Surprise, Surprise

One DAFC fan flies home from Australia for the first time in 11 years to surprise his season ticket holding family members as they take a tour of East End Park

Ian Ireland tells his story:-

As part of a surprise visit from Australia, I contacted DAFC to provide me with my uncle's seat number so I could sit in his seat prior to the game and spring a surprise on him when he arrived

However, shortly afterwards, I was then contacted by Craig Brown from DAFC who advised that my uncle, Malcolm (Malkie) McGregor was booked in for stadium tour prior to the Stenhousemuir game on 19 January with the boys from the St Leonards Boys Brigade, Craig asked if I would be happy to hide away the home changing room when the tour arrived, surprising "Malkie".......

The day came and I was smuggled into EEP and hidden away in the the Home dressing room. (kept ma boots polished..... just in case the gaffer thought I might be worth gamble on the day .... but alas it was not to be!!)

Anyways the tour arrived in the Home dressing room and I stepped out from the corner of the room to ambush "Malkie" ...... who thought I was sitting on a beach in Perth Western Australia, downing a cold beer and "throwing a shrimp on the barbie", it was an emotional reunion and the video and photos explain it better than I could ever do!

The last time we were together was in 2009 when "Malkie" came to Perth, Western Australia and we both watched former Par, Billy Mehmet, score the winner for Perth Glory against Adelaide United (2:1) in the A-League and celebrated like we were both in the Norrie McCathie Stand. (both of us wearing Pars Taps)

Highlights for the day:-
Springing a surprise on Malkie and Family
Watching the PARS win .... LIVE
"Into the Valley" (hairs on the back of the neck, everytime!!!)
"Steak Bridie at Half Time"
The belief that is around the club ....

However, the day could not have happened without the assistance of Craig Brown and Ross McArthur who went "above and beyond" to make the day an unbelievable memory. Malkie has been a season ticket holder for more than 40 years and It's probably the only time he's been silent at EEP (although it wisnae long after the whistle before he was back in full voice!!!!).

Finally and more importantly, I would like to give a huge thanks to the young lads from St Leonards Boy's Brigade for letting me gatecrash their stadium tour, cheers boys!!!!

COYP ..... We are the DA ..... THE DAFC!!!!!!!!