Full time role for Paton

“I’m trying to play as many games as I can, I’m not just here to be a cheerleader and help the young kids. I want to play every game ....

Paul Paton is not just the oldest player currently signed for next season but he is also the most experienced. He feels delighted that at 32 years of age he has attracted a club of Dunfermline ‘s size and ambition.

“When you get a bit older and you’re taking wage cut after wage cut, it’s almost better to be part-time and get a good job. When you get older you think about these things.

“Dunfermline provides the chance to play at a higher level, even though you could make more money going part-time - just look at Kelty Hearts. I had to take that and it was something I was very happy to do.

“At the end of the day, I’m not going to lie, my wages were dropping to a level that I just couldn’t afford to play full-time football for. I would have had to have got near enough a full-time job if I had stayed at Falkirk.

“So, I thought about a whole lot of different things, but when Dunfermline came in it was on the same kind of deal as I was on last season and I thought ‘I’ll give it a chance’.

“I didn’t want to bow out of full-time football with a relegation from the Championship, that’s not something I would have been happy with, and I was delighted to come here when the manager phoned me. It’ll happen one day but I still feel good and I couldn’t let an opportunity like this go.

“Everyone knows the stature of the club and what the club could be. It’s similar to Falkirk, in terms of the fanbase and the stadium. They’re two good clubs.

“I was just delighted to come here. I’ve spoken to the manager about what he wants from me on and off the park, in terms of my experience and helping the captain out, and taking pressure off boys.”

Paul sees it equally important to take the heat off the younger less experienced players in the squad. He added:- “If the fans want to give anyone stick, I’m sure I’ll be the one that’s getting it!”

The Paisley born midfielder also feels that he can support fellow Buddy, team captain Lee Ashcroft, someone he knows well:-

“I’ve got to give big Ashy respect, he’s the captain, and from what I’ve seen already he’s a very good captain. But I can give him a bit of help as there’s a lot of young kids here. They’ll need a bit of guidance, whether it’s from me, Ashy or the staff. I’m more than willing to do that. It’s just in terms of how you conduct yourself as an experienced player, on and off the park.”

That experience includes in the SPL for Dundee United and St Johnstone and 35 appearances last season at Falkirk. Very aware of the competition that the two Dundee teams in this season’s Championship will provide, Paul signed off:-

“I’m trying to play as many games as I can, I’m not just here to be a cheerleader and help the young kids. I want to play every game, I’ve only just turned 32 and I’ve got plenty years left in me.”

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