WEST FIFE football legends Jim Leishman and Dick Campbell are planning to swap pitches for the stage for a night of nostalgia, stories... and loads of laughs.
The pair paid a visit to the Carnegie Hall last week to launch their show ‘A Football Comedy Night: Dick Campbell and Friends’ for which the Dunfermline Press are media partners.
Former Dunfermline Athletic manager and one of Scotland's top after dinner speakers, the legendary Dick Campbell will host and take part in this night of football comedy on Thursday, October 26.
For Pars fans, Dick is probably best remembered for his time managing the club after previously serving as Bert Paton's assistant.
Paton and Campbell guided Dunfermline to promotion in the 1995–96 Scottish First Division season, and also achieved their then highest Scottish Premier League position, finishing fifth in the 1996–97, with their team known for their adventurous attacking style of play.
More recently, Dick came tantalisingly close to taking his part time club Arbroath into the Premier League, which would have been a magnificent achievement.
Following on from hosting the sell-out ‘Football Comedy Night’ in the same venue last year, Dick is looking forward to returning with a completely new show and line-up.
“I can guarantee people will love the myriad of funny stories from the world of football that my guests, two of the funniest speakers on the circuit, will bring to the stage of the Carnegie Hall," he said. "There may also be some surprises on the night - at last year’s event Sir Alex Ferguson sent a message to be read out saying how highly he regarded Bert Paton, who was in the audience, when he played alongside him in the 1960s.”
Joining Dick will be the highly accomplished and much in demand after-dinner speaker John Gahagan, renowned for his ability to entertain audiences with his humorous and engaging speeches.
He is a former professional footballer who played for several clubs throughout his career, including Falkirk, Motherwell, and Airdrie. During his playing career, John established a reputation as a highly skilled midfielder with an eye for goal. He was a key player for both Motherwell and Airdrie, helping his teams achieve success in both domestic and European competitions.
He was inducted into the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the prestigious Scottish Football Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Completing the bill will be none other than legendary former Pars manager and player Jim Leishman who is no stranger to the stage of the Carnegie Hall
“I have appeared in the Carnegie Hall on a number of occasions over the years and am very much looking forward to returning there in October for what should be a fantastic and very funny night," said Leish.
"I remember my first ever appearance there many years ago for a sell-out Q&A event with Jock Stein.”
Tickets for a ‘Football Comedy Night’ on Thursday, October 26, at 7.30pm, which is sponsored by Ian Brown Motor Engineers, are available priced £20 from the Carnegie Hall Box Office on 01383 602302.
The Dunfermline Press has a pair of tickets to give away for ‘A Football Comedy Night: Dick Campbell and Friends’.
For your chance to win the tickets, tell us in which season Bert Paton and Dick Campbell guided Dunfermline Athletic to the Scottish First Division title.
Email your answer, along with your name, address and a contact telephone number, to editorial@dunfermlinepress.co.uk by the closing date of Thursday, September 14. Please include 'Football Comedy Competition' in the subject line.
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