Ashes to ashes, dust to Dunf
Published 18 Oct 2012 13:00
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DEATH need not be the final whistle for Pars fans as they can now have their ashes scattered at the home of their favourite team.
Supporters whose time is up can now be with their beloved club forever with the creation of a memorial garden at East End Park.
Co-operative funeral director and lifelong Pars fan, Kenny McLachlan, contacted the club initially to suggest the installation of a special area.
He had observed a discussion on a fans' forum about fans wanting to have their ashes scattered at the stadium and felt that a memorial garden in the right area would make a fitting tribute to those who had passed away.
Kenny Arnott, the club'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.
"At DAFC we will make sure to always treat this area with the utmost respect."
The garden is located in a quiet corner of the ground over-looking the home goal.
The memorial stone depicts a football top with the DAFC logo on the front and is beautifully carved in locally sourced granite.
In addition to the stone, Co-operative Funeralcare has agreed to donate the Dunfermline Athletic Memorial Garden plaque that marks this special area at the stadium.
The club and Co-operative Funeralcare can also arrange memorial plaques to be positioned on the surrounding wall of the garden allowing family members to erect a lasting dedication to their loved ones.
One life-long Pars fan who already has a place in the memorial garden is the late Billy Henderson of Dunfermline, whose ashes were scattered at East End Park.
His wife, Glennis, said, "Billy was a great fan of Dunfermline Athletic 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 Gate 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."
Kenny 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 and we hope our donation of the football player memorial stone and garden signage plaque will help to mark this dignified corner of the stadium."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 18 Oct 12
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