Cardle hopes to please fans

"I met with Jim McIntyre and had a good talk. I signed a pre contract and now I am looking forward to the new season and playing my part in the boys going up."

Joe Cardle with Paul Gallacher

Despite being around Pitreavie for some time now, Joe Cardle enjoyed his first training session as a full signed up Pars player:-  

"Things weren't working out at Airdrie so I came and trained here towards the end of last season. That was good to meet the boys and get used to the facilities. I feel pleased to be part of the team. "

His former manager at Port Vale, Martin Foyle is reported to have tipped him to become the next Steven Gerrard. After being a YTS there and a further two years on a contract Joe suffered when the management changed:-

"That gave me the chance to come up here and play for Airdrie last season. I got noticed by Dunfermline in January and signed a two year deal pre contract.  It is all going well and fingers crossed it stays like that."

The 22 year old has a Scottish accent despite being born in Blackpool and plays as a winger who is equally happy on the left or right:-

"As long as I am on the pitch I am a happy man."

Survival of the fittest: Joe Cardle - last man running on the Beep Test

While at Airdrie Joe made a mark on the Pars supporters that he vividly recalls:-

"I think they felt I went down a wee bit too easily for the penalty and got a bit of stick from the fans. I got the penalty but lost 3-1. I try my hardest and will be doing that again this season but for Dunfermline.

"After the league game we played here my agent called me, it was on the Monday morning and was interested as soon as I heard 'Dunfermline'.  I felt that it was a big club, going places - hopefully to the SPL next season.  That's where I want to be playing - at the highest level - so I took it right away.

"I met with Jim McIntyre and had a good talk. I signed a pre contract and now I am looking forward to the new season and playing my part in the boys going up."