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Monthly Digest - July 2003

As the players return for pre-season training there is a major surprise when the long lost Youssef Rossi makes an unexpected appearance. Coach Calderwood instructs the Moroccan to train alongside the youth team stating that the wayward defender will have to work his way back into favour. Rossi's brother and agent once again does him no favours by claiming that other players were jealous of the Moroccan and had racially abused him. After two days Rossi picks up an injury and has to sit on the sidelines.
There were more welcome visitors to pre-season training in the shape of former Pars favourites, Ian Ferguson and Andy Tod. Fergie is back in the UK for a couple of weeks from Australia.  
Celtic supporters sink to new depths when it is revealed that Pars goalkeeper Derek Stillie was sent a death threat following the last game of the season against Rangers. Other Dunfermline players are also have reported to have received letters. Whilst Celtic issue a statement condemning the letters, their supporters are reported to be planing a lie down protest when their team visits on the opening day of the season.
Although there were no further summer signings following the frenzy of activity at the end of season 2002/2003, a number of trialists have passed through the doors of EEP, including Australian Andy McDermott from Northern Spirit. 
East End Park is in line to get a plastic pitch installed before the start of season 2004/2005. The Pars, who are one of four clubs selected to trial the artificial surface, will receive a grant of £130,000 from UEFA. It is thought that it is too late to install the pitch ahead of this season.
           
Date: 10th July 2003 Opposition: Lewis U23 Select Score (H/T): 10-0 (6-0)
Competition: Friendly Venue Stornoway Attendance: 450
Scorers: [1-0] Hunt (4), [2-0] Karnebeek (7), [3-0] Dk Young (21), [4-0] Dair (27), [5-0] Karnebeek (38), [6-0] Hunt (45), [7-0] Brewster (68), [8-0] Brewster (71), [9-0] Hunt (76), [10-0] Hunt (80)
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: S Y Thomson; Mason (Skerla HT), Labonte, Karnebeek, McGroarty; Fotheringham (Crawford 72), Dempsey (Nicholson 69), Storrie, Dair; Hunt, Dk Young (Brewster HT). Sub not used: Stillie
Lewis U23 Select: Black (I Mackay 79); Moodie (C Mackay 53), Joyce, McKenzie, D Mackay, Murray (Lennie 74), S Morrison (Anderson 50), J Morrison, Bray (A Mackay 65), McLeod, McDonald (Dunn 60).
Referee: Billy McDonald (Stornoway)
A straightforward workout for Dunfermline against a Lewis Under 23 select team. Andre Karnebeek scored two good first half goals, as did Noel Hunt, with Derek young and Jason Dair, making the interval score 6-0. Hunt went on to scorer a further two in the second half, as did half time substitute Craig Brewster, to make the final count 10-0. 
After scoring two goals, unlucky defender Andre Karnebeek picked up yet another injury in the game against Lewis U23. However despite original fears that he faced a six week lay-off, it looks as if the Dutchman could be fit again within a fortnight.
           
Date: 11/07/03 Opposition: Lewis/Harris Select Score (H/T): 8-1 (3-1)
Competition: Friendly Venue Stornoway Attendance: 1,800
Scorers: [0-1] McMillan (10), [1-1] Crawford (15), [2-1] Brewster (29), [3-1] Brewster (33), [4-1] Brewster (47), [5-1]Crawford (48), [6-1] Crawford (54), [7-1] Crawford (56), [8-1] Dair (88)
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: Stillie; Bullen, Skerla, Wilson, Grondin; Nicholson, Darren Young, Mason (Labonte 67), Derek Young (Dair 61); Crawford, Brewster (Storrie 78). Subs not used: SY Thomson, McGroarty
Lewis/Harris: Wright; Smith, McDonald (Joyce 84), D Mackay, McLeod, A Mackay (D Mackay), McMillan (P Murray 82), Shields (Peterson 51), McPhail, K Murray, Morrison. Subs not used: C Mackay, Black
Referee: Norman McCaskill (Stornoway)
DA got a shock in the tenth minute when Lewis capitalised on a poor Wilson clearance to score with a deflected shot. However, thereafter the game went according to the script and a goal from Stevie Crawford, and a double from Craig Brewster put the Pars back in command by the interval. The second half saw Derek Stillie reduced to a mere spectator as Crawford scored a further three goals, which along with one more from Brewster and Dair, made the final scoreline very respectable.
As the Athletic make their return to Fife, the visit to Lewis is voted a great success, with the Pars winning many friends.
The Pars youth team flew out to Corfu as part of their unique tie-in with Greek side Olympiakos. 
           
Date: 15/07/03 Opposition: Inverurie Locos Score (H/T): 1-0 (0-0)
Competition: Friendly Venue Harlaw Park Attendance: 1,004
Scorers: [1-0] Walker (80)
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: Ruitenbeek; Mason (Dempsey 70), Skerla, Wilson, Grondin (Walker 74); Bullen, Darren Young, Nicholson (McNicol 80), Derek Young; Hunt (Dair 58), Brewster (Fotheringham 65). Sub not used: Stillie.
Inverurie: Mellough (Thain 48); Young (Fraser 74), Bisset (Graham 48), Wilson (Copeland 67), Mess, Park, Singer, Walker (Buchan 48), Coull, Ross (McLeod 67), McWilliam
Referee: P Cheyne
A poor performance from the Pars on a very warm evening in the highlands, with the only goal coming from a Scott Walker header after Darren Young's shot was deflected.
JC bemoaned his team's performance against Inverurie saying that their passing was poor, and they never really got out of first gear.
Following a meeting of the SPL, Dunfermline get the go-ahead to install a plastic pitch at EEP. The current grass surface will be dug up after the match against Celtic on 9th August, and the first game on the new surface will be against Hibernian on 20th September. Only the Hearts game scheduled for 30th August will have to be moved. Whilst not keen on the idea of playing on an artificial surface, manager JC appreciates the good business reasons behind the decision.
Ahead of the two friendly matches against East Fife and Forfar, there is lengthy injury list, with several players already missing out on the Dutch trip. Definitely out of the squad are, Sean Kilgannon, Andre Karnebeek, Steven Hampshire, Davie Nicholls, Aaron Labonte, Mark McGarty and Billy Mehmet. Additionally, Chris McGroarty and Derek Young have minor knocks and will miss out on the games at New Bayview and Station Park.
           
Date: 18th July 2003 Opposition: East Fife Score (H/T): 3-0 (2-0)
Competition: Friendly Venue New Bayview Attendance: 600
Scorers: [1-0] Bullen (4), [2-0] Walker (15), [3-0] Bullen (53) 
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: Ruitenbeek; Nicholson, Skerla, Wilson, Walker; Fotheringham, Mason, Young (Dempsey 59), Dair (McNichol 36); Bullen (Hunt 64 (Storrie 74)), Crawford. Sub not used: SY Thomson.
East Fife: O’Connor (McKeown 62); McMillan, McKechnie (Lumsden 70), Hall, McDonald (Millar 62); Mitchell (Love HT), Mortimer (G McDonald 74), Triallist, Donaldson, Stewart, Deuchars. Sub not used: Colgan (GK)
Referee: A Hunter
This was a convincing victory against an East Fife team that rarely threatened the Pars goal. Bullen opened the scoring slipping the ball into the net, and then ten minutes later Scott Walker headed home number two. Lee Bullen grabbed his second eight minutes into the second half heading in a Nicholson free kick. Marco Ruitenbeek saved a  Deuchars penalty in the last minute.
 
There's another injury scare as Noel Hunt limps off against East Fife just ten minutes after coming onto the the field as a substitute. It is hoped that he will still be fit for the Dutch tour. 
           
Date: 19th July 2003 Opposition: Forfar Athletic Score (H/T): 2-3 (1-2)
Competition: Friendly Venue Station Park Attendance: 400
Scorer: [0-1] Tosh (8), [0-2] Trialist (40), [1-2] Bullen (42), [2-2] Brewster (86), [2-3] Lunan (90)
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: Stillie; McGarty (Fotheringham 76), Tod, Nicholls (Skerla 62). Grondin; McNicol, Storrie (Walker 62), Dempsey, McLeish; Bullen, Brewster. Sub not used: Ruitenbeek.
Forfar: Ferrie; Rattray, Vella (McClune HT), Stewart, Florence (Lowling 61); Lunan, Vellaru, Davidson (Hodge 63), Henderson (Mayer 30); Tosh, Trialist (Taylor 54). Sub not used: Brown (GK)
Referee: Craig Mackay
With a side containing only three first team regulars, an out of sorts Dunfermline were well beaten by a Forfar side which played some remarkably good football. Tosh opened the scoring with a header that squirmed past Stillie, and Forfar increased their lead in the 40th minute, when trialist Paul Shields deflected a shot into the net. Bullen pulled one back two minutes later after a stramash in the box. Forfar had two excellent chances to increase their lead but hit the post and shot narrowly wide when scoring seemed the easier option. Brewster leveled the score from close in with just four minutes remaining, but right on the full time whistle, Forfar deservedly scored the winner when Lunan's shot from the edge of the box rocketed past Stillie.   
 
Andy Tod's name was a surprise inclusion on the team sheet at Forfar, prompting speculation that the big centre-half had signed again for DA. However, boss JC denied this, suggesting that he had put Toddy's name down on the team sheet by mistake rather than listing him as a trialist..
Kevin McLeish joined the list of injured players after being stretchered off against Forfar. JC admits it will be a struggle to name 22 fit players for Holland.
A Pars squad of 22 players flew out to Amsterdam. Andy Tod was included as were injury worries Jason Dair, Derek Young and Noel Hunt. Club captain Scott Thomson also travelled with a view to doing some light work. 
           
Date: 21st July 2003 Opposition: Emster Streekteam Score (H/T): 6-0 (1-0)
Competition: Friendly Venue Emst Attendance: 500
Scorers: [1-0] Nicholson (16), [2-0] Crawford (53), [3-0] Crawford (68), [4-0] Brewster (69), [5-0] Own Goal (70), [6-0] Walker (90)
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: Ruitenbeek (Stillie HT); McNicol, Tod, Wilson (Walker 72), McGroarty; McLeish (Storrie 78), Nicholson (Fotheringham 25), Darren Young (brewster 58), Dair (Grondin 78); Crawford (Mason 72), Dempsey.
Emst Select: N/K
Referee: N/K
In a very quiet first half Emst proved to be very tough opponents, making a number of very hefty challenges. Barry Nicholson scored the only goal of the half when he lifted a free-kick over the Emst defensive wall. Things calmed down a bit in the second period as the Pars found their feet to rattle home a further five strikes.
           
Date: 23rd July 2003 Opposition: FC Twente Enschede Score (H/T): 1-0 (1-0)
Competition: Friendly Venue Aalten Attendance: 1,500
Scorer: [1-0] Derek Young (19)
Yellow Cards: Grondin, Darren Young (DAFC), Christiansen (Twente)
Pars Team: Stillie; Bullen, Skerla, Wilson, Walker; Darren Young, Mason, Derek Young (Dair 85), Grondin; Crawford (Tod 85), Brewster. Subs not used: Ruitenbeek, McGroarty, McLeish, Fotheringham
Twente: Paauwe; Van der Weerden, Zomer, Pothuizen (Allach HT) Heubach; Niemeyer (Sibul 80), Ramzi (Da Costa 75), Polak, Gakhokidze, Jochemsen (John 65), Christiansen (De Visscher 65)
Referee: N/K
A good performance from DA saw them win the first of their four games against top quality Dutch opposition. The only goal which came in the first half, was a well worked move with Crawford, Bullen and Brewster all involved, before Derek Young smashed the ball home from six yards. Whilst Twente had opportunities to equalise, they were unable to find a way past Stillie in the Pars goal.
 
JC was happy after the match against Twente which he saw as a tough game but a well earned result.  
After failing to respond to treatment, striker Noel Hunt returns to Scotland for an x-ray on his ankle, which was injured in the match against East Fife.
           
Date: 25th July 2003 Opposition: de Graafschap Score (H/T): 0-1 (0-0)
Competition: Friendly Venue Aalten Attendance: 2,500
Scorer: [0-1] Hertog (74 pen.)
Yellow Cards: Tod (DAFC)
Pars Team: Ruitenbeek; Dair, Tod, Walker (Wilson 29); Fotheringham (McNicol HT), Nicholson, Dempsey (Darren Young 80), McLeish (Grondin 70); Derek Young (Bullen HT), Brewster (Crawford HT), McGroarty. Sub not used: Stillie
de Graffschap: Klak: Beelenkamp, Bakens, Van der Krius, Kastoredjo (Yalcin 54); Zikama (Schulp 62), Kooijman, Hertog, Abdellaoui, Valeev, Houwing
Referee: N/K
A poor game and a off form performance from an understrength Athletic side. The only goal came from a disputed penalty kick, when Graafschap substitute Schulp dived over Scott Wilson's leg outside of the box. Captain Hertog made no mistake from the spot sending Ruitenbeek the wrong way. Although there were opportunities to equalise, luck wasn't on the Pars side. 
 
NEC hold their Open day before the game with Dunfermline, with an estimated 12,500 people attending. 
Prior to the friendly against NEC, Pars boss Calderwood and former Athletic striker Jack de Gier are introduced to the home supporters at their open day. Both get a very warm welcome, and de Gier is named as NEC's new Commercial Manager.
           
Date: 27th July 2003 Opposition: NEC Nijmegan Score (H/T): 1-0 (1-0)
Competition: Friendly  Venue De Goffert Stadium Attendance: 7,000
Scorer: [1-0] Crawford (15)
Yellow Cards: None
Pars Team: Stillie; Skerla, Wilson, Tod; Nicholson, Darren Young, Mason, Grondin; Derek Young (Bullen 68); Brewster (Dair 78), Crawford Subs not used: Dempsey, Fotheringham, McGroarty, McLeish, SY Thomson
NEC: Gentenaar; Wisgerhof (van Rijswijk 78), Wielaert, Ebbinge, Leiwakabessy; Schuurman, Govedarica (Simr HT), Hertsi (De Freitas 78), Zonnefeld; Ax (Demouge HT), de Nooijer (Tumba HT)
Referee: RHJ Temmink
The highlight of the Dutch tour was always going to be Jimmy Calderwood's return to his old team NEC, and so it proved. In the superb De Goffert Stadium, Dnufermline produced an excellent performance which saw them outplay the UEFA Cup qualifying side for most of the game. At the back, Andy Tod had an outstanding game, whilst in midfield Gary Mason kept the home danger man Hertsi well under control. The only goal of the game came in the 15th minute, when Crawford sidefooted Grondin's cross past keeper Gentenaar.  
 
Post match JC was understandably delighted with the result against his old club, saying "the result fills me with pride. They were fifth top of the Dutch league, got into Europe, I just wish the Scottish teams would do better and we could have from fifth place too. The lads have done a bit for me today, which is great."
           
Date: 29th July 2003 Opposition: FC Utrecht Score (H/T): 1-1 (0-1)
Competition: Friendly Venue Waardenburg Attendance: 1,500
Scorer: [0-1] Shew-Atjon (15), [1-1] Dair (76 pen) 
Yellow Cards: Wilson (DAFC)
Pars Team: Ruitenbeek; Nicholson, Skerla, Wilson (Tod HT), Walker (McGroarty HT); Dair, Darren Young, Mason, Grondin (Fotheringham HT); Crawford (Dempsey 85), Bullen. Sub not used: Stillie
Utrecht: Terrol; Lamey, Van Der Brink, Shew-Atjon (Broerse HT), Zuidam, Bosschart (Schut HT), Zwaanswijk (De Jong HT), Kristjansson, Chzirtz, Van der Haar (Callabro HT), De Groot
Referee: N/K
The final game of the Dutch tour saw Dunfermline play a game of two halves. Their first half performance was lethargic and lacklustere, and it was no surprise that Utrecht took the lead with a shot that took a heavy deflection past Ruitenbeek. The Pars second half display was much better, and 'trialist' Andy Tod's appearance changed the game completely. Dair came close to putting the Pars back on level terms with a superb 25 yard shot that was touched onto the post. The equaliser came after Bullen was brought down in the box, with Jason Dair making no mistake from the spot.   
 
JC was happy with his team's second half performance against Utrecht, but felt that it might have been one game too far after a tired showing in the first 45 minutes.
The Dunfermline party returned to Scotland via Amsterdam after a successful ten day Dutch tour.
Chris Sutton is handed a paltry 1 match suspension by the SFA following his 'lie down' comments at the end of last season. Celtic consider appealing against the ban.
After some good performances on the club's tour of Holland defender Andy Tod is signed for three years. The 31 year old left Dunfermline in November 2001 for Bradford City, but with the Yorkshire club in financial trouble they could not afford to keep the player. He had loan spells at Hearts and Dundee United after being frozen out of the Bradford team.  
Sandy Clark is named as an addition to the East End coaching staff. Clark will continue working for the BBC, as his coaching duties will be Monday to Friday. He will coach the strikers and Under 21s.
Noel Hunt is likely to miss the start of the season after scans reveal that he has ligament damage to his ankle.
Youssef Rossi has a trial with German 2nd Division side Arminia Biedefeld, but negotiations fall through due to the player's excessive personal terms.   
Negtoiations to extend Scott Wilson's contract have been put on hold whilst pre-season preparations are underway.

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