East Fife

How long have you been an East Fife supporter and what was your first game?

My first game was against Queen of the South in 1990 – my Dad and my Aunt took me along and we won 2-0. I went the following Saturday for a 1-1 draw against Arbroath and that was me for life! In those days Willie Broon was King/God.

Most memorable moment following East Fife?

If I had to pick one it would be Kenny Deuchar’s promotion -sealing goal in 2003. Having watched 90 pretty turgid minutes with my heart-rate at about 120 bpm and that wee dink into the back of the net was an incredible way to end the match and the season – I don’t think Bayview Stadium’s made a noise quite like it since! I got carried away to the point where I elbowed a friend of mine in the face celebrating…. Going on the pitch afterwards to celebrate and shake the players’ hands was great too, and that on-pitch celebration has been repeated a few times since!

Least favourite moment following East Fife?

Probably the 2^nd leg of the play-off final against Stirling Albion in 2014. Having won the first game with a proper battling performance away, to lose so meekly in the home game and go down was pretty terrible. Honourable mention for the play-off final second leg in 2007 too, which, I think, is the only East Fife match I’ve ever left before full-time.

Favourite player (present)?

Jonathan Page hands down. Probably the best centre-back in our league, and a proper organiser of the defence as well. Leads by example. Mark Docherty’s been great since he arrived too – never afraid to get stuck in and take a well-judged yellow card for the team where appropriate.

Favourite player (all time)?

This is so tricky – but I think I’ll go for Robert Scott. Scotty scored so many goals in the mid-90s. I’m relying on memories from 20 years ago but I seem to remember him being especially lethal in the Steve Archibald era. He was at Bayview for a long time too so the fans had a proper rapport with him.

Best East Fife goal you’ve seen?

This one’s been the same answer since the day it happened in 1996 – Benny Andrew against a Chris Waddle-containing Falkirk in a 3-1 win in the league. That was our only home league win that season too. I just remember his goal being an absolute screamer from the edge of the box (possibly on the half-/volley) right in the top left-corner at the Bayview Bar end at old Bayview Despite being a forward, Benny didn’t score a lot of goals so it was a bit of a rare treat.

Favourite Goal Celebration?

I can’t remember any particularly mad goal-celebrations down the years – again I’d probably say Kenny Deuchar in 2003 – him and the rest of the players going mental as the 1900 or so East Fife fans after getting the winner against Queen’s Park was a sight to behold.

Pick your all-time East Fife 11 (players you’ve seen)

Lindsay Hamilton, Richard Gibb, Dave Beaton, Jonathan Smart, John McStay, Steve Archibald, Arnold Dwarika, Bobby Linn, Paul Stewart, Robert Scott, Kenny Deuchar.

Subs: Willie McCulloch, Scott Robinson, Steven Tweed, Gilbert Allan, Gary Naysmith.

Liam Thomson was the year above me ay Parkhill Primary – no surprise out teams are pretty similar!

Scotland

Favourite Scotland game?

Just to be different I’m going to not go for either France games in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, and instead say the 3-1 home win against Ukraine in that campaign. All three Scotland goals were excellent – Lee McCulloch’s is an absolute peach – and other than Shevchenko’s goal Ukraine were hardly in it. A comprehensive outclassing of a good quality opponent – a rare feat for Scotland!

Favourite Scotland player (all-time)?

Of players in my life-time, John Collins wins hands down – he was absolute class whenever he played in dark blue. He wasn’t blessed with James McFadden’s penchant for moments of genius, but was a strong, consistent performer for a number of years. I remember him being particularly good against England at Wembley in 1999m and he tipped once round the post nicely against the Dutch at Euro 1996 as well.

When do you think Scotland will next qualify for a major tournament?

I think we can do it in 2020, assuming we get the right man in the door and the SFA get the chequebook out and /or think outside the box. There. I’ve said it, so we’ll probably fail miserably now! Maybe the fact Hampden is now hosting 4 games in the finals will provide an extra wee incentive to get us through.

General Football

Ronaldo or Messi?

Messi. Definitely the more naturally talented of the two.

Favourite away ground?

I really miss Firs Park. It was a ramshackle delight overlooked by a Currys and a Land of Leather, but it had so much character. And thinking of it always brings back happy memories of winning the league in 2008 as well.

If you could change one football rule, what would it be?

Not so much a rule change, but I would really like to see referees properly laying down the law when players surround them. A top-class referee sticking a yellow in 6 guys’ faces at the same time in a prominent