Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters Club

News & Events

Lift Access Project to Proceed

£5000 to DADSC from Carnegie Dunfermline Trust

We are delighted that the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust has generously agreed to grant £5000 to DADSC towards the provision of a lift and associated building work at KDM Group East End Park.

Derek Williamson

At DADSC we were sorry to hear of the passing of Pars fan Derek Williamson, who had been a regular on one of the wheelchair viewing platforms at KDM Group East End Park.

DADSC held bucket collections in Asda`s Dunfermline Halbeath store on 6 and 7 July, raising £469 for the First Floor Access fund. Many thanks to Asda, to the many people who donated so generously, and of course to our team of Josephine Chesby, Dave Nugent, Wullie Oliphant and John Simpson

Stewart Petrie Testimonial Shirt and Programme

DADSC raffled this Stewart Petrie Testimonial Shirt and Dinner Programme and raised £295 (less bank charges)

DADSC is pleased that the donated Sergio Ramos shirt sold on ebay for £310 (less £35 commission)

PARS GIRLS WIN £3000 FOR DADSC

Three girls from Dunfermline High School have won £3000 for DADSC!

ANOTHER £1000 FOR DADSC

DADSC has been awarded £1000 in the Benefact Group`s "Movement for Good" draw, which is run regularly to assist UK charities. This is the second time DADSC has been successful!
The money will be added to the First Floor Access fund.

Bucket Collection at EEP

Huge thanks to the ever-generous Pars fans, who donated £655 to the DADSC First Floor Access Fund at a bucket collection which took place on 20 April before the match against Queens Park at KDM Group East End Park.

Asda Collections

DADSC`s bucket collection teams visited the two Asda stores in Dunfermline (St Leonards and Halbeath) on 10 and 17 March, raising £367 for the First Floor Access fund. Many thanks to Asda, to the many people who donated so generously, and of course to our team of Josephine Chesby, David Henderson, Dave Nugent and John Simpson

CAFE WEEK OF ACTION 2024

The Week of Action headed by CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe), uses #TotalAccess to harness the power of sport as a catalyst for disability-inclusive change in wider society. For 2024, DADSC and DAFC promoted the work done by The Pars Foundation and local charity Fairway Fife to build the confidence of those with autism or other learning disabilities and make them feel less isolated within our community.

Andrius Skerla 2004 Cup Final Shirt* (Signed and Framed)

DADSC received this magnificent framed DAFC 2004 Cup Final shirt* with a photo of the Pars goal celebration, both signed personally by ANDRIUS SKERLA.

Big Country Donation to DADSC

DADSC has received a phenomenal £2504 from the Big Country Trading Post Facebook Group. Each year the group holds a Charity Christmas Raffle of Big Country memorabilia and DADSC was delighted to have been chosen as the 2024 recipient.

A-MAY-ZING DONATION FROM CEROC

Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters` Club (DADSC) has received £2536 from the Ceroc dance organisation, following the Ceroc Scotland Championships in October.

Jim Sneddon Funeral Donation

We extend our sincere thanks to Stevie Sneddon and family, who have kindly donated to DADSC the £317 collected at the funeral of his dad, lifelong Pars fan Jim Sneddon - our thoughts are with you all.

McDonald`s Donates to DADSC

DADSC has been given a £3000 donation from McDonald’s in the Community Trust, a charity set up by franchisees in Scotland to distribute to good causes the revenue from the Scottish Government’s carrier bag charge.

Kiltwalk for DADSC

On Sunday 20 August three Dancing Divas from the Ceroc dance community in Dundee (Sheena, Alison and Julie) tackled the 20 mile Kiltwalk from St Andrews to Dundee, raising over £2600 in the process. You can encourage the girls even more by using this JustGiving link to donate to DADSC - just whatever you can afford.
JustGiving Page

DADSC POTY/YPOTY Awards 2022/23

Congratulations to Kyle Benedictus and Matthew Todd, voted by DADSC members as Player and Young Player of the Year for 2022/23. The trophies were presented on 29 April at the Centenary Club event by DADSC`s Dave Nugent and Alistair Carstairs.

CAFE Week of Action 2023

The DAFC v FC Edinburgh match on 18 March was the scene for celebrations of the 2023 Week of Action for CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe).

A bucket collection and merchandise pop-up shop raised more than £800 for the DADSC 1st Floor Access Fund, 10-year old wheelchair user Calvin Early led out the Pars, and a 7-a-side match took place at half-time between the Scottish National Cerebral Palsy Team and a Pars Legends team that included Hamish French, Scott Thomson, John Watson and Andy Tod, shown in entirety in a video produced by ParsTV (click on "Read More" below).

There`s also a short video (click on "Read More" below) of the occasion, containing interviews with Graham Ross, DAFC`s Disability Access Officer, and Greig Taylor, Manager of the Scotland National CP Team.

Play Your Part

Along with several other groups in the Pars family, DADSC attended the "Play Your Part" event at East End Park, celebrating the work of volunteers and seeking to gain new ones. The picture shows Trustees Roger Hyde and David Laming at DADSC`s display table.
DADSC flyers were distributed to those who attended, and two new members were recruited.

DADSC Fund Hits its First Target

The DADSC fund to provide access for disabled fans to the EEP function suites has reached its first target of £55k, originally set in 2016. This remarkable achievement shows the determination, creativity and generosity of Pars supporters as well as of others in the community. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
However, with the passage of time and current inflation even more money will be needed, so DADSC will continue to raise funds for the project, with a target of an additional £20,000.
Meantime we are working with DAFC Ltd and with Pars United EEP Ltd (the stadium owners) to find a solution that meets everyone`s needs. Please continue to support DADSC.

£4000 Grant to DADSC

DADSC is delighted to have been awarded £4000 from the Green Hall Foundation, for which we are very grateful. This will help enormously towards improving access to the 1st Floor function suites at East End Park for those with mobility problems.
The Green Hall Foundation is named in honour of its two benefactors (Constance Vera Green and Colonel Robert Henry Hall OBE). Its objective is to sustainably improve lives: among the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged.

DADSC Fund Passes £50k mark

DADSC is delighted to announce that our First Floor Access Fund has now passed the £50k mark, thanks to the generosity of our supporters and benefactors.
The aim is to fund building work which will give access to the first floor function suites at East End Park for any supporter, staff member or member of the public who has mobility problems due to age or mobility,

Donate by Text to DADSC

You can now use text to donate from £1 to £10 to DADSC.*
To donate £1, text DADSC to 70201
To donate £3, text DADSC to 70331
To donate £5, text DADSC to 70970
To donate £10, text DADSC to 70191
If you want to donate more, you can do so online HERE

* Read more in the note below on how your donation is collected.

£2000 Award to DADSC

DADSC is delighted to have been awarded £2000 from the Arnold Clark Community Fund, for which we are very grateful.
This will help enormously towards improving access to the 1st Floor function suites at East End Park for those with mobility problems.

£1000 Award to DADSC

DADSC is delighted to announce that we have been awarded £1000 in the Benefact Group`s "Movement for Good" June draw. Many thanks to all who nominated DADSC in this draw - perhaps it was your nomination that was the successful one!

Morecambe Bay Sponsored Walk

On Sunday 8 May the DADSC Secretary (John Simpson) took part in a ten-mile walk across the sands and rivers of Morecambe Bay, and raised over £430 for DADSC`s fund to get access for disabled supporters to the 1st Floor function suites at East End Park. Thanks to everyone who sponsored John.
The Cross Bay walk is a regular event for fundraisers but is not completely without its risks - the sands and river courses change regularly, so the walk is led by the official Queen`s Guide to the Sands.
The sponsorship opportunity is still open, and anyone wishing to contribute can do so by clicking on the "GoFundMe" link below:
GoFundMe

ASDA Bucket Collection

On Saturday 30 April, DADSC had a bucket collection at ASDA`s Dunfermline St Leonard`s store, and raised £186 towards getting access to the 1st Floor function suites at EEP for those with mobility problems.

CAFE WEEK OF ACTION 2022

On 18 March, at the match with Morton, DADSC and DAFC worked together with ParsTV to support the 2022 Week of Action organised by CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) along with football clubs in countries throughout Europe.
There was a trackside appearance and parade of Paralympian Gold Medallist Owen Miller and other disabled athletes, wearing specially designed CAFE/DADSC t-shirts and holding a CAFE banner. Jim Leishman, representing DAFC and also as the Provost of Fife took part in the parade and presented Owen with a DAFC shirt showing "GOLDEN 1" while the Pars fans gave huge support to everyone. .
The Pars TV half-time show (you can watch the video HERE. had interviews with Owen Miller, Graham Ross (DAFC DAO) and Pamela Robson (Chair of Disability Sport Fife) and the event was subsequently reported in the Dunfermline Press.

Bullseye for DADSC

DADSC is delighted to announce that thanks to one of our benefactors we are now an official sponsor of the Inverkeithing & District Darts League for this season. As a result we will work together to promote each other’s activities, with the possibility of DADSC holding collections at some of the darts events.

Frank Walked the West Highland Way

Between November 3- 7, long time Pars fan Frank Smart, accompanied by his stepson Clark, walked the 96 miles miles of the West Highland Way, raising £340 + Gift Aid for DADSC. This was a magnificent effort and is very much appreciated by DADSC

Davie Young (1930-2021)

At DADSC we were sad to hear of the death of Davie Young, just short of his 91st birthday.

Davie was a Pars fan since childhood, and in his later years as a wheelchair user he was a regular on the viewing platform at East End Park – he appreciated the company of the Match Buddies and was always cheery, no matter the result on the pitch! His nephew Wullie Oliphant is part of the DAFC Schools Engagement Team.

Pushing the Boat Out

For a short period, DADSC was the owner of a Shetland 535 motor boat (with outboard motor & trailer), generously donated by one of our members - see the picture above.
We sold the boat to raise funds for improving accessibility at EEP, and it raised a magnificent £1000, which will be uplifted by 25% through the Government`s Gift Aid scheme.

DADSC & CAFE Sponsor DAFC Match

DADSC was delighted to be the joint sponsor of the match on 13 March against Morton, along with CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) as part of CAFE`s 2021 Week of Action.
Pre-match interviews highlighted the work of DADSC and DAFC to deliver #TotalAccess for disabled fans, and the Man of the Match was chosen by DADSC supporters, using social media to vote. You can watch the video HERE.

Cash in the Attic

Please look out any unwanted items which DADSC can collect and sell to help our fundraising. Just contact the Secretary to arrange collection (subject to Covid restrictions.) Goods must be in Fife, transportable in an estate car, in decent condition and likely to be sold!

CAFE

CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) is a UEFA partner and works with clubs and supporters` associations across Europe, with the aim of achieving #TotalAccess to football for disabled fans. DADSC has worked closely with CAFE and will continue to support their activities, including the Week of Action on 6-14 March 2021.
You can find out more about CAFE on their website HERE or if you just click the red "Read More" you`ll see an animated cartoon of the work CAFE does.

£100 SAVING ON ENERGY BILLS

You will get £100 off your energy bill (£50 each for gas and electricity) if you change to ScottishPower using this link:
DADSC £100 ENERGY SAVER!
And DADSC will benefit by £100 as well, so it`s win-win!

Donations by Card Now Possible

You can donate to DADSC using a credit or debit card. Just use the link to the easyfundraising page (no need to sign up), click "Give a Donation", then insert the amount and your card details. HMRC will increase the value of your donation by Gift Aid if you`re a UK taxpayer.

Amazon Supports DADSC

When you buy online from Amazon, you can support DADSC by making your purchase through smile.amazon.co.uk - please use this link rather than the "standard" Amazon URL.

Easyfundraising for DADSC

DADSC has joined with easyfundraising.com so that whenever a purchase is made online from any one of about 4000 retailers, a donation is made to DADSC (at no cost to the customer.) Please sign up at THIS LINK

Co-op Supports DADSC

We`re delighted that DADSC was chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund, from October 2019 until October 2020. An amazing £2686 was added to DADSC funds as a result!
DADSC strongly recommends that everyone should become a Co-op member and participate in their Local Community Fund to benefit local good causes.

DADSC Awards 2018/19

The DADSC Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year trophies, as voted for by DADSC members, were presented on 27 April 2019 at the Glen Pavilion to JOE THOMSON and MATTHEW TODD, by John Simpson and Alistair Carstairs. Many thanks to Thomas Nugent and Alistair Carstairs for their sponsorship of these magnificent trophies.

Calvin`s Big Day

The Pars’ Matchday Mascot for the 13 April match against Falkirk was 6-year old Calvin Early, from Hollybrae Estate in Kirkcaldy.

Collection Day 2019

On 13 April 2019, DADSC held a bucket collection at EEP before the Falkirk game, and £663 was donated by Pars (and Bairns) fans for our 1st Floor Access Fund. Eventually, HMRC should add 25% to this through the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme. We also sold £82 on the merchandise stall. Well done to everyone who helped.

That`s TV Interview with DADSC

John Simpson, DADSC Secretary, was interviewed by Jordan Burt for an article broadcast several times on 19 March 2019 by That`sTV East of Scotland (Freeview Channel 8).

Gift Aid

Since DADSC is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, any donation you make to DADSC will be boosted by 25% at no cost to yourself through the Government`s Gift Aid scheme.

Stewart Petrie Shirt Auction

This magnificent framed and signed shirt raised £200 from an online auction in October 2018. It is from Stewart Petrie`s 2003 testimonial match and has been signed by the squad. The frame measures 34” x 32”. Proceeds from the auction all went towards providing wheelchair access to the 1st Floor at EEP.

Kittiwake House Weekend

A self-catering weekend (Fri-Mon) at Kittiwake House, St Monans, was made available for auction in August 2018, thanks to the generosity of the owner. £340 was raised for the Lift Fund.the winning bid coming from Pars fan Billy George.
Limousine transport to/from Dunfermline was generously provided by Coop Funeralcare.

Charitable Status

On 18 July 2018, Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters Club (DADSC) became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and is included on the Scottish Charity Register (No 048550).

Auction (Pat Gardner Signed Prints)

Pat Gardner signs the Paul Town prints auctioned in April 2018 via the supporters` forum on dafc.net

CAFE Week of Action 2018

Across Europe, 3-11 March 2018 was the CAFE Week of Action, an annual celebration of disabled people and their important roles across all levels of football. Dunfermline Athletic FC was pleased to join with clubs in over 20 countries in supporting the 2018 theme “Total Football - Total Access”.

Disability Access Officer

The post of DAFC`s Disability Access Officer (DAO) is to deal with problems and enquiries from fans, to liaise with other clubs about arrangements for travelling supporters, and generally to improve the matchday experience for disabled fans. The role developed from that pioneered in 2014 by Ishbel Russell as DAFC`s Disability Champion, and all Scottish football clubs are now required to have a DAO in place.

In June 2017, Lynsey Jones became DAFC`s first Disability Access Officer (DAO), a post she held until February 2019, when she resigned to concentrate on other things in her life. Lynsey was succeeded by Kenny Cowan, and after Kenny`s untimely death in 2020, the post of DAO was assumed by Graham Ross (pictured).

Graham is on hand to assist supporters with queries and can be contacted at dao@dafc.co.uk or on 07877 980028.

Merchandise

DADSC has its own merchandise, available for purchase - click HERE to send us a message by email and we`ll make arrangements with you for payment and collection.

DA Day 22 Oct 2016

On Saturday 22 October 2016 we held our Disability Awareness Day (DA Day), with the centrepiece being the DAFC match against Hibernian.

Lift Proposals

DADSC has published an outline of the proposed arrangements to get wheelchair access to the 1st Floor function suites at East End Park.

BANDING TOGETHER FOR DADSC

Leroy Day is an annual charity event run by Billy George (better known to Pars fans as “honk”) to remember Billy’s late friend and bandmate.

Badges

Specially designed DADSC lapel badges are now available (£5 each) from various locations at EEP.

Match Buddies

DAFC is (we believe) the first club in Scotland to operate the Match Buddy scheme, where trained volunteers help disabled fans - but only if they want help!
The sort of thing a Match Buddy does is buying programmes or 50/50 tickets, getting items from the kiosks, and providing the Pars “chill-cheater” blankets.
In our picture you can see Clover Bell (Match Buddy) in action, with DADSC member Ali Carstairs and Gillian Cosgrove.