We’re in this together – be the 12th man

Club highlight importance of continued positive backing

It only seems like a few weeks since the season started, but already the first quarter of the league season is over, so we took the opportunity to catch up with Manager Allan Johnston and Managing Director, Ross McArthur for their own personal perspectives.

Both took the opportunity to outline the importance of the Pars supporters continuing to be the 12th man and positively backing the team for 90 minutes every week, starting this Saturday against Forfar Athletic!

Ross McArthur started by outlining his own thoughts “we have just entered the second quarter of the campaign, which normally proves very significant, proudly sitting on top of the league, with the best scoring record in the UK and the best defensive record in our league. The disappointing performance at Paisley aside, our performances in the two cup competitions to date have been exceptional. The manager, his staff and players deserve enormous credit, particularly taking into account the list of injuries we have experienced. Without question, the response of the fans this campaign, whether home and away, has been absolutely fantastic, and they have turned out in large numbers to get behind the team. However, we have a number of vital games coming up between now and the end of the year, so we need the fans to stay with the team at all times and continue to encourage the players.

There is no doubt that the terrible bad luck we have had with injuries to date, has had an impact on the type and level of performance, in comparison to the earlier part of the season, but to win any championship it is a marathon rather than a sprint. It is fair to say that in the last couple of home games, the atmosphere at East End Park has been noticeably flatter, particularly after the heroics at Tannadice. In addition, it is disappointing that a few individual players themselves have recently been subject to unfair criticism during games, from a minority of fans, which is unhelpful and unnecessary and only acts as encouragement to our opponents. As a fan, I know it is easy to get carried away or frustrated in equal measures, but it is important that we strive to create a positive vibe around the stadium on match day, as negativity can spread and become divisive. Our slogan since coming out of administration has been “we’re in this together”, and by remaining so we can create a positive environment to build on the fantastic platform we have ALL created so far this season”

Allan Johnston reiterated the significance of the part played by the supporters in helping the playing squad, “there will be times during the season when the players will lift the crowd, but there will be other times when we need the crowd to lift the players, and be the 12th man, as they have successfully done on numerous occasions already this season. As I said in my open letter at the start of the season, this is a big club, and we should not be in the third tier, but we are, and we all need to work together as one team, on and off the field, to move the club forward. The last two seasons have proved that it will not be easy, as we are now the team that other clubs will be gunning for, and there will be up and downs over the course of the coming season, as there is every season, but I urge all of our supporters to keep backing the players as we are still a relatively young squad.

The two long term injuries to our club captain, Callum and young Ryan were a real blow, but we have also had injuries or strains to at least another eight players. Hopefully, our bad luck is now behind us on that front. In addition, thanks to the fans support we have managed to recruit four new quality players in recent weeks, however none of these boys have undertaken a full pre-season training regime, so it will take them time to build up their match fitness levels and understanding of their team mates. In normal circumstances you would bed new players in with game time in the U20’s or a more rigorous training regime, but we simply don’t have that luxury due to such a small squad as they are needed for a first team game on a Saturday. It is just a matter of time, and being patient, as the club will ultimately reap the benefit but I would really ask for our supporters understanding on this front.

I have to manage fans expectations, so at no stage this season will I make any rash predictions, but what I can promise again though is that every one of my staff will be giving their all, on and off the pitch, and whatever happens come the end of the season, it will not be for the want of trying.

Thanks for your magnificent support to date, and I look forward to your continued and positive backing of the players who represent this proud club”

#Make Some Noise

Pick up your clappers on Saturday

SRJ Windows, our shirt sponsor, kindly donated thousands of high quality branded clappers for supporters to make some noise on match days. Then you simply reverse them to proudly proclaim when a goal is scored on match day. These made a noticeable difference to the atmosphere at our early season games. Therefore, another tranche will be given out at the next few homes games, starting with the visit of Forfar Athletic on Saturday.

The clappers can be picked up free of charge from the DAFC Club Shop, DASC Supporters Shop or will be available in the Norrie Concourse on match day. Please retain these for future matches, don’t through them away, as they are designed to last.