Stanza

Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters' Club (DADSC) is holding a bucket collection before Saturday's match against Queens Park, raising funds for a lift to give our disabled fans access to the function suites in the Main Stand. If you can take part, please meet DADSC Trustee Eddie Martin at 1.30pm outside the Club Shop. It will also help Eddie plan the collection if you let him know beforehand (eddie@dafc.co.uk) that you'll be there. And if you're not collecting, please bring some cash with you to put in one of the buckets - look out for the collectors in their light blue hi-vis jackets. If you won't be there, you can also make a donation by credit or debit card via the QR link below, or go directly to the payment page HERE. As always, thank you all for your continued generosity.

To be fair to DD (must I?), he's using a guid Scots word, certainly in the West of Scotland. He spells it slightly differently from the Scottish National Dictionary, but spelling has always been flexible - particularly in the West ... https://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sndns2594#:~:text=MOLOCATE%2C v.,2000s).

Re Dom Thomas (and others). I've never understood why fans (of all clubs) not only accept but actively support the idea that a football club should be ruthless in "moving players on" to suit the club's interests, but a player should have a different attitude and not pursue his own interests. Football is a short career, and (at our level anyway) not particularly well paid. There must be very few fans who wouldn't jump at the chance of a better-paid job in a happier environment nearer to home.

This is a lovely little video of the HT match last month between young adults from The Pars Foundation and local charity Fairway Fife, as part of DAFC and DADSC`s involvement with the Europe-wide 2024 Week of Action organised by CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe). Huge thanks to Jordan and the ParsTV team for putting it together. #TotalAccess https://youtu.be/tGXgdBbsphk?si=Npc0Rde96xGxqmmA

Luke Garrard, manager of Boreham Wood FC, will be leaving at the end of the season after 8 years in post. After several good seasons the club is in the relegation zone and has had a poor run of results recently, so no big surprise. What is perhaps unusual is how warmly the club praised the manager in its statement about his departure. There can't be many times a manager leaving a club after six successive defeats has had such a glowing report from.the chairman. https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/club-statement-luke-garrard/?

Prior to DAFC' admin problems we were among the best in Scotland (admittedly that was a low bar to beat) but since then several clubs, not just in the Premiership, have significantly improved their facilities so I don't think we hold that position now - still better than many, though, especially outwith the Premiership. I couldn't now say where we are in the "league table", every club has its own set of circumstances and requirements. As long as we all keep trying to improve facilities for ALL fans I'm reasonably happy - still a long way to go, though.

This is an excellent BBC article about progress (or lack of it) in improving access to football at Scotland's Premiership grounds for people with a disability. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68610204?fbclid=IwAR1U-Hssed5a9jm5OxzXSUSGX1pmbonM_x96GvkqDaLsgDW9DNHpd8w2Gpc I particularly liked the comment from St Johnstone's Bev Mayer: "If somebody brings something to our attention, then we ask 'how can we achieve this?'," she says. "You learn from your supporters, the biggest educators we've got are the service users."

Delighted to report that we raised £224 on the day (including payments by card and online). Many thanks to the collecting team of Josephine Chesby, John Simpson and David Henderson, and of course to all the generous folk who contributed.

Thanks, Piracy - much appreciated. Here's a direct link if anyone else wants to pay by card. https://fifepay.co.uk/checkout/dadsc-card-payment

DADSC will be holding a bucket collection today (Sunday) from 10.30 - 3.30 at Asda Halbeath - if you're shopping, say hello and please bring some cash for the buckets! (But even if you don't have cash we have a card reader!) All money will go to the First Floor Access Fund.

Every little helps. You can save up some cash and bring it to Asda Halbeath this Sunday (17th). And we have a card reader for people who don't carry cash, so that makes a difference. Footfall in the store was very low after midday due to Mother's Day lunches and live sports on TV, but we collected £143, which was fine. Some pics here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PvEKsbuottEykex1/

Bump

DADSC will be holding a bucket collection on Sunday 10 March (10.30-3.30) at the front door of Asda St Leonards. If you would like to help for part of that time, even just half-an-hour or so, it would be much appreciated - please get in touch with me or come along on the day. And if you are shopping at Asda St Leonards in those times, please bring some spare cash with you (but we`ll also have a card reader so there really is no escape!) All money raised will go into the DADSC First Floor Access Fund. [i][/i]

We're really glad the event went so well and was appreciated by fans of both clubs. Those who took part were (as Digs said) absolutely buzzing about the whole experience, and they got to keep their shirts as mementos of the occasion. There's now an article and some of Craig Brown's pics on the DAFC official website: https://dafc.co.uk/cafe-week-of-action-2024/

Huge thanks tonight to the Pars supporters for the magnificent applause and encouragement they gave to those taking part in the half-time exhibition match. The players and their families were buzzing afterwards about the whole experience. For those who missed the tannoy announcement, the teams were from The Pars Foundation and Fairway Fife, a local charity which helps those living with learning disabilities or autism to live independent lives. The Pars Foundation works with Fairway Fife to deliver a weekly two-hour coaching session aimed at helping participants develop relationships with others and increase their confidence. This evening's event was co-ordinated by Graham Ross, DAFC's Disability Access Officer, as part of the 2024 Week of Action arranged by football clubs all over Europe by CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe), whose aim is to maximise access to football for those living with a physical or mental disability. DAFC and DADSC have an excellent relationship with CAFE, and we have fully supported the initiative for several years - punching well above our weight if truth be told! #TotalAccess A couple of quick pics from tonight are shown below: