New Par Simon Wiles

"I love getting at the full backs and getting balls into the box. I had one opportunity today and I managed to get a ball in and that's what I enjoy doing most. ...

Simon Wiles in action on Saturday v Airdrie United

New signing Simon Wiles arrived in Dunfermline on Monday and after training with the team all week was pulled aside by Jim McIntyre on Thursday and invited to sign for the Pars. He gave his first interview as a Dunfermline Athletic player exclusively to the website:-

"The way the lads have been has been brilliant and there was no doubt at all in my mind that I didn't want to be here. The set up with the stadium is brilliant and I'm hoping to get myself back fit and into the team. I hope to crack on and get this team back in the SPL where it belongs."

Simon started at Blackpool in the under 14s Centre of Excellence and was rewarded with a YT contract for three years. Following that he signed a four year pro contract. It was former Scotland captain, Colin Hendrie who gave Simon his first chance at Blackpool:-

"I played a number of games under him that I got a thank you for but when Simon Grayson, an ex Blackburn Rovers player, got the player-manager job and then got it permanently I didn't really figure. I went on loan to Macclesfield and Paul Ince was the Manager there so it was a great experience. I have got them to thank for where I have come now."

Macclesfield Town had Simon back for six months the following season 2007-08 under Ian Brightwell, ex Man City player:-

"It is frustrating but at the end of the day all I want to do is play football. If managers aren't favouring me or they want to bring their own players in, which was generally the case then I just want to look elsewhere and get myself playing. You can't beat that on a Saturday afternoon."

Simon was out of contract at Blackpool at the end of last season but he rejected a new one since he just wasn't figuring or playing as much as he wanted to. The opportunity came about to come to Dunfermline and he has moved into the same local hotel as Andy Kirk until such times that he can get a place of his own.

Blackpool have recently signed former Pars favourite Adam Hammill on loan but Simon had left just before Adam arrived:-

"He has been here as well and I spoke to the lads who said that he really enjoyed it here." When Simon discovered Dunfermline were interested in him he was interested right away:-

"I knew that they were a big club. I didn't realise they weren't in the First Division but when I spoke to the Manager I found that he was really ambitious. Just to be part of his plans and break my way into the team is a massive plus. That is where I want to go.

"I watched the game against Queen of the South on Wednesday night. It was a good chance for the young boys to come in and they did really well. I was eager to get on the pitch but I couldn't play because of an SFA ruling so Saturday came and he told me I was going to be involved. I couldn't wait."

Simon signed on Friday on a one year deal and is keen to show the Dunfermline Athletic fans what he is capable of. He got a chance to give a preview of that when he came off the bench to replace Graham Bayne with 13 minutes remaining in the match against Airdrie United.

"I thought we created a lot of chances in the first half and I think it was one of those games where we score one, we'd settle down and play the passing game which the gaffer likes - get playing football and more chances and goals would come. We just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.

"I had a couple of chances myself that I rushed into and if I'd had a wee bit more composure and match fitness I could have taken it down and had a strike on goal instead of a volley from the 18 yard box. A few of the lads are saying I saw the headlines before I hit it.

"Steven Bell was coming on through and he was going to whip it as well but he has just come back from injury and he did well. Once he and I both get up to fitness we will be flying.

"My preferred position is right wing; an out and out winger. I love getting at the full backs and getting balls into the box. I had one opportunity today and I managed to get a ball in and that's what I enjoy doing most. The gaffer says just to be as direct as I can. That's what I want to give and I am looking forward to the rest of the season."