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A Pars-fect trip for our first group visit to East End Park

Our Dunfermline club members were made most welcome for their first group visit to East End Park, the home of Dunfermline Athletic FC - but it certainly wasn’t the first time for some of our members who have been avid Pars supporters for nigh on 70 years.

A star struck haze and curly perms – memories shared by Bonar Mercer of DAFC

As part of the trip, the club were delighted to have guest speaker Bonar Mercer in attendance as Bonar reminisced about his footballing career with Dunfermline Athletic.

Our Dunfermline club members have seen the glory years and the less shiny years of the football club’s history and Bonar was able to bridge across that gap with insights as to how it felt, as a youngster, joining a first flight team.

Indeed, one of Bonar’s early appearances for the Pars, was a friendly against West Ham when that team had World Cup winners sprinkled across the field including Bobby Moore, Clive Best, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst - All he could recall was a star struck haze!

Bonar continued his footballing career but took a break in the mid 70’s to play Rugby for Kilmarnock whilst also attending University and running a hair dressing salon in Dunfermline. It was a ground-breaking venture as it was the first unisex salon in the town. Needless to say, many clients were fans but no-one at yesterday’s meeting owned up to having a footballers curly 1970’s perm.

Bonar’s footballing passion now takes the form of an active part in the club Former Players Association and he shared how much work they do to support the youth teams - everything from providing socks to fancy tracking cameras!

STAND – our welcome visitors

The club also welcomed friends from STAND - a Fife Charity which supports people living with a diagnosis of dementia and their families and friends. The team from Striving Towards a New Day took a few moments to tell us about their new meeting space in Dunfermline on a Tuesday afternoon in case members wished to join them for support, chat and activities.

STAND produced a video in 2021 sharing experiences of four people living with younger onset dementia – it is quite inspiring. Watch here

Our busy and vibrant Dunfermline Club meet every Tuesday at Abbeyview Bowling Club and they are always welcome to new members! Find out how to get in touch and join here