Latest fan`s forum at East End Park report

A top table was hosted by Jim Leishman as questions on all aspects of the football club were fired in.

Chairman at previous forum

The panel answering fans questions were as follows:

Murray Falconer (Finance Director)
Davie Hay
Billy Kirkwood
Craig Robertson
John Yorkston
Karen McNeill (Commercial Director) &
Jim Leishman.

The evening commenced at 19:00 promptly and over 100 fans provided the audience on what was always going to be a busy, and often heated, question and answer session.

The opening question, or rather comments of the evening, came from Mrs Murdoch who accused the club of having problems ever since Jim Leishman returned to East End Park!

She stated that Jimmy Calderwood left the club for that very reason, an accusation that was strongly denied by Leishman. Yet again, the reason given for his sudden departure was his desire to go to a "bigger club" in Aberdeen and for a larger salary.

Jim Leishman denied any involvement in football operations during Calderwood`s term in charge and added that there was no larger club than Dunfermline in his eyes!

The club chairman, John Yorkston, added that Jim Leishman was initially brought back to DAFC for business reasons more than anything else. Again, it was reiterated that there was no interference from Leishman towards Calderwood on football matters.

This point was followed up about the often repeated accusation of an "old pal`s act" taking place at DAFC.

Jim Leishman admitted he was not one of the interviewer`s for the manager`s post, Davie Hay was in fact selected by a group of four directors.

In a rapid, quick fire start to the night, the issue of Craig Brewster`s departure from the club was next on the agenda.

At the time of appointing Davie Hay and the coaching staff in the summer, Craig Brewster had not completed his coaching badges. Experience was being looked for at the time, and an option such as Brewster or Richard Gough was certainly not one the club wanted at that time.

It was revealed that Sandy Clark WAS interviewed for the post, however numerous first team players had passed on their opinion that they would not have wanted to play under Clark`s stewardship.

Davie Hay entered the fray and stated that he has no idea if Brewster would have gone on to be a top class coach/manager or not, nobody would have known that. Brewster specifically wanted the ICT job though and went for it whole heartedly.

A £40,000 settlement was received for Brewster`s services. That was seen as an excellent settlement for a 38 year old player who had injury problems. Hay doubted that Brewster would have been able to play for anything like 90 minutes week after week, so a decision had to made with that information also. Brewster`s recently enforced break on the sidelines could well see him benefit physically towards the end of the season, as ICT`s luck would have it.

Whilst Hay had the microphone, he was obviously asked about results. From the minute he came into the job, he was looking to try and somehow replace the most potent part of Calderwood`s side. Crawford had left and Brewster was then injured.

The style of play was questioned, and Hay admitted that the first game of the season against Dundee United went quite well. The imminent disaster in the UEFA cup has had a knock on effect ever since, as everyone can pretty much tell. Without wanting to sound like he was making excuses, Hay added "there has been no luck with chances in front of goal, time after time" as well as refereeing decisions going against us at the most crucial of moments.

Billy Kirkwood was asked about various rumours regarding his treatment of younger players. Speaking passionately throughout the night, Kirkwood admitted a situation with a player did occur earlier in the season. Davie Hay resolved it at the time and there has been no problem since then.

Bouncing back to an earlier comment, Hay himself added that he and Jim Leishman had no dealings with each other during the interview process. They spoke once, but the subject was never raised.

Hay admitted that the finances available to his predecessor were simply not feasible now and the club are trying incredibly hard to move on and cut their cloth accordingly.

Needless to say, the subject of rumours and gossip continued to raise its head. Without going into a tittle tattle response, Hay gave a dignified response by adding that there are always two sides to every story and not every bit of gossip picked up by fans will be the whole truth.

A fan asked about money now being freed up by Brewster, followed by Butler and Bradley now leaving. To put things in perspective, it was revealed that Butler received £600 a week and Bradley £200 a week. Not too much money being made available for new players on the back of their departures!

The days of signing players for transfer fees with big signing on fees are certainly over for the meantime.

With regards to the near impossible task of replacing Crawford and Brewster, Hay laid his cards on the table.

He has a very limited budget for the two strikers that are needed. Whilst realising all too well that results need to improve, quality of that type just cannot be found on such a budget.

Mehmet and Hunt are being expected to do that straight away, but it is a slow learning curve. Young players such as those two cannot possibly gain the experience required to fill such boots. Whilst Mehmet is the quicker of the two to take things in, Hunt`s enthusiasm at times needs to be quelled in order for him to become a first choice selection. Kirkwood added that "Mehmet is quicker to learn, but Hunty is catching up!" The awarding of the number nine jersey had perhaps given Hunt the idea that he would start more games than he has. His ongoing knee problems have not helped his cause either, Kirkwood added.

Christiansen is being given a four week chance at the moment, other players will be coming in who are not currently with clubs, the only way that DAFC could possibly finance a new player. Two players are on trial currently, one is playing in a bounce game tomorrow (Macedonian CF Hristov with 48 caps) and a Finnish international next week with 28 caps (since confirmed as Antti Sumiala who actually has played 38 times for Finland)

Hay answered many questions about his managerial style on, and off, the park. He attends training every day, contrary to rumour, and oversees Billy Kirkwood and Paul Hegarty as they go about organising the squad in practice.

One fan pointed out he had heard of an almost "boot camp" mentality in training, with sprinting being the order of the day. This was responded to by Kirkwood with the following invitation to all fans:

"Come along and attend any training session, you can see for yourself what the players do in training"

Any stories about army style training from disgruntled ex players were flatly denied. One fan who regularly attends training sessions said there was no difference to be seen between the current practice methods and those previously employed by Calderwood!

Kirkwood also admitted that he was offered more money to stay at Livi, but he was delighted to come to DAFC who he sees as a much bigger club. He was criticised by some, but he stated that Dunfermline "did not have a successful season last year, as they did not win anything" When questioned on that remark, he added "if the 1-0 half time cup final score had been full time, then it would have been a successful season. Cannot be a successful season unless you win a trophy, which is my ambition for this club"

Murray Falconer answered questions with as much detail as he could divulge about the financial situation. "Back in February, the club avoided administration when it could have quite easily have done so. Directors then took the moral decision to keep going and uphold existing contracts. Otherwise, highly paid players could have left the club immediately. Some players are now still earning more than they would have done if they were to seek a contract elsewhere from scratch, but the club is standing by those contracts."

The bonus structure previously employed was described as "very generous" It has now returned in part, with players on a win bonus for the recent games against Dundee and East Fife.

Jim Leishman added that younger players, such as Noel Hunt and Ritchie Byrne, suffered more than most in terms of lost appearance and win bonuses. This is now being brought back into place. He also added that players were paid incredible bonuses not so long ago, then they were completely wiped out. He did not doubt at all that would have some form of psychological effect on any player.

Murray Falconer returned to the microphone when he added the club will NOT go into administration. Targets were set at the start of the season, but these are being constantly looked at in order to remain realistic. Deloitte and Touche were still being paid for their accountancy services in aiding the club to work its way out of financial difficulty, for the ultimate goal of appeasing the Bank of Scotland.

Back to football matters, Jim Leishman stated that DAFC previously had two scouts to cover Fife until recently, that was it on the scouting front. Now there are five "talent identification officers" (which raised a laugh!) throughout Scotland. Craig Robertson and Hamish French were both thanked for their excellent work behind the scenes working with kids of all ages.

The youth system`s failures were acknowledged and the whole set up is currently being completely revamped. Existing problems are being resolved and the system is improving all the time.

Back to first team matters and Billy Kirkwood again took to the stand. He again offered fans an open invitation to attend training sessions if they so wished, 9.30 to 12.30 every day except Wednesday!

He was accused of bullying tactics, to which he responded very honestly. He DOES shout at youngsters who cannot do the basics, or perhaps think they can allow their fitness levels to slip. One young player turned up for the first day of training and was not able to do basic running exercises, needless to say he was not there for long.

Kirkwood admitted to obviously being aware of what players earn and he is adament that a strong work ethic should accompany such earnings. If a young player cannot stick such demands, then Kirkwood stated that player does not deserve a full time footballing contract. He did ask a question back in that "If players are not earning bonuses, how else are they meant to become motivated?"

Greg Ross was sited as a perfect example of a model young professional by Hay, Kirkwood and Robertson. He is still expected to carry out the duties of a younger pro, but is adapting to first team football very well for now.

With regards to the current injury list, numerous points were raised. The pitch was questioned, and a new improved XL Turf surface will be installed within weeks. Lessons have been learned, with the marquee being one of the things that did not help the playing surface during the summer. Hay admitted that the Livingston game on 27/12/04 showed that the pitch had lost some of its bounce and a replacement was welcomed by him and the players.

Derek Stillie and Andy Tod have been the only two out of a first team squad of 18 who have yet to become unavailable through injury this season. Numerous players have historic injuries which are now showing up, yet the players now prefer to train at EEP rather than Pitreavie every day. Players such as Skerla/Young/Shields/Thomson/Nicholson/Mason/Hunt and Dempsey have ALL picked up injuries on grass pitches this season!

Hay was questioned about the long ball/passing game and tactics in general.

Tod up front made it inevitable that long balls would become more of an easy option throughout a game. Hay is "trying to keep the side to a passing game, unless it is really necessary"

As the night drew to a close, a point raised on the dafc.net forum was put across regarding Norrie McCathie. Jim Leishman stated that if the fans and the club could come together to organise a statue, or a bust then it would be great. Leish also assured fans that Norrie, along with players such as John Lunn, would certainly be future inductees into the new DAFC Hall of Fame.

The pitch was once more questioned, with John Yorkston giving answers as to how much money it helped generate for the club.

It used to cost £20,000 per annum to maintain the grass surface, with additional costs paid out to local High Schools for their pitches for community use etc. East Fife also received £1,000 per game for under 21 matches.

Now, the club receives £2,000 per week in pitch hire, with additional hospitality sold on the back of businesses using the facilities post match.

Davie Hay was then charged with having a "lack of passion" He admitted his style was completely different to, for example, Jim Leishman, but he has always been that way and has always been criticised for it! With improved results, people would not be so critical, but at this moment in time it is highlighted. He was asked to go to the touchline, or to the fans at the end of each game and said he would be happy to do so if it made a difference.

Duncan Simpson, programme editor, added that his team interview players every week in life and they are, to a man, 100% behind the manager and want fans who knock him to get off his back.

Billy Kirkwood admitted that some players are affected by over the top abuse from the stands and believe it to be the worst they have heard during their careers.

Whilst on the subject of fans, it was admitted that fan input will be received in the choosing of next season`s strips. The new "one stripe" top sold well, but that was on the back of a Scottish Cup Final appearance it was quickly pointed out!

Craig Robertson was asked about changes at the club since he was a player here.

"The youth system has been completely revamped, with kids involved from 11 up. Younger players are having a lot asked of them, with the knock on effect coming from first team injuries"

When Robertson arrived in the summer, the club should have had in the region of 70 registered players, consisting of approximately 18 to 19 in each age group. He arrived and saw just seven......

This is now changing in massive ways, schools are contacting the club about playing talent. Paul Donnelly is bringing kids across from Edinburgh. Any Pars fan who sees a young player with talent was encouraged to get in touch with the club now.

Billy Kirkwood added "this club provides the platform, it is up to the players to rise to the expectations. They are looked after, fed well, mix with the first team and have excellent training facilties. If they don`t show enough promise, then we have to be ruthless."

On a final note, the booing of the side was raised.

Davie Hay stated "In any other walk of life, if someone does not do their job properly, they don`t get paid. The East Fife game saw the fans withhold their frustrations throughout the 90 minutes, I can totally understand the release of that at the final whistle"

Jim Leishman added that "at times like these, you realise who the true supporters are. The club needs it`s hardcore support more than ever, if they boo or not! They pay their money, but true supporters stick by the team"

Leishman rounded things off by saying "There have been a lot of questions, and answers, from the heart tonight. It has been a very hard time for the club and the fans since February, please take that into consideration is all I`m asking. The budget has now dropped by £17,000 PER WEEK."

He reminded those in attendance of Billy Kirkwood`s open invitation to attend any training session to see for themselves what takes place.

Everyone on the panel was thanked for their attendance and a hearty round of applause was provided.

An excellent and very worthwhile evening for all the fans who attended I believe. Hay and Kirkwood spoke very honestly and did not shirk anything asked of them.

The Scottish Cup draw could have been kinder to everybody, but as pointed out elsewhere, Dunfermline always have to beat Celtic in order to win the cup anyway.

Come on ye Pars!