 250 to the first ever Dunfermline Athletic Hall of Fame held in the Glen Pavilion on Saturday night. .

The idea was spawned out of the successful "Legends Re-United" days held at East End Park. Guests in formal dress received a glass of champagne on arrival before sitting down to an excellent four course meal. .

Interspersed throughout the company were those who were to be presented with awards plus former Pars players Alex Edwards and Pat Wilson, Manager Davie Hay, Coach Craig Robertson and Club Captain Scott Thomson.

First award was presented by Director Rodney Shearer to 89 year old Jimmy McConville.

The record of the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Dunfermline Athletic held on 31st July 1952 shows that one James McConville was proposed by Mr Muir and seconded by Mr Jamieson, and was duly elected to serve for one year. Little did anyone realise it at that meeting, but jimmy would go on to become the greatest servant Dunfermline Athletic has ever seen. On 5th April 1954 he was appointed to succeed Bob Torrie was Secretary, a position he held for more than 36 years until 29th August 1990.

Jimmy, who was born on 21st March 1915, began his love affair with the Pars as a ten year old when he helped to lat sawdust markings on the pitch in preparation for Saturday games. On leaving school Jimmy served an apprenticeship as a clerk with a local linen manufacturer. During the Second World War he served overseas in the Middle East.

He returned to take up employment with the Gas Board, before becoming a sub postmaster in Kelty. In 1947, Jimmy became involved with the Supporters Club becoming a Director in 1952, and Secretary in 1954. Jimmy`s role was transformed with the arrival of Jock Stein and European football to East End Park in the 1960s.

His work increased enormously having to arrange European trips and all ticket games, tasks that he undertook with far less resources than are available to clubs these days.

In 1990, Jimmy was made an Honorary Director of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, a position he holds to this day. Earlier this year, he attended the Legends Re-United event and received an award for his remarkable services to the club.

Next presentation was to Joe Nelson, one of the unsung heroes at East End Park. His own footballing career was comparatively modest, playing for both Lochore Welfare and Newburgh in the Fife Junior League. He was selected for the Scotland Miners team that played Hungary.

Joe got involved at Dunfermline when Andy Young was put in charge of the youth set up in the 1960s. He left but returned when Harry Melrose took charge in the late 1970s.

During Jim Leishman`s time in charge he took on a coaching role helping with the club`s youngsters as well as looking after the club kit and assisting physio Pip Yeates with match duties.

This was a role he was to continue through the Paton years in management in the 1990s, thus showing his involvement over four decades of Dunfermline Athletic. Joe established a reputation for himself as a reliable backroom support for the main management team, and as such received one of highest awards possible when he won a special award from SPFA for services to football.

Captain of the 1965 Cup Final team Jim MacLean received a presentation from Pete Campbell of the Centenary Club. He told us that we have been spelling his name wrong for 40 years!

Above: 1961 Scottish Cup winning Captain Ron Mailer with John Yorkston.

Craig Bennett of Morgans made the presentation to Willie Cunningham

Above: Director John Meiklem made the presentation to Jock Stein`s family. Sean Fallon accepted the commemorative gift.

George Farm`s grandson accepted the presentation from Pastor Jimmy Dowds of the Vine Church.

Legend Charlie Dickson received a presentation from the Dunfermline Building Society

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