Low turnout at meeting to bring back King’s Park FC

In 1919, a meeting was held at the County Hotel to raise the prospect of bringing back King’s Park FC.

Described in the Observer of 100 years ago, the meeting was criticised for its poor attendance despite being ‘extremely advertised’.

Secretary Alex Dun told the meeting that because football had lapsed during the previous four years, reinstating the club would be a very lengthy and expensive endeavour.

Due to necessary reconstruction works, reorganisation of the club would be required, with the idea of forming a limited liability company floated by Mr Dun.

It was deemed that the expenditure required to restore the team would be ‘practically impossible’ for a club, with Mr Dun estimating £170 (£8622 in 2019) required to fix Forthbank stadium alone.

Also considered was the expense required for obtaining players, and the travel expenses and allowances that comes with doing so.

Mr Dun estimated that the capital of the LLC would be roughly £2000 (£101,000 in 2019), with between £400 (£20,000) and £500 (£25,000) required up front.

It was also suggested that the club should apply to return to the Second League, which would require an average home gate of £30 (£1521).

Mr Dun also announced his intention to retire after 30 years with the club.

The Observer described that ‘a good many’ shared their views at the meeting, with disappointment being expressed at the poor attendance and lack of interest from football fans in the town.

The suggestion of bringing back the club as a Junior team was met with some support.

It was agreed to appoint a committee of seven people to work with a seven-person committee by King’s Park F.C., who were given full power to decide what further action should be taken.