A Hoppy Christmas

Last Christmas David Hopkirk was missing training to fill shelves at Scotmid.

The 22 year old who joined Dunfermline near the end of the transfer window in January this year is hoping that he has swapped a supermarket in the East End of Glasgow for East End Park for good. The striker was signed from Annan Athletic by John Potter and that heralded a return to full time football for the player who had previously played at youth level with Dundee United, Celtic and Hamilton.

Part time football meant that the boy who was brought up in Clydebank had a job with Scotmid. He reflected how different it was this Christmas:-

"I was working all last Christmas and didn't go to training. This is better, I don't want to go back to that. My contract is up at the end of the season and that plays on my mind. I would love to extend my stay at Dunfermline, it is a big club and hopefully on the way up."

'Hoppy' as he affectionately known by both team mates and fans has certainly done all the right things lately to catch the eye of manager Allan Johnston. None more so than the winner at Somerset Park two weeks ago.

He has been working out in the gym to make sure that he is super fit when he is named in the team or comes off the bench.

"I think I have been doing alright but I am trying hard to get more goals in my game. This month I have come off the bench twice and scored against Brechin City and Ayr.

David started and scored in the last game against Forfar Athletic in October but has started only twice since. He started last Saturday against Stenhousemuir his first start in seven and this was no doubt as a reward for scoring the winner at Ayr when Dunfermline were up against it and down to ten men. He pointed out just how competitive starting places were in the current team:-

"Everyone is doing well and everyone wants to play. Obviously we have a strong squad but it is a team game and you need to be patient. Whoever is playing has to be ready for your shot.

"We are top of the league and going well. We maybe have not been playing the best football but teams have been hard to play against. They are sitting in but we have done alright and got the results. We just need to concentrate on the next game.

"Forfar have appointed Gary Bollan as their new manager, when he was at Airdrie he had them playing quite good football and I am sure that they will be up for it."

AstroTurf is not liked by all but it is David Hopkirk's preferred playing surface so Station Park will be a welcome sight for him.

"If I played on grass every week I would prefer that but we train on Astro all the time. It is an advantage to me but it could be an advantage for Forfar as well since they train on it as well."

There is no gorging and abusing oneself on Christmas Day if you are a footballer. Hoppy is well aware of what the routine has to be:-

"You just have to stay professional and watch what you are eating. I will do a jog in the morning, go out for a family meal and then I will rest up for the game."

David hopes that all Dunfermline fans enjoy their Christmas and his message for the fans planning to travel to Forfar on Saturday:-

"Enjoy the game, hopefully we can get the three points and travel safe!"

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