Who’s bigger? Pars or United

[LancsHibs]

Just had a look at the average attendances for the Championship. Top was Dundee United 5078, second Dunfermline 5008.
United has a promotion chasing season whilst the Pars was pretty mid table so would suggest to me that given the right circumstances Dunfermline have a greater potential. Both clubs have a history, albeit Uniteds more recent?
What’s your thoughts Pars or DU? Both to be fare would be welcome additions over the likes of Hamilton and Livingston

[The 90+2]

Dundee Utd are a much bigger club than Dunfermline imo.

[J-C]

Dunfermline have been down for a few seasons now, never really kicked on with the backing their fans give them.

[we are hibs]

Dundee United are the bigger club. I also think they will win the play offs. Wouldn't be surprised to see them take Killie place in the top 6 next season. First season bounce and all that

[JeMeSouviens]

2 bald men and a comb, tbh :dunno:

But ... Pars for the bridies! :drool:

[Since452]

Not much in it

[Larry Burns]

Dundee United are a far bigger club than Dunfermline

To me, it generally goes:

Aberdeen/Hearts/Hibs
--------------------
Dundee United
--------------------
Dundee/Killie/Motherwell
--------------------
St Johnstone/St Mirren
--------------------
Caley/County
--------------------
Loads of others
--------------------
Cove Rangers
--------------------
Hamilton

[Smartie]

Pars have a few "derbies" which inflate their figures.

Without Falkirk next season their crowns will come down, as they tend to get ok ish crowds most of the time then big ones for the big games.

The United crowd will also have been affected by going absolutely nowhere under Laszlo for part of the season.

[Since452]

Before the 80's Dunfermline were a much bigger club than Dundee United

[The 90+2]

Before the 80's Dunfermline were a much bigger club than Dundee United

That was 40 years ago tbf.

[allezsauzee]

The jambo obsession with size seems to have infected Hibs.net in recent years.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

The jambo obsession with size seems to have infected Hibs.net in recent years.

This. Unfortunately. So is it a yam thing or is it just something you get when your club is on the up?

[Keith_M]

The jambo obsession with size seems to have infected Hibs.net in recent years.


I expect you're right but it seemed like a valid question, in light of the relative attendances (which honestly surprised me)

[Fife-Hibee]

That was 40 years ago tbf.

😮 clucking bell

[where'stheslope]

Always felt the Dunfermline was a better ground and easier to get to, but they have fans that want every decision their way!!!

Dundee United ground is not as good, and their fans are not quite as bad???

But on fans base, Dunfermline are ahead in good times as they are the only team in the town, unlike Dundee United with their very close neighbours splitting the population!!!

[The 90+2]

😮 clucking bell

😂😂

[GORDONSMITH7]

A couple of days into the end of the season for Hibs and inane dafties spend their time posting kack as Alexie Sayle would say. Get on with it. Post season signings will be more important than this nonsense.
BIG G

[Lago]

That was 40 years ago tbf.
And people on here still go on about the Tornadoes.

[MWHIBBIES]

And people on here still go on about the Tornadoes.

Rightfully so, a fantastic Hibs side that won a major trophy.

[G B Young]

A genuinely successful Dunfermline would be a bigger club than United. Historically they used to draw great crowds at East End Park back in the 60s (between 20k and 30k) and more recently when they were in a couple of Scottish Cup finals they all but sold out half of Hampden, something United never come close to doing.

I'd love to see the Pars back in the top flight. Good handy away day, with a much better selection of pubs than around Tannadice.

[Keith_M]

But on fans base, Dunfermline are ahead in good times as they are the only team in the town, unlike Dundee United with their very close neighbours splitting the population!!!


Population of Dunfermline is 50,000

Population of Dundee is 148,000


Even divided between two teams, that's still 50% higher.

[AZhibee]

See an occasional United top or reference here...never Dunfermline.
:flag:

[heretoday]

United are bigger. Pars have a nicer stadium though.
I'd welcome them both back.

[MWHIBBIES]

A genuinely successful Dunfermline would be a bigger club than United. Historically they used to draw great crowds at East End Park back in the 60s (between 20k and 30k) and more recently when they were in a couple of Scottish Cup finals they all but sold out half of Hampden, something United never come close to doing.

I'd love to see the Pars back in the top flight. Good handy away day, with a much better selection of pubs than around Tannadice.

United took over 20k in 2010 for a Scottish cup final

[Dr_Regal]

Grew up in Dunfermline, in the Isvan Kozma and Norrie McCathie days. Always had decent crowds there.

Hopefully see them get promoted soon.

[G B Young]

United took over 20k in 2010 for a Scottish cup final

Think that was when they were playing Ross County (ie a very decent chance of winning). I recall them being well short of selling out when they were up against Celtic a few seasons before that.

They're quite a small club whose stature was inflated by the extraordinary achievements of Jim McLean as manager. Were it not for that I think we might have seen the Dundee clubs merge some time ago.

[we are hibs]

A genuinely successful Dunfermline would be a bigger club than United. Historically they used to draw great crowds at East End Park back in the 60s (between 20k and 30k) and more recently when they were in a couple of Scottish Cup finals they all but sold out half of Hampden, something United never come close to doing.

I'd love to see the Pars back in the top flight. Good handy away day, with a much better selection of pubs than around Tannadice.

Dundee United sold more than half of Hampden for their last Scottish cup win over ross county

[Brooster]

Dunfermline have more potential than DU. I prefer the Pars tbh, wouldn't mind seeing them in the SPL.

[Del Boy]

Dunfermline count season tickets whether they attend or not, United dont.

United are a far bigger club but both are much bigger than Hamilton, St Johnstone and Rids County

[Mixu62]

Population of Dunfermline is 50,000

Population of Dundee is 148,000


Even divided between two teams, that's still 50% higher.

And in my experience there are as many Utd fans in Fife as Pars fans.

[eezyrider]

Always felt the Dunfermline was a better ground and easier to get to, but they have fans that want every decision their way!!!

Dundee United ground is not as good, and their fans are not quite as bad???

But on fans base, Dunfermline are ahead in good times as they are the only team in the town, unlike Dundee United with their very close neighbours splitting the population!!!

True - but Dundee has around 3 times the population of Dunfermline.

EZ

[SANH 1875]

Slightly off topic but old tannadice with steep terrace was my favourite away ground,even taking into account it was 80s and we hardly ever won. Current tannadice pales in comparison.

[Hibernia&Alba]

United are the bigger club, in my opinion, and should always be a top division side. There being two clubs in Dundee means their potential growth is limited, as it it's quite a small place. Dunfermline are also underachieving just now.

[HFCdeb]

Utd are bigger but I much prefer the Pars. Always had a soft spot for them.

[essexhibee]

Sold over 10k tickets for the play off leg at home

[NAE NOOKIE]

United probably are the bigger side, but for me that isn't the issue so much as Dunfermline being so much bigger than the likes of Hamilton, Livingston and Ross County but for some reason just never seem to fulfill their potential they way these clubs have.

East End park is a cracking ground in SPFL terms and its a shame to see it sidelined in the championship while grounds like ICT and Hamilton have been regular venues in recent times.

I've said it before, but keeping clubs like Dunfermline and stadiums like East End park going is probably my biggest reason for wanting the premiership expanded to at least a 14 team league …. Scottish football isn't exactly awash with full time clubs or decent stadiums and we should be trying to maximise the chances of clubs like Dunfermline playing in the top league more regularly.

[Since452]

United probably are the bigger side, but for me that isn't the issue so much as Dunfermline being so much bigger than the likes of Hamilton, Livingston and Ross County but for some reason just never seem to fulfill their potential they way these clubs have.

East End park is a cracking ground in SPFL terms and its a shame to see it sidelined in the championship while grounds like ICT and Hamilton have been regular venues in recent times.

I've said it before, but keeping clubs like Dunfermline and stadiums like East End park going is probably my biggest reason for wanting the premiership expanded to at least a 14 team league …. Scottish football isn't exactly awash with full time clubs or decent stadiums and we should be trying to maximise the chances of clubs like Dunfermline playing in the top league more regularly.

Always a brilliant away day too

[Smartie]

United probably are the bigger side, but for me that isn't the issue so much as Dunfermline being so much bigger than the likes of Hamilton, Livingston and Ross County but for some reason just never seem to fulfill their potential they way these clubs have.

East End park is a cracking ground in SPFL terms and its a shame to see it sidelined in the championship while grounds like ICT and Hamilton have been regular venues in recent times.

I've said it before, but keeping clubs like Dunfermline and stadiums like East End park going is probably my biggest reason for wanting the premiership expanded to at least a 14 team league …. Scottish football isn't exactly awash with full time clubs or decent stadiums and we should be trying to maximise the chances of clubs like Dunfermline playing in the top league more regularly.

I've swithered on the number of teams thing, but I simply think it should be easier to be relegated / promoted. 2 automatic places and one playoff. It is too easy for big clubs to disappear for long periods and Hamilton "the unflushable turd" Accies to lurk near the bottom of the Premier.

It keeps the bottom 6 interesting too.

[Smartie]

Always a brilliant away day too

Dundee and United are good away days too though.

[The Modfather]

I've swithered on the number of teams thing, but I simply think it should be easier to be relegated / promoted. 2 automatic places and one playoff. It is too easy for big clubs to disappear for long periods and Hamilton "the unflushable turd" Accies to lurk near the bottom of the Premier.

It keeps the bottom 6 interesting too.

I do get your point, but Is that not the same as UEFA and their aims to try and maintain the status quo in the champions league that the later rounds are contested by the same 6 or 8 clubs? Teams should be relegated/promoted based on footballing merit IMO.

[NAE NOOKIE]

I do get your point, but Is that not the same as UEFA and their aims to try and maintain the status quo in the champions league that the later rounds are contested by the same 6 or 8 clubs? Teams should be relegated/promoted based on footballing merit IMO.

Yes they should, I doubt anybody would disagree with that. Having a bigger league would improve the prospects of the likes of Dunfermline and Dundee for example staying full time and bringing their bigger supports to the top table more often without impacting on sporting integrity.

That is a whole different thing from UEFA's seeding of the champion's league which is purely there to all but guarantee the giants a seat at the top table. Seeding works in the likes of tennis where nobody can stay at the top for more than 10 years. In football, especially with so called financial fair play, all it does is ensure that the biggest clubs will always be advantaged.

[Smartie]

I do get your point, but Is that not the same as UEFA and their aims to try and maintain the status quo in the champions league that the later rounds are contested by the same 6 or 8 clubs? Teams should be relegated/promoted based on footballing merit IMO.

I'm not arguing that teams should be in any competition on anything other than merit.

The "closed shop" of a small league with minimal relegation contributes to the problem rather than alleviate it. I suspect it was probably done to help keep the likes of Hibs, United and the Pars in the top league rather than outside of it.

I'm not sure how many bigger games against the better teams (note NOT Rangers and Celtic) I'd want to give up in order to have more meaningless games and the odd trip to Ayr or Greenock - even if they are trips I enjoy very much.

[Here’s Lucy!]

The Pars.

[ValleyHibee]

Grew up in Dunfermline, in the Isvan Kozma and Norrie McCathie days. Always had decent crowds there.

Hopefully see them get promoted soon.
Where about in Dunfermline? I live there but come from that "wee quiet" place Valleyfield.

[Smartie]

My brother and I both have partners who are Pars fans who come from Pars-supporting families. There has been a fair wee battle for my nephew's attentions but relatively good times for us whilst Dunfermline have struggled of late have probably won him over. Got a cracking video of him on my shoulders at the cup final as we celebrated the 21st May the other day.

Dunfermline are a brilliant club who have been through some hard times in recent years.

I think they've been affected more than anyone by a shift over the years of glory-hunting the Old Firm. In the 60s, Dunfermline would have held the support of most local folk, people now choosing to "support" a Glasgow team from afar. I was working there when Rangers (as they were known back then) reached the UEFA cup final, and there seemed to be a greater buzz about the place than when the Pars reached their Scottish cup finals. It was really sad.