Season 3 (1985/86) - Champions

There were only two teams involved in the race for the championship, Dunfermline and Queen of the South. No other side mounted a serious challenge. Both teams were to win promotion on the same day, with four games to play. After this Queens failed to win a game leaving Pars to coast home.

The season had began in nostalgia, as Dunfermline Athletic celebrated it hundredth birthday on the 2nd of June1985. Throughout the summer, the town marked the club's centenary with an exhibition in the museum, and a special "Centenary Club" was launched to raise funds. The celebrations reached their height on August 7th, when, just before the start of the new season, the Pars took on Aberdeen in a specially arranged Centenary Match. Amoung the former players and managers who gathered at East End Park that night were many who were household names in their day - Jock Stein, Alex Ferguson, Alex Edwards, Bert Paton, Doug Bailie, Willie Cunningham. It is unlikely that many football fans outside Dunfermline, could have named any players from the present line-up. But within a few short years that would change.

A goal by Ian Heddle, gave Pars a well deserved win against their Premier opponents, and even though their was little at stake for the Dons, the win was once again evidence that Dunfermline were on their way to greater things.

Leishman made few changes to his squad over the close season. Ian Westwater, who had arrived at the club towards the end of the previous season, was installed as first-choice keeper, replacing team captain, Hugh Whyte. Bobby Robertson was to take over the captaincy, a position he was to fill with distinction for the next two years.

If the previous season was to begin with a rocket, this year would just fizzle. A 3-3 draw away to Arbroath, was followed by a 4-2 win at home to Berwick. In between Pars should have faced Stenhousmuir, in the first round of the League Cup, but this was postponed due to poor weather (surely unique for August). This forced Pars to play two matches the following midweek. A 4-0 win on Monday 19th August, took them through to the Second Round against Morton, two days later. They were to lose this match in a penalty shoot-out after a grueling period of extra-time.

After 210 minutes of competitive football in the space of three days, it was no surprise that Dunfermline were no match for a lively Queens Park at Hampden the following Saturday. Notably, two of the Spiders' three goals that day were to come from a certain Ian McCall, who was to be so instrumental in Dunfermline's push to the Premier League twelve months later.

On September 11th, football fans throughout Scotland, and in Dunfermline in particular, were shocked by the untimely death of Jock Stein. Stein had put Dunfermline on the map in the 1960's by guiding them to the Scottish Cup in 1961, and setting them on a course that was bring a decade of success. Fans paid tibute with a minute's silence before the match with Raith Rovers the following Saturday.

Though the Pars were to remain unbeaten throughout September, their league challenge failed to take-off. All that was to change the following month. Suddenly the pace began to increase, and the goals started piling in. Three against Stranraer, four against East Stirling, and an incredible six against Albion Rovers, in what was to be the Pars biggest win under Jim Leishman. By now they were very much in the chase. By the time they entertained Queen of the South, on November 9th, the pattern of the season had been set. Both sides had clear space between themselves and the team in third place, with the Dumfries side still a point ahead of the Pars.

Goals from Jenkins and Watson sent thr fans wild. A late goal by Queens could not stop Dunfermline storming to the top of the table.

It was a lead they were to hold until the end of the year. Wins against Raith, St Johnstone and Stranraer, and an incredable 4-4 draw away to Berwick (after Pars had found themselves 4-1 down just after half-time) meant that the centenary year was to end on a high note. In between, over five and a half thousand fans were to watch Pars defeat Raith in the 1st Round of the Scottish Cup. Ironically, it was to be this win which was to lead, indirectly, to Dunfermline dropping off the top spot.

Postponement to Dunfermline's matches on 28th December and the New Year game, gave Queen of the South the opportunity to pull level. On January 4th, while Dunfermline were on Cup duty, they were to take on East Stirling in an outstanding league encounter, and go two points clear. They were to remain top for the next three months. Dunfermline, meanwhile travelled to Castle Douglas to meet Threave Rovers in their Scottish Cup, Second Round tie. On an appalling pitch, Pars were to struggle, until a Watson strike just before half-time broke the deadlock. In the second-half however, the non-league side folded and Dunfermline were to run out 5-0 winners.

The League reconstruction of the past year or so is nothing new. By the mid-point of season 1985/86, the top clubs were discussing the terms for a breakaway body. Incredibly, the so-called Super-League were to invite Dunfermline to be among their numbers. Despite the fact that they were still in the Second Division, the potential of the club had been noticed. Crowds of four and five thousand had been recorded at East End Park this season, and, considering there was no input from the Old Firm, Dunfermline's total attendance figures were remarkably high. The Super League however, was to come to nothing. If Dunfermline wanted to join Scotland's elite, they would have to do it the hard way - with their results on the park.

They were to be afforded another opportunity to test themselves, in the Third Round of the Cup, away to Hibs. A crowd of over 15,000 were to watch a fine performance by Dunfermline. On top for much of the first period, disaster struck at the start of the second half, with the ordering-off of Davie Moyes. This was just too much for the part-timers. Within minutes Hibs took the lead. Another goal just before the end took Hibs through to the next round. For Dunfermline, though, their performance again demonstrated that they were destined for greater things.

Now, at least, they could concentrate on more important matters. February was to be a frustrating month. Bad weather, meant that Dunfermline were to play only two matches. a 3-2 deafeat at home to Stirling, and a 3-3 draw at Starks Park, were hardly championsip form. The month ended with Queen of the South four points clear, and Queen's Park only two points behind. However, Dunfermline now had games in hand, and this was to lead to a hectic, but dramatic couple of months.

The indifferent form was to continue throughout March. Two victories against Cowdenbeath (one being the rearranged New Year game), barely made up for a series of draws against Queen's Park, Stenhousemuir, Meadowbank, and Arbroath (although, as three of these sides were in the chasing pack, at least we were not losing ground). A fine 4-1 win at home to bottom club, Stranraer, and a 3-0 away win against Albion Rovers, ended the month on a high note.

As with August of the previous season, the month of April 1986 has a special place in the memory of many Pars fans. In a 10-day period Dunfermline were to play four consecutive home matches. It was those games, plus the three that followed, which were to see Dunfermline storm their way to the Second Division championship. Twenty goals were scored, with none conceded. There was none of the drama or tension of other seasons. But it was a great way to win a championship.

However, things did not look so bright at the start of the month. Heavy defeats by Queen of the South and Meadowbank, left their challenge in turmoil. But then came the matches that mattered. Both Albion Rovers and St. Johnstone were taken apart. Two goals from John Watson, one each from Thompson and Campbell, saw off Albion Rovers, while in a memorable midweek match against the side from Perth, Dunfermline stuck in another 4 goals. Campbell and Moyes put Pars 2-0 up at the interval, but the highlight of the night came just after half-time, with a another goal from John Watson. This was his 30th of the season and won him the Daily Record's "Golden Shot" award. An own goal, finished off the night, making it another 4-0 rout.

Dunfermline were now only 1 point behind the leaders and, more significantly, clear of all but Queen's Park, in the promotion chase. If they were to defeat East Stirling, and Queen's were to drop anything to Cowdenbeath, promotion would be guaranteed. Two goals up at half-time, fans were to learn that Queen's Park were behind. Two further goals in the second half secured yet another 4-0 win. Confirmation of Cowdenbeath's win at Hampden, sent the crowd wild. Fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate, the championship could wait for now. Promotion, the real goal, had been achieved.

Once, the celebrations calmed down, however, thoughts began to focus on winning the ultimate prize. Dunfermline had only won a League Championship once before (the Second Division title in 1925/26). Exactly 60 years later, they were to do so again. As Queen 0f the South crashed to Stirling, Dunfermline pounced, defeating Arbroath, to go top. It was a position they would not relinquish. Another 4-0 win, this time away to Berwick put as further clear, as Queens floundered once more. The league was now there for the taking. Dunfermline were 3 points clear as they headed for a midweek tie against Stenhousmuir, at Ochilview. By coincidence Cowdenbeath, could again be instrumental in helping their neighbours, as they were to meet the Dumfries side on the same night.

For the first time in six matches the Pars to failed to score and the match ended goalless. With Queen of the South having been 3-1 up, the fans began to head for the exits. Suddenly the news came through from Central Park, that Cowdenbeath had fought back to tie their match. Dunfermline were champions. Bedlam was to break out once more, as they fans players and officials celebrated the first Championship win for over half a century. Even the Queen of the South party couldn't resist getting in on the act. They called in at East End Park, on their way home, to congratulate their victorious rivals.

Defeat to Stirling in the last match of the season was unimportant. The dual goals of promotion and the championship had been achieved. It had been a long hard season, but the hard work had paid off with victory being achieved at a canter in the end.

The same of course, could not be said of the Premier League that year. Hearts had led the table since before Christmas, but were to blow it big-style, losing to Dundee, while Celtic romped home at Love Street. Such were the concerns of the big clubs. For Dunfermline, consolidation in the First Division was to be the priority now. But the following season, 1986/87, was to see Pars return to the top league in dramatic style.