SPIRIT
Wednesday, 4th Nov 2015“We Did It For Norrie” 1996-2016
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Every Pars fan knows that 8 January 2016 represents a very significant date, as it will be 20 years to the day since our great captain and leader, Norrie McCathie tragically died.
Norrie, to this day, remains an iconic figure in the history of our proud football club, and is much loved by thousands of people in the West Fife community as well as holding the record number of appearances for our club.
Therefore, the Board of DAFC felt it entirely appropriate, after consulting with Norrie’s family, to mark the 20th anniversary with a fitting tribute to “Mr Dunfermline”.
Ross McArthur, Managing Director highlighted “it is hoped that all Pars supporters will join together and participate in the various “We did it for Norrie” initiatives we have planned to celebrate his life. As our former Chairman, Roy Woodrow said at Norrie’s remembrance service “the SPIRIT which he had will live with us for a very long time to come”.
Without question, his spirit lives on at DAFC, and to me all of the qualities that Norrie epitomised (leadership; fighting spirit; work ethic; and community focus) are still evident at our reborn community club today. I remember only too well, that after Norrie’s tragic death, our club vowed to win the old First Division Championship for him in 1996, which we managed to do by all pulling together, particularly up at Tannadice. Ever since that time, the expression “We did it for Norrie” is held dearly by Pars fans, in his memory.”
The “We did it for Norrie” initiatives that are planned to commemorate the 20th anniversary are as follows:
The Game
On 2 January 2016, DAFC play a league match against Cowdenbeath FC at East End Park, which is the closest date to the anniversary itself, as the Scottish Cup fixtures are not yet known. The fixture card has thrown up this fixture, but it is highly significant as Cowdenbeath are the only other senior football club that Norrie signed for as professional player. Cowdenbeath FC would like to pay their own tribute towards the game in memory of Norrie.
The Strip
Our club has commissioned a one off commemorative strip for the Cowdenbeath match, replicating the last strip Norrie ever wore for our club in 1996 at Love Street, Paisley. It is the iconic blue and red quarter strip, and it will bear the number “4” on the back, which was of course Norrie’s number.
A limited edition replica top will be on sale in the DAFC Club Shop, in early December which is likely to be hugely popular. All tops purchased will come with a specially designed certificate of authenticity. Further details to follow.
The Match Day Programme
On 2 January 2016, our club will issue a one off commemorative match day programme for the Cowdenbeath game.
In addition, all of our club’s matchday programmes for the second half of this season will include a feature on Norrie.
The Social Media Tribute
We have created a special hashtag label #SPIRIT for Pars supporters to tag their messages on social media to share their memories of Norrie, so they can be read and viewed by other members of the Pars Family. The best or most poignant messages will be printed in the match day programme on 2 January 2016.
The Exhibition
The Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust (DAHT) also plan to host a special exhibition celebrating Norrie and his time at our club. This will be available to view at East End Park in December.
If anyone owns any memorabilia or exhibits significant to Norrie that they could lend to DAHT for the exhibition, they would be gratefully received. Please be assured that all items would be properly acknowledged and looked after, and would be returned after the exhibition. Please email: enquiries@daht.org.uk with further details.
The Night to pay tribute to Norrie
On Friday 15 January 2016, the Football Club and the Heritage Trust will host a night at the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline, for Pars fans to come together to remember Norrie.
This will show a number of full length interviews we will have filmed with his former teammates, footage from Norrie’s playing career at DAFC, and will feature live Q&A sessions on stage with key people from Norrie’s time at our club. Further details to follow.
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