From Spectator to Player

Young striker Allan Smith invites fans to come along and see the future of the Club

Chris Kane and Allan Smith

Allan Smith was over the moon with his three recent appearances in the first team but the 19 year old is now well and truly hyped up for the SFA Youth Cup semi final on Sunday. "I am positive, bring it on let's do this" he shouts and Allan is sure that every one of his team mates will be equally up for it.

The youngster experienced first team football while on loan at Brechin earlier this season but excitement of his Dunfermline first team call up will take some time to get over. It came as he was settling down to be a spectator at Dunfermline's home game against Partick Thistle on 2nd March:-

"I was in the stand with Blair Henderson on my phone when Andy Barrowman walked off during the warm up. Cabie shouted on me and I had to run to the car to get my bag, I had put it away. In the papers they had me down as Andy Kirk and there was a photo of me. What a blow for him!"

The late call had meant that Andy Kirk was promoted into the starting eleven and Allan took his place on the bench. Kirkie had only trained on the Friday during the week ahead of the game and it was no surprise when he had to be subbed at half time. Stephen Husband replaced him but at 4-0 down with thirty minutes to go Jim Jefferies obviously felt that there was nothing to lose from blooding his fellow Borderer. Allan took on the story:-

"When I first got on I was conscious of so many people watching but I just got on with it, after two minutes I forgot about the crowd and just got on with the game. I just ran about and did my best. It was 0-0 in the second half."

Allan came off the bench again against Airdrie United and Raith Rovers, he said that he especially enjoyed the Airdrie game:-

"There is a lot of difference between the 20s and the first team, it is a lot more physical and the boys are more demanding and its a higher tempo. I like it, I'd rather do that every week.

"It was good to get on in the Fife Derby. I was on for seven minutes but it felt like two. I had two opportunities - a shot from outside the box and then a cut back from Stephen Jordan. A defender got it but had I scored my top would have been off.

"That was the loudest I've heard a crowd . When I started playing for the first team, it was like I was back at Brechin - just coming on when they were getting beat and everyone is down."

The Under 20s appear to really appreciate Jim Jefferies' interest in his young team. The gaffer watches most of their matches and goes into the dressing room after games to tell them what his opinion is on the match.

"He points out where I go wrong but I do my best which I hope is good enough to earn a contract for next year. John Potter is really good as well; he tells you when you do well and where you go wrong. He is positive and upbeat."