Washburn joins the ranks

18 year old centre half signed after being released from Football League Two club, Torquay United.

James Washburn has joined Dunfermline from Torquay United, the club he joined at the age of 16 until released by them in March 2013. The centre half who will not be 19 until December came recommended by a former Dunfermline player who is currently on the coaching staff at the south coast club. He explained:-

"The move to Dunfermline came about because my agent knows Jim Jefferies. He spoke to the gaffer and he then asked Craig Easton what he thought of me. He gave me a good reference.

"My accommodation is to be sorted out and I have signed a contract. There was uncertainty about my contract at Torquay and there had to be a conversation because they did not want to get caught by signing me and then having to pay out loads of compensation."

Jim Jefferies described James' move:-

"He is young but we heard good things about him. He is raw but we feel that there might be something there. It is not a big gamble for us so we will give it until the end of the year. Basically he is here to develop in the under 20s squad so that Kerr Young, John Potter and Callum Morris can concentrate on the first team."

Although released in March, James' contract did not expire until the last week of June this year. He is now keen to impress at Dunfermline saying "I cannot wait. It is for six months initially to be reviewed before Christmas. I haven't trained since March so I need to do some extra training to get up to fitness."

His trial was against Rangers at Murray Park and he played 90 minutes for the under 20s against Rosyth Juniors last week. After that he hopes to play in the Under 20s league games that start on Tuesday 6th August at home to St Mirren.

"I am right footed but can play with my left. I broke my toe in my right foot and had to play with my left."

Even though he left a Football League Two club to come north James has been very impressed with the professional set up at Dunfermline. The assistance that he received at Torquay was not to be forgotten however and James made a point of acknowledging his youth team coach, Geoff Harrop (formerly Colchester United), Robbie Herrera his assistant (formerly Fulham and QPR), the physio Gareth Laws and his carer down there in the house that was home to ten of the young players.