New keeper is a fan

"It was an easy decision to make when I was told that I could go out and play some games. My parents, family and pals still stay here and that made it easy to come to the club.

Greg Fleming at Pitreavie after his first training session with Dunfermline

There should be no confusion in the Dunfermline defence when they call for their keeper this season because one way or another it is going to be Greg. Following Paul Gallacher's departure to St Mirren, Greg Paterson stepped up for his first team debut five years after joining at youth level. Then two days later Jim McIntyre signed former Gretna keeper Greg Fleming on a year long loan from Oldham Athletic.

By coincidence they are both Dunfermline born and educated; Paterson at Woodmill High and Fleming at Dunfermline High. Greg Fleming was a season ticket holder in the Calderwood era and had to give that up when his own full time playing commitments took over but his last match supporting the Pars was at last season's Scottish Cup Semi Final against Falkirk.

He progressed from Woodside Boys Club in Glenrothes to the under 15s at Livingston. Released at the end of his YTS contract Greg joined Gretna before going down south to Oldham but had no qualms when the offer to come back to his home town arose:-

"It was an easy decision to make when I was told that I could go out and play some games. My parents, family and pals still stay here and that made it easy  to come to the club. I know that Paul Gallacher was probably the best keeper outside the SPL last year; they are big shoes to fill but hopefully I can fill the gap."

Greg made 17 League One appearances for Oldham and 2 cup appearances in his 19 game total last season. He will be 23 at the end of the month, is re-united with David Graham who played in the same team as him at Gretna. He hopes that Dunfermline get promoted at the end of his season here and hopes that he can play a big part in that.

"Dundee are spending big money, I have heard that they are the favourites but I don't see why Dunfermline cannot be up there challenging. Come the end of the season we will see what happens. I wasn't unhappy at Oldham but the Manager pulled me in and said 'look there is a chance to go out and play some games'. He couldn't guarantee me that at Oldham so I thought it was the best move. I have two years left on my contract down there."

Latics manager Dave Penney confirmed:-

" I left the option open to him, stay here and fight for your place with Dean (Brill) or go back to Scotland for 12 months. Greg needs to play games at this stage of his career and following a chat with his family he said yes to the move. Hopefully Greg will come back from another season in Scotland with games under his belt and be a better goalkeeper for it"

Jim McIntyre has invited Fleming to prove that he is worthy of being number one:-

"He said that there's a chance to play games in I get the chance but you can't take it for granted because Greg (Paterson) is a good young keeper with a good future in the game."

GOALKEEPER SIGNED