The 2016–17 season was Dunfermline Athletic's first season in the Scottish Championship, having finished top of the Scottish League One in 2015–16. The Pars were relegated from the competition's previous incarnation, the Scottish First Division at the end of the 2012–13 season.
Manager Allan Johnston made four permanent first-team summer signings as he began his second season as Dunfermline Athletic manager. The club's first competitive fixtures came in the revamped Scottish League Cup, where they were eliminated at the group stage after finishing in third place. Dunfermline Athletic also competed in the Challenge Cup and the Scottish Cup, where they were knocked out by Dundee United and Hamilton Academical respectively.
Season review
May
16 May 2016: Manager Allan Johnston makes his first signing of the summer transfer window by recruiting former Cowdenbeath and Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Nat Wedderburn on a one-year deal. 25 May 2016: Former Kilmarnock defender Lee Ashcroft becomes Dunfermline's second signing of the summer, following his release by the Rugby Park side. Ashcroft previously played under Allan Johnston whilst the latter was in charge of Kilmarnock. 27 May 2016: The draw for the Scottish League Cup takes place, with the new format seeing the club drawn in Group C alongside Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United, Arbroath and Fife rivals Cowdenbeath, with matches due to be played between the 19th and 31 July. 31 May 2016: It was confirmed that five first-team players were released after their contracts with the club had expired. Amongst those released were Shaun Byrne who had been with the Pars since 2008, and former captain Josh Falkingham.
June
3 June 2016: Managing Director Ross McArthur was appointed as the new chairman of Dunfermline, replacing Bob Garmory who had led the club following the acquisition by the fan-led group 'Pars United' in October 2013. Bill Braisby also took up the role vice-chairman. 8 June 2016: Having overseen the success of the club's social media profile, 29-year old Michael Mlotkiewicz was made general manager of the club . 13 June 2016: Former Queen of the South striker Gavin Reilly joined on a season-long loan from Heart of Midlothian. Reilly previously worked under manager Allan Johnston whilst both were at the Doonhammers. 17 June 2016: It was revealed that Dunfermline's first game in the Scottish Championship would be against Dumbarton, as the SPFL announced the league fixtures for the 2016–17 season. The club's first Fife derby with Raith Rovers would be at Stark's Park on 20 August 2016, with the final match of the season being away to Queen of the South.
July
8 July 2016: The club bring in former Dundee United youth player Euan Spark on a one-year deal, after the defender impressed as a trialist in 3 friendlies, scoring in the Pars first friendly of the season against Partick Thistle. 9 July 2016: Dunfermline's first match at East End Park saw them defeat an under-strength Hearts side 3–1, with goals from Andy Geggan and Joe Cardle seeing off the team from Gorgie. 15 July 2016: The side was confirmed as having come top of the fair play table for the previous season, with their only red card being rescinded after it was judged that Joe Cardle had not struck Ayr United defender Peter Murphy as referee Andrew Dallas had initially perceived. 18 July 2016: Kallum Higginbotham becomes the Pars sixth signing of the summer, as the former Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock winger joins on a one-year contract. Manager Allan Johnston expressed his delight signing, stating that he had admired Higginbotham "for a long time". 31 July 2016: The Pars' 2016 Scottish League Cup campaign comes to an end after defeat to fellow Championship side Dundee United by two goals to nil left the side in third place, four points behind the Tannadice club.