WITH three promotions, two relegations, a stint in the bottom tier and in finishing it by reaching the summit of the Premier Division, the 1980s were a rollercoaster ride for the Pars.

Now, more than 30 years on, players from two iconic teams from that era are set to come together next month for a sold-out afternoon of nostalgia, stories and banter.

The Dunfermline Athletic Former Players Association (FPA) are reuniting the squads from the 1988/89 and 1989/90 seasons at the Carnegie Conference Centre to celebrate their achievements in the famous black and white stripes.

Under the charge of club legend Jim Leishman, the club won the third promotion of the decade, and the First Division title, in 1989 to return to the top flight of Scottish football.

Dunfermline Press: Players from the title-winning squad of 1989, and that of the following season, will get together at the sold-out event.Players from the title-winning squad of 1989, and that of the following season, will get together at the sold-out event. (Image: Dunfermline Athletic / Dunfermline Athletic Former Players Association.)

Having taken over at East End in 1982, with the Pars struggling in the Second Division - their placing of ninth in 1984 was the lowest league placing in the club's history - he transformed the club's fortunes.

After winning the Second Division in 1986, Dunfermline won a second successive promotion 12 months later to reach the Premier Division, but were relegated after one season.

However, following a draw with Meadowbank Thistle on the final day, Leishman's Pars returned to the top flight at the first time of asking and, in November 1989, a 1-1 draw at Motherwell saw them move top of the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

Amidst soaring attendances - their average gate at home exceeded 10,000 during the 1989/90 campaign - players such as John Watson, Ross Jack and mercurial Hungary international star Istvan Kozma, who remains the club's record signing for a fee of £550,000 - thrilled the faithful followers on the terraces.

On Sunday March 3, 250 Pars fans will be able to look back on those memorable days, with the day set to feature goalscoring heroes Watson and Jack, as well as the likes of Trevor Smith, Paul Smith, Stuart Rafferty, Ray Farningham, Graeme Robertson, Stevie 'Zico' Morrison and Grant Tierney.

The 1988/89 side were the first of three Dunfermline squads that have lifted the First Division championship and Leishman, who had two separate stints in the Pars dugout, said: "It'll be a fantastic day.

"I cannot wait to reunite with the players and staff who were part of that special era. We had a unique group that shared a genuine bond with the fans. Crowds soared over those two seasons, with an average home gate of around 13,000. It was incredible!"

During that time, the club were backed by huge numbers of supporters groups, including the Lothian 68 Travel Club.

Former member, Andy Furnevel, recalled: "It was probably the best time for me as a supporter.

"The stadium was full, we were signing international players, and the team was consistently improving. Not to mention the club boasting 30 supporters’ clubs.

"Some of the memories from traveling with the Lothian 68 bus will stay with me forever. I'm really looking forward to a great afternoon."

The event, sponsored by Blachere Illumination, will be held two years since the Dunfermline Athletic FPA organised a similar event to celebrate 'Paton's Premier Pars' - the club's First Division title-winning team of 1995/96.

To find out more about the Dunfermline Athletic FPA, who have contributed more than £18,000 to the club since forming in 2009, visit www.dafcfpa.co.uk.