Mural in memory of musician

Stuart Adamson supported the Pars since he was a kid, he considered himself exactly the same as the man standing next to him on the terrace.

PICTURES FROM THE UNVEILING
On Saturday 11th April St Johnstone may well be the visitors to East End Park but the Skids "The Saints are Coming" is likely to be played not for them but in memory of Stuart Adamson, the late member of that local band.

Stuart was a great fan of Dunfermline Athletic and with his rise to success as leader of the band Big Country possibly one of the most famous supporters. At the instigation of Jim Leishman pupils from local secondary schools have painted a mural in his memory that will be mounted in the North West Stand at East End Park.

Stuart died on 16th December 2001 and now the mural that has been created by the art students of Dunfermline and Queen Anne High Schools. This will be unveiled before the game on Saturday on what would have been his 51st birthday.

Kirsten Adamson with pupils Stephen Williamson, Siobhan Scott, Sean Adair, Deborah Lobban and Joe Burrell pictured beside the mural.

Callum Adamson (27) explained that his dad was a Pars fan through and through.

"Having supported them since he was a kid, he considered himself exactly the same as the man standing next to him on the terrace, which is probably one of the reasons why he had such a good relationship with the Pars most influential fan, big Jim.

"My dad's love of football also extended to playing for local amateur teams over the years starting with Townhill and latterly with a team known as "The Fod" from Halbeath.

"Several of his team mates were his closest friends and we are looking forward to meeting some of them again on the 11th. No doubt there will be some embellished re-runs of their escapades on the pitch.

"My dad declined directorship opportunities at DAFC because he said it would change his Pars adventure. He wanted to feel the same emotions as everyone in the stands. It was with this thought foremost in our minds, that we began talking to Jim about how we would like to make sure that other fans, past, present and future are honoured similarly."

Jamie Davidson, Stuart's brother-in-law explained that the mural had been designed after consultation with Stuart's fans:-

"The fans had two representatives in Colin Gourlay and Alan Smith who put a few ideas across and canvassed the fans on what they would want.  I think generally it is a good representation."

Knowing that the club tirelessly raise funds for DAFC Youths the Adamson family would like fans to participate in the Headshot auction, where they can bid to have themselves painted alongside the DAFC Legends.  An auction for this will follow at a later date.

Running alongside that auction, fans will have the chance to bid for some rare items which will benefit three charities. The main item is a signed Epiphone Les Paul guitar given to Kirsten from The Edge of U2 to help musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Kenny Graham (with the Epiphone Les Paul guitar) and Kirsten Adamson

Other items include a small collection of Stuart's photographic art. Not many people know that he had a passion for photography, particularly in the late 70's and early 80's. A few photos have been chosen that Callum thinks are quite special and interesting.  He hopes that these will raise as much money as possible for the other charities - CHAS/The Mary Leishman Foundation.

Information on the auction will soon be on available at
www.kennysmusic.co.uk
www.dafc.co.uk
www.bigcountry.co.uk

The commemoration is also raising funds for CHAS, the Mary Leishman Foundation and the Pars youth sides.

Kenny Graham (with the Epiphone Les Paul guitar) and Kirsten Adamson