SPL Fanzone: Season review

Season highlight

The appointment of highly- expericened Jim Jefferies has heightened expectations that Dunfermline’s sojourn in the First Division may be brief. He should have been appointed in January.

Season lowlight

The season was punctuated by Chris Smith’s awful goalkeeping gaffes. His fresh air swipe in the 95th minute of the cup tie with Inverness in January, which gifted Hayes’ equaliser, meant goodbye to a £100,000 pay day playing Celtic. The North Stand was closed to save £20,000.

Manager’s report card

Jim McIntyre: In the SPL he was clearly out of his depth, though undermined by a small squad and a tiny budget. We will always be grateful to him for last season’s First Division Championship. Of course, it could all have been so different. On 26 November Aberdeen’s Gonzalez tipped a Barrowman shot on to the post, depriving us of a possible 4-1 win and a comfortable mid-table slot. 4/10

Jim Jefferies: We have a top manager for the first time since Jimmy Calderwood. 8/10

Player of the season

We all know it would have been Paul Gallacher. Although Andy Kirk pushed him all the way, winger Joe Cardle’s moments of brilliance brightened a wretched season.

Expectations for next season

With an SPL of 14 likely in August 2013, the top league should benefit from the crowd-pulling potential of Dundee, Falkirk and Dunfermline. A small country like Scotland cannot afford to have big clubs languishing in a second tier.

What needs to be on the club’s summer shopping list?

A goalkeeper to understudy Paul Gallacher. JJ will have a centre back, left back, and a midfileder on his list. Many Pars fans would like to see Willie Gibson back.

What was the worst moment of the 2011/12 season?

Our genuine sadness at the trauma endured by thousands of Rangers supporters.

And what was the best?

Watching a similar club, Kilmarnock, winning the League Cup final with one of the greatest goalkeeping displays ever witnessed at Hampden.

John Lloyd

SPL Fanzone: Season review - Dunfermline