Dunfermline 1 Hearts 2: Fan-tastic supporters rally for their clubs

David McCarthy

JUST under 5000 fans were at East End Park on Saturday to support the crisis-hit clubs as they both prepare for difficult seasons.
The Hearts players celebrate at full time The Hearts players celebrate at full time
Steve Bardens/Getty Images

HEARTS took the trophy but there were no losers at East End Park on Saturday.

The 4538 fans made sure of that. The cash they generated was split between the Pars United and Foundation of Hearts groups to help fund attempts at taking over their administration-hit clubs but there was more to this contest than that.

This was about two sets of fans publicly showing that they would not desert their clubs in their hour of need and the Jambos support, in particular, demonstrated that vocally throughout a 90 minutes that ended with their team hanging on for victory.

The volume of the Edinburgh support, later given at almost 2600 but it looked far more than that, forced the hold-up of the kick-off for 10 minutes and it’s not often that can be said about a pre-season friendly.

But this was no ordinary afternoon. Both clubs have been decimated by the damage inflicted by former owners and on this evidence it’s going to take a long time for former glories to be revived.

But it can be done. These fans will make sure of it. And the young players who have been forced into first-team action will be their salvation.

Hearts were terrific in the first half, zipping the ball around the immaculate playing surface with purpose and poise.

Callum Tapping was dictating the tempo and his mates were dancing to his tune. They fully merited their half-time lead, even if the second goal came from a dubious penalty, expertly slotted by captain Jamie Hamill, after David Smith had gone down too easily under Chris Kane’s challenge.

Earlier, the visitors had taken the lead with a straightforward goal from a corner, taken by Smith and bulleted home by the head of centre-half Brad McKay, and it looked like being a comfortable afternoon for the top-flight outfit.

That all changed after the break when Pars boss Jim Jefferies switched Josh Falkingham inside to link the midfield and attack. The little former Arbroath player went on to run the show and on this evidence is not someone who should be playing his football in the Second Division.

Falkingham played in former Jambo Ryan Thomson to reduce the deficit after an hour before Dunfermline forced Jamie Walker into two goal-line clearances.

It didn’t come but there was plenty of encouragement for Jefferies – and Hearts boss Gary Locke for that matter.

Afterwards, the talk centred on the support that had travelled from the capital and Hamill paid tribute to them.

He said: “It was an incredible turnout. To come over and pay their money was magnificent. There’s been a lot in the press about the fans coming out and supporting the club and they have done that every time they have been asked.

“We’ve been having meetings after training and getting updates about the situation but we’re just looking forward to getting the season started.”

Hamill knows a 15-point deduction for going into administration will make the upcoming season a massive challenge but the right-back insists Hearts can maintain their top-flight status.

He said: “It’s salvageable. Starting 15 points behind makes it a big ask but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to and all the boys in the dressing room are feeling exactly the same.

“It doesn’t make a difference whether you’re minus 15, you want a good start. Hopefully we will make up the points sooner rather than later.

“We’ve got a good bunch of boys who are capable of getting the points back. The gaffer keeps stressing they aren’t kids any more. Every one of them has made a first-team appearance but it’s good for them to get out and make their mark. It was also good for the fans to see us get a trophy. It helped lift the spirits. They’ve been magnificent.”

Manager Locke said: “There aren’t many friendlies where you get held up for 10 minutes to let the crowd in. I can’t speak highly enough of our supporters and what they’ve done for us.

“The support over the last few years has been incredible and with that backing every game, hopefully we can respond to that and do quite well.”

Jefferies was delighted with his young team’s second half display. He said: “Falkingham was just outstanding in the middle of the park.

“The club is in good hands with these young players. It is now about making sure that they keep focused on the coming season. It was a good test for them today.”

And the Pars boss praised the Hearts supporters who at some stages made a louder “There’s only one Jim Jefferies” chant than the home support did.

He said: “It was a terrific response from the fans at a time when there are probably a lot of people away on holiday. To get a crowd like that for a pre-season game is great.”

Taken from the Daily Record