Preview St Mirren

Who`s counting the days now? 1522 days of absence from the SPL comes to an end on Monday night when St Mirren are the visitors.

The first fixture as the Pars return to the SPL sees the visit of St Mirren to East End Park.  Put back to Monday night for live Sky TV, the two day wait is nothing given the 1522 days of absence since the club`s relegation from the SPL at the end of the 2006-07 season. Fortunately Dunfermline`s record against the Paisley club favours them with 36 wins to St Mirren`s 28. 

Manager Jim McIntyre says this is just the opening game in what will be a long and tough campaign.

"The goal is to play at the top level. We are now there but it is up to us to go and prove that we are good enough to be there.I certainly believe that we are, and believe that the players that I have signed can enhance the Premier League."

There have been some memorable matches against St Mirren and one hopes that Monday`s will be another.  The Pars defeated St Mirren in the 1961 Scottish Cup Semi Final before going on to win the Cup for the first ever time. Then there was the record home win the following season when the legendary Charlie Dickson scored a double hat-trick. 

The teams last met on league duty in April 2007 when Dunfermline won 1-0 at St Mirren Park but save four the four meetings that season it is over a decade since these sides last met in the league. The Pars won 2-0 in the Co-operative Insurance Cup in September 2008 when Graham Bayne and Simon Wiles scored for Dunfermline.

Simon Wiles celebrates goal v St Mirren

On examination you find that St Mirren haven`t beaten Dunfermline since April 2001 with the Fifers winning the last two.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Falkirk): Chris Smith; Andy Dowie, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Alex Keddie, Austin McCann (c); David Graham, Gary Mason, Nick Phinn (Alex Burke 82), Joe Cardle (Liam Buchanan 66); Steven McDougall, Andy Kirk (Pat Clarke 71).
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Higgins, Kyle Allison (GK).

ST MIRREN (v St Johnstone): Craig Samson; Lee Mair, Marc McAusland, David Barron, John Potter (Jim Goodwin 87), Jure Travner, Steven Thomson (Jamie McKernon 80), Aaron Mooy, Kenny McLean (Craig Dargo 66), Michael Higdon, Paul McGowan
SUBS NOT USED: Mark Lamont, Darren McGregor, David van Zanten, Paul Gallacher (GK)

When Dunfermline were last promoted from the First Division in 1999-2000 Jimmy Calderwood fielded just five of the team that played the final First Division match. Justin Skinner, Scott Thomson, Jason Dair, Stevie Crawford and Stewart Petrie survived as new players came into the side.  Of the final 2011 First Division side, all eleven starters are still on the books and available for selection.

Last time St Mirren came to East End Park on League duty Chris Smith was in goals for the Buddies.

Referee for this match will be Stevie O`Reilly.

Fans should note that for this game, they are welcome to use the cash bar facility available in the Gallery Suite (within the main stand).  Open for pre match only at 5.00pm.