Pars are perfect platform for James

“You know when something is right for you, you know when you feel wanted at a club. Enjoying your football is a big part of it.

James Vincent revealed that he had been in talks about returning to Dunfermline pretty much ever since his loan spell ended at the club at the end of last season. He explained how the agreement for a season long loan from Dundee came about:-

“It is a bit tricky at times with timescales. I understood that maybe Dunfermline couldn’t wait wait around all the time which is why they moved on previously to sign Willo Flood. I was always in their minds and I am happy that it was a blessing in disguise that didn’t happen and I got the chance to finally agree to come back here.”

Twenty nine year old, James is pleased to be back on familiar ground under Allan Johnston, further commenting:-

“There is no messing around and everyone is on the same page so to speak. I am settled and know half the boys here, I know that it is a great club, a good place to play and so for me personally a perfect platform to go and play football, enjoy it like I did last season and see where it takes us.

“I came from a place where I was not enjoying my football. That is difficult at times but here everything was a perfect fit. To enjoy your football, play well and win games is all you can ask for as a footballer. It will bring you on to another level as a player and as a person, so I was happy to do the deal.

“You know when something is right for you, you know when you feel wanted at a club. Enjoying your football is a big part of it. The gaffer and Sandy have been good to me. As soon as I knew that they were interested I talked to my agent and my family. My wife was complementary of the place, loves it as well so it was something that I wanted to be part of.”

James is looking forward to linking up again with Tom Beadling in midfield after Tom’s move from Sunderland was made permanent on 21 May with the signing of a two year deal at the East End Park club.

“We did well together, Tom is a good player. Same with Crags, the other midfielder we all played really well together and complimented each other. Hopefully we can do more of that this season.”

Acknowledging that there will be competition for starting places, James claimed that is what is required since it brings the best out of each of them. It does however have its downsides:-

“The worst case is getting a niggle or a knock because there is someone good coming in behind you. On the flip side if you are not performing, someone is going to come in and take your place. It keeps you on your toes, keeps you hungry and from my experiences last year, the gaffer and the squad all do that anyway. We all push to get the best out of each other.”

Dundee’s pre season started a week later than Dunfermline but James maintained the workload in training at Dundee included double sessions that should mean that he is sharp and up to speed.

“I am feeling good and just a matter of bedding back in here” and James is keen to win promotion this season with the Pars:-

“We fell at a hurdle last year, we didn’t quite get to the end but that is football. Personally from when I came in we had a fantastic run, we did really well and picked up a lot of points playing some good attractive football. Hopefully we can do more of that this season, build again as a team because there are a lot of new boys come in and it will take time to adapt.

“It is all about getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on and hopefully have a better finish this time.

“Even though it was a bit of a sour one we got a taste of it and understand what it takes. Play offs can be cruel and they were to us. We want to do better this time around, kicking on and trying to get promotion.

“It is going to be a strong league but it should bring out the best in the boys because there shouldn’t be easy games and if we are good enough, which I believe we are, we should rise to the occasion.”

It remains to be seen whether James will be able to play in the Betfred Cup tie against his parent club, Dundee on Sunday 22 July.

Manager Allan Johnston is delighted to eventually get the deal done because he thought that when James came in for the second half of last season he did extremely well for the team.

“He said to me at the end of the season that he wanted me to sign him, it dragged on but it is great to get him back.

“He is an experienced player who has played at a really good level. We know what we get with him, he is a right good lad in the changing room and he was one that we wanted to keep. Thankfully it has worked out eventually and we are hoping that he picks up from where he left off.”

The manager will now turn his attention to signing strikers, claiming that they are working hard on securing players whose strength is in the final third of the pitch:-

“Sometimes you have to be patient and we are trying our best. If you are looking at loan players, teams have to get other players in before they can go out on loan. It is a bit of a waiting game.

“We are looking at other players, some are looking at all their options but it just that time in the season.”

On the injury front the swelling on young striker Callum Smith’s eye has gone down after an accidental meeting with Danny Devine on the training ground.

Next up is the Pre Season Friendly on Wednesday night, an 8.00pm kick off at Bayview versus Raith Rovers.

Related Stories

• James Vincent signs
• Inspired by substitution
• Crawford out to fill Potts’s boots
• East Fife 1 Dunfermline 2