Fact Finding missions

Dunfermline Head of Youth tapping into knowledge of renowned boss Dario Gradi and Spanish football

Dunfermline's head of youth development Stephen Wright has been embarking on a fact-finding mission to England and Europe to try to make sure the Pars are in the best possible position to attract future generations of young talent to the club.

While in England they also visited premiership side Bolton Wanderers and spent a day at their youth academy.

The next stop was Marbella in Spain, where an ex-team-mate of Wright's, Jamie Fullarton, runs a football academy for ex-pat youngsters.

Former Rangers and Aberdeen full-back Wright explained, "Dario Gradi is basically the benchmark in England for how to get the best out of youngsters at a club. He's brought on a host of players over the years and it was great to be able to speak with him and take a look at their set-up. He does everything at that club."

Wright was able to relate the situation at Crewe to their own at Dunfermline.

He noted, "They have all the big clubs round them like Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, and we've got Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Hibs on our doorstep.

"It was a very interesting and invaluable day. I know Owen Coyle and John Henry. John's involved with the reserves at Bolton. He helped set it up for us to spend the day at their academy, which is run by Jimmy Philips."

Wright describe Fullarton's academy in Marbella as a "real contrast."

He explained, "It's a recreational set-up but it is run very professionally. Jamie has a high standard of player there. There are a lot of ex-pats and because he's doing such a good job he's starting to get Spaniards there as well."

It is hoped that the Pars may be able to attract some of them to Scotland over the coming months and years, and Wright cited this as an example of how they're trying to "think outside of the box."  Indeed, just this week two players - Sam Gilroy and Carlos Gonzales - were flown over from Spain to train with Dunfermline's under-19s.  It is hoped to build up this relationship so that teams and players can benefit.

The former Scotland international has been in the Dunfermline job for around 18 months. His initial priority was getting a coaching team in place and making sure the facilities for training and playing were suitable.

The next step is to make the Pars the most attractive proposition for parents of the best local footballers. Petrie pointed out, "Dunfermline need to be innovative. If we were the same as Hearts and Hibs, the kids would go there.

"We have to prove to them that there's a pathway to the first team and it's up to us to find the best way of doing that.  We can't compete with the Edinburgh clubs' resources and facilities but we're trying to do things differently. An example is the sports science we do with the kids. It's unique in Scotland. We have seven interns coming in for three hours a week. The knowledge they can impart is excellent. It covers everything from health to lifestyle and how they run."

Wright added, "Youngsters get their chance at Dunfermline. The Manager, Jim McIntyre, is always keen to know what's going on.

"We're trying to get it right from under-10 level upwards. We want our youth department to be well thought of again in the eyes of boys' clubs locally."