In a match made in heaven, the Pars have teamed up with Co-operative Funeralcare to create a memorial garden.
Now death is no barrier for devoted fans who want to stay close to their favourite team.
The garden, complete with a stone Dunfermline Athletic (DAFC) strip made of locally-sourced granite, is the brainchild of Co-operative funeral director Kenny McLachlan.
Mr McLachlan, who is himself an ardent Pars fan, contacted the East End Park club to suggest the installation of a special area, so fans could continue to be there in spirit with their beloved idols.
The idea came after he spotted a thread on a supporters’ website.
Mr McLachlan observed a discussion on the fans’ forum about Pars fans who wanted to have their ashes scattered at the Halbeath Road stadium.
They felt that a memorial garden, put in the right place, would be a fitting tribute to those who had passed away.
The club was pleased to become involved.
Kenny Arnott, DAFC’s stadium manager and safety officer, said: ”We were delighted when Kenny came to us with this suggestion of a lasting memorial garden at East End Park.
”The Co-operative’s generous donation of the memorial stone to the garden acts as an appropriate marker for Pars fans who wish to stay close to their favourite football team even after death.
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”At DAFC we will make sure to always treat this area with the utmost respect.”
The widow of one Pars fan has already scattered his ashes at the memorial, which is located in a quiet corner of the ground.
In August the ashes of Dunfermline man William Henderson, a lifelong Pars supporter, were scattered in the memorial garden.
His wife Glennis said: ”Billy was a great fan of DAFC and at every home game he sat behind the goals at the Norrie McCathie stand along with his pals Ian, Jimmy and nephew Graeme.
”He used to run a fans’ club called the Park Gait Social Club and a number of players donated and presented cups at the club’s end-of-year dances.
”He also knew Jim Leishman and Bert Paton very well from Dora Golf Club in Cowdenbeath.
”It seems a very fitting way for my husband to stay close to his beloved football club, even after he has gone, and this is very much what he would have wanted.”
Along with the memorial stone, Co-operative Funeralcare has agreed to donate a plaque to mark the special area.
The club and Co-op can also arrange memorial plaques to be positioned on the surrounding wall of the garden, allowing family members to put up a lasting dedication to their loved ones.
Mr McLachlan added: ”As a Pars fan myself, I know how much East End Park means to people, so we’re really pleased to be collaborating with DAFC on this memorial garden.
”We hope our donation of the football player memorial stone and garden signage plaque will help to mark this dignified corner of the stadium.”
”At DAFC we will make sure to always treat this area with the utmost respect.”
The widow of one Pars fan has already scattered his ashes at the memorial, which is located in a quiet corner of the ground.
In August the ashes of Dunfermline man William Henderson, a lifelong Pars supporter, were scattered in the memorial garden.
His wife Glennis said: ”Billy was a great fan of DAFC and at every home game he sat behind the goals at the Norrie McCathie stand along with his pals Ian, Jimmy and nephew Graeme.
”He used to run a fans’ club called the Park Gait Social Club and a number of players donated and presented cups at the club’s end-of-year dances.
”He also knew Jim Leishman and Bert Paton very well from Dora Golf Club in Cowdenbeath.
”It seems a very fitting way for my husband to stay close to his beloved football club, even after he has gone, and this is very much what he would have wanted.”
Along with the memorial stone, Co-operative Funeralcare has agreed to donate a plaque to mark the special area.
The club and Co-op can also arrange memorial plaques to be positioned on the surrounding wall of the garden, allowing family members to put up a lasting dedication to their loved ones.
Mr McLachlan added: ”As a Pars fan myself, I know how much East End Park means to people, so we’re really pleased to be collaborating with DAFC on this memorial garden.
”We hope our donation of the football player memorial stone and garden signage plaque will help to mark this dignified corner of the stadium.”