New signing cannot wait for Saturday

First interview with Jim Paterson

Jim Paterson put pen to paper this afternoon (Tuesday) to sign for Dunfermline until the end of the season. The 35 year old is glad to be back involved in full time football. His job as a personal trainer will go on hold as he sets out to make his playing career last as long as possible.

Speaking exclusively to the website the man of many clubs talked about his career path that has taken him to East End Park:-

"I only had two clubs up until I was 29 but I have definitely been round the block now! I returned to Scotland at the age of 34 after being down in England playing for ages. A lot of people were wary of signing me, they felt that they shouldn't go near me until Dick Campbell wanted me in.

"He knew me and I did really well but when the chance came to come to Dunfermline it was a no brainer - back to full time football with the chance of doing a wee bit here and there with the under 20s. I need to start getting that kind of experience in my cv.

"At the same time I really enjoyed my time under Dick Campbell but in the end I wanted to come here. It was that simple."

When at Bristol Rovers it had been suggested to him that he should maybe be going after some of the player / manager opportunities in the lower leagues. Jim was adamant however that it was the playing side that really attracted him to Dunfermline although there will be coaching opportunities. He continued:-

"I want to play for as long as I can but I want to step into coaching at some stage. If I can do some of that while I am still playing, not affecting the playing side then it is good to get that under your belt."

Jim is accustomed to playing beside Rab Douglas and Darren Dods at Forfar. Adding their's to his made a combined age of 116 so it was no surprise that the new man's first impressions of the Pars in training was the youthfulness. Talent is very apparent to him but he thinks that he can add essential experience to the team:-

"If I can be a voice at times in games when you need that bit of experience. I am not being silly but it might just be putting your foot through the ball when under pressure or being vocal in pulling people about. Young kids with talent want to go and play, go and express themselves. I am not going to stop them doing it but on the other side they need somebody to turn to in terms of when maybe the game is not going your way.

"I have trained with them for the last two days and the talent that is here is of a high standard." Jim Paterson was an opponent in the last match Dunfermline played against Forfar Athletic, he recalled his impression of the Pars that day, 18th October :-

"In that game I think the first shot at goal Dunfermline had was the penalty. That day I felt that up until a point Dunfermline had the lion's share of the ball but we sat in and kept it tight up to the last third where we managed to win it back and counter attacked. I have spoken to the manager about it.

"That day Dunfermline played great football but just didn't penetrate. I didn't see the game at the weekend but as the manager has said putting the ball in the net wins you games. That is why strikers get paid fortunes because it is the hardest thing to do in football but at the same time it is about turning all that creative play into goals."

Forfar started their season well, Stranraer have had their run of 18 games undefeated, Brechin City are currently on a run of eleven games without defeat. Jim Paterson feels that Dunfermline are due their run:-

"We have a game in hand on Stranraer and if we can put a run together now we will catch teams up. Coming towards the end of the season, the fact that we are full time will make a difference as the games go on."

Jim claims that he helped John Potter through his coaching badges and is keen to get the club back up into the Championship.

"I have only been involved for two days but the training is brilliant. The boys are a good standard. I have been part time for the past couple of months but in the past two days despite my fitness levels being quite high, I have felt the pace. That is the point that I make about being full time."

Jim is undeterred by the length of his contact and hopes to demonstrate fitness levels and ability to still do it at the age of 35.

"If I can impress then who knows come the summer if that can lead to another six months or a year I will be delighted. The only way I can do that is by putting in good performances.

"I can play at full back but I still get forward and get crosses into the box. I am up and down the park. Defensively I am always talking so I can play in a number of positions - left back, centre back if he decides to go with a three. I can play centre midfield and organise and orchestrate from there. I can bring a lot to the team as well as experience.

"My main aim is to play in this first team and get us back up the league. I am looking forward to getting started and cannot wait for Saturday."

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