Craig Robertson joins DAFC for third time!

Former Pars captain and one time top goalscorer, Craig Robertson, has returned to East End Park as the latest member of Jim Leishman`s coaching team.

Craig Robertson during his 2nd spell at the club

Headed up by Davie Hay, other appointments now include Billy Kirkwood and Paul Hegarty alongside the former Pars legend Robertson.

It is believed that Robertson`s role will fulfil duties on the youth and community coaching side.

Robbo has been signed from East Fife, where he was assistant manager to former Pars keeper Jim Moffat.

Joining Dunfermline for the third time in his life, Robertson has been quoted as saying "I was delighted when Jim offered me the chance to come back to the Club closest to my heart and I can`t wait to get started."

After a successful spell with the Wee Team, he first joined the club in on the 2nd of June 1987 as Dunfermline headed into the Premier League for the first time. He played in the clubs first ever match in the Premier, a 3-3 draw with Hibs at East End Park.

His first goal soon followed, with the third in a 3-1 win over East Stirling in the then Skol Cup.

Althought the club struggled that season, three of the twelve Premier clubs were relegated remember, he managed to find the net on no fewer than 12 times in the league. He was the top scoring midfielder in the top flight even though the club went down.

Aberdeen came in with a £150,000 bid in December 1988 and the club could hardly down such serious money. As was their want at the time, spending money on players did not guarantee a game and Robertson was given few opportunities at Pittodrie.

He rejoined Dunfermline for £130,000 in August 1991, one of Ian Munro`s last ditch signings as he struggled woefully in the manager`s job. Munro was actually sacked just a few weeks after Robertson rejoined DAFC, with Jocky Scott taking over.

Bert Paton followed in season 93/94 and Robertson was eventually converted from an attacking midfielder to a sweeper. Despite plenty of critics on the terracing during his second spell, Robertson was a solid and reliable player at the back with years of experience behind him.

Following the tragic death of Norrie McCathie in January 1996, Robertson was given the huge task of taking the captain`s armband for the remainder of the games. The club`s first game following Norrie`s death was the memorable 4-3 win over Clydebank at East End.

Winning 3-0, the huge emotional drain of the previous days caught up on the players and Clydebank pulled it back to 3-3. Anyone there that day will never forget Robertson`s incredible winner which just about burst the net in front of the Pars end and the packed terracing let out more emotion than has ever been seen since.

So it is a warm welcome back to Craig Robertson who was released by Bert Paton at the start of the 98/99 season, to the surprise of many.

All the best Craig!