Josh Edwards signs up for next 18 months

“It is a reward for him, it is a reward for our football club because he is an asset.”
James McPake

With his current tally at 125 Dunfermline appearances Josh Edwards was delighted to sign an extension to his contract that takes him up to the end of next season.

The 22 year old who was signed from Airdrieonians by Stevie Crawford in July 2019 has featured in every Dunfermline match this season and all but one of his 29 appearances have been starts.

For numerous reasons manager James McPake was pleased with this contract news, he commented:-

“He is a very good full back. First and foremost he is a great lad who works really hard on his game. He is good in and around the dressing room but a fantastic player with loads of potential as well, so as a football club we are delighted to get it done.

“There has been a few questions asked about his situation from other clubs so we are delighted to keep him. We know how important he is to us and we knew he was always going to be here until the end of the season but now we have got him for that extra year. It will be good for his development I believe.

“He is still pretty young, he is playing football most weeks here and it is now up to him to keep those levels high because when you look at him he has a lot of what full backs nowadays need, plus a long throw. That is his best asset sometimes when he not playing well. He probably says that as well.

“He has been great. He was a player that I knew when we came in and he has benefited from working with Dave and myself as well. Mostly Dave being a full back. I enjoy working with him and enjoy seeing the progression in him. Hopefully he is enjoying it and while it is a reward for him, it is a reward for our football club because he is an asset.”

Josh expressed his pleasure with the contract extension and admitted that he was thoroughly enjoying his time at Dunfermline. It is a good situation for both the player and the club - the player is doing well and the club sit top of the league. James McPake said that he was not surprised to hear that there had been enquiries made about his player since this is when you attract attention:-

“Just look at Sam Fisher. Because he was doing so well he went back to his parent club. We weren’t surprised when we heard that there were other teams looking at Josh. The information that we were getting back from agent and representatives was that there were other teams. That was quite clear why because when you look at the divisions above he is certainly capable of competing in them - both divisions in my opinion.

“I still think that he has a lot to learn. The good thing about him and the other ones of his age is that they are willing to learn. It is great as a coach and as a manager when you have got that. It would be hard not to enjoy it at the minute when you are winning games and doing okay.

“Obviously he suffered last season for what happened but now he is enjoying his football and feels that he is learning. He would have progressed anyway but we are hopeful that we can help him with that and he can help the football club as well. It is good that he is enjoying it and long may that continue.”

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