Jim McIntyre used no fewer than twenty-five players in his pursuit of the league title. Our thanks to each and every one of them! Article updated from that first published in The Game on 7th May 2011. |
Chris Smith (36 league appearances, 16 league shut outs) |
![Chris Smith Chris Smith](/javaImages/d4/78/0,,10288~9533652,00.jpg) |
Still just 25 which is comparatively young for a goalkeeper, Chris has enjoyed a good season. He played his 50th game for the Pars against Morton on 30th April and celebrated with his 15th league shut out of the season. Dunfermline's only ever-present this season, Chris achieved a 45% shut out rate in league matches, the second highest for any season by Dunfermline in the First Division. |
Kyle Allison (0 (+1 sub) league appearance, 1 league shut out) |
![Kyle Allison Kyle Allison](/javaImages/ab/e/0,,10288~8916651,00.jpg) |
21 year old local lad who was drafted in as goalkeeping cover at the start of the season. Kyle was only called on once to play in a league match when he came on as a 68th minute substitute for the injured Chris Smith in a 3-0 win against Stirling Albion. |
Calum Woods (32 league appearances, 3 league goals) |
![Calum Woods Calum Woods](/javaImages/fa/6f/0,,10288~9531386,00.jpg) |
Hampered by niggling injuries towards the end of the season, 24 year old Calum has nevertheless played in 32 of the 36 league matches this season which is his highest number of starts in a season since he joined the club in July 2006. Energetic, fearless and strong in the tackle, Calum also enjoys his forays up front from where he was able to contribute three goals this campaign. |
Austin McCann (35 league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Austin McCann Austin McCann](/javaImages/ce/78/0,,10288~9533646,00.jpg) |
As is befitting of the club captain, Ozzie has missed just one league match all season. A player who is frequently underestimated, 31 year old Ozzie has been the most consistent performer for Dunfermline. Experience and calmness under pressure, he has also shown great willingness to join the attack and his overlapping and excellent crossing has contributed to Dunfermline's goal tally. |
Alex Keddie (25 league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Alex Keddie Alex Keddie](/javaImages/bb/dd/0,,10288~9428411,00.jpg) |
The 30 year old central defender took a little while to settle but in the second half of the season he has been one of the Pars' strongest performers. Very good in the air and a great penalty box defender into the bargain, Alex has been one of the main reasons for Dunfermline's much-improved defensive record this season. |
Kevin Rutkiewicz (12 league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Kevin Rutkiewicz Kevin Rutkiewicz](/javaImages/84/79/0,,10288~9664900,00.jpg) |
A piece of genius by manager Jim McIntyre brought Kevin on loan to East End Park in February. The 30 year old centre half's SPL experience with Aberdeen and St Johnstone have shone through and his ability to organise the defence and talk to his colleagues has brought a better organisation to defensive matters. The fact that Dunfermline have not lost any league game that Kevin has played in says it all! |
Chris Higgins (17 (+4 sub) league appearances, 1 league goal) |
![Chris Higgins Chris Higgins](/javaImages/a0/9/0,,10288~9177504,00.jpg) |
25 year old central defender who has continued to improve since signing from Clyde in 2009. Chris has had to take a back seat at times this season as others have taken his place but far from complain he has always been willing to come in and do his best. His performances against Queen of the South when Dunfermline were down to ten men, and then a week later in the crunch game against Raith Rovers were first class. |
Andy Dowie (24 (+2 sub) league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Andy Dowie Andy Dowie](/javaImages/99/68/0,,10288~7891097,00.jpg) |
Andy's season suffered when he was injured and found it difficult to regain his place, such was the competition. However, Jim McIntyre has put the 28 year old centre half's skills to good use, both as a full back and also to provide some height and strength in the Pars midfield. This combination plus his natural ability in the heart of the defence makes Andy a very useful man to have around. |
Neil McGregor (3 (+2 sub) league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Neil McGregor Neil McGregor](/javaImages/29/44/0,,10288~8930345,00.jpg) |
Injury has sadly meant the Neil has made a limited contribution to Dunfermline's league campaign this year. And even when he has been fit it has been hard to regain his place in an area of the park where there has been such competition for places. |
Steven Bell (10 league appearances, 3 league goals) |
![Steven Bell Steven Bell](/javaImages/a7/1e/0,,10288~8920743,00.jpg) |
The loss of Pars 25 year old midfielder so early in the season was a real blow for Jim McIntyre. The manager had based a lot of his organisation around the influential midfielder who had been many fans' player of the year the previous season. It was working too with Dunfermline leading the pack after the first quarter. Steven's injury is so serious that he won't be back till around September but he's one who is sure to feature in the manager's SPL plans. |
Nick Phinn (11 (+6 sub) league appearances, 4 league goals) |
![Nick Phinn Nick Phinn](/javaImages/20/59/0,,10288~9656608,00.jpg) |
Injuries made this a difficult season for Nick after the promise that he'd shown earlier. He played an important role in the all-important opener at Falkirk Stadium but thereafter was in and out of the side. However at 22 the midfielder is still young and has already shown that he knows the way to goal with 23 goals in his Pars career to date. |
Alex Burke (5 (+3 sub) league appearances, 1 league goal) |
![Alex Burke Alex Burke](/javaImages/fb/6c/0,,10288~9661691,00.jpg) |
The 33 year old midfielder was Jim McIntyre's first signing and has repaid him many times over with some sterling performances. This season he was caught out with injury early on and was only occasionally able to secure his place back in the side. Possibly Dunfermline's most gifted passer of the ball, the Pars never lost a league game this season when he played. He also scored what might arguably be the goal of the season, a 30 yard screamer against Dundee at Dens Park. |
Martin Hardie (12 (+2 sub) league appearances, 8 league goals) |
![Martin Hardie Martin Hardie](/javaImages/38/ad/0,,10288~9612600,00.jpg) |
An inspired signing if there ever was one, Jim McIntyre brought in the 35 year old midfielder as cover till the end of the season. However within no time the big ball winner was achieving cult status with the Pars fans for his goalscoring exploits and never-say-die attitude. There is no question that he has been hugely influential in Pars run to the finish. Too old to play in the SPL? Ask Craig Brewster! |
Gary Mason (34 league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Gary Mason Gary Mason](/javaImages/50/ae/0,,10288~8957520,00.jpg) |
The 31 year old midfielder missed just two league games this season due to suspension, but otherwise the man whose name must be just about the first on the team sheet each week. Not every player returns to their former club successfully but Gary has done so in style. A neat player with great link up play and ability to break up the opposition attacks, Gary was named the Club's player of the year. |
Ryan Thomson (2 (+7 sub) league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Ryan Thomson Ryan Thomson](/javaImages/93/42/0,,10288~9519763,00.jpg) |
A product of the Pars youth team, this was Ryan's first experience of first team football with Dunfermline, having been out on loan the previous season. Ryan turned 20 in April so this will have been a learning experience for the young midfielder. |
Paul Willis (5 (+3 sub) league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Pat Clarke & Paul Willis Pat Clarke & Paul Willis](/javaImages/fd/31/0,,10288~9318909,00.jpg) |
Another product of the Dunfermline youth set up, the 19 year old winger made good progress early season, keeping the likes of Joe Cardle out of a starting place. With players coming back and competition high, he was sent out on loan to Ayr United in February. With pace and a good crosser of the ball, Paul has all the attributes necessary. |
Wullie Gibson (12 (+3 sub) league appearances, 6 league goals) |
![Willie Gibson Willie Gibson](/javaImages/bb/76/0,,10288~9008827,00.jpg) |
An enigmatic character whose skill could turn a game in favour of the Pars. Willie's career was revived when he came to East End Park, but he treated the fans to some excellent match-winning performances in return. The 26 year old winger was transferred to Crawley Town in January, in time to play against Man United at Old Trafford in the Cup and help Crawley to full league status. |
Joe Cardle (23 (+9 sub) league appearances, 4 league goals) |
![Joe Cardle Joe Cardle](/javaImages/9f/57/0,,10288~9263007,00.jpg) |
Super Joe has become a huge fan's favourite ands it's easy to see why. The 23 year old Blackpool-born winger can mesmerise any defence with his dribbling skills and he also can fire in a terrific shot. There has also been a noticeable change (for the better) in the way that Joe has turned provider this season. Joe came on strongly in the final quarter of the season and is another possible player of the year candidate. |
David Graham (24 (+6 sub) league appearances, 5 league goals) |
![David Graham v Raith Rovers David Graham v Raith Rovers](/javaImages/f7/b6/0,,10288~9615095,00.jpg) |
Another player who can create chances out of nothing - watch for example his goal against Morton in the last away game! Davie started the season with an injury but has grown in strength and confidence as the season has progressed. The 27 year old can play wide or through the centre but in either position has the ability to stroll past defenders. His assists have been a feature of the season and he's been getting on the scoresheets himself lately. |
Steven McDougall (16 (+19 sub) league appearances, 2 league goals) |
![Steven McDougall v Hearts Steven McDougall v Hearts](/javaImages/b9/38/0,,10288~8927417,00.jpg) |
Winger-turned-striker, it was perhaps fitting that the 24 year old scored the opener in the title clincher at Morton. Steven is perhaps one of the most gifted players in Jim McIntyre's squad, and his pace and movement have caused problems for lots of defences in the First Division. Although frequently used as a substitute, Steven has in fact played in all but one league game this season for Dunfermline. |
Andy Kirk (29 (+2 sub) league appearances, 13 league goals) |
![Andy Kirk Andy Kirk](/javaImages/87/b/0,,10288~9636743,00.jpg) |
Pars 31 year old super striker has weighed in yet again with a barrow load of goals - 21 for the season in all competitions. Andy has been a handful for defences where his strength and willingness to take defences on have caused havoc. Andy may miss some, but his speed and quick thinking around the box means that he is also always creating them too! |
Pat Clarke (14 (+17 sub) league appearances, 9 league goals) |
![Pat Clarke Pat Clarke](/javaImages/d5/fc/0,,10288~9305301,00.jpg) |
25 year old striker who returned last summer to East End Park where he had first made an impact as a member of the youth team. It didn't take Pat long to get back in the swing of things, scoring the crucial goal in the first league match at Falkirk Stadium, and in doing so creating a confidence that would last all season. Not always first choice but a good return of nine league goals. |
Liam Buchanan (13 (+4 sub) league appearances, 5 league goals) |
![Liam Buchanan Liam Buchanan](/javaImages/28/af/0,,10288~9416488,00.jpg) |
The 26 year old striker was a welcome addition from Partick Thistle in the January transfer window. Tenacious, with plenty of pace and a low centre of gravity, Liam has made a great start to his career with Dunfermline. Always a willing runner, Liam has also shown that he is no slouch when it comes to scoring goals. |
Graham Bayne (1 (+2 sub) league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Graham Bayne Graham Bayne](/javaImages/8f/e7/0,,10288~9496463,00.jpg) |
A fairytale return for one of Dunfermline's popular players from last season. The 31 year old appeared to have lost his battle to play football through injury but his hard work paid off and he returned surprisingly as a trialist in March to bolster the team's efforts for the run in. |
Jake Hyde (1 (+1 sub) league appearances, 0 league goals) |
![Picture by Craig Brown Picture by Craig Brown](/javaImages/28/b2/0,,10288~9548328,00.jpg) |
Brought in on an amateur contract after impressing against the Pars for Dundee, Jake managed just one sub appearance and one start before Andy Kirk returned from injury to deny him any further opportunities to play. |