2017–18 Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season

The 2017–18 season was Dunfermline Athletic's second season in the Scottish Championship, having finished 5th in the 2016–17 season.

Dunfermline Athletic

2017–18 season
Chairman	Ross McArthur[1]
Manager	Allan Johnston[2][3]
Stadium	East End Park Dunfermline, Scotland (Capacity: 11,480)
Championship	Fourth
Challenge Cup	Third round, lost to Falkirk
League Cup	Second round, lost to Rangers
Scottish Cup	Fourth round, lost to Morton
Top goalscorer	League: Nicky Clark (14)[4] All: Nicky Clark (21)[5]
Highest home attendance	League: 7,585[6] vs. Dundee United (30 September 2017) Cup: 2,573[7] vs. Greenock Morton (20 January 2018)
Lowest home attendance	League: 2,249[6] vs. Inverness CT (14 March 2018) Cup: 1,462[7] vs. Arbroath (15 August 2017)
Average home league attendance	5,243[6] (805[8])
Biggest win	League: Dunfermline Athletic 5–1 Inverness CT[6] (12 August 2017) Dumbarton 0–4 Dunfermline Athletic[6] (26 August 2017) Dunfermline Athletic 4–0 Brechin City[6] (14 April 2018) Dunfermline Athletic 4–0 Dumbarton[6] (28 April 2018) Cup: Dunfermline Athletic 6–0 Elgin City[7] (15 July 2017)
Biggest defeat	League: Dunfermline Athletic 2–5 Queen of the South[6] (9 December 2017) Cup: Rangers 6–0 Dunfermline Athletic[7] (9 August 2017)
Home colours Away colours
← 2016–17 2018–19 →
All statistics correct as of 5 May 2018.

Having finished the season fourth in the league, the club qualified for the quarter-final stage of the quarter-final stage of the Scottish Premiership play-offs. After a 0–0 draw with Dundee United at East End Park,^[9] the Pars lost the second leg 2–1 at Tannadice.^[10] Dunfermline also competed in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup, where they were knocked out by Falkirk,^[11] Rangers^[12] and Morton,^[13] respectively.

Season review

May

• 5 May 2017: After finishing fifth at the end of the 2016–17 season, manager Allan Johnston opted to offer new deals to the majority of the playing squad. Three first team players who were not offered new deals were Lewis Spence, Euan Spark, and Ben Richards-Everton,^[14] the last of which had struggled with injury during the 2016–17 season. Additionally, the club decided that they would not enter a youth side into the 2017–18 SPFL Development League^[15] with four youth players being subsequently released.^[14] Cammy Gill, Stuart Morrison, Scott Lochhead, Brandon Luke and Callum Smith were all promoted to the first-team.
• 8 May 2017: In the club's end of season address chairman Ross McArthur outlined the club's intentions of reaching a Scottish Premiership play-off place for the 2017–18 season, with a slightly smaller squad of players than in the previous season. Additionally, it was announced that work was due to begin on relaying East End Park's pitch after it was criticised for its condition towards the end of the previous season.^[15]
• 17 May 2017: The side completed their first signing of the 2017 summer transfer window, bringing in French defender Jean-Yves Mvoto on a one-year deal.^[16][17] Mvoto, who played most of his career in England, had previously played for Fife rivals Raith Rovers during the previous season.
• 31 May 2017: After the club's previous announcement on player releases, four further first-team players decided to leave East End Park following the end of their contracts. David Hutton, who made just 14 appearances over two season left to sign for recently promoted Scottish League One side Arbroath,^[18] whilst club captain Callum Fordyce signed for Championship rivals Queen of the South.^[19] Michael Moffat^[20][21] and Andy Geggan^[22][23] both signed for Ayr United, with both players having previously played with the Somerset Park side before playing for Dunfermline. At the time of his departure, Geggan was the longest serving Dunfermline player, having made almost 200 appearances, and was the final member of the squad who went through administration with the Pars in 2013.^[23]

June

• 23 June 2017: The fixtures for the coming SPFL season were released, with the Pars facing off against Scottish League One champions Livingston at Almondvale Stadium.^[24] The side's first home match was against recently relegated Inverness Caledonian Thistle, with the third fixture lining Dunfermline up against fierce rivals Falkirk at East End Park.^[24]
• 26 June 2017: To celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the club's 1968 Scottish Cup victory, the club launched their replica home kit for the 2017–18 in commemoration of the event.^[25]

1968

2017–18

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

Squad list

As of 4 May 2018, the final match of the season^[26]

No.	Name	Nationality	Position	Date of Birth (Age)	Signed From	Signed in	Signed until	Apps.	Goals
Goalkeepers
1	Sean Murdoch		GK	(1986-07-31) 31 July 1986 (age 39)	Rochester Rhinos	2015	2019	114	0
20	Cammy Gill		GK	(1998-04-07) 7 April 1998 (age 27)	Dunfermline Athletic youth teams	2016	2019	1	0
25	Lee Robinson		GK	(1986-07-02) 2 July 1986 (age 39)	Queen of the South	2018	2018	21	0
30	Craig Burt		GK	(2000-01-29) 29 January 2000 (age 25)	AM Soccer	2017	2018	0	0
Defenders
2	Ryan Williamson		DF	(1996-03-14) 14 March 1996 (age 29)	Dunfermline Athletic youth teams	2013	2019	113	1
3	Lewis Martin		DF	(1996-04-08) 8 April 1996 (age 29)	Dunfermline Athletic youth teams	2012	2018	129	3
4	Jean-Yves Mvoto		DF	(1988-09-06) 6 September 1988 (age 36)	Raith Rovers	2017	2018	21	0
5	Callum Morris (c)		DF	(1990-02-03) 3 February 1990 (age 35)	Aberdeen	2016	2018	123	7
6	Lee Ashcroft		DF	(1993-08-29) 29 August 1993 (age 31)	Kilmarnock	2016	2018	89	8
14	Jason Talbot		DF	(1985-09-30) 30 September 1985 (age 39)	Livingston	2015	2018	109	3
22	Stuart Morrison		DF	(1999-04-18) 18 April 1999 (age 26)	Dunfermline Athletic youth teams	2016	2019	0	0
Midfielders
7	Kallum Higginbotham		MF	(1989-06-15) 15 June 1989 (age 36)	Kilmarnock	2016	2018	86	17
8	Nat Wedderburn		MF	(1991-06-30) 30 June 1991 (age 34)	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	2016	2018	67	1
11	Joe Cardle		MF	(1987-02-07) 7 February 1987 (age 38)	Ross County	2015	2018	238	54
12	Daniel Armstrong		MF	(1997-10-11) 11 October 1997 (age 27)	Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan)	2018	2018	6	0
13	Aaron Splaine		MF	(1996-10-13) 13 October 1996 (age 28)	Kilmarnock	2017	2018	12	0
15	Michael Paton		MF	(1989-03-25) 25 March 1989 (age 36)	Queen of the South	2015	2018	81	7
17	Fraser Aird		MF	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 30)	Falkirk	2017	2018	25	4
18	Conner Duthie		MF	(1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 28)	Hibernian	2016	2018	7	0
19	Scott Lochhead		MF	(1997-01-23) 23 January 1997 (age 28)	Dundee United	2016	2018	7	0
21	Brandon Luke		MF	(1999-03-15) 15 March 1999 (age 26)	Dunfermline Athletic youth teams	2016	2018	0	0
26	James Vincent		MF	(1989-09-27) 27 September 1989 (age 35)	Dundee (loan)	2018	2018	12	0
27	Dean Shiels		MF	(1985-02-01) 1 February 1985 (age 40)	FC Edmonton	2017	2018	25	0
28	James Craigen		MF	(1991-03-28) 28 March 1991 (age 34)	Falkirk	2018	2018	18	1
31	Tom Beadling		DF	(1996-01-16) 16 January 1996 (age 29)	Sunderland (loan)	2018	2018	11	1
Forwards
9	Declan McManus		FW	(1994-08-03) 3 August 1994 (age 31)	Fleetwood Town	2017	2018	44	13
10	Nicky Clark		FW	(1991-06-03) 3 June 1991 (age 34)	Bury	2016	2018	78	37
16	Andy Ryan		FW	(1994-09-29) 29 September 1994 (age 30)	Airdrieonians	2017	2019	24	8
23	Callum Smith		FW	(1999-11-13) 13 November 1999 (age 25)	Fife Elite Football Academy	2016	2020	22	3

Results & fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Pre-season

Partick Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic

1 July 2017 Closed Doors Friendly	Partick Thistle	4 – 2	Dunfermline Athletic	Glasgow, Scotland
13:00	Lawless 26' (pen.), 61' (pen.) Doolan 73' Lamont 79'	Match report	Paton 77' Ďuriš[a] 85'	Stadium: Garscube Sports Complex Attendance: 0

Dunfermline Athletic v Hibernian

6 July 2017 Friendly	Dunfermline Athletic	0 – 4	Hibernian	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45		Match report	Swanson 24' Pennant[b] 58' Boyle 71' Shaw 76'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 2,125 Referee: Clancy

Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic

10 July 2017 Friendly	Raith Rovers	3 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Kirkcaldy, Scotland
19:45	Buchanan 24' Vaughan 32' Matthews 89'	Match report		Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 1,460 Referee: Beaton

Scottish Championship

Main article: 2017–18 Scottish Championship

Livingston v Dunfermline Athletic

5 August 2017 Match 1	Livingston	1 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Livingston, Scotland
15:00	Pittman 30'	SPFL report	Higginbotham 63' (pen.)	Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 2,301 Referee: Newlands

Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

12 August 2017 Match 2	Dunfermline Athletic	5 – 1	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Smith 2' Ashcroft 14' Cardle 41', 90' Hopkirk 67'	SPFL report	Vigurs 18'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,391 Referee: McLean

Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk

19 August 2017 Match 3	Dunfermline Athletic	3 – 1	Falkirk	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	McManus 5' Cardle 11', 90+2'	SPFL report	Taiwo 83' Sibbald  52' Miller  62'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 5,751 Referee: Beaton

Dumbarton v Dunfermline Athletic

26 August 2017 Match 4	Dumbarton	0 – 4	Dunfermline Athletic	Dumbarton, Scotland
15:00	Dowie  77'	SPFL report	Cardle 5' Higginbotham 28' Clark 87' Ryan 90+1'	Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 1,028 Referee: Cook

Greenock Morton v Dunfermline Athletic

9 September 2017 Match 5	Greenock Morton	3 – 2	Dunfermline Athletic	Greenock, Scotland
15:00	Thomson 46' Harkins 73' Quitongo 90+3'	SPFL report	Cardle 9' Higginbotham 33' (pen.)	Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 1,918 Referee: Clancy

Dunfermline Athletic v St Mirren

16 September 2017 Match 6	Dunfermline Athletic	3 – 0	St Mirren	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	McManus 20' Hopkirk 45' Morris 56'	SPFL report	Eckersley  87' Buchanan  88'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 6,628 Referee: Thomson

Brechin City v Dunfermline Athletic

23 September 2017 Match 7	Brechin City	0 – 3	Dunfermline Athletic	Brechin, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report	Ashcroft 28' McManus 55' Clark 70'	Stadium: Glebe Park Attendance: 1,214 Referee: McKendrick

Dunfermline Athletic v Dundee United

30 September 2017 Match 8	Dunfermline Athletic	1 – 3	Dundee United	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Smith 77'	SPFL report	Fyvie 35', 59' McDonald 43'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 7,585 Referee: Robertson

Queen of the South v Dunfermline Athletic

14 October 2017 Match 9	Queen of the South	0 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Dumfries, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report		Stadium: Palmerston Park Attendance: 1,834 Referee: Finnie

Dunfermline Athletic v Livingston

21 October 2017 Match 10	Dunfermline Athletic	3 – 1	Livingston	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Higginbotham 2', 38' Aird 30'	SPFL report	Mullen 87'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 5,059 Referee: Dallas

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic

28 October 2017 Match 11	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	1 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Inverness, Scotland
15:00	Bell 23'	SPFL report		Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2,948 Referee: Clancy

Falkirk v Dunfermline Athletic

4 November 2017 Match 12	Falkirk	1 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Falkirk, Scotland
15:00	McGhee 64'	SPFL report	Higginbotham 28' (pen.)  56'  McManus  90+2'	Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 5,465 Referee: Thomson

Dunfermline Athletic v Greenock Morton

11 November 2017 Match 13	Dunfermline Athletic	P – P	Greenock Morton	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00				Stadium: East End Park
Note: Match postponed due to international call-ups

Dunfermline Athletic v Greenock Morton

21 November 2017 Match 13 (Rearranged)[27]	Dunfermline Athletic	1 – 1	Greenock Morton	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45	Ryan 21'	SPFL report	Oliver 34'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,816 Referee: Finnie

Dunfermline Athletic v Dumbarton

25 November 2017 Match 14	Dunfermline Athletic	2 – 2	Dumbarton	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Morris 55' Clark 88'	SPFL report	Walsh 51' Froxylias 68'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,505 Referee: Walsh

Dundee United v Dunfermline Athletic

2 December 2017 Match 15	Dundee United	2 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Dundee, Scotland
15:00	Fraser 15', 42'	SPFL report	McManus 75' (pen.)	Stadium: Tannadice Attendance: 5,790 Referee: Anderson

Dunfermline Athletic v Queen of the South

9 December 2017 Match 16	Dunfermline Athletic	2 – 5	Queen of the South	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Clark 46' McManus 85'	SPFL report	Kane 8', 27' Dobbie 74', 80' (pen.), 90+1'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,694 Referee: Collum

St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic

16 December 2017 Match 17	St Mirren	1 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Paisley, Scotland
15:00	C. Smith 38'	SPFL report		Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 3,665 Referee: Charleston

Dunfermline Athletic v Brechin City

23 December 2017 Match 18	Dunfermline Athletic	2 – 1	Brechin City	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	McManus 22' Paton 49'	SPFL report	McLennan 59'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,595 Referee: Aitken

Livingston v Dunfermline Athletic

30 December 2017 Match 19	Livingston	P – P	Dunfermline Athletic	Livingston, Scotland
15:00				Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Note: Match postponed due to frozen pitch

Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk

2 January 2018 Match 20	Dunfermline Athletic	2 – 0	Falkirk	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Clark 16' McManus 51'	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 7,140 Referee: Collum

Dumbarton v Dunfermline Athletic

6 January 2018 Match 21	Dumbarton	0 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Dumbarton, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report	Cardle 24'	Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 1,086 Referee: Beaton

Dunfermline Athletic v Dundee United

13 January 2018 Match 22	Dunfermline Athletic	0 – 0	Dundee United	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 7,139 Referee: Madden

Dunfermline Athletic v St Mirren

26 January 2018 Match 23	Dunfermline Athletic	1 – 2	St Mirren	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45	Clark 49'	SPFL report	C. Smith 13' Baird 64'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 5,479 Referee: Beaton

Greenock Morton v Dunfermline Athletic

3 February 2018 Match 24	Greenock Morton	2 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Greenock, Scotland
15:00	Tidser 37' Oliver 90'	SPFL report	Beadling 23'	Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 1,588 Referee: Duncan

Livingston v Dunfermline Athletic

10 February 2018 Match 19 (Rearranged)[28]	Livingston	0 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Livingston, Scotland
15:00	Thompson  69'	SPFL report		Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 1,579 Referee: Aitken

Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

17 February 2018 Match 25	Dunfermline Athletic	P – P	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00				Stadium: East End Park
Note: Match postponed due Inverness' participation in the Scottish Challenge Cup semi-finals[29]

Queen of the South v Dunfermline Athletic

24 February 2018 Match 26	Queen of the South	0 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Dumfries, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report		Stadium: Palmerston Park Attendance: 1,429 Referee: Robertson

Brechin City v Dunfermline Athletic

27 February 2018 Match 27	Brechin City	P – P	Dunfermline Athletic	Brechin, Scotland
19:45				Stadium: Glebe Park
Note: Match postponed due to snow[30]

Dunfermline Athletic v Livingston

3 March 2018 Match 28	Dunfermline Athletic	P – P	Livingston	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00				Stadium: East End Park
Note: Match postponed due to snow[31]

Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

6 March 2018 Match 25 (Rearranged)[32]	Dunfermline Athletic	P – P	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45				Stadium: East End Park
Note: Match postponed due to snow[33]

St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic

10 March 2018 Match 29	St Mirren	2 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Paisley, Scotland
15:00	Davis 69' (pen.) L. Smith 72'	SPFL report	Talbot  68'	Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 4,240 Referee: Walsh

Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

13 March 2018 Match 25 (Rearranged)[34]	Dunfermline Athletic	1 – 0	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45	Craigen 6'	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 2,249 Referee: Clancy

Dunfermline Athletic v Greenock Morton

17 March 2018 Match 30	Dunfermline Athletic	0 – 0	Greenock Morton	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,613 Referee: Dallas

Brechin City v Dunfermline Athletic

20 March 2018 Match 27 (Rearranged)[35]	Brechin City	0 – 3	Dunfermline Athletic	Brechin, Scotland
19:45		SPFL report	Clark 8', 9', 54'	Stadium: Glebe Park Attendance: 611 Referee: Cook

Dundee United v Dunfermline Athletic

24 March 2018 Match 31	Dundee United	1 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Dundee, Scotland
15:00	McDonald 55'	SPFL report	Clark 52'	Stadium: Tannadice Attendance: 5,830 Referee: Anderson

Dunfermline Athletic v Queen of the South

31 March 2018 Match 32	Dunfermline Athletic	3 – 1	Queen of the South	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Clark 33', 38', 90+3'	SPFL report	Marshall 69'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,762 Referee: Collum

Dunfermline Athletic v Livingston

3 April 2018 Match 28 (Rearranged)[34]	Dunfermline Athletic	1 – 0	Livingston	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45	Ashcroft 11'	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,572 Referee: Finnie

Falkirk v Dunfermline Athletic

7 April 2018 Match 33	Falkirk	1 – 2	Dunfermline Athletic	Falkirk, Scotland
15:00	Muirhead 79' (pen.)	SPFL report	Higginbotham 24' Aird 48'	Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 5,784 Referee: Robertson

Dunfermline Athletic v Brechin City

14 April 2018 Match 34	Dunfermline Athletic	4 – 0	Brechin City	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Ashcroft 2' Aird 25' Ryan 72' Higginbotham 87' (pen.)	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 4,898 Referee: McKendrick

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic

21 April 2018 Match 35	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	2 – 2	Dunfermline Athletic	Inverness, Scotland
15:00	Chalmers 16' Austin 48'	SPFL report	Ryan 13' Clark 90+5'	Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 3,316 Referee: Finnie

Dunfermline Athletic v Dumbarton

28 April 2018 Match 36	Dunfermline Athletic	4 – 0	Dumbarton	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Higginbotham 18', 25' Aird 45' Williamson 65'	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 5,506 Referee: Steven

Premiership play-offs

Main article: 2017–18 Scottish Premiership § Premiership play-offs

Dunfermline Athletic v Dundee United

1 May 2018 Play-offs QF R1	Dunfermline Athletic	0 – 0	Dundee United	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45	Ashcroft  55'	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 6,474 Referee: Madden

Dundee United v Dunfermline Athletic

4 May 2018 Play-offs QF R2	Dundee United	2 – 1	Dunfermline Athletic	Dundee, Scotland
19:45	McDonald 57' Stanton 70'	SPFL report	McManus 14'	Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 7,994 Referee: Collum

Scottish League Cup

Main articles: 2017–18 Scottish League Cup and 2017–18 Scottish League Cup group stage

Group stage

Dunfermline Athletic v Elgin City

15 July 2017 Match 1	Dunfermline Athletic	6 – 0	Elgin City	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	Clark 10', 20', 35', 46' Paton 33' Smith 90'	SPFL report		Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 1,757 Referee: Munro

East Fife v Dunfermline Athletic

18 July 2017 Match 2	East Fife	0 – 0 (8 – 9 p)	Dunfermline Athletic	Methil, Scotland
19:45		SPFL report		Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 1,094 Referee: Ross
	Penalties
	Docherty Willis Slattery Duggan Watson Mutch Wilson Dunsmore Gordon		Shiels Paton Clark Cardle Lochhead Morris Ashcroft Williamson Smith

Dunfermline Athletic v Peterhead

22 July 2017 Match 3	Dunfermline Athletic	5 – 1	Peterhead	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	McManus 7', 46' Cardle 12', 22' Ross 72' (o.g.)	SPFL report	McAllister 63' (pen.)	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 1,878 Referee: Madden

Heart of Midlothian v Dunfermline Athletic

29 July 2017 Match 4	Heart of Midlothian	2 – 2 (1 – 3 p)	Dunfermline Athletic	Edinburgh, Scotland
15:00	Cowie 20' Gonçalves 86'	SPFL report	Cardle 28' McManus 52'	Stadium: Tynecastle Stadium Attendance: 8,404 Referee: Thomson
	Penalties
	McGhee Lafferty Martin Cowie		Paton Lochhead McManus Wedderburn

Knockout phase

Rangers v Dunfermline Athletic

9 August 2017 Scottish League Cup round 2	Rangers	6 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Glasgow, Scotland
19:45	Miller 5' Alves 9' Morelos 23', 75' Tavernier 27' Candeias 57'	SPFL report		Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 35,262 Referee: Roberston

Scottish Challenge Cup

Main article: 2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup

Dunfermline Athletic v Arbroath

15 August 2017 Challenge Cup round 1	Dunfermline Athletic	2 – 0	Arbroath	Dunfermline, Scotland
19:45	Ryan 24', 40' Duthie  92'	SPFL report	Little  31'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 1,462 Referee: Anderson

Buckie Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic

2 September 2017 Challenge Cup round 2	Buckie Thistle	0 – 3	Dunfermline Athletic	Buckie, Scotland
15:00		SPFL report	Clark 7', 35' Ryan 39'	Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 609 Referee: Roncone

Falkirk v Dunfermline Athletic

7 October 2017 Challenge Cup round 3	Falkirk	2 – 0	Dunfermline Athletic	Falkirk, Scotland
15:00	Balatoni 19' Hippolyte 59'	SPFL report	Shiels  90+6'	Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 4,082 Referee: McLean

Scottish Cup

Main article: 2017–18 Scottish Cup

Queen's Park v Dunfermline Athletic

18 November 2017 Scottish Cup round 3	Queen's Park	1 – 4	Dunfermline Athletic	Glasgow, Scotland
15:00	Galt 65'	BBC Sport report	Clark 48' Talbot 59' Ryan 78' McManus 89'	Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 1,179 Referee: McLean

Dunfermline Athletic v Greenock Morton

20 January 2018 Scottish Cup round 4	Dunfermline Athletic	1 – 2	Greenock Morton	Dunfermline, Scotland
15:00	McManus 57'	BBC Sport report	Oliver 24' Quitongo 85'	Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 2,573 Referee: Muir

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

During the 2017–18 season, Dunfermline used twenty-seven different players in competitive matches. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player. Right wing-back Ryan Williamson made the most appearances, playing forty-six out of a possible 48 games; Nicky Clark scored the most goal, with twenty-one in all competitions.

As of 5 May 2018

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Scottish Championship		Scottish Cup		League Cup		Challenge Cup		Play-offs
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	SCO	Sean Murdoch	27	0	18	0	1	0	5	0	3	0	0	0
2	DF	SCO	Ryan Williamson	46	1	36	1	2	0	5	0	1	0	2	0
3	DF	SCO	Lewis Martin	26	0	13+3	0	0+1	0	5	0	2	0	2	0
4	DF	FRA	Jean-Yves Mvoto	21	0	11+2	0	1	0	0+4	0	1+1	0	0+1	0
5	DF	IRL	Callum Morris	40	2	28+2	2	2	0	5	0	1	0	2	0
6	DF	SCO	Lee Ashcroft	43	4	33	4	1	0	5	0	2	0	2	0
7	MF	ENG	Kallum Higginbotham	43	10	26+6	10	1+1	0	5	0	1+1	0	2	0
8	MF	ENG	Nat Wedderburn	36	0	23+4	0	2	0	4	0	1+1	0	0+1	0
9	FW	SCO	Declan McManus	44	13	28+4	7	2	2	5	3	1+2	0	1+1	1
10	FW	SCO	Nicky Clark	41	21	31+1	14	2	1	3	4	2	2	2	0
11	MF	ENG	Joe Cardle	34	10	16+9	7	2	0	5	3	1	0	0+1	0
12	MF	SCO	Daniel Armstrong	6	0	1+5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	MF	SCO	Aaron Splaine	12	0	3+4	0	0+1	0	0+1	0	3	0	0	0
14	DF	ENG	Jason Talbot	31	1	25+1	0	2	1	0	0	2	0	0+1	0
15	MF	SCO	Michael Paton	19	2	8+3	1	1	0	5	1	2	0	0	0
16	FW	SCO	Andy Ryan	24	8	5+14	4	1	1	0	0	2+1	3	1	0
17	DF	CAN	Fraser Aird	25	4	11+10	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	0
18	MF	SCO	Conner Duthie	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
19	MF	SCO	Scott Lochhead	7	0	0+1	0	0	0	0+4	0	2	0	0	0
20	GK	SCO	Cammy Gill	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0
25	GK	ENG	Lee Robinson	21	0	18	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
26	MF	ENG	James Vincent	12	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
27	MF	NIR	Dean Shiels	25	0	16+3	0	2	0	1+2	0	1	0	0	0
28	MF	ENG	James Craigen	18	1	14+1	1	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
30	GK	SCO	Craig Burt	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
31	MF	AUS	Tom Beadling	11	1	11	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players away from the club on loan:
21	MF	SCO	Brandon Luke (on loan at Cowdenbeath)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
23	FW	SCO	Callum Smith (on loan at Alloa Athletic)	19	3	8+5	2	0	0	1+3	1	1+1	0	0	0
22	DF	SCO	Stuart Morrison (on loan at Edinburgh City)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
24	DF	SCO	Paul Allan (on loan at Hill of Beath Hawthorn)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players who appeared for Dunfermline Athletic but left during the season:
12	FW	SCO	David Hopkirk	10	2	3+5	2	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0

a. ^ Includes the Scottish Premiership play-offs.

Clean sheets

No.	Pos	Nat	Name	Total	Scottish Championship	Scottish Cup	Scottish League Cup	Scottish Challenge Cup	Scottish Premiership play-offs
25	GK		Lee Robinson	12	11				1
1	GK		Sean Murdoch	8	4		2	2
Total				20	15	0	2	2	1

Last updated: 3 May 2018
Source: Match reports in Competitive matches

Goalscorers

During the 2017–18 season, fifteen Dunfermline players scored 84 goals in all competitions, with 1 goal having been an own goal scored by Peterhead defender Scott Ross. Striker Nicky Clark was the club's top scorer, with 21 goals in 48 competitive matches. Clark was the only player to have scored a hat-trick, scoring four in the first competitive fixture of the season against Elgin City and three against Championship opponents Brechin City and Queen of the South.

As of match played 4 May 2018^[5]

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Total	Scottish Championship	Scottish Cup	Scottish League Cup	Scottish Challenge Cup	Scottish Premiership play-offs
1	FW		Nicky Clark	21	14	1	4	2
2	FW		Declan McManus	13	7	2	3		1
3	MF		Kallum Higginbotham	10	10
	MF		Joe Cardle	10	7		3
5	FW		Andy Ryan	8	4	1		3
6	DF		Lee Ashcroft	4	4
	MF		Fraser Aird	4	4
8	FW		Callum Smith	3	2		1
9	DF		Callum Morris	2	2
	FW		David Hopkirk	2	2
	MF		Michael Paton	2	1		1
12	DF		Ryan Williamson	1	1
	MF		Tom Beadling	1	1
	MF		James Craigen	1	1
	DF		Jason Talbot	1		1
—			Own goal	1			1
Total				84	60	5	13	5	1

Disciplinary record

As of match played 4 May 2018^[36]

Squad number	Position	Nation	Name	Total		Scottish Championship		Scottish Cup		Scottish League Cup		Scottish Challenge Cup		Scottish Premiership play-offs
14	DF		Jason Talbot	7	1	5	1					1		1
7	MF		Kallum Higginbotham	6	1	5	1							1
9	MF		Declan McManus	5	1	5	1
6	DF		Lee Ashcroft	4	1	3				1					1
27	MF		Dean Shiels	3	1	3							1
18	DF		Conner Duthie	1	1							1	1
5	DF		Callum Morris	10		9				1
11	MF		Joe Cardle	9		7		1		1
2	DF		Ryan Williamson	6		6
4	DF		Jean-Yves Mvoto	5		5
8	MF		Nat Wedderburn	4		2		1		1
1	GK		Sean Murdoch	3		3
10	MF		Nicky Clark	3		3
31	MF		Tom Beadling	3		3
13	MF		Aaron Splaine	3		2						1
25	GK		Lee Robinson	2		2
28	MF		James Craigen	2		2
3	MF		Lewis Martin	1		1
12	DF		David Hopkirk	1		1
15	MF		Michael Paton	1		1
16	MF		Andy Ryan	1		1
17	MF		Fraser Aird	1		1
26	MF		James Vincent	1		1
19	MF		Scott Lochhead	1						1
Total				83	6	71	3	2	0	5	0	3	2	2	1

Club statistics

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
2	Livingston (O, P)	36	17	11	8	56	37	+19	62	Qualification for the Premiership play-off semi-final
3	Dundee United	36	18	7	11	52	42	+10	61	Qualification for the Premiership play-off quarter-final
4	Dunfermline Athletic	36	16	11	9	60	35	+25	59
5	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	36	16	9	11	53	37	+16	57
6	Queen of the South	36	14	10	12	59	53	+6	52

Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Points in head-to-head matches; 5) Goal difference in hth matches; 6). Goals scored in hth matches; 7). Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).^[37]
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Results by round

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36
Ground	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	H	A	A	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	H
Result	D	W	W	W	L	W	W	L	D	W	L	D	D	D	L	L	L	W	W	W	D	L	L	D	D	L	W	D	W	D	W	W	W	W	D	W
Position	4	2	2	1	2	1	1	3	3	2	3	4	3	4	4	5	5	3	4	3	3	4	5	5	5	6	5	5	5	5	4	3	3	3	4	4

Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2018. Source: DAFC.co.uk
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results summary

Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
36	16	11	9	60	35	+25	59	11	4	3	38	18	+20	5	7	6	22	17	+5

Last updated: 29 April 2018.
Source: Scottish Championship

League cup table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification		DNF	PET	HOM	EFI	ELG
1	Dunfermline Athletic (Q)	4	2	2	0	0	13	3	+10	10	Qualification for the Second Round		—	5–1	—	—	6–0
2	Peterhead	4	3	0	0	1	7	6	+1	9			—	—	2–1	1–0	—
3	Heart of Midlothian	4	2	0	1	1	7	4	+3	7			2–2p	—	—	3–0	—
4	East Fife	4	1	0	1	2	3	6	−3	4			0–0p	—	—	—	3–2
5	Elgin City	4	0	0	0	4	2	13	−11	0			—	0–3	0–1	—	—

Source: ^[38]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.^[39]
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated

Home attendances

  Win   Draw   Loss

Comp	Date	Score	Opponent	Attendance
League Cup	15 July 2017	6–0	Elgin City	1,757[40]
League Cup	22 July 2017	5–1	Peterhead	1,878[41]
Championship	12 August 2017	5–1	Inverness CT	4,391[42]
Challenge Cup	15 August 2017	2–0	Arbroath	1,462[43]
Championship	19 August 2017	3–1	Falkirk	5,751[44]
Championship	16 September 2017	3–0	St Mirren	6,628[45]
Championship	30 September 2017	1–3	Dundee United	7,585[46]
Championship	21 October 2017	3–1	Livingston	5,089[47]
Championship	21 November 2017	1–1	Greenock Morton	4,816[48]
Championship	25 November 2017	2–2	Dumbarton	4,505[49]
Championship	9 December 2017	2–5	Queen of the South	4,694[50]
Championship	23 December 2017	2–1	Brechin City	4,595[51]
Championship	2 January 2018	2–0	Falkirk	7,140[52]
Championship	13 January 2018	0–0	Dundee United	7,139[53]
Scottish Cup	20 January 2018	1–2	Greenock Morton	2,573[13]
Championship	26 January 2018	1–2	St Mirren	5,479[54]
Championship	13 March 2018	1–0	Inverness CT	2,249[55]
Championship	17 March 2018	0–0	Greenock Morton	4,816[56]
Championship	31 March 2018	3–1	Queen of the South	4,762[57]
Championship	3 April 2018	1–0	Livingston	4,572[58]
Championship	14 April 2018	4–0	Brechin City	4,898[59]
Championship	28 April 2018	4–0	Dumbarton	5,506[60]
Championship	1 May 2018	0–0	Dundee United	6,474[9]
			Average league attendance:	5,243[6]
			Total league attendance:	94,382[6]
			Average total attendance:	4,718[7]
			Total attendance:	108,526[7]

Last updated: 29 April 2018
Source: Match reports in Results

Awards

Monthly

Scottish Championship Manager of the Month

Month	Name
August	Allan Johnston[61]

Scottish Championship Player of the Month

Month	Player
August	Joe Cardle[61]
March	Nicky Clark[62]

Club

Month	Name
August	Callum Smith[63]
September	Ryan Williamson[64]
October	Jason Talbot[65]
November	Jason Talbot[66]
December	Dean Shiels[67]
January	Jean-Yves Mvoto[68]
February	Declan McManus[69]
March	Nicky Clark[70]

End of Season

PFA Scotland

Award	Player
PFA Scotland Scottish Championship Team of the Year	Ryan Williamson[71]

Club

Award	Player
DAFC Player of the Year	Lee Ashcroft
Player's Player of the Year	Lee Ashcroft
Joe Nelson Young Player of the Year	Callum Smith
Centenary Club Lifeline Player of the Year	Declan McManus
Kincardine Pars Supporters Club Player of the Year	Lee Ashcroft[72]
Young Pars Player of the Year	Declan McManus[72]

Transfers

First team

Players in Date Position No. Nationality Name From Fee Ref. 8 May 2017 DF 24 Paul Allan Fife Elite Football Academy Free [73] 17 May 2017 DF 4 Jean-Yves Mvoto Raith Rovers Free [16][17] 15 June 2017 FW 9 Declan McManus Fleetwood Town Free [74][75] 15 June 2017 MF 13 Aaron Splaine Kilmarnock Free [75][76] 17 July 2017 MF 27 Dean Shiels FC Edmonton Free [77][78][79] 3 August 2017 DF 17 Fraser Aird Falkirk Free [80][81] 15 August 2017 FW 16 Andy Ryan Airdrieonians Undisclosed [82] 17 August 2017 GK 30 Craig Burt AM Soccer Free [83] 2 January 2018 GK 25 Lee Robinson Queen of the South Free [84][85] 19 January 2018 MF 28 James Craigen Falkirk Free [86]

Players out Date Position No. Nationality Name To Fee Ref. 23 May 2017 FW 9 Michael Moffat Ayr United Free [20][21] 23 May 2017 DF 5 Callum Fordyce Queen of the South[19] Free [87] 25 May 2017 MF 6 Andy Geggan Ayr United Free [22][23] 31 May 2017 GK 43 David Hutton Arbroath[18] Free [88] 31 May 2017 DF 14 Ben Richards-Everton Accrington Stanley[89][90] Free [14] 31 May 2017 DF 19 Euan Spark Brechin City[91][92] Free 31 May 2017 MF 15 Lewis Spence Dundee[93] Free 31 May 2017 MF 16 Rhys McCabe Sligo Rovers Free [94] 9 November 2017 FW 12 David Hopkirk Derry City[95] Free [96]

Loans in Date Position No. Nationality Name From Duration Ref. 29 January 2018 MF 26 James Vincent Dundee End of season [97][98] 30 January 2018 DF 31 Tom Beadling Sunderland End of season [99][100] 31 January 2018 MF 12 Daniel Armstrong Wolverhampton Wanderers End of season [101][102]

Loans out Date Position No. Nationality Name To Duration Ref. 11 August 2017 MF 21 Brandon Luke Annan Athletic 5 months [103] 11 August 2017 DF 22 Stuart Morrison Edinburgh City Initially 5 months, extended until end of season[104] [105] 31 August 2017 DF 24 Paul Allan Stenhousemuir 5 months [106] 27 October 2017 MF 18 Conner Duthie Forfar Athletic 3 months [107] 3 November 2017 MF 19 Scott Lochhead Forfar Athletic 3 months [108] 12 January 2018 DF 24 Paul Allan Hill of Beath Hawthorn End of season [104][109] 26 January 2018 MF 21 Brandon Luke Cowdenbeath End of season [110]

Development squad Players out Date Position No. Nationality Name To Fee Ref. 31 May 2017 DF 27 Reece Duncan Camelon Juniors[111] Free [14] 31 May 2017 MF 29 Robbie Crawford Hamilton Academical[112] Free 31 May 2017 MF 28 Johnny Galloway Burntisland Shipyard[113] Free 31 May 2017 MF 25 Evan Horne St Mirren[114] Free

Contract extensions

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	Length	Expiry	Ref.
27 April 2017	DF		Stuart Morrison	2 years	2019	[115]
27 April 2017	FW		Callum Smith	2 years	2019
4 May 2017	DF		Lee Ashcroft	1 year	2018	[116][117]
5 May 2017	MF		Nat Wedderburn	1 year	2018	[118][119]
16 May 2017	DF		Callum Morris	1 year	2018	[120][17]
17 May 2017	MF		Kallum Higginbotham	1 year	2018	[121][17]
24 May 2017	MF		Scott Lochhead	1 year	2018	[122]
1 June 2017	MF		Jason Talbot	1 year	2018	[123][124]
20 June 2017	GK		Sean Murdoch	1 year	2019	[125][126]
29 June 2017	MF		Michael Paton	1 year	2018	[127][128]
20 October 2017	FW		Callum Smith	1 year	2020	[129]
27 October 2017	DF		Ryan Williamson	1 year	2019	[130]

Notes

1. Trialist
2. Trialist