It's not going to happen overnight - but Ian Murray can sense a disconnect between Raith Rovers and their fans beginning to heal.
The former Hibs captain took charge of the Kirkcaldy club in the summer after a promising spell at Airdrie, where he came painfully close to sealing promotion from League One to the Championship where he now manages. Pushing as close to the top of the second tier is an obvious objective, but building bridges previously burned almost to the point of no return is just as big.
Raith were criticised from pillar to post in January when they signed David Goodwillie from Clyde, who was ruled to have raped a woman in civil court in 2017. Fans turned away and they took fire from all angles, and Murray admits the state of play between club and fans was bigger than he thought. But through a range of initiatives, he's hoping to bring back those who had initially turned away as the club looks to correct its wrongs.
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Speaking exclusively to Edinburgh Live Sport, Murray explained: "I was looking on from the outside. I didn't realise how fractured the relationship from club to fans had become. It's really important to rebuild that. We do that in different ways but it comes down to the players on the pitch.
"They have been through a really tough time too but if you win games, people will come and watch you. That's all fans ask, you give 100% and try to win, that's all they ask. We will have a few who won't come back and that's up to them but it's a relationship that needed repaired.
"We aren't out of the woods with it at all, but we are trying our best. The fans have been really positive for us. They will them on and we are starting to repay them a little. But it has to continue. It's a good football club."
Murray's Airdrie got credit for playing expansive football and after a slow start in Kirkcaldy, the ex-Hibs defender is starting to see the fruits of their labour.
They are fifth, two points off the promotion play-off spots in a tight league. It was time for both Airdrie and Murray, in his opinion, to part ways after two play-off final losses and now he's learning all about life in this year's second tier.
He explained: "The boys have been great and we've played some good stuff. It's a really difficult league and one thing I've found (compared to League One) is you don't get away with a lot.
"That might seem obvious when you're moving up a league. I have really enjoyed it. You are coming up against more experienced players, bigger crowds. I enjoyed my time immensely at Airdrie but maybe they needed freshened up as well.
"To go close two years in-a-row was tough for everyone. It's a place I will always be thankful for. It took us three years to build that squad but when you get that close, you begin to wonder if things need freshened up, both for the club and me.
"We have a good relationship and I really hope they go that one step further this season because they deserve it. There's not as much football played (in the Championship), but it's more physical and aggressive. It is a lot more back to front. Miss chances and you are punished.
"We never panicked too much about that at Airdrie last season because we thought they'd come round again but it's not really the case in this league. But we're quite happy. We have played some good stuff in games we have won and lost."
His players best be on their guard too as their manager gets ready to pull on his boots again in the name of chariry. Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson's Hanlon and Stevenson foundation stages 'The Game' this Sunday with a host of famous Easter Road famous.
Leigh Griffiths, Dylan McGeouch, Scott Allan and more are among those set to run out once more in Leith and Murray can't wait to see familiar faces.
The Stark's Park gaffer added: "I don't know where I'm playing but I'm looking forward to it! It's a great thing Paul and Lewis have set up and it does fantastic work.
"It'll be great to see the old guys again, but the amount of work that goes into these things is really underrated.
"It;s huge credit to the younger guys who are wanting to play as it goes back to the respect people have for the club, Paul, Lewis and how much they enjoyed their time at the club. "
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