Over the years since Association Football was founded in Scotland, many senior clubs have come and gone. Two clubs which have stayed the course are celebrating the centenary of their founding this year (2003) - Aberdeen (The Dons) and East Fife (The Fife). Both clubs have played special centenary games this season to mark this achievement - Aberdeen losing heavily to England's Liverpool, whilst East Fife, on Sunday past, lined up against Heart of Midlothian, the same club  they had played in their first ever game. That match took place on 15th August 1903 and ended in a 2-2 draw. History was not to be repeated as Premier Division Hearts, with several of their top players, proved too strong for their Second Division opponents. In spite of a splendid goal by The Fife's Paddy Kelly, The Jam Tarts ran out comfortable winners by two goals to one. The result on the day was not important as The Fife fans were there, in goodly numbers, to enjoy the occassion and pay tribute to former players such as Jimmy Bonthrone,  who also served for many years as Club Manager, and Jock McGarrity, the club's oldest surviving player. Jock McGarrity was in the East Fife team which won promotion to the top division in 1929/30. Special guests of honour were former Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish, who played for East Fife in the 1960s, and Scottish boxing legend Kenny Buchanan.

 

The Fife have so far made their centenary year a memorable one for their fans by gaining promotion, as runners-up, to the Second Division in season 2002/03. The part-time team made a good start to their first season back in the Second Divison for five years, and after three games were top of the league, inspiring fans to dream once again of the 'Glory Days' in the late 1930s, 40s and 50s, when the 'Men from Methil' were a real power in Scottish football.Next week we will join in The Fife centenary celebrations by looking in detail at that exciting part of the club's history when winning cups and supplying players to the National Team became second nature to this provincial club.

 

In 1998 East Fife moved from their base, since 1903, of Bayview Park, to a new stadium built at Methil Docks. As their ground, in common with their fellow centenary club Aberdeen, is now beside the sea, a fish recipe is appropriate for this week, and Aberdeen Whiting fills the bill!

 

Aberdeen Whiting

 

Ingredients : 8 small whiting, whole; seasoned flour; 2 oz (50 g) butter; chopped parsley; chopped chives or shallots; 1/4 pt (125 ml) fish stock or milk; 2 tbsp cream

 

Clean and gut the fish. flour them and fry in butter slowly without browning. Chop up the parsley and chives very finely. Add to stock or mlk and cream, mix well and pour over the whiting before they are cooked, Serve the fish and sauce with boiled potatoes.