Meet the New Director

In July 2010, Kip McBay was quick to accept the invitation to join the Board of Directors at Dunfermline Athletic. He explained why he was delighted to have a seat at the Boardroom table.

Meet the New Director

In July 2010, Kip McBay was quick to accept the invitation to join the Board of Directors at Dunfermline Athletic.  He explained why he was delighted to have a seat at the Boardroom table.

"I said yes as a fan.It all happened in the space of two weeks during the summer and I have now attended two Board meetings that I found very interesting.Obviously I am just finding my feet and how it all works behind the scenes."

The former pupil of Dunfermline High School has had quite an exciting business background since leaving Edinburgh University with a degree in Social Sciences so does he bring any particular strength to the Board?

"Every member of the Board is a fan but each brings something different.I hope to bring something from my business life.Like the other Directors we are just trying to help run the business and financial side of the Club; bring in more revenue that will improve the team.It is very tough at the moment, not just at Dunfermline but everywhere."

Kip has have always been in the music business; playing in bands led to being involved in the business and ultimately a music retailer.

"I used to do the sound with the Skids but after that bands like the Stranglers and toured all over to the T in the Park type festivals.I did two European tours with the Stranglers and they were a very exciting band to hear live."

Our new Director was a regular behind the scenes at Top of the Pops and the Old Grey Whistle Test and worked with all the top bands of the era.

"At that time it was just a PA hire company that I did before Sound Control.Retail came along in 1980 and I still do that now but as Guitar Guitar.

"I sold my interest in Sound Control in 2002 but in 2004 started a new business that now has outlets in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham as well as online.I retired and went back in.I enjoy it but the business is managed so I have time to contribute to other projects such as Dunfermline Athletic."

Not only has our Director the business acumen that will be important in his role but he has a wealth of experience as fan of the Black and White:-

"I first got interested when I was very young.I was too young to go to the 1961 Cup Final but I was a season ticket holder and started watching the Pars from the next season onwards, attending with my pal Alastair Chisholm.

"I was at all the big European nights and there were exciting times throughout the sixties - quite unbelievable.Dunfermline were a good side reaching three cup finals, two cup wins and we were always challenging for the league.In '65 we should have won the league and cup.

"I supported the team through the 70s and 80s but went much more regularly after Jim Leishman took charge.I travelled to Berwick, Montrose, Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir - it was great fun and I really enjoyed that period.

"We started playing better football and the fans returned big style.I recall going to play Hibs at Easter Road and we took 5000.If only we could repeat that!"

Kip has continued watching the Pars right up to date.He shared everyone's disappointment at missing out on promotion last season:-

"I thought the team played some great football at times.Obviously it wasn't in every game but when they did play well they were better than any team in that league.There is a certain style of football that is required to grind out the points in that league and Inverness just had that.

"This season we have a smaller squad but we have Gary Mason who wasn't there last year.We now have two fit strikers and hopefully a better defence having signed a couple of new players.If we can steer clear of injuries then I feel that we have a chance."

A very committed Pars fan, the former band player is married to his wife, Eleri and they have two daughters, Harriet (24) and Charlotte (18).The family dog is black and white as well - a Dalmatian called Daphne!