Did George Aitken ever play for Third Lanark?

George Aitken signed for East Fife from a Lochgelly amateur side in 1945. The Fifers sold him to Third Lanark for a ‘large undisclosed fee’ on 5 February 1951. He was later transferred to Sunderland, where he teamed up once again with former East Fife team mate Charlie Fleming.

Who were East Fife playing the day of the Ibrox disaster? - Bob Hunter, Methil

On 2 January 1971, sixty- six football supporters were tragically crushed to death as they attempted to leave Ibrox Stadium as the Rangers v Celtic 'New Year Derby' drew to a close. On the same day, East Fife beat Alloa Athletic 3-1 in a Division Two match at Bayview in front of a 3,968 crowd. Miller (2) and Cairns were on the mark for the Methil Men.

I am a fan of your team from Greece and I read on your web site that East Fife have played friendly matches here. I am interested to know which teams East Fife played in Greece and what the scores were - George B. Manetackis (journalist), Greece

East Fife played two matches in Greece on a pre-season tour in 1987. The results were Iagaleo 1 East Fife 3 and Poseidon 1 East Fife 2. Unfortunately I do not have any further details of these matches, such as dates, scorers and crowds etc. As you are a journalist, George, perhaps you could find out the details from newspaper archives and let me know!

Two friends (Stuart Langthorne and James Dixey, from Colchester) contacted the 'East Fife Historian' to ask the same question (and settle an argument)! The question they asked was 'Did the East Fife 5 Forfar 4 score line ever happen?'

As far as I can trace, the only score line similar to this in matches between East Fife and Forfar was Forfar 5 East Fife 4 in a Division Two match on 22 April 1964. For the record, a crowd of 900 saw Aitken (2), Stewart and Wright score for the Fifers.

Can you supply any information about the former East Fife player Stuart Burgess? - Neil Ballingall, Lossiemouth

Stuart Burgess signed for East Fife from Albion Rovers in 1984 aged 22. The highlight of his East Fife career was probably receiving the 'Man of the Match' award in East Fife's memorable 0-0 draw (after extra time) League Cup tie with Rangers on 27 August 1986 (Rangers eventually won the match 5-4 on penalties). Stuart was always a firm favourite with the supporters, who were sorry to see him depart when he followed Manager Davie Clarke to Falkirk in 1987. Stuart returned to Bayview briefly a few years later, but was just a shadow of the player he had been. Believe it or not, Stuart actually scored for the Fifers three years before signing in 1984 - an own goal during East Fife's 3-0 victory over Albion Rovers at Bayview on 19 September 1981 !

I can remember my first match was East Fife v Hibs in 1974. Can you list the teams and crowd? - Ian Morrison, Durham

The East Fife v Hibs match you attended in 1974 would have to be East Fife 0 Hibs 3 on 5 January 1974. The crowd was 5,959. East Fife: McGarr, Duncan, Printy, Clarke, Martis, Rae, Love, McIvor, Borthwick, Hegarty, McPhee. Subs - Honeyman, Rutherford. Sorry, I don't have the Hibs team.

My memory seems to tell me that East Fife had a small tour to Holland during the 1970's. Is this correct? I have a couple of lapel pins that belonged to my Grandfather, Frank Melrose, who was Vice Chairman during that period. One is from Eintracht and one from Maastricht. Can you shed any light on the scores?

East Fife embarked on a tour of Germany and Holland during May 1970. On 9 May the Fifers drew 2-2 with Rot Weiss Essen in Germany and were scheduled to play Frankfurt on 12 May (score not available). The Dutch games were against Go Ahead Deventer on 14 May (0-0) Maastricht on 16 May (2-2).

A family friend, Robert Allan, played in goal for East Fife in the 1950's. Do you have any information? - Ian Morrison, Durham

'Bert' Allan signed for East Fife from St Andrews United in the late 1950's. He was given a free transfer at the end of the 1958/59 season, but after regular 'keeper McCluskey broke a finger against Cowdenbeath in the League Cup Quarter Final in September 1959 Bert was asked to return to Bayview and stayed for another two seasons.

Whatever happened to former East Fife player John Lumsden? - Paul Galloway, Leven

John 'Roxy' Lumsden signed for East Fife from Edinburgh Juvenile side Melbourne Thistle in August 1979 for a fee of £80. Just five months later John signed for Stoke City for £50,000 (which was at the time the highest ever fee paid for an East Fife player). In the summer of 1986, when John was a free agent and living in London, East Fife tried unsuccessfully to bring him back to Bayview.

I know David Beckham played in the Man United game which acted as Jimmy Bonthrone's testimonial and, if my memory serves me right, he also scored two goals. I also believe that it was his first team debut. Am I right? - Simon Platt

You are correct in that David Beckham scored two goals against East Fife at Bayview (one a superb 30 yard rocket!), but it was not his first team debut. David Beckham's first appearance in the Manchester United first team was in the Coca Cola cup in 1992. He had also made a scoring European debut in the Champions League against Galatasaray before the East Fife match.

Anything on a former goalkeeper for East Fife who became a centre forward with Tranmere Rovers in the late 1960's? I think his name was Yardley - Peter Sandford

George Yardley was actually signed as a Centre Forward for East Fife from Frances Colliery Juniors in March 1959 and departed in 1964 when he emigrated to Australia. In Australia he signed for Budapest St George and presumably returned to Britain during the late 60's. During his time at Bayview George was a regular at Centre Forward, but did make several appearances as goalkeeper. As far as I am aware, George never appeared in a losing side whilst wearing the No.1 jersey!

Since I was very young my father has told me that a distant relative of his was involved in the origins of East Fife F.C. Can you give any details?  Peter Gray, St Albans

There was a Mr Gray from Buckhaven who was elected to the Committee of East Fife F.C. on 2 April 1903 (the year of the club's formation). This could well be the same person as J.R. Gray (also known as 'Papa Gray') who was East Fife's Business Secretary in season 1905/06 and was also a local journalist.

Who was the first Chairman of East Fife and how long did he serve? - John Hunter, Lundin Links

East Fife's first Chairman was Councillor Suttie of Methil who, along with Secretary Thomas Neill and Treasurer Jimmy Campbell, were elected to form a 'Representative Committee' on 9 March 1903.  At the first shareholders' meeting on 2 April 1903 he was replaced by J.Adamson of Leven. Mr Adamson was eventually replaced by Jimmy Campbell, who kept East Fife alive during the early days by frequently digging into his own pocket to meet the club's expenses.

Apart from the recent cup tie against Hearts, have East Fife ever played a 'home match' away from Bayview or New Bayview? - Graeme Donaldson, Tain

The only occasion I can trace is a 1- 0 defeat at the hands of Clackmannan in a Central League match in Kirkcaldy on 28 April 1921. The Fifers' last home match of season 1920/21 was moved to the 'Lang Toun' as Bayview was being prepared for East Fife's entry into the Scottish League at the start of the following season. What is unclear, however, is which Kirkcaldy venue was used - it could have been Raith Rovers' Stark's Park, or it could have been Scott's Park - the former home of Kirkcaldy United.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that at the end of the 1940's and start of the 1950's there were a few 'Fifers' playing for Scotland. Who were they and how many caps did they win? - Alistair Craven, St Monans

During the period you mention East Fife had no less than five players
capped a total of 13 times for Scotland. The players were Davie Duncan (3) v Belgium, Switzerland and France in 1948; George Aitken (5) v England, France, Wales and Northern Ireland in 1949 and Switzerland in 1950; Henry Morris (1) v Northern Ireland in 1949; Allan Brown (3) v Switzerland, Portugal and France in 1950; and Charlie Fleming (1) v Northern Ireland in 1953.

I was born in Innerleven in 1955 and my father often talks about the times he took me to Bayview. He also says that Leeds United once played at Bayview and the great John Charles was playing. Has he got a good memory or what? - Joe Dove, Leeds

Your father is absolutely correct. Leeds United played East Fife at Bayview on 7 March 1955 to commemorate the opening of the Bayview floodlights. United won 2-1 with the legendary Welsh Internationalist John Charles at Centre Half.

I'm looking for information about a former Orient player called Tonner who also played for East Fife - Neil Kaufman, Leyton Orient historian, South Africa

The only player of that name I can trace played at Right Back for East Fife in an Eastern (Wartime) League match against Raith Rovers at Starks Park on 29 September 1917 which Rovers won 2-0. Match reports during the First World War were a little sketchy, however, with team line-ups seldom printed in the newspapers. He could very well have been a regular first team player at this time.

What is the largest and smallest attendances at Bayview Park? - Jim Kamaris

Officially, the largest crowd to attend a match at Bayview Park was the 22,515 who paid to watch East Fife beat Raith Rovers 3-0 in a Division 'A' match on 2 January 1950. According to the match report in the 'Leven Mail', however, the crowd was only 21,715, which would make the 22,500 crowd who witnessed the league match against Rangers on 27 November 1948 the largest. One possible explanation for the conflicting figures for the Raith match is that the spectators seated in the stand (which seated 800) were not included in the newspaper report. The smallest crowd at Bayview (apart from reserve and youth team matches) was the 71 who attended the Berwick Rangers v Arbroath Second Division match on 15 April 1992. Berwick were at the time unable to use their own Shielfield Park.

Have you any information about James Davies or Davis who was transferred from East Fife to Millwall in September 1920? - Millwall Football Museum

James Davies (or Davis - the player is referred to by both surnames!) signed for East Fife in May 1919 after having an impressive trial against Raith Rovers earlier that month. He became a regular member of the side, playing at Outside Left, during the following season. Match reports in the local press are hard to find for season 1919/20, but by all accounts he played some impressive games for the Fifers during this period and scored several goals. If anyone reading this has any further information on James Davi(e)s please use the E-mail facility on this page as Millwall Football Museum are very keen to find out more!

I am a former resident of the East Neuk of Fife now living near Reading. Have East Fife ever played in this area? - Neil Corstorphine, Burghfield Common

East Fife have visited Elm Park, Reading, on two occasions. The first was on 1 November 1954, when Jackie Stewart scored the Fifers' goal in a 1-1 draw. Almost two years later, on 22 October 1956, Jimmy Bonthrone scored East Fife's goal in a 3-1 defeat.

How many times have East Fife won at Firs Park, Falkirk? - Jim Kamaris

East Fife's 2-0 win over East Stirlingshire at Firs Park on 14 August 1999 was their fourteenth at the Falkirk venue. The Fifers first match at Firs Park was a 2-2 draw in a Division Two encounter on 7 January 1921. Their first win came on their second visit on 30 December of the same year - a 3-0 victory in another league match. East Stirlingshire have beaten East Fife 24 times at Firs Park and there have been 8 draws. The January 1922 match was not, however, the first time that 'Shire had played host to the Fifers. On 23 October 1915, East Fife beat East Stirling 3-1 at their former home of Merchiston Park in an Eastern League match. The Fifers made a further two visits to Merchiston Park in 1919 and 1921 and recorded a 2-1 victory and a 0-0 draw.

I can remember my father taking me to Bayview about twenty years ago to see East Fife play Hearts in the Scottish Cup. There must have been a big crowd as I can remember the cars were parked all the way down from the ground as far as the Bawbee Bridge. Can you give details? - John Hunter, Leven

The match you are referring to was a Scottish Cup Quarter Final replay on 15 March 1977. The Fifers had held Hearts to a no scoring draw at Tynecastle on the Saturday and must have fancied their chances of causing an upset in the Tuesday night replay. Unfortunately, goals from Johnny Love and Harry Kinnear were not enough to overcome the first Premier League side to visit Bayview, who won 3-2 with strikes from Gibson, Prentice and Gallacher.

Have East Fife ever played Arsenal? - Alan Kirk, Dallas, Texas

Sorry, but the answer is no. East Fife have, however, played some of the lesser London teams including Brentford and Leyton Orient.

Can you help me work out which was the first East Fife game I went to? It was a home match against a team in blue. I think the team was Raith Rovers and the year was 1971 or 1972. I remember East Fife lost one nil - Murray Cole

The only 'team in blue' that East Fife lost 1-0 to at Bayview in either 1971 or 1972 was Rangers. The match was a League Division One encounter on 29 January 1972 witnessed by a crowd of 12,000. There was only one match v Raith Rovers at Bayview during the period you mention - a 1-1 draw in a League Cup section match on 28 August 1971 in front of a crowd of 5,206.

My father was a great East Fife fan in the 1950's. One of the players he never tires of speaking about is 'The Great Charlie Fleming'. Can you supply any info on debut, length of service to the club and goals scored? - David Walker, Kirkcaldy

Charlie Fleming signed for East Fife in June 1947 from Junior side Blairhall Colliery. The 19 year old scored 53 goals during his first season, mostly for the reserve team. He won the Inside Right jersey from Dougie Davidson shortly after the start of the Season 1948/49 and was a regular in the first team until January 1955 when he left East Fife for Sunderland in a 'player plus cash' deal which saw Scotland International player Tommy Wright arrive at Bayview. He earned the nickname 'Cannonball Fleming' due to his fierce shot. Charlie won a League Cup winners medal with East Fife in 1949 and again in 1953, scoring in both finals. His only International Cap was won during his time with East Fife when he helped Scotland overcome Northern Ireland 3-1 in Belfast in 1953. Charlie will feature in the 'Famous Fifers' section in due course, when hopefully further details of appearances and goals scored will be included.

I am one of a group of five who travelled up from England for the recent East Fife v Forfar game. We came up with the idea to go to an East Fife game because of the unlikely possibility of the score being East Fife 4 Forfar 5. We thought the football, set up and atmosphere were great, and we are usually spoilt with English Premiership football in London and Newcastle! I am a Newcastle supporter and my friends follow Sunderland, Chelsea and Bury. Have East Fife played any of these sides? - David Potts

East Fife have played all the teams you mention except for Chelsea! In the 1950's East Fife played a lot of English sides both home and away in 'Floodlit Friendlies'. The games against Newcastle, Sunderland and Bury are: Newcastle United 4 East Fife 1 (St James Park 15/4/53), Sunderland 1 East Fife 3 (Roker Park 4/3/53), Sunderland v East Fife - Score not available (Roker Park 23/11/53), East Fife 1 Sunderland 0 (Bayview Park 10/10/55), East Fife 1 Bury 2 (Bayview Park 3/5/54) and East Fife 2 Bury 1 (Bayview Park, 1955/56 season). East Fife also played a Sunderland U/21 side on 21 July 1995 as part of a pre-season tournament played at Peterlee when the score was Sunderland 0 East Fife 0. East Fife won 5-4 on penalties.

In the 1970's I remember going to Bayview with my father to watch what I think was called the Texaco cup when the Fifers played host to Burnley. The fantastic Welsh wizard Leighton James was in the Burnley side and if my memory is correct East Fife got a right thumping that night. Could you supply details of this game? - David Walker, Kirkcaldy

The match you are referring to was played on 3 October 1973 when East Fife lost 3-2 to Burnley at Bayview in the first round   of the Texaco Cup. They did get a 'right thumping' from Burnley two weeks earlier in the first leg at Turf Moor when the home side won 7-0. McPhee and Ritchie were East Fife's scorers in the Bayview match.

I have read on another web-site that East Fife's nicknames are "The Fifers" or the "Miners". I have never heard of us being reffered to as "The Miners" have you? Do you know of any other nicknames? - Die Hard Fife Fan

As far as I know, East Fife's most popular nickname over the years has simply been 'The Fifers' and, like yourself, I am not aware of the team ever having been called 'The Miners'. Newspaper reports have frequently referred to East Fife as 'The Methil Men' and, for a few seasons before the First World War when the team wore dark blue shirts, as 'The Blues'. Perhaps East Fife supporters visiting this page can come up with other nicknames? If you know of any please Email them to me using the contact details on the 'Results Service' page.

I have a framed copy of a programme for a game between East Fife and Ashington played at Bayview in the early 1960's. Could you provide me with the result? - Ian Thomson

East Fife lost 3-1 to English non-league side Ashington in a friendly match at Bayview on 23 January 1960. Ashington were from the Newcastle area and it was rumoured that they had applied to join the Scottish League around the time this match was played. The Leven Mail was of the opinion that Ashington were a far better side that most of the teams in the Second Division at the time. Scorer of East Fife's only goal was Ian Stewart.

Have East Fife ever played in any of the European competitions? - Rab Gourly

No. East Fife's Scottish Cup win in 1938 came 22 years before the first European Cup Winners Cup competition. Similarly, their League Cup successes in 1947, 1949 and 1953 came many years before the first UEFA Cup was played for in 1971. East Fife have, however, participated in a number of minor European tours. The first of these was in May 1949 when the club won all three matches on a tour of Sweden and Denmark. East Fife have also played in Germany, Holland and Greece as well as playing host to several touring foreign sides, including Denmark's Aarhus and the Trinidad and Tobago national side.

I'm looking for information about my Great Grandfather Andrew Nairn who played for East Fife sometime between 1910 and 1920 - Iain Leitch

Andrew Nairn signed for East Fife in May 1909, just after the close of the 1908/09 season. The local newspaper report on the signing stated that he had signed for East Fife 'despite some good offers from 1st and 2nd division teams' (remember East Fife were a non-league side then). The newspaper goes on to say 'Rumour has it that a prominent English club has a strong fancy for this versatile player and he may yet change his quarters'. After playing in the pre-season trial (1909/10) on 16 August 1909, he made his competitive debut at Centre Half against King's Park at Stirling on 28 August, replacing Coull who had been badly injured in East Fife's first match of the season against St Johnstone. The Kings Park match finished 1-1.

East Fife played Manchester United a few years ago in a testimonial match for Jimmy Bonthrone, but have they ever played Manchester City?

Yes. On Saturday 20 February 1954 East Fife lost 2-1 to Manchester City at Maine Road, Manchester.

I see from your 'Record Victories' page that East Fife's record win over Dunfermline Athletic is 8-0 in a North Eastern League match during the war, but have they come even close to that score in matches against the 'Pars' in the Scottish League, Scottish Cup and League Cup? - Pars Fan

The best Scottish League win over Dunfermline Athletic was a Division Two match on 5 October 1929 at East End Park when East Fife won 6-0. Best league result at Bayview was a 5-1 win in September 1975. In the Scottish Cup, East Fife beat Dunfermline 6-2 at Bayview on 25 January 1947. The biggest win in the League Cup came on 12 October 1946 at Bayview when the home side scored seven goals without reply.