WHEN Michael Mlotkiewicz saw his name flash up on Sky Sports News announcing his appointment as Pars general manager, his new role at his beloved club had taken a surreal turn.

The ticker tape on the popular channel had taken a brief break from summer transfer speculation linking Paul Pogba with Manchester United back in June to tell the country that the fan with a season ticket in East End’s North-West Stand was to work for the club full-time.

“I’m from Touch and my name is on the Sky Sports News! Gordon Smith, who researches the Pars for Football Manager, said I’m going to be in the game. I used to rush home and play it, so it’s mad, but like a dream and a bit surreal,” he tells me.

As we meet for a chat inside one of the hospitality boxes overlooking an immaculate-looking stadium, it is clear that this Athletic diehard is living the dream on a daily basis.

Mlotkiewicz, 29, said that he “never had a choice” when it came to his football team growing up; with his dad being a big Pars fan, there was only going to be one team that he would follow.

“I was told stories that I was brought along when I was four or five but that I didn’t really like it,” he says.

“It wasn’t until 1995-96, the year we won the First Division, that I really got the bug. The first game that I remember going to with my dad was against Morton and it poured with rain. During the warm-up, I remember seeing Norrie (McCathie) out there and thought he was huge!

“During the school holidays, I was down at Pitreavie every day watching them train, collecting balls or whatever, and I was just in awe of them. When the new stadium was being built I used to come and watch the stand being ripped out and I used to say to my mum and dad if we were passing East End if we could stop and get out of the car!

“Now I park in the car park and get to look around this place every day. I never get bored of it.”

The pride in being asked to play a role in the future of what has become a revitalised Dunfermline since Pars United’s takeover after the trauma of administration three years ago is palpable in Mlotkiewicz’s demeanour.

Having spent six years working for Fife College’s marketing department – his work ranging from trainee communications officer to events management and finally in a digital role – he began volunteering his services to the club when their financial troubles began to hit.

“I was at the Into the Valley (Pars book) fundraiser three or four years ago when my friend Davy Crowe introduced me to Ross McArthur,” Mlotkiewicz continued.

“This was before Pars United were formed and we kept in touch. Because of my social media background, I knew what the fans wanted but there was a lot to overhaul. When Pars United got the club, I started to become more involved and I used to have a weekly meeting with Ross about different ideas.

"We couldn’t implement a lot of stuff but, in early April, he said that he wanted to speak to me. I got my hopes up and he said that the club wanted to appoint a general manager and asked would I be interested?

“It was a big decision but I really wanted to do it. It was unbelievable; I got in the car and phoned my mum, dad and girlfriend and they were just so proud. I feel really privileged; all my life I’ve wanted to wear a club tie and blazer!

"During Bert Paton’s era, the players always wore blazers and I thought ‘I want to be like that’.

“It still doesn’t sink in that I’m playing a part at the club.”
His part at the club involves many aspects and each day is different, although no less busy.

He has led an overhaul of the Pars’ social media output that has included them embracing many new ideas before the majority of clubs in Scotland and even being credited by one national tabloid as having the country’s best signing reveal on deadline day as Nicky Clark joined the club.

Advertising, utilising East End Park as a venue for both businesses and personal clients and stocking the club shop are just some of the things on the general manager’s remit. 

He calls it a “labour of love” and said: “The fans feel engaged, which is important. They can approach us and we will listen; we try to get back to everyone who messages us on Facebook or Twitter.

"I try to help; if I don’t know the answer, I will try to find someone who does for them.

“I’m constantly looking at teams in England and abroad for ideas. When we launched our Snapchat, only Southampton and a couple of the smaller clubs down south were doing it, now lots of the bigger clubs are using it. 

“We’ve started to do live streams on Facebook to announce the team and interviews with the manager. It’s a way of promoting our Facebook page to a wider reach and to potential advertisers.

“Next year, we’re going to do a lot of digital advertising and we’ve sold every track board for this season.

“It never ends – post-match there may be a broken turnstile that needs to be fixed or there’s a lot of design stuff to do like teamsheets and programmes, or selling sponsorship.

“It’s about being on the front foot. We’re already preparing things for next season now.”

He added: “I’ve found that in the pubs, fans want to speak to me and there are even kids wanting my autograph!

“It’s a bit mad but it’s good that fans feel they can approach me. I am one of them and that will never change.

“The club is on the up and there’s a real feelgood factor about the place. It’s a great place to be.”