John Watson

Born 13th February 1959.

Born in Edinburgh 1959,he was never interested in playing football until he was 19, he opted to follow his team Hibs.

Arrived at East End in November 1983 from Hong Kong Rangers. He was one of Dunfermline`s best ever buys being top goalscorer for 3 seasons and also was the highest goalscorer in Scotland in season 1985/86. John was a hard-working centre forward who was good in the air.

He went on to play in the Edinburgh Amateur league at the age of 19 for a season, then went on to play for Meadowbank for a season. He was never a first team pick there, so he went back to the Amateur league then got a move out to play football in Hong Kong. It was in the Far East that Jim Leishman signed him for the Pars in 1983 for £300.

It took John 17 games in the reserves to score his first goal for the Pars. He went on to make his debut on 17th December 1983. However, the goals started to fly in season 1984/5 where he won the player of the month award for August.

He went on to score 31 league goals in season 1985/6 which won him the Daily Record golden shot trophy, then to win the league championship medal.

John was selected, along with Norrie McCathie, to play for the Scottish semi pro squad in the four nations competition held in Fife 1987.

Some of his most memorable goals came in the Scottish cup win over Rangers, when he scored the 2nd of the two goals, and his goal which gave Dunfermline the first division trophy against Meadowbank in 1988.

John is still hailed as a legend at East End Park, and still a firm fans favourite.