Andy Tod's Testimonial Match

Dunfermline Athletic versus an Andrew Tod Select on Wednesday 2nd May at East End Park, with a 7.30pm kick off

Andrew Tod's Testimonial Committee announced that his Testimonial Match will be played between Dunfermline Athletic and an Andrew Tod Select on Wednesday 2nd May at East End Park, with a 7.30pm kick off.

Athletic v a Select is a formula that worked well in the past, most notably at the Stewart Petrie Testimonial Match, which was a hugely enjoyable experience for all who attended.

So far the Committee has managed to confirm the following players for the Andrew Tod Select: Istvan Kosma, Craig Brewster, Billy Dodds, Russell Latapy, Ivo Den Biemen, David Bingham, Gerry Britton, Lee Butler, Paul Deas and Gordon Durie.Not a bad little line up there and with many more names to follow, it could be a fun-filled evening.

More details will be to follow but for anyone interested in hospitality packages, please contact 01383 745910 or 01383 745901.

Remember, this is all about thanking and recognising the efforts that a player has made over very many years, and by way of reminder here's a summary of the big man's playing career?

Andy first joined Dunfermline when Bert Paton got him to sign from junior outfit Kelty Hearts on his 22^nd birthday.In many respects Andy was quite old for a player having his first crack at full-time senior football, but his talents had been known for some time and Dunfermline weren't the only club tracking him.But Andy was a local lad who was born in Dunfermline and who had spent all of his life in Kelty and Cowdenbeath, so the Pars won the day.

He made his debut in a Reserve League East match at Central Park on 15^th November 1993, and scored in the 4-0 victory over Cowdenbeath.Andy got his first team debut at Cappielow on 4^th December after a late injury to George O'Boyle meant that Andy would take a place on the bench then late on in the match replace striker Hamish French.Three days later and came off the bench scoring in his East End Park debut against Hamilton Accies.

Andy always said in those early days that his favourite position was the centre of midfield, although at 6ft 3ins he certainly didn't look like your typical midfielder!It was perhaps inevitable after his successes in front of goal that he would be tried as an out-and-out striker.Bert Paton eventually decided to groom him as a centre half and it was wearing the number five jersey that he went ever-present in season 1995/96, the backbone behind Dunfermline's marvellous side that, against all the odds, survived the death of Norrie McCathie to win the First Division Championship.

Andy had made considerable progress since his days in junior football and in 1996 he got his first shot at Premier League football.Not surprisingly, it didn't faze him either and he missed only two games over the next two seasons as the Pars established themselves in the big league, weighing in with ten Premier goals.

By 2000, Jimmy Calderwood was in charge and it seemed that there was to be no place for Andy in the side, so, after 264 appearances and 38 goals for the Pars, he went on loan to Stockport County in October 2000. Just when it looked as a deal would be struck, the whole thing fell through and he returned to Dunfermline in January 2001.The following season he started life on loan to Bradford City, and so impressed were they with the Pars stopper that they paid a six-figure fee for his permanent transfer in November 2001.Jim Jefferies didn't last too long as Bradford boss, and with Bradford determined to cut costs Andy went on loan to Hearts, then Dundee United.

Andy returned to East End Park on 8th August 2003, and made a substitute appearance in the Scottish Cup Final in May 2004.In season 2004/05, he started the same way but under Davie Hay became a key player in the Pars set up again.He took on the captain's armband in a number of matches when Scott Thomson was injured, and scored seven goals to finish the season as the club's top scorer.Under Jim Leishman he recaptured a regular place in the side but this season under Stephen Kenny he has not been able to force his way into contention.

As a footballer, Andy is probably most managers' dream player.He is willing and able to play in a variety of roles and will always provide a potent threat at set pieces.He hasn't always been given the credit that his skills deserve and fans will have their own favourite memories of Andy's performances.Two stick out in my mind.The first was a fantastic Man of the Match award-winning defensive display against Celtic in the opening SPL match of season 2003/04 when Andy kept the great Henrik Larsson at bay all match and the Pars finished with a rare shut-out against the Parkhead side.The second was also against the Old Firm, in this season's 1-1 draw with Rangers.If anybody ever needed evidence that this man is prepared to give his all to Dunfermline Athletic, this was it.Andy has made 383 appearances in first team matches for the Pars, giving him the sixth highest first team appearances in the club's history.And against Celtic on 19^th February 2006, he scored his 50^th goal for Dunfermline, thus ensuring that he joined an elite group of only 24 players who have achieved this feat in the post-war era.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU AMEND YOUR DIARY FROM MONDAY 23^RD APRIL TO WEDNESDAY 2nd MAY -AS PARS FANS WE OWE ANDY ONE.

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