Formed after a meeting in the town's 'Old Inn' pub on June 2nd 1885 Dunfermline Atheletic Football Club was born, playing it's games at East End Park - the original being a short trip away from the current ground.
Dunfermline Athletic's first ever game ended in a 2-1 win over Edinburgh University on the 13th of June 1885. The Pars played their first ever game in maroon shirts and blue shorts, the traditional black and white stripes not being introduced until 1912.
The Pars reached their first ever major cup final in the 1949/50 season when they played East Fife in the League Cup Final only for the boys from Methil to triumph 3-0.
It was the 1960's when the Pars really tasted success, lifting two Scottish Cups in the process.
The first Scottish Cup victory came in 1961 when the Pars defeated Celtic 2-0 in a replay - the first game ended 0-0 - played in front of 87866 fans at Hampden. Celtic got their revenge however four years later in 1965 when they overcame the Pars 3-2 to lift the Cup. The Pars second Scottish Cup victory came in 1968 when the Pars brought the trophy back to Fife after defeating Hearts 3-1 again in a replay.
The 1960's also saw the Pars finish 3rd in the top division, once in the 1964/65 season and again in season 1968/69.
However one of the most memorable aspect of the 1960's for the Pars was the European adventures, first in the 1961/62 season when they reached the Quarter Final of the European Cup Winners Cup, more importantly however when the Pars reached the Semi-Final of the same competition in the 1968/69 season, narrowly losing 2-1 on aggregate to Slovan Bratislava. The Pars taking on and defeating Apoel Nicosia (12-1 on agg), Olympiakos and West Bromich Albion in the latter of the two European adventures.
After suffering relegation to the first division the Pars spent many years as a so-called 'yo-yo' team, moving up and down the divisions, the Pars next major achievement was when they reached the League Cup Final in the 1991-92 season only to lose 2-0 to Hibs.
After finally regaining their Premier Divison status, the Pars have grown and grown into a side challenging in the top-half of the table on a regular basis.
The glory days of the 1960's were almost revisited as recently as season 2003/04 when the Pars reached the Scottish Cup Final after a memorable cup-run. Despite taking a first-half lead in the final, the Pars went down 3-1 to Celtic. Season 2004/05 has been most forgettable in comparison. Barring two of the last three games, it will be known as a season of "discontent" as the club flirted with relegation. A conclusion which looked likely until the last 3 games, where the team rejuvenated under legend Jim Leishman, beat relegation rivals Dundee and Dundee United to secure safety.
After twice beating off the ever-growing threat of relegation from the top flight, it was to prove third time unlucky in season 2006/07 as Stephen Kenny's side, despite a late rally, took the plunge to Division One. In amongst a season of abject misery a tremendous Scottish Cup run was to prove the only bright spot. Despite a narrow - some would say 'flukey' - loss to Celtic in the final, the disposal of Rangers, holders Hearts, Partick and Hibs in previous rounds provided the Pars faithful with a series of enduring memories.
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