Manager on Thursday

13/08/20: SC - “I think the challenge is which team is going to adapt to playing in stadiums without fans.

Pars manager Stevie Crawford is heartened by the uptake of season ticket sales in the wake of his recent seven signings and the release of the Championship fixtures.

“I think the supporters have been great in the numbers we’ve hit in terms of season tickets. It is really encouraging because I’m fully aware people are going through difficult times whether it is through their work with what we have faced with the virus, but equally mentally for those supporters it has been a very tough time.

“I can’t thank them enough for the backing to reach the figures that we have done and I’m sure, like Dunfermline fans always do, the closer we get to the season kicking off, there will be more people putting their hands in their pockets to buy season tickets and support the club again.”

The league season starts with a tasty opening game on Saturday 17th October at home to last season’s Championship runners up, Inverness Caley Thistle.

Stevie does not need reminded of the three encounters against the Highlanders last season all of which ended in defeat, he commented:-

“The Championship is a tough league but we look forward to the first game against Inverness. They were one of the teams that we struggled with last season, it is a challenge that I am looking forward to and along with Alloa they were the two sides that we didn’t take enough points from.

“I am sure that Robbo will be putting a squad together, he is an experienced manager who is creative in the transfer market and I’m sure that he will make a few additions before the season kicks off.”

Stevie’s reference to Alloa Athletic who the Pars face in their first away league match the following Saturday - 24th October, side stepped the words ‘bogey team’ but again he is very aware that in the nine games between the two clubs over the last two seasons Dunfermline have won only two and collected only one point from the nine contested last season.

The schedule sees Dunfermline twice travelling to Alloa, and Dundee and Ayr United for that matter but they will meet Inverness and Hearts twice at home. Stevie continued:-

“There are testing away fixtures in this league and to single any of them out would be unfair and disrespectful of other clubs. When the fixtures come out, you look forward to getting stuck in, we can’t wait.

“I think the challenge is which team is going to adapt to playing in stadiums without fans. Teams enjoy coming to Dunfermline to play in a great stadium. It is a problem in that they look forward to coming and playing here.”

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