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Topic Originator: saltonsgonagetu
Date: Fri 29 Jan 11:32
Passed away last night ,according to reports .
RIP to a true pars legend,thought go out to his family .
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Topic Originator: wetherby
Date: Fri 29 Jan 11:38
Never saw him play but by all accounts he was a tremendous keeper and a Pars legend. My Dad and Grandad used to tell me what a great goalie he was.
RIP Eddie.
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Topic Originator: dave67
Date: Fri 29 Jan 11:39
RIP
Let`s try making it till Christmas
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Topic Originator: Buspasspar
Date: Fri 29 Jan 11:47
So sad to hear this saw him play many times... fantastic keeper
Thoughts and sympathy with all Family and friends
RIP Eddie ....a true legend
We are forever shaped by the Children we once were
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Topic Originator: LochgellyAlbert
Date: Fri 29 Jan 11:57
A true legend, RIP Eddie!
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Topic Originator: The Roy Barry Fan Club
Date: Fri 29 Jan 11:58
Terribly sad news. Living in South Africa I think.
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Topic Originator: DA-go Par Adonis
Date: Fri 29 Jan 12:03
Remains immortal for his performances in the cup final and the replay. Possibly the most legendary in the history of our club.
Before my time, but my Dad grew up watching the Pars in the 60s and it`s the one individual display that I recall him waxing lyrical about.
Rest in Peace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love it when we go sell Kevin Nisbet,
He's gonna pay for everyone this season.
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Topic Originator: Stanza
Date: Fri 29 Jan 12:28
His name will live on as long as DAFC does.
_________________
Support Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters` Club when you shop online with one of 7000 firms: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/dadsc
Or donate £5: text "DADSC" to 70970
Post Edited (Fri 29 Jan 12:29)
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Fri 29 Jan 12:49
Every Pars fan will know or have heard about his two legendary performances in the 1961 SC Final, when he defied Celtic's incessant attacks time after time. In a time when, if you didn't play for either half of the OF, you had little chance of international recognition, he was capped twice.
I never saw him play for the Pars, but I did see him playing for Falkirk at EEP, along with Alex Ferguson, IIRC. Connachan was quite small for a goalkeeper and stocky when I saw him, but very agile, nevertheless. He was one of a number of players the Pars sold to English clubs for a handsome fee in the 60s. Only one player was sold each season, when a suitable replacement was available. The cash was used to balance the books and pay good wages relative to other provincial clubs. Connachan left for Middlesbrough and his able understudy, Jim Herriot, took over in goal.
RIP, Eddie. Along with Jock Stein, you put the Pars on the Scottish football map.
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: Paralex
Date: Fri 29 Jan 12:56
I was a pupil at Broad Street primary school Cowdenbeath at that time. I remember the teacher on Monday morning waxing lyrical about Eddie Connachan`s display and the fact that Dunfermline had won the cup. The whole of Fife was buzzing. Of course we all saw it on our hired 14 inch black and white TVs. Great days!!
Might not have been Monday morning because I believe the cup final was a replay after the first game was drawn and may have been played midweek.
Post Edited (Fri 29 Jan 13:10)
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Topic Originator: Cu-Par
Date: Fri 29 Jan 13:36
My first Pars hero .
R.I.P Eddie
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Topic Originator: goldensixties
Date: Fri 29 Jan 14:27
Farewell to a real Pars legend. His fantastic performance in the 1961 Scottish Cup victory was truly unforgettable.
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Topic Originator: MDCCCLXXXV
Date: Fri 29 Jan 14:33
RIP Eddie
 East End Park is a symbol of all that is DAFC.
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Topic Originator: wetherby
Date: Fri 29 Jan 15:39
Very touching tribute on Club Website.
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Topic Originator: Parsweep
Date: Fri 29 Jan 15:47
RIP Eddie
A true Pars "legend"
Thoughts with his family and friends .
Bobvo
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Topic Originator: Ianoappar
Date: Fri 29 Jan 16:01
Sincere condolences to his family and friends,a Pars legend in my opinion.
I am old enough and was lucky enough to have been at the two Scottish cup finals.
But the 1961 final and subsequent replay will always go down as the Eddie Connachon cup final.Such a superb goalkeeping performance I have never seen equalled to this day.
He was immense in stopping Celtic from scoring and I remember one shot where it got deflected and Connachon somehow managed to twist in mid air to touch the ball round the post.Such sad news that he has passed..
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Topic Originator: twin par
Date: Fri 29 Jan 16:04
Had a tear in my eye reading the club tributes. All my dad talked about the 61 final,was Eddie.
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Topic Originator: sammer
Date: Fri 29 Jan 16:11
The night we won the Cup in 1961 you couldn’t move five yards in the town centre without hearing the name ‘Eddie Connachan’ for it was on everyone’s lips. He was our hero, the man who had almost single handedly helped bring back the Scottish Cup against all the odds. For weeks afterwards in kick-about games everyone wanted to play goalkeeper and replicate Eddie’s famous saves from Hughes, Crerand and Chalmers. Even now, sixty years later and on the day of his death, Eddie remains a hero not just the to the Pars fans who witnessed his performance but to the people of the town who turned out en masse on a chill April evening to celebrate our victory.
At 5’9 Connachan was on the small side for a goalkeeper but judging by the few times I saw him play and from what older supporters recall, he kept goal in the style of Andy Goram. Calm temperament, good positioning to make the goal seem smaller and an ability to ‘read’ the shot just as an attacker was poised to strike were his strengths; fast reactions did the rest. In the late 1950s a Pars team struggling to stay in the top division regularly shipped 80 goals a season, and Connachan had let a fair few of them in, before Jock Stein arrived. The transformation really came in what is considered Eddie’s best season, 1961-62, when we finished 4th in the league and the 46 goals conceded were the same number as the Dundee side that won the title. Until then Eddie, a miner, had been a part time player who even did his shift underground a day before the 1961 Final.
Two stories that tell how much Eddie Connachan meant. Brockville, 1966, and he is back playing for Falkirk in a 1-0 win over the Pars. The rain came down in torrents at a stadium with no terracing cover behind the goals, but a soaked platoon of Pars fans stood vigil throughout the second half cheering every block and save made by the hero of ’61, even while willing Fergie and company to score. Lastly, back to the 1961 Final. A group of Celtic supporters ran on to the pitch when the final whistle blew and seeing as a few bottles had been thrown after Charlie Dickson scored, Eddie thought he’d best beat a hasty retreat. He needn’t have bothered: they caught up but wanted to pat his back and shake his hand in recognition of an outstanding performance. That doesn’t happen very often.
sammer
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Topic Originator: Rigger Al
Date: Fri 29 Jan 16:21
Quote:
sammer, Fri 29 Jan 16:11
The night we won the Cup in 1961 you couldn’t move five yards in the town centre without hearing the name ‘Eddie Connachan’ for it was on everyone’s lips. He was our hero, the man who had almost single handedly helped bring back the Scottish Cup against all the odds. For weeks afterwards in kick-about games everyone wanted to play goalkeeper and replicate Eddie’s famous saves from Hughes, Crerand and Chalmers. Even now, sixty years later and on the day of his death, Eddie remains a hero not just the to the Pars fans who witnessed his performance but to the people of the town who turned out en masse on a chill April evening to celebrate our victory.
At 5’9 Connachan was on the small side for a goalkeeper but judging by the few times I saw him play and from what older supporters recall, he kept goal in the style of Andy Goram. Calm temperament, good positioning to make the goal seem smaller and an ability to ‘read’ the shot just as an attacker was poised to strike were his strengths; fast reactions did the rest. In the late 1950s a Pars team struggling to stay in the top division regularly shipped 80 goals a season, and Connachan had let a fair few of them in, before Jock Stein arrived. The transformation really came in what is considered Eddie’s best season, 1961-62, when we finished 4th in the league and the 46 goals conceded were the same number as the Dundee side that won the title. Until then Eddie, a miner, had been a part time player who even did his shift underground a day before the 1961 Final.
Two stories that tell how much Eddie Connachan meant. Brockville, 1966, and he is back playing for Falkirk in a 1-0 win over the Pars. The rain came down in torrents at a stadium with no terracing cover behind the goals, but a soaked platoon of Pars fans stood vigil throughout the second half cheering every block and save made by the hero of ’61, even while willing Fergie and company to score. Lastly, back to the 1961 Final. A group of Celtic supporters ran on to the pitch when the final whistle blew and seeing as a few bottles had been thrown after Charlie Dickson scored, Eddie thought he’d best beat a hasty retreat. He needn’t have bothered: they caught up but wanted to pat his back and shake his hand in recognition of an outstanding performance. That doesn’t happen very often.
Great post Sammer
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Topic Originator: Buspasspar
Date: Fri 29 Jan 16:35
superb sammer
We are forever shaped by the Children we once were
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Topic Originator: cfad
Date: Fri 29 Jan 19:36
Will always be a Pars legend, RIP
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Topic Originator: Townsvillepar
Date: Fri 29 Jan 19:49
I have a few tears in my eyes, as I remember the 61 Final and my great dad. As a 9 year old, my dad thought I was too young to go to the Final, and I listened to the game on the radio with mum, my brother and sister. On winning the Cup there was some great enthusiasm and mum took her three kids up to the town to see our heroes return with the Cup. I will never forget that night and seeing dad later with the widest smile that could exist. His beloved team had won the Cup and he was there to see it. I`ll never forget his smiling face. Eddie Connachan provided those wonderful memories with an outstanding display, and I remember how pleased we all were when he went on to play for Scotland. He will always be a legend of the Pars, and it was lovely to read the tribute on the club web site, and his son saying that all Eddie talked about was Dunfermline. RIP Eddie Connachan. Sincere condolences to his family
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Topic Originator: parfection
Date: Fri 29 Jan 19:53
I was just too young to remember the ‘61 final. My old man was at both games and I still have the programme - signed by our captain, Ron Mailer.
There is no doubt that Eddie Connachan performed near miracles in the final - for that alone he will forever be accorded immortality at East End Park. Heroes never die - thanks Eddie and farewell.
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Topic Originator: Buspasspar
Date: Fri 29 Jan 20:40
Topic Originator: Townsvillepar like | nolike Like: 1
Date: Fri 29 Jan 19:49
I have a few tears in my eyes, as I remember the 61 Final and my great dad. As a 9 year old, my dad thought I was too young to go to the Final, and I listened to the game on the radio with mum, my brother and sister. On winning the Cup there was some great enthusiasm and mum took her three kids up to the town to see our heroes return with the Cup. I will never forget that night and seeing dad later with the widest smile that could exist. His beloved team had won the Cup and he was there to see it. I`ll never forget his smiling face. Eddie Connachan provided those wonderful memories with an outstanding display, and I remember how pleased we all were when he went on to play for Scotland. He will always be a legend of the Pars, and it was lovely to read the tribute on the club web site, and his son saying that all Eddie talked about was Dunfermline. RIP Eddie Connachan. Sincere condolences to his family
Great post and Beautiful memories Townsvillepar
We are forever shaped by the Children we once were
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Topic Originator: AdamAntsParsStripe
Date: Fri 29 Jan 21:20
Such sad news given it was COVID related.
Clearly beloved by his family.
Before my time but as a young fan, I was fascinated by our history in the 60’s and would trawl though old Dunfermline press articles in the library and Eddie and his heroics was about the starting point.
The one consistent factor throughout all interviews since was he won the cup for our famous old club and he’ll always be remembered for that.
My thoughts with his family and friends and old teammates who should be toasting his name in the days to come.
Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte
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Topic Originator: Squirrel Dodger
Date: Fri 29 Jan 21:50
Very sad news indeed. My condolences to his family.
....................................................................
Beware of the squirrel
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Fri 29 Jan 22:35
Is there no end to the sad depressing news just now ?
I was at the `61 final - he was unbeatable.
Also saw him get his "half" cap for first 45 minutes v Uruguay 1962.
There were some remarkable aspects about that Hampden final and replay.
Frank Haffey had just lost 9 goals the previous Saturday at Wembley, and Celtic (unbelievable in modern era) allowed their midfield playmaker Bertie Peacock to go away on international duty with Northern Ireland.
The Pars winger Tommy MacDonald went down with appendicitis on the Friday and Big Jock had to reshuffle his lineup. After the first game, the Celtic left back, John Kennedy, (who would have been Tommy`s direct opponent on the Saturday), was afflicted by the same condition and Duncan McKay had to be drafted in.
RIP
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Topic Originator: sammer
Date: Fri 29 Jan 23:01
It was Willie O`Neill who filled in for Celtic, making his debut in a cup final. Celtic’s decision not play either Peacock- who was available on the Wednesday but recovering from injury- or Bertie Auld looks very strange in hindsight.
I wonder if Eddie Connachan’s 450 consecutive minutes of cup football without conceding a goal, and finishing with a winners’ medal, is some kind of British record?
sammer
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Topic Originator: twin par
Date: Fri 29 Jan 23:11
Always remember this story my dad told me.We stayed in wedderburn at that time.After they beat Celtic, in the replay,the guy's across the road,who were brothers, burst out their front door,shouting, we have bloody beaten, them, then proceeded to dance up and down the street. Who can blame them,happy days! I was 4 years old,and vaguely remember it.😄
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Fri 29 Jan 23:23
I was never a keen autograph hunter but I remember coming across Eddie and some other players unexpectedly one day in East Port. The only thing I had with me that they could sign was my bus pass which I then kept faithfully for many years after it expired. I`ve no idea what happened to it though.
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Sat 30 Jan 17:13
"It was Willie O`Neill who filled in for Celtic,......"
Apologies, of course it was Sammer..........a(nother) senior moment.
Bertie Auld was playing for Celtic reserves on the Saturday, not sure why he wasn`t in the replay. Maybe because he was a traditional left winger (at that point in his career) and Celtic felt served there ?
Unusual practices in that era - a club gets to a major cup final and the second string are at a reserve fixture.
"I wonder if Eddie Connachan’s 450 consecutive minutes of cup football without conceding a goal, and finishing with a winners’ medal, is some kind of British record?"
If it is, you would have expected somebody connected to the club to have flagged this up ?
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