Jimmy McConville 1915 - 2007

It is with regret that the club has learned of the death on Monday 22nd January of Jimmy McConville.

It is with regret that the club has learned of the death on Monday 22nd January of Jimmy McConville. Jimmy was 91 and for 36 of those he served as Honorary Secretary of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.

Chairman John Yorkston fondly recalled the fantastic contribution that Jimmy had made to the club:-

"Jimmy was a great servant to Dunfermline Athletic and to the Fife Football Association. He will be sadly missed and on behalf of the club I would like to express our sincere sympathy to his family."

The record of the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Dunfermline Athletic held on 31st July 1952 shows that one James McConville was proposed by Mr Muir and seconded by Mr Jamieson, and was duly elected to serve for one year. Little did anyone realise it at that meeting, but Jimmy would go on to become the greatest servant Dunfermline Athletic has ever seen. On 5th April 1954 he was appointed to succeed Bob Torrie was Secretary, a position he held for more than 36 years until 29th August 1990.

Jimmy, who was born on 21st March 1915, began his love affair with the Pars as a ten year old when he helped to lay sawdust markings on the pitch in preparation for Saturday games. On leaving school Jimmy served an apprenticeship as a clerk with a local linen manufacturer. During the Second World War he served overseas in the Middle East.

He returned to take up employment with the Gas Board, before becoming a sub postmaster in Kelty. In 1947, Jimmy became involved with the Supporters Club becoming a Director in 1952, and Secretary in 1954. Jimmy's role was transformed with the arrival of Jock Stein and European football to East End Park in the 1960s.

His work increased enormously having to arrange European trips and all ticket games, tasks that he undertook with far less resources than are available to clubs these days.

Rodney Shearer makes presentation to Jimmy McConville at Hall of Fame

In 1990, Jimmy was made an Honorary Director of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club. In 2004 he attended the Legends Re-United event and received an award for his remarkable services to the club. In November 2004 he was the first person to be assumed into the Dunfermline Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jimmy McConville's funeral will take place on Friday 26th January 2007 at 1.45pm at Kelty Parish Church and then Dunfermline Crematorium at 2.45pm.  The family have requested family flowers only at the funeral however, have stated that they are accepting donations towards "Kelty Medical Practice".  If you would like to make a donation please hand this into Ewing Funeral Service, 114 Main Street, Kelty.