Dunfermline: Chris Hamilton ready for his first Raith derby

The Pars midfielder strayed into enemy territory last year, when he moved to Kirkcaldy with his girlfriend, and there have been a few double takes in the shopping aisles.

Having cheered on Dunfermline as a fan against Raith, he's hoping to play in the derby for the first time – even if victory annoys the neighbours and one side of the family.

Asked about the build-up to the game, he laughed: "I stay in Kirkcaldy now so I get the other side of it, and the dirty looks when I'm walking round Sainsbury's!

"It's probably more Dunfermline fans that have recognised me but maybe after a few games against Raith I will start to get noticed by the other side.

"I'll need to get changed after the games and stick something on over my tracksuit to go to the shop. No, to be fair everyone has been good."

Martin Hardie's superb free kick against Raith Rovers in 2011 is Chris Hamilton's favourite memory from the derby matches. (Image: DAFC / Craig Brown)

Although the natives have been friendly, the Athletic man knows he won't be able to please everyone on Saturday.

He explained: "This will be my first derby against Raith (he was suspended for last month's league cup tie) so I'm looking forward to it.

"My girlfriend's not a football fan but her dad and uncles support the Rovers.

"I think I've slowly started turning her dad into a Dunfermline fan but her uncles and cousins are big Raith fans so I'm sure I'll get a few messages in the build-up to the game.

"I'll split the family either way as there will be a few in the Dunfermline end and a few in the Raith end."

Hamilton is one of the lucky few, a fan from the stands who has made it all the way to the pitch to pull on the jersey for the team he loves.

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Looking back he recalled: "I went to pretty much all the games until I started playing football on a Saturday.

"Even then I'd still try and get to the games when I could.

"I've seen a few wins in the derby. And a few defeats as well.

"Probably my favourite was the one where Martin Hardie scored that free kick at East End. I was behind the goals watching it.

"I was there with my family and friends and that's the one that stands out for me.

"I was just young but I've got good memories of that day."

Dunfermline and Raith are level on four points each in the Championship table after two matches and their league cup tie last month at Stark's Park finished 1-1, before the Pars triumphed on penalties.

Hamilton said: "What the fans and everyone around the club look forward to are the big games.

"The derbies last season against Falkirk were all big occasions, especially the night game at East End and the away game when we were a couple of points away from the title.

"They were massive.

"We're 26 league games unbeaten now so we're obviously on a good run and confidence is high.

"However Raith are a good team and have started the season well.

"It's going to be a tough game but everyone's looking forward to it."