Football Season Guide

Dunfermline were shockingly relegated to League Two last season after six successive campaigns in the second flight. They are a club that knows it is not easy to bounce back from such a relegation, having spent three seasons trying to fight their way back up when they were relegated nine years ago. For a team that was in the top flight just 11 seasons ago, they find themselves in a demeaning position. The Pars have remained full-time this season and will be led by James McPake, who oversaw them towards the end of last term. McPake was reckoned to have done a fair job with Dundee, who were relegated after he was sacked last season, in the eyes of many people unfairly. He has a point to prove at East End Park. Dunfermline have the advantage of have retained much of their first-team squad. Admittedly, key figures like Dom Thomas and Steven Lawless have opted to remain in the Championship with Queen’s Park and Partick respectively, while they have also seen several players on loan depart, but the core of the team remains present. Indeed, McPake is likely to work with a team similar to that he had last season. Centre-back Kyle Benedictus has arrived from Raith Rovers and Chris Hamilton arrives from Hearts, but, otherwise, the outfield corps has a familiar feel to it. There is quality there, too, particularly in attack, where the four striking options of Kevin O’Hara, Craig Wighton, Lewis McCann and Nikolay Todorov all appear to be excellent for this level. It is no doubt the strength of their side. Meanwhile, former Premier League star Graham Dorrans will have a big role to play in midfield at the age of 35. Dunfermline fared well in the League Cup thanks to wins over East Fife and Buckie, while they only narrowly lost to Ross County, setting them up in an interesting manner for the season.