Deal and No Deal

The contrasting fortunes of young Pars, Greg Ross and Stuart Dearden

Greg Ross expressed his thoughts on his new contract offer:-"I am delighted to be offered a new contract, I haven't signed it yet but will hopefully get everything tied up later this week. The club has been good to me through my injury and it will be good to pay them back.

"I just feel that I am now getting back to where I was.  I haven't done a pre season for three years so this year will be my first. A good pre season shows, look at Nicky Phinn he has been flying this season and he got a good pre season under him and never really looked back."

The 22 year old U19 Scottish Internationalist feels that he will be given his chance by Jim McIntyre:-

"He must like me to offer me a new deal.  It is going to be a younger squad next season - a lot of young boys who have had a good season this year. Maybe he will bring a couple of experienced boys in as well. If not we still hope to progress from this season again.

"Conditions weren't good in the last match and the pitch was firey but it was the same for both sides.  Neither team had anything to play for but we just wanted to finish as high up the league as we could.  We achieved that and I think that was a good reaction after the semi final.

"We won three games and drew one in our last four league games and we need to take that into next season."

Greg was awarded the Man of the Match award for the final match, modestly he said:-

"I didn't think personally that I deserved it but the sponsors did!  It's good to end the season on a high."

Greg Ross was pleased to have a new contract offer but under 19 captain Stuart Dearden was disappointed that there was not one for him.  Jim McIntyre had explained last week that Stuart would not be offered a new deal at Dunfermline because he didn't manage to get a run of games while out on loan at Forfar.  Stuart submitted that it didn't really matter how he saw it, it is up to the Manager:-

"He has got to look at it that way.  I never got games to prove what I could do so he was not in a position to offer me a contract.  Personally I think I would have been good enough but it is his decision to make.

"I am disappointed about not getting games at Forfar, I went hoping to get more games than I did.  I played one game - we drew 0-0 - and I thought I did quite well and kept a clean sheet but the manager there decided to go with players he knew - more experienced and older players. In hindsight it wasn't the best of moves but you had to take it when the chance came up to try and prove and push for a contract. It didn't work out quite as I hoped."

Happier times: Stuart (right) after his Pars debut

Stuart who made just two appearances for the Pars, both against Queen of the South, has a number of options that he has to consider this week. His first option is to go to Edinburgh University next year to study Business Management and continue to play part time football. He has already a few clubs lined up where he can do a pre season.  In addition he has an offer of a scholarship here at Heriot Watt University and he has an offer of a scholarship in America as well at Indianapolis. That would be a four year stint training full time.

"It has come up and sounds good. The coach John Higgins was at Dunfermline for two seasons.  It is looking good and it sounds like the facilities and the training are really good.  The main thing is development and it should be competitive because the American psyche is to win every game.

"I know I have got that if I want it but I have to sit the sat tests. I have been looking into it and it could be tricky to get done by the starting time.

"I still have options open and would hope to come back up a level in the future.  I am only 18 and have time on my side.  I'd love to come back and play at this level again some time but at the moment I will have to concentrate on other aspects of my life and the football is secondary.  In four years time if I have a degree and I get a chance to come back I will definitely take it."

Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic wishes Stuart every success wherever his future lies.