Those European Nights : Vardar Skopje and Apoel
Date: Thursday, 27th Feb 2025The next set of prints in the `Those European Nights` series feature Vardar Skopje of Yugoslavia in 1961 and Apoel of Cyprus in 1968.
By purchasing these prints you will help the future of the Club as all profits go to help finance the Youth Academy.
Card payment
European Series: FC Vardar and Apoel
Pick up at East End Park not available until home game against Hailton on the 5th April. However, contact Brian if able to pick up locally.
Vardar Skopje of Yugoslavia
In Dunfermline’s second European game, DAFC met Vardar Skopje of Yugoslavia in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup on 25 October 1961 at East End Park for the first leg of their tie.Right from the start Dunfermline took command and Alex Smith scored on seven minutes from a Harry Melrose corner. Charlie Dickson was restored to the team at centre-forward and scored two further goals in the first half. The first was a header from a Melrose cross and the second was also with his head, having chased a lob forward and nodding over the advancing Vardar keeper. The Athletic were thus leading 3-0 at half-time.
Things improved further on 56 minutes when Melrose notched the fourth. As play became ragged, the left-half for Vardar, Trajcevski, was sent off for a foul on Peebles. Geordie Peebles himself finished the scoring in the 84th minute chasing through a Melrose through ball. 5-0 to the Pars.
The second leg played in Yugoslavia on 8 November 1961 was an eye-opener for the Fifers in many respects. The long trip emphasised the need for adequate preparation in terms of flight arrangements, good hotel accommodation and appropriate dietary requirements. Equally the players had to learn how to cope with an overtly hostile environment, unpunished foul play and weak refereeing.
George Millar said “This match in Yugoslavia was the most frightening of my career. All the players were glad to get off the park…. I remember Cammie Fraser having his ears pulled and players being spat and punched at.”
A brilliant display in goal from Eddie Connachan and sound defensive tactics from Jock Stein got Dunfermline home with a 0-2 defeat in the second leg. This meant a winning aggregate of 5-2 overall.
Apoel of Cyprus
The 18th of September 1968 saw Dunfermline Athletic begin their campaign in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup at East End Park against Apoel of Cyprus.This turned out to be a goal feast for the Pars who ran out 10-1 winners on the night. The Dunfermline goals were shared between Robertson (2), Renton (2), Barry, Callaghan W (2), Callaghan T, Gardner, and Edwards.
The return leg on 2 October was notable for the players meeting Archbishop Makarios, the premier of Cyprus, the tie being played in 82 degrees and support in the crowd from the locally based Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
The match ended 2-0 to Dunfermline with goals from Gardner and Willie Callaghan.
views: 546