Fifers felt the backing of club's supporters

Having no fans inside grounds made Saturday afternoons pretty shallow for players as they missed the adrenaline buzz created by a crowd.

Clubs suffered too, their matchday revenue streams virtually obliterated.

They say football without fans is nothing, and never was that more apparent than over the most recent campaign.

But East Fife supporters remained fiercely invested in their club and did everything they could to soften the blow their absence created.

A couple of times over the past 12 months, the fanbase has really stepped in to help the club out, something acknowledged this week by manager Darren Young

“From our point of view, the fans helping out at the start with the go fund me was brilliant.

"Then, more recently, with the questionable fine.

"That shows you there’s a real feel good spirit around the club and everybody is mucking in and doing their wee bit to help each other out.

"It’s the same with the players over Christmas, picking up the phone to fans and people who are vulnerable or on their own.

"There’s a great togetherness.

"We want to keep that going and progress it.

"It was great to get big Jack Hamilton in and to see Nathan Austin back and these are things the fans have missed out on.

"Hopefully, it’s not too long before we can get them back in again.”