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Monthly Digest - May 2002

Another black day for Scottish football as Airdrie go into liquidation. They are the first Scottish team to go out of business since Third Lanark in 1967.
Ian Ferguson surprises Dunfermline supporters by announcing that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Fergie intends to head to Australia where he hopes to get a club to finish his playing days. Providing he is fit in time, his last game for the Pars will be against Rangers.
Another player who will be leaving the club at the end of the season is Senegalise international, Seyni N'Diaye. Jimmy Calderwood decided against offering the striker an extended deal.
Calderwood denies that Youssef Rossi has attracted any interest from Spanish clubs. Chairman Yorkston admits that the Moroccan has no future at EEP. stating, "I'd accept a bid from Mars, never mind Spain!"
Stadia Management have invested £7.5 million in the club, almost wiping out the £9.6 million debt. Chairman Yorkston advises that the investment has been announced early due to ill founded speculation regarding the club's finances which has been appearing in some newspapers. A letter to the Dunfermline Press regarding the club's £9.6 million debt was the last straw as far as the Board was concerned. 
The club hosts an open day to launch the new home strip. Supporters are given the opportunity to meet players and tread on the hallowed turf.
Two trialists spent a week at the club. They are, Wigan goalkeeper Derek Stillie, formerly with Aberdeen, and  Gary Dempsey, an Irish Under 21 attacking midfielder with Waterford. DA are keen to sign Dempsey, providing the teams can agree a fee.
There are no places for any Dunfermline players in Berti Vogt's Scotland Far East tour squad.
           
Date: 12th May 2002 Opposition: Rangers Score (H/T): 1-1 (0-1)
Competition: Sc Premier League Venue: East End Park Attendance: 8,716
Scorers: [0-1] Moore (28), [1-1] Crawford (85)
Cards: Nish (DAFC)
Pars Team:

Ruitenbeek; Mason, Skerla, Thomson, Petrie; Nicholson, McLeish (Blair 87), Ferguson (McGarty 81), Nicholls (Kilgannon 55); Crawford, Nish. Subs not used: Harrower, Sutherland.

Rangers:

McGregor: Ross, Moore (Latapy 74), Amoruso, Vidmar; Burke, Nerlinger (Dowie 82), Malcolm, Brighton (Mols 60); Dodds, McCann. Subs not used: Smith, Numan.

Referee: M McCurry
This was a real end of season game, which had a 'friendly' feel about it. Rangers took the lead from their first corner of the game in 28 minutes, when Moore found himself unmarked with plenty of time to slide the ball home. Minutes after Ian Ferguson's departure from the field, a long ball was headed on by Nish into the path of Crawford, who steadied himself, before slipping it past McGregor for a well deserved equaliser.  
Pos   Pld W D L F A Pts
5 Hearts 38 14 6 18 52 57 48
6 Dunfermline Ath 38 12 9 17 41 64 45
                 
7 Kilmarnock 38 13 10 15 44 54 49
The Rangers match saw Ian Ferguson bow out from Scottish football after a successful career. Having left the field to a standing ovation the veteran midfielder embarked on a lap of honour in front of both sets of fans after the final whistle. Wearing a tee shirt that celebrated Rangers nine championships in a row on one side, and the Pars top six finish on the other. Fergie also picked up the sponsor's man of the match award. 
Another player leaving the Pars, Justin Skinner also said his good-byes at the Rangers game. Having had his contract terminated early (by mutual consent), Justin made the half time draw, and took the opportunity to say thank you for the support he received during his three years at the club.
Immediately after the Rangers game, work starts within the main stand at EEP to create a new sportsman's bar, and banqueting/ conferencing facilities. 
With the season over, the Pars head to Magaluf for a week's holiday at the club's expense as a reward for making the top six.
Preparations for next season gather pace, with Hibernian striker Craig Brewster, Irish Under 21 midfielder Gary Dempsey, and Wigan goalkeeper Derek Stillie all signing. Another target was St Mirren defender Scott Walker, but the deal fell through as he still had a year left to run on his contract, and the Paisley team were not prepared to let the player go without a hefty fee. Attention now focuses on 20 year old Man Utd centre half, Alan McDermott.  

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