2021–22 Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season explained

Club:	Dunfermline Athletic
Season:	2021–22
Manager:	Peter Grant^[1] (until 31 October) Greg Shields & Steven Whittaker^[2] (interim managers) (31 October to 12 November) John Hughes^[3] (from 12 November)
Chairman:	Ross McArthur^[4]
Stadium:	East End Park Dunfermline, Scotland (Capacity: 11,480)
League:	Championship
Cup1:	League Cup
Cup1 Result:	Second round, lost to Rangers
League Result:	Ninth (Relegated via play-off)
Cup2:	Challenge Cup
Cup2 Result:	Second round, lost to Elgin City
Cup3:	Scottish Cup
Cup3 Result:	Third round, lost to Partick Thistle
League Topscorer:	Kevin O'Hara (6)
Season Topscorer:	Kevin O'Hara (9)
Highest Attendance:	League: 5,406^[5] vs. Queen of the South (29 April 2022)
Lowest Attendance:	League: 556 vs. Hamilton Academical (15 January 2022)
Average Attendance:	3,614(537^[6])
Pattern La1:	_dafc2122h
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Leftarm1:	FFFFFF
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Prevseason:	2020–21
Nextseason:	2022–23
Updated:	16 May 2022

The 2021–22 season was Dunfermline Athletic's sixth season in the Scottish Championship, having finished 4th in the 2020–21 season.

Squad list

No.	Name	Nationality	Position	Date of Birth (Age)	Signed From	Signed in	Signed until	Apps.	Goals
Goalkeepers
29	Deniz Mehmet		GK	1992 9, df=yes	Dundee United	2021	2023	8	0
41	Jakub Stolarczyk		GK	2000 12, df=yes	Leicester City	2022	2022	12	0
Defenders
2	Aaron Comrie		DF	1997 2, df=yes	St Johnstone	2019	2023	91	3
3	Josh Edwards		DF	2000 5, df=yes	Airdrieonians	2019	2023	83	2
4	Lewis Martin		DF	1996 4, df=yes	Dunfermline Athletic youth teams	2012	2022	170	5
5	Coll Donaldson		DF	1995 4, df=yes	Ross County	2022	2022	18	2
6	Kyle MacDonald		DF	2000 1, df=yes	Airdrieonians	2021	2023	19	1
12	Rhys Breen		DF	2000 1, df=yes	Rangers	2021	2023	11	0
19	Miller Fenton		DF	2003 10, df=yes	Fife Elite Football Academy	2019	2024	1	0
22	Leon Jones		DF	1998 2, df=yes	Kentucky Wildcats	2021	2022	2	0
25	Efe Ambrose		DF	1988 10, df=yes	St Johnstone	2022	2022	14	0
Midfielders
8	Joe Chalmers		MF	1994 1, df=yes	Ayr United	2022	2023	16	0
11	Ryan Dow		MF	1991 6, df=yes	Peterhead	2019	2022	68	10
16	Dan Pybus		MF	1997 12, df=yes	Queen of the South	2021	2022	36	1
17	Graham Dorrans		MF	1987 5, df=yes	Western Sydney Wanderers	2021	2023	22	1
18	Paul Allan		MF	2000 2, df=yes	Fife Elite Football Academy	2017	2024	18	0
21	Steven Lawless		MF	1991 4, df=yes	Motherwell	2022	2022	20	3
23	Dom Thomas		MF	1996 2, df=yes	Kilmarnock	2020	2022	58	6
26	Matthew Todd		MF	2001 6, df=yes	Fife Elite Football Academy	2018	2024	39	2
28	Reece Cole		MF	1998 2, df=yes	Queens Park Rangers	2021	2022	12	1
39	Liam Polworth		MF	1994 1, df=yes	Kilmarnock	2022	2022	11	0
Forwards
7	Kevin O'Hara		FW	1998 8, df=yes	Alloa Athletic	2020	2023	70	22
9	Craig Wighton		FW	1997 7, df=yes	Heart of Midlothian	2021	2023	28	9
10	Nikolay Todorov		FW	1996 8, df=yes	Inverness CT	2021	2023	26	6
14	Lewis McCann		FW	2001 6, df=yes	Fife Elite Football Academy	2018	2024	55	5
27	Bobby Kamwa		FW	2000 3, df=yes	Leeds United	2022	2022	8	0

Results & fixtures

Scottish Championship

See main article: 2021–22 Scottish Championship.

Scottish League Cup

See main article: 2021–22 Scottish League Cup group stage.

Knockout round

See main article: 2021–22 Scottish League Cup.

Scottish Challenge Cup

See main article: 2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup.

Notes

Scottish Cup

See main article: 2021–22 Scottish Cup.

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

|-|colspan="14"|Players away from the club on loan:|-|-|colspan="14"|Players who left during the season:|}

Goalscorers

^[7]

width=60	Ranking	width=60	Position	width=60	Nation	width=150	Name	width=80	Total	width=80	Scottish Championship	width=80	Scottish League Cup	width=80	Scottish Challenge Cup	width=80	Scottish Cup	width=80	Scottish Championship play-offs
1	FW		Kevin O'Hara	9	6	3
2	FW		Nikolay Todorov	6	3	3
3	FW		Lewis McCann	5	5
	MF		Dom Thomas	5	4	1
5	MF		Steven Lawless	3	3
	FW		Craig Wighton	3		3
7	DF		Coll Donaldson	2	2
	DF		Josh Edwards	2	2
	MF		Ryan Dow	2	2
	MF		Matthew Todd	2	2
	DF		Aaron Comrie	2	1	1
12	DF		Reece Cole	1	1
	DF		Mark Connolly	1	1
	MF		Graham Dorrans	1	1
	MF		Kai Kennedy	1	1
	MF		Dan Pybus	1	1
	DF		Kyle MacDonald	1		1
—			Own goal	1	1
Total				48	36	12	0	0

Disciplinary record

Squad number	Position	Nation	Name	Total		Scottish Championship		Scottish League Cup		Scottish Challenge Cup		Scottish Cup
1	GK		Owain Fôn Williams	1		1
2	DF		Aaron Comrie	3	1	3	1
3	DF		Josh Edwards	2		2
5	DF		Ross Graham	6		5		1
5	DF		Coll Donaldson	2		2
7	FW		Kevin O'Hara	3		3
8	MF		Kai Kennedy	1		1
8	MF		Joe Chalmers	1		1
10	FW		Nikolay Todorov	3		2		1
11	MF		Ryan Dow	4		3		1				1
12	DF		Rhys Breen	1		1
14	FW		Lewis McCann	6		6
16	MF		Dan Pybus	11		10		1
17	MF		Graham Dorrans	5	1	4	1					1
18	FW		Paul Allan	3		2		1
21	MF		Steven Lawless	1		1
23	MF		Dom Thomas	2		2
25	DF		Efe Ambrose	1	1	1	1
26	MF		Matty Todd	1		1
28	MF		Reece Cole	2		2
29	GK		Deniz Mehmet	1		1
33	DF		Mark Connolly	3		3
39	MF		Liam Polworth	1		1
44	DF		Paul Watson	2		1		1
Total				64	2	54	1	6	0	0	0	2	0

Club statistics

League table

Results summary

Transfers

First team

Players in

Date	Position	No.	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
1 June 2021	FW	9		Craig Wighton	Heart of Midlothian	Free	^[8]
15 June 2021	FW	10		Nikolay Todorov	Inverness CT	Free	^[9]
23 June 2021	GK	29		Deniz Mehmet	Dundee United	Free	^[10]
25 June 2021	GK	30		Fraser Currid	Alloa Athletic	Free	^[11] ^[12]
2 July 2021	MF	16		Dan Pybus	Queen of the South	Free	^[13]
20 July 2021	MF	28		Reece Cole	Queens Park Rangers	Free	^[14]
26 July 2021	DF	12		Rhys Breen	Rangers	Free	^[15]
27 July 2021	MF	17		Graham Dorrans	Western Sydney Wanderers	Free	^[16]
3 August 2021	DF	22		Leon Jones	Kentucky Wildcats	Free	^[17]
27 December 2021	MF	21		Steven Lawless	Motherwell	Free	^[18]
24 January 2022	MF	8		Joe Chalmers	Ayr United	Undisclosed	^[19]

Players out

Date	Position	No.	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
31 May 2021	DF	5		Euan Murray	Kilmarnock^[20]	Free	^[21]
31 May 2021	MF	12		Scott Cusick	Broomhill^[22]	Free
31 May 2021	GK	20		Cammy Gill	Cowdenbeath^[23]	Free
31 May 2021	MF	27		Lucas Berry	Edinburgh City	Free
31 May 2021	GK	30		Ben Swinton	Berwick Rangers^[24]	Free
31 May 2021	MF	—		Kyle Turner	Partick Thistle^[25]	Free
31 May 2021	FW	—		Gabby McGill	Airdrieonians^[26]	Free
3 June 2021	MF	16		Steven Whittaker	Retired		^[27]
14 June 2021	FW	10		Declan McManus	The New Saints	£60,000	^[28]
19 October 2021	DF	44		Paul Watson	Falkirk^[29]	Free	^[30]
3 January 2022	DF	13		Vytas Gašpuitis	Šiauliai^[31]	Free	^[32]
19 January 2022	GK	30		Fraser Currid	Bo'ness Athletic	Free	^[33]
30 January 2022	MF	15		Iain Wilson	Greenock Morton	Free	^[34] ^[35]
28 February 2022	GK	1		Owain Fôn Williams	Retired^[36]		^[37]

Loans in

Date	Position	No.	Nationality	Name	From	Duration	Ref.
1 July 2021	DF	5		Ross Graham	Dundee United	End of season (recalled in January)^[38]	^[39]
22 July 2021	MF	8		Kai Kennedy	Rangers	End of season (recalled in January)^[40]	^[41]
29 September 2021	DF	33		Mark Connolly	Dundee United	16 January 2022	^[42]
3 January 2022	DF	33		Coll Donaldson	Ross County	30 May 2022	^[43]
27 January 2022	FW	27		Bobby Kamwa	Leeds United	30 May 2022	^[44]
31 January 2022	GK	41		Jakub Stolarczyk	Leicester City	30 May 2022	^[45]
4 February 2022	DF	25		Efe Ambrose	St Johnstone	30 May 2022	^[46]
28 February 2022	MF	39		Liam Polworth	Kilmarnock	30 May 2022	^[47]

Loans out

Date	Position	No.	Nationality	Name	To	Duration	Ref.
25 June 2021	GK	30		Fraser Currid	Bo'ness Athletic	End of Season
14 January 2022	FW	9		Craig Wighton	Arbroath	End of Season	^[48]
24 January 2022	DF	6		Kyle MacDonald	Airdrieonians	End of Season	^[49]

Contract extensions

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	Length	Expiry	Ref.
31 May 2021	DF		Josh Edwards	2 years	2023	^[50]
3 January 2022	DF		Lewis Martin	6 months	2022
4 January 2022	FW		Lewis McCann	2 years	2024	^[51]
13 January 2022	MF		Paul Allan	2 years	2024	^[52]
18 January 2022	MF		Matthew Todd	2 years	2024	^[53]
9 February 2022	DF		Miller Fenton	2 years	2024	^[54]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dunfermline Athletic: Peter Grant named manager at Scottish Championship club . Kheredine . Idessane . BBC Sport . BBC . 28 May 2021 . 19 August 2022.
2. Web site: DAFC Board Statement . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 31 October 2021 . 31 October 2021.
3. Web site: Dunfermline Athletic appoint John Hughes as manager on two-and-a-half year deal . BBC Sport . BBC . 12 November 2021 . 19 August 2022.
4. News: DAFC board changes . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 3 June 2016 . 3 June 2016.
5. Web site: 2021–22 Dunfermline Athletic performance . ESPN . 19 August 2022.
6. Web site: 2019–20 Dunfermline Athletic performance . ESPN . 19 August 2022.
7. Web site: Dunfermline FC player appearances . Soccerbase . 29 July 2021.
8. Web site: Craig Wighton arrives on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 12 February 2021 . 3 March 2021.
9. Web site: Nikolay Todorvo signs . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 15 June 2021 . 15 June 2021.
10. Web site: Deniz Mehmet joins Dunfermline . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 23 June 2021 . 23 June 2021.
11. Web site: ✍✍ ** FRASER CURRID ** ✍✍ The Club is absolutely delighted to announce the loan signing of goalkeeper, @FraserCurrid1 from Dunfermline Athletic. Fraser rejoins the Club following a phenomenal spell last season. Thanks to everyone at Dunfermline. #Athletic . Bo'ness Athletic FC . Twitter . 25 June 2021 . 25 June 2021.
12. Web site: Manager on Thursday . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 15 July 2021 . 15 July 2021.
13. Web site: Dan Pybus signs for Dunfermline . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 2 July 2021 . 2 July 2021.
14. Web site: Reece Cole signs for Dunfermline . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 20 July 2021 . 20 July 2021.
15. Web site: Rhys Breen signs for Dunfermline . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 26 July 2021 . 26 July 2021.
16. Web site: Graham Dorrans signs for the Pars . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 27 July 2021 . 27 July 2021.
17. Web site: Peter Grant adds Leon Jones to his squad . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 3 August 2021 . 3 August 2021.
18. Web site: John Hughes makes first signing . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 27 December 2021 . 27 December 2021.
19. Web site: Dunfermline: Joe Chalmers joins from Championship Ayr United . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 24 January 2022 . 25 January 2022 .
20. Web site: Euan Murray joins Killie . Kilmarnock FC . 1 June 2021 . 1 June 2021.
21. Web site: Player update . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 31 May 2021 . 31 May 2021.
22. Web site: We are delighted to welcome four new signings to Broomhill ahead of our first match of the 2021/22 season. ✅ Scott Cusick ✅ Lewis Crawford ✅ Sean Slaven ✅ Dominic Lavelle I couldn't find a photo of one of them - can you guess who? Welcome to the club guys! . Broomhill FC . Twitter . 16 July 2021 . 24 July 2021.
23. Web site: Gary gets goalie Gill . Cowdenbeath FC . 1 June 2021 . 24 July 2021.
24. Web site: ‘Gers add goalkeeper Swinton . Berwick Rangers FC . 21 June 2021 . 26 June 2021.
25. Web site: Kyle Turner is a Jag . Partick Thistle FC . 31 May 2021 . 31 May 2021.
26. Web site: Striker Gabby grabs Diamond deal . Airdrieonians FC . 21 July 2021 . 22 July 2021.
27. Web site: Back Room Staff Update . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 3 June 2021 . 3 June 2021.
28. Web site: Second signing of the season, as Declan McManus joins The New Saints . The New Saints . 14 June 2021 . 14 June 2021.
29. Web site: Paul Watson signs! . Falkirk FC . 24 January 2021 . 24 January 2021.
30. Web site: Player Update . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 19 October 2021 . 20 October 2021.
31. Web site: Škotijoje rungtyniavęs šiaulietis sugrįžta namo . Šiauliai player who has competed in Scotland returns home . FA Šiauliai . 18 March 2022 . 28 April 2022.
32. Web site: Player Update . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 3 January 2022 . 3 January 2022.
33. Web site: The Club is absolutely delighted to capture the signature of goalkeeper Fraser Currid. @FraserCurrid1 had been on loan from Dunfermline Athletic this season but has now made the permanent move to Bo’ness Athletic. We are in safe hands! Gloves #Athletic . Bo'ness Athletic FC . Twitter . 19 January 2022 . 20 January 2022.
34. Web site: Dunfermline release midfielder by ‘mutual consent’ ahead of deadline day . Alan . Temple . The Courier . DC Thomson Co Ltd . 30 January 2022 . 30 January 2022.
35. Web site: Iain Wilson Joins the Ton . Greenock Morton FC . 31 January 2022 . 31 January 2022.
36. Web site: Owain Fôn Williams Joins Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC As Goalkeeping Coach . Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC . 15 April 2022 . 18 April 2022.
37. Web site: Owain Fon Williams . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 28 February 2022 . 28 February 2022.
38. Web site: #DAFC can confirm that defender Ross Graham will be returning to Dundee United, having been recalled from his season long loan. We thank Ross for his efforts and wish him well in the future . Dunfermline Athletic FC . Twitter . 4 January 2021 . 4 January 2021.
39. Web site: Ross Graham signs . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 1 July 2021 . 1 July 2021.
40. Web site: Dunfermline: Lewis Martin wins contract as Kai Kennedy future revealed . Ross . Hart . Dunfermline Press . Newsquest . 3 January 2022 . 4 January 2022.
41. Web site: Kai Kennedy arrives at Dunfermline . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 22 July 2021 . 22 July 2021.
42. Web site: Mark Connolly signs for Dunfermline . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 29 September 2021 . 29 September 2021.
43. Web site: Coll Donaldson arrives on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 3 January 2022 . 3 January 2022 .
44. Web site: Dunfermline seal loan deal for Leeds United striker . The Courier . 27 January 2022 . 27 January 2022.
45. Web site: Pars sign Polish u21 goalkeeper on loan from Leicester City . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 31 January 2022 . 31 January 2022.
46. Web site: Efe Ambrose arrives on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 4 February 2022 . 4 February 2022.
47. Web site: Polworth joins on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 28 February 2022 . 28 February 2022.
48. Web site: Craig Wighton goes out on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 14 January 2022 . 14 January 2022.
49. Web site: Kyle Macdonald goes out on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 24 January 2022 . 14 January 2022.
50. Web site: Josh Edwards contract agreed . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 31 May 2021 . 24 June 2021.
51. Web site: Lewis McCann contract extended . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 4 January 2022 . 5 January 2022.
52. Web site: Paul Allen extends contract . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 13 January 2022 . 13 January 2022.
53. Web site: Matty Todd signs conmtract extension . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 18 January 2022 . 19 January 2022.
54. Web site: New contract for Miller Fenton . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 18 January 2022 . 19 January 2022.