CHRIS HAMILTON was a fan in the stands when Athletic last picked up a league championship trophy.

Seven years ago, the 21-year-old, who began his football journey aged four with the Pars Foundation at their mini kickers classes, enjoyed the celebrations, whilst sitting alongside his family, as a Pars squad packed with names such as Josh Falkingham, Andy Geggan and Joe Cardle lifted the League One trophy.

Fast forward to 2023 and the midfielder, who arrived last summer after leaving Heart of Midlothian, could scarcely believe he was at the centre of the party, and the supporters' adulation, as he himself was able to get his hands on silverware.

Not only has Hamilton, alongside his pals, made history by winning the club's seventh league title, and becoming the first Dunfermline side since before the Second World War to finish their home fixtures without defeat, but he led the team out for their party day.

Dunfermline Press:

Chris Hamilton celebrates with his team-mates after Lewis McCann's winner on Saturday. Photo: Craig Brown.

He was handed the armband with club skipper, Kyle Benedictus, suspended, and said afterwards that that was a "very proud moment" on what had been a "crazy" afternoon, which saw fans swarm onto the pitch for photos with their heroes after the trophy lift.

"100 per cent it is. I'm not just saying that," he replied when asked if winning a championship with the Pars was a boyhood dream come true.

"When I came here as a wee boy watching, I've watched them win the League One trophy before and, if you'd told me that day that, in five, six years time, that I'd be doing the same, captaining the boys on the day, and then playing in the team, I wouldn't have believed you. It's crazy.

"I think I was up in the Main Stand (in 2016), again, just with my family, because they're Dunfermline fans as well. To be on the pitch playing, and captaining the boys, is something that will live with me forever.

"Just having my family there, and seeing what it means to them as well, is crazy. It's something that I never thought I would be able to do.

"Winning a trophy anywhere is massive but, to do it with the team you've grown up supporting, and your whole family supports, it's crazy. It's something that will live with me forever."

Whilst Hamilton's pride in leading the team out for their final home game with Clyde, before they were presented with the trophy, was undeniable, the former Arbroath loan star also had sympathy with Benedictus, who had played every minute of Dunfermline's league matches until his red card at Airdrieonians the previous week.

"Amazing, obviously, a very proud moment," he continued.

"I had an idea when Bene got sent off last week that that would probably be the case. I've been looking forward to it.

"Obviously, I'm gutted for Bene, because he deserved to lead the team out today and take all the credit, but he'll get enough credit this season for what he's done for us.

"I'm delighted for all the boys; they've worked so hard all season. I'm delighted for the management staff, all the staff behind the scenes, because they work so hard.

"This day, and days like today, is for everyone."

On his team's outstanding home record, which stands at 10 wins and eight draws from 18 league outings, Hamilton added: "I think we've maybe not been given as much credit, especially off some people and teams, that we deserved probably this season for our record, and how a lot of people spoke about how hard this league was going to be at the start of the season. I was one of them.

"As a fan, when the team got brought down – I didn't know I was going to be here at that point – but I was saying it's going to be a tough year, and they were going to have to get a good team together and give it a good go, because there's going to be a lot of teams in the league that would fancy themselves.

"To do it the way we've done it, like you say, unbeaten at home, and only losing one game so far, is crazy, but we want to keep going.

"We'll regroup in the summer. We'll rest, because we need it, but, as soon as we're back in, we'll be focussing on next season, and we'll want to kick on and succeed again."