TWENTY FIVE years ago, Paton’s Premier Pars were in their pomp as Dunfermline returned to Scottish football’s top flight after four seasons away.

After three near misses, the latter two of which were under their guidance, Bert Paton and Dick Campbell guided Athletic back to the big time after arguably the most dramatic and emotional season in the club’s history.

And, in March next year, fans will be able to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce over a memorable campaign in the company of those who were at the heart of it all.

The DAFC Former Players Association, with the Press as media sponsor, will celebrate the legends of the 1995/96 season by hosting a Sportsman’s Brunch with Bert and Dick.

The event, which will take place on Sunday March 20, at the Carnegie Conference Centre, will be hosted by Forth One’s Steven Mill – himself a Pars fan who regularly conducts video interviews for the club – as one of the most iconic management teams in the modern era join him on stage.

They are set to be joined by a number of players from throughout that season, which included goalkeeper Ian Westwater; full-back Marc Millar, who scored the vital penalty that sealed promotion and the First Division title; Andy Tod; popular midfielder Hamish French; legendary long-time servant, Stewart Petrie; and centre forward, Andy Smith.

Having missed out to Raith Rovers by a point the previous season, and subsequently losing the first-ever play-off for a Premier Division place to Aberdeen, Dunfermline went up against big spending, and heavy favourites, Dundee United, surprise package Greenock Morton, St Johnstone and Dundee in the race for the championship.

Off the pitch, they had to overcome the trauma of losing club captain and Athletic’s all-time record appearance holder, Norrie McCathie, in January 1996, with the players vowing to go on and ‘do it for Norrie’.

They would face a hectic schedule of games as the season moved towards its conclusion and, on the penultimate day, travelled to Tannadice to face United.

A win for the hosts would have sent them back to the top flight but, in a match that has gone down on folklore, Petrie’s early goal – despite his later sending off – gave the Pars the points and took them to the top of the table.

A crowd of more than 13,000 packed into East End the following week for the final day clash with Airdrieonians, where Millar’s penalty sealed a 2-1 win and the title.

Tickets, which cost £20 and includes a breakfast roll, entertainment, a raffle and an auction – will go on sale on November 10 from this website.