The last time they faced Livingston in the league, Dunfermline had just descended into the dark days of administration and Joe Cardle had been sacked two days earlier.
Today, the winger insists the Pars travel in wildly contrasting mood to Almondvale as they kick-off the new Championship season full of hope and buoyant after last weekend’s success against Hearts.
Cardle was one of seven first-team players made redundant within hours of Dunfermline announcing they were applying to go into administration in March 2013.
As his former East End Park teammates headed over the Forth for a 2-2 draw with Livingston, Cardle was desperately seeking a new club after being told he had until the Sunday to sort out his immediate future or he would have to sit out the rest of the season.
Memories of those dire times came flooding back this week for the 30-year-old, who went on to join rivals Raith Rovers but returned to Dunfermline in 2015 after a spell with Ross County.
However, with optimism restored and promotion being targeted after progressing unbeaten to a Betfred Cup tie against Rangers on Wednesday, Cardle is hopeful a return to better times are on the horizon.
He said: “I remember the first game after administration was against Livingston.
“We got told on the Thursday we were sacked and then the boys played on the Saturday.
“They were horrible times. Just talking about it brings back dark days.
“That was my worst day as a footballer. It doesn’t get any darker than that, really.
“We got told on the Thursday we were away and then on the Friday we were told we had until the Sunday to get a new club or that was us until the next season.
“I was running around mad speaking to so many managers and I ended up at Raith until the end of the season, and signed for another season.
“We hadn’t been paid for three or four months before that. Thinking about it now, I don’t know how I did it.
“I didn’t have any income at all for four months. It was pretty scary as we had just bought a house.
“But look where we are now. There’s a big difference.”
Cardle netted a stunning equaliser in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Hearts, a result that signalled the end of Ian Cathro’s ill-fated spell in charge at Tynecastle.
It was a performance full of energy, character and skill from the Pars, who came back from a goal down to go 2-1 up before being pegged back by Esmael Goncalves’ late leveller.
Winning the penalties and topping the group ensured the Fifers still had something to celebrate, and Cardle insists they can take huge belief from that display into the league campaign.
He added: “Last Saturday was incredible. Days like that you remember for the rest of your life. It was a special game and hopefully there will be a few more.
“I know it was a draw at the end of the day, but to do it the way we did it was incredible.
“Even just walking to the fans at the end of the game, they are the things you dream of doing.
“But it’s our bread and butter, the real stuff, against Livingston now and we’re just looking to getting into the league games.
“This is where we’ve got to stick together and hopefully get the three points.”
