All good things come to an end. Or so they say. AFTN has been around since 1989, first as a fanzine and then making the jump to a website and forum in 2003. We've been through the many ups and down at East Fife in those 12 years but policing the forum has become a giant pain in the ass in recent years. As such, we made the decision not to renew it when it expired.
The forum is no more and will remain as a locked archive until it is eventually deleted by the host. We're looking in to try to save some of the content as an archive.
This is not the end of AFTN though. The site will continue and will be revamped and return in its full glory for the start of the 2016/17 season. Maybe even sooner. There will be a comment sections and possibly even a new, registered forum. Check our Twitter (@aftnwebsite) for all the latest info and we'll also post in on the EFFC memories Facebook page.
Until then, have a last browse here, thanks for all your support over the years, and 'Mon the Fife.
GoF
If linn was saying on his twitter that the away fans were tremendous, maybe arbroath is his destination next season!
He means the East Fife away support & he is NOT going to Arbroath, he's going to .......
I blame Chester Snavely
Bobby linn and Ryan Wallace to join Dunfermline
Bobby has a very valid point and good for him for having that as his parting shot.
The home fans at Bayview have been terrible for slagging players long before the days of computers. Not sure it will ever change.
A lot of fans also seem to have short memories. A quick search of the archives here show how many were desperate for Bobby not to leave and so happy he re-signed.
So, he may have had a bad season by his comparisons. Many players have those.
Bayview is a horrible place to watch football. Everything about it. The place is either like a morgue or the fans get on a player, or the players', back for the majority of a game. There's not enough encouragement or enough recognition when a player does a nice bit of play.
I think I must be a closet gloryhunter as I'm so scunnered (and embarrassed) that we finished 4th bottom in a shite league, while the football giants of Cowden pished all over us yet again, strolling this league to join the other two, that I can't see me buying a season ticket again. Time to wean myself off this fruitless obsession that is East Fife.
I moan about everything - Bayview Stadium, the folk running the Club, the laughable strip, the fact that smaller teams do better than us decade on decade. I think we've consigned ourselves, needlessly, to another 10 years of 2nd/3rd division frustration at least, and I personally need to try and jack-in the Fife for my sanity. Can't keep going for the sake of going. There's no enjoyment at Bayview. We're going to end up with 300 diehards for a home support pretty soon.
It saddens me tha amount of personal abuse that players have to take off our support. Hissy's was bad but the worst I recall was in our first season at the morgue & Graham Robertson not only had to take abuse directed at himself but also his girlfriend. It was nothing short of scandelous & it is still the same people who are doing the shouting! Wonder how they would feel if I went & shouted about their loved ones?
Reading this is interesting as to be honest although Bayview is an atmosphere vaccum I don't think that the players get a great deal of abuse. We'll not where I sit anyway. What they simply don't get is much vocal support as in atmosphere. I think that is probably what Bobby is on about in his parting shot. He was a decent player however seemed to be loosing it towards the end of the season. Not sure if he was getting the right instructions or probably close to the fact listening to what he was told. He kept trying to run with the ball practically every time he had it. Became totally predictable. We need to do something about the atmosphere, everyone is to blame. I take my hat off to the lads who try to get some singing going but they don't get much help. Club probably need to to select an area and encourage all those who want to make some noise to congregate. The introduction of a drum like they do at livi or the liquidation mob could also encourage people to make more noise. By the way there are a few folk on here who need to steer clear of the medicine cabinet, lads remember if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Cheer up. For me since the power station went the feel of the place has improved, it is down to all of us to make it better. Finally on the Cowden issue, looking at them is hard to take. Really bad ground and pitch, terrible facilities, one of the worst supports in the country and they manage to run away with the title !!
It's all getting pretty sad really.... Hurts me to read this stuff... Disappoints me that people (die hards like SPF) are thinking about jacking it in. If this continues we will struggle to pick up any new players because quite honestly this web site would put any fucker off from joining the Fife!
I agree with SPF
I'm dead against mindless personal abuse of players, be it online or at games. I do however think that in light of the clubs situation the loyal fans we have left are entitled to at least be a little disappointed by the performance of the team in the league this season.
Absolutely steamrollered by Cowden yet again, despite outspending them, outnumbering them in support, and outdoing them in facilities. Some utterly woeful performances in a very weak league, and yet another season of mediocrity. A handful of players that have left have become vocal about comments made by fans, and I totally respect Bobby Linn who has made a massive contribution on the pitch over the past 5 or so years, I can't say the same about another extremely vocal ex player who needs to take a look at his own conduct online before slating others for theirs though.
Last year’s squad failed to perform to their capabilities and should than take responsibility for their own short comings rather than take a parting shot at the club’s supporters.
I am a fan of Bobby Linn’s and had hoped he would be with us next season and re-kindle his form of a couple of years ago. Perhaps the management team feel that his wage would be better spent elsewhere, and if so, I respect their judgement.
I understand how SPF and others feel, particularly at the moment given that the season ended in disappointment, but thoughts of walking away should be extinguished right now.
Let’s just take a rest for EF for a bit, see who the manger brings in during the close season, and look forward to next season with optimism and hope.
It’s not all bad you know – we’re in a decent financial state, with great facilities and a superb management and coaching team that will be looking to bring in the very best players their budget will allow. Longer term we have the full-time youth setup which should bring through local talent.
Players come and go, but this is our club and we are here to stay.
See you next season SPF
Apathy had set in a while back after what has been another disappointing league campaign in what was a very weak league and to see our rivals piss all over us (again!).
We need a fresh start, and we have that with a new management team and with only Div Muir signed up there will be plenty new faces at Bayview next season. I've never heard any personal abuse of players but Bayview is terrible for positive atmosphere and cringeworthy with some of the slagging players get.
I have faith in Durie and Chisholm so hopefully he can build a decent squad and atleast the good thing is, we wont have any Fife derbies to lose.
I think it's pretty normal at all clubs for the away support to be more "supporting" if you like than away. This can probably be attributed to multiple factors. Only really the absolute hardcore making long journeys in winter, fans have often had a few drinks inside them as well.
I don't know how our home fans compare, having only seen East Fife as a home fan, but my Dunfermline and Raith supporting mates tell me they are terrible at home too. Personally, I never give players abuse or boo during the 90 mins as I believe it's counter-productive, but if I think we've been short-changed I will make my feelings known at full-time. I don't think there's anything wrong with that and if Bobby Linn thinks he's going to find some abuse free utopia at Arbroath or Alloa then I think personally, he's going to be disappointed.
As for the players complaining about things being said on here, there's one very easy solution to the problem.
Don't read it.
Not every fan is going to think you're great and not every fan is going to think you're terrible. If you don't want to see the negative comments, probably best not to look at the comments at all.
the reason no atmosphere, too bloody cold from start to end of season. 18 games and i can honestly say i dont look forward to sitting watching any of them. Rip half the seats out and get the fans standing then the atmosphere may improve.
well, lets get behind the team next season, better atmosphere, more singing etc!
well, lets get behind the boys next season, better atmosphere, more singing etc!
As a general point I think the players reacting to negativity or perceived negativity from fans is counter productive.
Our club embarrassed its self when the players went public to greet about abuse on the internet. I think the ex captain was the main driver for this.
On AFTN there are probably a 2 or 3 folk who go over the top about some players at times. Its not certain all of them are even east fife fans given the open access on here.
The rest is generally folk giving their honest post match opinions of players in the same way they would down the pub and to my knowledge this rarely crosses the lines of taste decency or legality. If folk are bothered by that level of discussion I would suggest a week in Neil Lennons shoes or have a look at some premier league and div 1 clubs forums and see the type of stuff thats said about players there.
As far as home support goes aye there are a few moaners with big mouths but they are the minority.
I think players need to remember they are in an entertainment industry and there fore are open to comment on their performance. It doesnt mean those voicing the criticism are right but if the online stuff affects you dont read it. I think everyone would recognise Michael Brown as a great example ( after reacting initially) of doing your talking on the pitch. Now widely recognised among the support as a key player for us who is respected by everyone associated with East Fife.
Heres to next season!!
Absolutely spot on mate.
hissy gave everything for the club, you could see that everytime. no wonder he fucked off when he is getting abuse. remember airdrie away, who ever went ? we were without bobby and we got humped.
could any of you play at this level?
cowden fans got behind their players, encouraged them. why cant we do that?
if your no happy fuck off, get behind the team and whoever is playing for us
What abuse is hyslop getting?
All I'm reading is fans saying he wasn't up to scratch. And I guess that's one of the reasons he wasn't offered a new contract.
i put in another thread that we probably dont have anymore moaning fans than any other team if thats what bobby thinks then thats up to him i think no less of him for saying it as hes been a great servant to the club i wish him all the best where ever it is hes going
Ballingry
That's Ayr and Arbroath confirmed (and QoS and Alloa) in our league next season. MUCH harder league next season already than the one we've just finished 6th in IMO. Nightmare. We blew it big style.
win or lose, im still a fifer until the day i die, get behind the boys instead of just giving them stick!
supporting east fife is not a choice. its in your blood. keep the faith all you regulars...u never know whats gonna happen!
Hi Bruce not heard from you for awhile.
Half the trouble on here is over optimism.
Year after year we hear widely exagerated claims of how good we are when in reality year after year we fail to deliver.
Maybe if we calmed the beans and realised we`re pretty average at best expectations might be a touch more realistic.
Next season i predict we`ll be no better than this season with a mid table finish at best and still the worst team in Fife.
I`ll still go. Its what being a supporter is all about.
I think Cowden woke up and smelled the coffee before we did.
They've appointed had a string of good young managers who had played the game at a much higher level.
They are probably at least 5 years ahead of us in their investment in the youth development system
They have had regular income from other sources (stock cars and thursday market) that probably means they are less reliant on paying customers than us and can therefore maybe pay some players higher wages
While all that was going on we had Broon and our mysterious real owner, had some pretty uninspiring managers, failed to consolidate on promotion by strengthening and splashed the cash for short term fixes under WG.(Not complaining bout that tho)
Tho some questions remain I think we may look back in the Craws appointment as the turning point for us in looking to go down a different route at the club. Im more confident that with contracted youth team , and the two Gordons in place we are going in right direction, albeit 10 years after we should have.
Very true Paul, after 20 odd yrs I felt the same and sorry to say I stopped watching the fife
Attendances in general remain poor. We had a smaller average than Stenhousemuir, never mind Dumbarton or Arbroath last season. Poor on field performances can explain some of this, but we must try to get some enthusiasm among the local population for coming to Bayview. Where are the thousands that used to go in the early 70's ?
Some sobering stats - population of Dingwall about 5500. Ross County are now in the SPL. Seems that half the town must be regular attendees.
Population of Levenmouth - about 37000....
Good post dude, although i don't think this particular board care that much.