Dunfermline Athletic Football Club – also known as The Pars – are Dunfermline’s resident football team. Their home ground is East End Park, a football stadium near the centre of Dunfermline, with both a men’s and women’s football team. They’ve been a fixture in Dunfermline for over 140 years, but how much do you know about them?
Why are Dunfermline Athletic called The Pars?
There are a few possible reasons Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are nicknamed The Pars; from a fish to a supportive group of sailors. However, according to the Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust, “based on the available evidence and balance of probabilities”, the team used to play so badly that they were nicknamed Dunfermline Paralytics. This was shortened to The Pars and is now a term of endearment.
When Did The Pars Play Their First Match?
Dunfermline Cricket Club formed a football team to help players keep fit during the off season back in 1874, and following a dispute the footballers split away from the cricketers. In 1885, Dunfermline Athletic Football Club was formed, and they played their first match on the 13th of June 1885 against Edinburgh University. The Pars won 2-1.
Who Is Sammy the Tammy?
If you go to a Pars game, you’ll probably see a familiar face – Sammy the Tammy. Sammy has served as the Pars mascot since 1995, and he’s a fan favourite. He’s a boisterous prankster, and his favourite food is a Stephens’ Steak Bridie!
Who Owns Dunfermline Athletic Football Team?
Following a rough period after relegation to the First Division in the SPL, Dunfermline Athletic changed ownership. Fan group Pars United CIC (PUCIC) was formed in 2013 and acquired 94.6% of DAFC from the Administrators. When Fussball GmbH made investment into the club, the Pars United CIC shareholding was diluted and over time with more investment, diluted even further.
In August 2024, Fussball GmbH made the following statement: “It is with sadness and regret that we announce today that after four years of involvement we shall be putting our stake in Dunfermline Athletic Football Club up for sale.”
This was an opportunity Park Bench SFC LLC didn’t want to miss out on and in January 2025, they acquired 99.84% of DAFC shares. Park Bench SFC LLC is co-owned by James Bord and Evan Sofer who both live in Las Vegas. The PUCIC shareholders voted, at the 2025 AGM in March, to place the company into members’ voluntary liquidation.
The Pars have been an important fixture of Dunfermline for a long time, and many Dunfermline locals have loved going to their matches or seeing Sammy the Tammy out and about. How many of these facts did you know?