Husband signs for Pars again

Kelty boy returns to the Club where he started his football career.

Stephen Husband has signed for Dunfermline on a two year deal.  He is a player whose progress Jim Jefferies has been tracking for sometime. He first noticed him in a reserve match between Hearts and Kilmarnock at Stirling but their paths strangely went different ways. On the day that Jim Jefferies arrived back at Tynecastle to replace Csaba L?szl? who had just been sacked from the manager's position Stephen had agreed to leave Hearts to join Blackpool.

Now some two and a half years later Jefferies has signed the 21 year old midfielder for Dunfermline. The gaffer explained to the website:-

"He is a player who came up last year and we felt he was a little overweight and we said we would only be interested if he addressed that. He lost his way down at Blackpool and we said if he turned up at pre season training we'd take a look at him. His fitness level impressed us although he still has a lot to find in his sharpness yet.

"In the two games he has played he has done well, he is a talented player who at 21 years of age has time on his side. He has the strength and power that you need especially when we have brought in one or two boys who are not the biggest. He gives us a presence and that presence will be needed in the First Division.

"I knew a little bit about him and when we got the chance I said 'lets get him in and have a look at him.' We are delighted to get him and it falls in line with what the Club is trying to do. The bulk of the squad is a young squad, he is only 21 but a mature 21 year old."

For Stephen it is a return to East End Park because his football career started in the Dunfermline Athletic Under 12s when Gordon Arthur and Chris Candlish were the coaches. Next it was Cowdenbeath where he spent a few seasons. Aged 16 he made the first team at Central Park before joining Hearts Youth Academy in July 2007.

Stephen told the website:-

"I had three good years at Hearts, did well and pushed to get into the first team. I took a chance to go to Blackpool under Ian Holloway but it didn't work out too great for me there. When it came to an end I returned here and have been enjoying my training here in pre season."

The midfielder is pleased to be back home. He was born in Kelty and attended Beath High School:-

"It has been good to be back home, around the family more and my friends. Playing with a local team has allowed me to do that."

The Blackpool experience was not an enjoyable one and he was loaned out to Stockport County, Stephen realises now that there was a huge step up from reserve football with Hearts to the English Championship.

"Towards the end of my time there I had got over that and it made me better for it."

Stephen revealed that he had discussions with Jim Jefferies before he left Hearts and the young player was told that it was up to him what he chose to do.

"He said to me that he couldn't promise me anything so I thought the best option at the time was just to go to England and take the opportunity down there. Now I am back the gaffer wanted to see me in a couple of games and I am glad that I managed to earn a contract."

Stephen is looking forward to the derbies in the First Division against Cowdenbeath, Raith Rovers and Falkirk but knows that there will be lots of competition for starting places.

Work hard and put a shift in for the team is Stephen's plan. He has been played in centre midfield most of his career but has had spells up front but feels that is not really for him.

"I am not sure what role I will be asked to play, I have played in the 'hole' a few times which I don't mind either. Whatever I am asked to do I will do it. I have noticed that we have a few midfielders but they are all young like me and need to learn. That is what we are all trying to do, so if we can come together and work something out then I am sure that the squad will be quite rotational."