The Turning Point

From North End to East End former Scotland B goalkeeper wants his move to kick start his career and save Pars SPL status.

Iain Turner was training on Tuesday morning with Preston North End when co-manager, Graham Alexander pulled him aside and asked if he would be interested in going to Dunfermline Athletic.

" I said of course I would."  Team mate and former Par, Barry Nicholson gave him a quick run down on the club and he was on his way:-

"Because of the way it came about, it was very quick. I've only been in Dunfermline a couple of times so I did ask him what it was like - the facilities, the place itself. I spoke to my wife and agent and then was driving up the road, so that was how quick it was."

Whilst at Everton, he was up against established goalkeepers such as Richard Wright, Nigel Martyn, Tim Howard. He moved on to Preston but then lost his number one slot through injury. The 27 year old keeper is certainly looking forward to grabbing the opportunity of first team football in the SPL:-

"In Premiership teams it is very rare for a young kid to come through, it will be a first team goalkeeper that will be brought in and that was the battle that I had on my hands. I believed I could do it, and I've finally got to the stage that I couldn't wait any more so I left.  A few things happened at Preston and I need to start playing again. I got the option of coming here, so I am delighted with the chance because I want to start playing regular football and stay injury free as well." 

Iain who comes from Kippen played with Stirling Albion until signed by Everton in March 2003 but left Goodison because he needed games:-

"I left Everton to start playing football, got to Preston and then had a few injuries and dropped down the pecking order. I just want to play football. Every footballer is the same, they just want the chance to play games. Thankfully I have got the chance to come up here and show what I can do.

"Its been hard to take, its been very stop start career, this is my ninth loan spell I think. I have been going to clubs, playing games and then coming back. I will be 28 this month, so I just want to start playing football regular."

It had all looked so good for the Scot when he started the season as first choice at Preston but he broke his toe in November and has not made it back into the starting eleven:-

"I was caught short by a centre half and got injured. I came back but wasn't fully right and the toe broke again. As it was quite a bad knock, they got another goalkeeper in and to be fair to him he has done very well. I was given the choice of staying and fighting for a place or coming up here, so I thought I would come up here and play for Dunfermline." 

Iain Turner's contract at Preston is up at the end of this season, he obviously needs a regular slot at a club and he feels that he could rebuild his career at Dunfermline. He is keen to make this move to Dunfermline a permanent one:-

" I have been given a chance till the end of the season to see what I can do and show other people what I can do because I believe in what I can do. What I am after is a good club that has some good boys and hopefully I can help. Dunfermline is a big club and they have some good players. Its only my second day of training, so I am starting to see what they can do."

Iain has represented Scotland B and at Under 21 level so to have the chance to play in the SPL opens up the opportunity to put himself back in the shop window as far as playing for Scotland is concerned. He confessed that was the other thing he had looked at:-

" I am dying to play for Scotland and represent my country as would any Scottish man but to play for your country you have to be playing regularly. Obviously it does help a bit more in Scotland if you are playing regularly, you have more of a chance." 

So would Turner be facing Hibs on Saturday?

"We will find that out on Saturday. There has been a bit of trouble with the paperwork but I think that has gone through, so hopefully I will be starting. I have been speaking to Gall and training with Chris as well. Great goalkeepers and great boys, so I will see what I can do.

"At this stage of the season, every game is massive and it sets you up for the end of the season. Every game is a big game for a footballer."

Iain has never played at East End Park. He came once to watch his pal, Ross Beveridge, play there about 12 years ago but if he makes his debut on Saturday it will be the first time on the park. At the start of this season he scored a goal against Notts County but Dunfermline would take a win on Saturday no matter how it comes:-

"I did score, I never saw it as I was arguing with my centre half at the time! It was one of those things I was trying to find the striker and it took an awkward bounce and caught the other keeper out, but it's a goal on my record."

Subscribers to the Dunfermline Media Centre can hear more from Iain at www.dafc.welovesport.co.uk