Topic: New Chairman |
---|
1. Author: DJAS Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:04 Dunfermline Athletic can provide a boardroom update as the club restructures in this new era under Park Bench SFC LLC. As mentioned in the last club update, Evan Sofar and Faisal Bin Jamil have also now formally joined the club board, further strengthening Park Bench SFC LLC’s involvement and commitment to the club. Scott Gordon will be stepping down from the club board, and we thank him for his time and efforts. David Cook will be continuing as CEO; however, he is concluding his tenure as club chairman. Following discussions between Park Bench SFC LLC and David Cook, Dunfermline Athletic are hugely proud to announce Jim Leishman MBE as our new club chairman. Jim will not sit on the board of directors, but he will be heavily centred on strengthening and building relations between the club and fans locally and nationally. Jim has given so much to Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, and there is no better person to support Dunfermline Athletic’s regrowth in this modern era than a man who has seen it all and will continue to help drive us forward with his infectious positivity about our team and our city. CEO David Cook explained, “Firstly, I am delighted that Evan Sofer and Faisal Bin Jamal are joining the board of DAFC. Both bring a wealth of experience from their different business fields and strengthen the day-to-day involvement of our ownership in the running of the club. I can only see positives from this move. Both have been in regular contact for some time, adding their input and knowledge, so I am really pleased that we document this officially now. With two joining from Park Bench, Scott Gordon will no longer sit on the board, but I thank him for his support and participation since the takeover in January. With the ambition and positive upwards trajectory of the club, it is the appropriate moment to split out the duties of CEO and Chairman to ensure we are running and managing the business the best we can. When I made this decision, there was only one person in my mind that would fit the bill for the club – Jim Leishman. Jim has had a 50-year association with the club as a player, coach, manager, director of football and ambassador, and I feel he merits the honour of being chairman of our club. His enthusiasm for the Pars remains as strong today as the first time I met him in the mid-1980s. My three years as chairman have had many ups and downs, but I have a huge amount of gratitude to Jim for his loyalty and support during this period. He’s been consistent and supportive during good and difficult times, which says a lot about his affection for the club and his character. Jim’s stature both in our local communities and across Scottish football remains strong, which will be a valuable asset for the club. The boardroom changes are a demonstration of the club embracing international ownership and new methods of working to drive forward positive change both on and off the pitch. But it also demonstrates our awareness and focus on strengthening the bond with supporters and communities locally. I believe Jim will be great in helping achieve this.” On being made chairman, Jim commented: “Being made the Chairman of Dunfermline Athletic Football club, for me, is one of the biggest honours, and I mean that from my heart. I’m so proud of this and the journey i’ve been on with this club.” A full interview with Jim will follow tomorrow. Predictor league winner 2012/2013 Reply |
2. Author: Bannockburn Par Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:05 No better man for the Job!!!! Reply |
3. Author: StevenPar77 Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:08 Bannockburn Par, Tue 26 Aug 17:05 Absolutely! Reply |
4. Author: CitizenPar Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:12 I`m actually surprised this has taken so long. The Pars are in his blood! Reply |
5. Author: Stanza Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:17 I`m happy with this. It`s good practice to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO, and Jim is the obvious choice to be Chairman. _________________ ![]() Reply |
6. Author: AdamAntsParsStripe Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:19 Well done to Jim. He’s never let the club down as manager and will bring a higher profile to the club moving forward as Chairman. It’s not a director role so it’s more an ambassador position which will suit him. It did take me by surprise I must say as traditionally, the chairman called the shots at a club but times have changed. Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte ![]() Reply |
7. Author: wetherby Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:28 Congratulations Jim and about time. Reply |
8. Author: buffy Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:37 Fabulous appointment! ”Buffy’s Buns are the finest in Fife”, J. Spence 2019” Reply |
9. Author: Dave_1885 Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:41 Good to see the job being split and another club stalwart being given the job. Well done, Jim. Just refrain from the Delia esk speeches this time round ala Cowden 🫢🤦🏻♂️😂 Reply |
10. Author: Raymie the Legend Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:48 Congrats, Jim. I’m sure you will do a good job Pardon my ignorance but who will report to who? ![]() It`s bloody tough being a legend Ron Atkinson - 1983 Reply |
11. Author: RMGpar Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:55 Would imagine Cook and the board, I think it’ll be very tight amungst them All, the role of a chairman isn’t what it used to be years ago. Reply |
12. Author: Par Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:55 Fantastic appointment, if anyone understands The Pars fans and the local area, it is Big Jim. Looking forward to another Leishman era. . Reply |
13. Author: RMGpar Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:59 Says a lot when I told my 10 year old the news… everyone knows who big Jim is! Outstanding with the kids and fans so a superb appointment! Reply |
14. Author: Angus_W Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 17:59 ……..they left out Spiritual Leader - An important role for JL. ‘Hello my name is Jefferson - I’m happy to be here let’s go!’ Reply |
15. Author: answer Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 18:01 What is the role of chairman? Reply |
16. Author: BIG W Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 18:17 [Post Deleted] - Rude or abusive message Reply |
17. Author: AdamAntsParsStripe Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 18:18 answer, Tue 26 Aug 18:01 In Jim’s case it’s basically the job he was offered in 1990 but a different title. Chairmen used to be the top guys at football clubs and had final say on just about anything but it’s not that way anymore. It’s an ambassador role Jim has gotten. Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte ![]() Reply |
18. Author: Bandy Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 18:20 BIG W, Tue 26 Aug 18:17 You`re allowed to have an opinion, but I suspect many will disagree with you. Me included. I`m delighted with the appointment. Reply |
19. Author: AdamAntsParsStripe Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 18:22 BIG W, Tue 26 Aug 18:17 My god, take a look at you dismissing the guy who brought the club back to life in the 1980’s and increased the attendances tenfold by the end of the decade. The same guy that saved us from relegation after Davie Hay with 3 games to go and got a cup final. You’re either just too young or very bitter Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte ![]() Reply |
20. Author: BIG W Date: Tue 26th Aug 2025. 18:23 So I’m only allowed to have your opinion it wasn’t rude having met him multiple times over the last 30 years I know it to be factually correct Reply |