THE upcoming campaign has been declared as a “fresh start” by James McPake and he is out to build positivity around East End.

But the new Pars manager is aware that he and his players have to earn the backing of the club’s supporters, and insists hard work will help them achieve it.

In November 2020, Dunfermline – under the management of Stevie Crawford – defeated Heart of Midlothian 2-1 at East End to go top of the Championship table.

They did not remain there, however, with the capital club going on to finish top of the pile comfortably, while the Pars lost out in the Premiership play-off quarter-final to Raith Rovers.

The contrast in fortunes of the teams couldn’t be more stark another year on, with the Jam Tarts finishing third in the top flight – securing group stage European football in the process – and reaching the Scottish Cup final, while Athletic suffered relegation after defeat in the Championship play-off semi-final, having had both Peter Grant and John Hughes at the helm.

More strikingly, Dunfermline have only won 17 games from 72 played in all competitions since that match, with 13 of those coming in 58 league matches and McPake knows that it is vital to build a feel-good factor after a demotion that the club’s board described as “gut-wrenching”.

“That’s natural when you get relegated,” when asked if his immediate task was to lift the club from a low ebb.

“That happened to me at Dundee. I came in after a relegation and you’re on your knees but you work hard, you strive to be better.

“If the players are willing to do that are here, and the additions that do come in are willing to do that and work the way that we believe this football club is going to work, and what we’re setting out for this football club to work, then we believe that we can bring back that good feeling that the fans will walk out on a Saturday, or a Tuesday night, whatever it may be, and be proud of their team again.

“That’s what we need to do because we’ve not won enough games, it’s as simple as that. That’s why we’re in League One – it’s because we’ve not won enough games. Get everything lifted, how do you do it? You work really hard, you get good players in that are willing to work hard and buy into the project, and then you win games of football.”

The club’s current position didn’t leave McPake with any hesitation over whether it was the right move to return to the game following his departure from Dundee, as he continued: “Absolutely not.

“Funnily enough, in February, when I was relieved of my duties at Dundee, I had been in the game a while, as a player, an injured player, rehabbed a lot, and it took its toll on my body. Then I was straight into retiring and being the under-18s coach – straight in, no day off – and straight to being first-team manager.

“I had no break at all, so I’d planned on taking what you may have called a longer break and assessing, which I’ve been doing, and I have done.

“I don’t think because I’ve come back in earlier than expected that that wasn’t going to be the case.

“It’s a challenge of myself, the players, the full football club, to get us back, first and foremost on an even keel, to get us settled and back winning games of football, then a trajectory that’s upwards as opposed to what’s been happening recently.”

Pre-season is due to start next month.