By Aileen Robertson

FORMER DUNFERMLINE manager George Farm, who led the team to Scottish Cup victory in 1968, has died just a day after his 80th birthday.

Farm was picked out of 30 applicants for the manager’s position at East End Park in July 1967, ending a three-year spell as boss at Raith Rovers.

As well as the historic cup victory, he also saw the team reach the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners Cup, a run which ended in defeat by Slovan Bratislava.

Born in Slateford, Edinburgh, the young Farm started his football career playing in goal at Armadale.

He was later transferred to Hibernian before moving south to play for Blackpool, where he played over 500 games.

During this time he won an FA Cup Winners’ medal, along with Stanley Matthews, and 10 Scottish caps.

In 1960 he moved back to Scotland to play for Queen of the South, later taking the role of player-manager.

In 1962 he turned his whole attention to management and in 1964 took over at Raith Rovers, helping the side reach the first division.

Farm’s contribution to Dunfermline during their golden decade is the reason he is remembered as a managerial great along with Jock Stein.

He was the last manager to take the team to a Scottish Cup final before Jimmy Calderwood finally did so 36 years later. But while this year’s attempt ended in defeat by Celtic, Farm’s side beat Hearts 3-1.

Chairman John Yorkston expressed his sadness at losing one of Dunfermline’s real legends.

He said, “Obviously we’re extremely sad to hear of George’s death.

“He was one of the people that made Dunfermline great in the 60s. He was an all time great and everyone at the club is saddened to lose him.”