East Fife fines donated to charity

Throughout the season, as is commonplace in dressing rooms across the country, the first team squad operates a fine system for misdemeanours such as picking up unnecessary bookings, turning up late for training or matchdays, leaving personal belongings lying around and not wearing flip-flops in the showers.

But the cash usually makes its way back to the players, with the fines contributing to the Christmas and end of season nights out.

With those plans being knocked on the head this Christmas, the players instead decided to donate the money to a local charity.

The East Fife Community Football Club is as good a cause as any, and this week it received the £350 raised so far.

Club captain Kevin Smith said the players were unanimous in their decision to donate the money to the community football club after experiencing first hand its benefits.

The skipper said: “When it was unanimously agreed between the players that we would like to do something with the money collected, we asked around and as soon as the EFCFC was mentioned we decided that is where we wanted the cash to go.

“The EFCFC is a pathway for local youngsters to progress from age group football to the East Fife FC first team and their work is already bearing fruit with the likes of Liam Newton and Josh McConville joining the squad from the Under 20s this season.

“I am proud to be captain of a great club that is the heart of the local community and although £350 isn’t a huge sum, we all hope it helps in these testing times.”

EFCFC currently has over 400 children registered, accumulating in 17 boys youth teams which take part in CEFSSA fun 4/super 5 festivals, CEFSSA 7-a-side league and FFDL and AFYFC Leagues.

It also has a girls and women’s section which holds a over 70 further registered members, six teams, plus a community section which currently runs an over 35s, walking football team and mini Fifers.

Dave Heddle, the director of football for EFCFC was delighted with the generosity of the first team squad.

H e said: “This shows the community spirit that exists around the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium and the links we have established between the CFC and EFFC.

“Like all charities at the present time, every penny is a prisoner, and we thank the East Fife players for acknowledging the work we do.”