Hammill and de Vries back Pars

2007 Cup Finalists wish Dunfermline Athletic best of luck against Falkirk

Former Dunfermline Athletic cup finalists Dorus de Vries and Adam Hammill were re-united last week in Yorkshire when Swansea City travelled to play Barnsley in the Championship. For both players their last match for Dunfermline was in the 2007 Tennents Scottish Cup Final and that ensured that after the match that saw Swansea win 3-1, Dorus and Adam came together to express their desire to return to watch their former club at Hampden.

The 21 year old Liverpool player, currently on loan to Barnsley, is still a great friend of Dunfermline defender Calum Woods and so he hopes to be able to travel up for the Semi Final at Hampden on Sunday. Dorus promised to be at Hampden for the Homecoming Scotland Cup Final should Dunfermline make it past Falkirk. He is now settled happily in South Wales although his contract comes up for renewal at the end of the season. Dorus said:-

"Swansea is a nice area and after Dunfermline it was great to end up there. The Welsh are very similar in character to the Scots, they are warm people and open. I liked it up in Dunfermline but now I like it here as well."

Dorus faced Adam when he played against Swansea City while with Blackpool earlier this season and although on yet another loan spell (following a lengthy period at Southampton last season as well) Adam is enjoying his time at Barnsley.

The Dutch goalkeeper is desperately keen for the Pars to do well in the Semi Final and he vividly remembers the pleasure of defeating Hibs in the 2007 Semi:-

"It was brilliant especially because we did not play that well in the league against Hibernian. Then to play them twice in the Semi Final is a great memory. What it brought us was European football and a Cup Final against Celtic. It was amazing and something indescribable. They are that close now again, I hope that they make it.

"Dunfermline had a good spell in the league up until Christmas then good cup form makes up for the negative league results.

Dorus needed no reminder that when Dunfermline and Falkirk meet there is a special meaning:-

"Matches against Falkirk were brilliant, especially for the fans as well. There is big rivalry between the two of them and when you are on the brink of getting to the final it is something to look forward to. It is the dream because you want to play in cup finals; those are the games that you will always remember. We got relegated but it was still harsh; I'd rather have stayed up than played the Cup Final.

"I will always remember that game when Dunfermline played Celtic, always remember. To be playing against Falkirk with the opportunity to reach the Final well that's a double punch. European football would be unbelievable but really nice and great for everyone. Dunfermline as a club deserve something positive, upbeat especially after the change of manager last year. It would be a good upbeat for Mr Leishman I think to give him that positive push.

"Me and Adam had a great time up there; it gave us the opportunity to get us in the spotlight particularly when you play a Cup Final. Everybody is watching you, no other games were played that day. The stadium was full and the Dunfermline supporters were great that day.

"It would be great to see Dunfermline progress to another Cup Final and both Adam and I wish them every success."