Even the bad times were good

Callum Morris now 26, returns to Dunfermline and says that it feels like he has never been away

Callum Morris spoke to other clubs after it was clear that his future was not going to be at Aberdeen Football Club but he was delighted when it became possible to return to Dunfermline. Speaking exclusively to this website the new signing said:-

"Everything worked out well and it was probably the best move and package for me at the time. I am pleased to get the opportunity to come and play here again.

"Kenny Murray, Mo Hutton, all the back room people, they are still the same. Even the Chairman was here before. I know it has only been two and a half years that felt like a lifetime but when you walked back through the door it was like I had never been away, strange.

"I am happy to be here and looking forward to getting started again. I am signed until the end of the season and will work hard to get into the team and play. We will see what happens from there."

Callum first signed for Dunfermline for season 2012-13 and after six starts had his contract extended until the end of the following season. Unfortunately when administrators moved in March 2013 Callum remained as one of the most experienced players albeit he had only just turned 23. He reflected on his baptism in August of that season when he took over from John Potter in the centre of the Pars defence. That was against Montrose in the League Cup and having achieved a shut out Callum was then pitched into a Fife Derby against Raith Rovers just four days later:-

"To be fair to Jim Jefferies he put me straight into the team. I think I only trained a few days and was in against Raith. The most incredible thing was how everyone at the club and the fans all pulled together.

"It was a bit of a dark time but it just shows you when people come together like that you can drag yourselves through to the other side. Look at the club now, they have a great squad and are on a great run at the minute and looking up the table.

"It was a strange time at the age of 23 being the oldest player in the dressing room. It was great for me, it was character building, we had to get on with it because if we didn`t then it was only going to get worse. I think we all did that."

There were many lows but Callum remembers plenty of good times too, he said that it was a bit crazy but it all stood him in good stead for the future:-

"You look back on all the negatives but I would not regret my part in all that. The results and play offs weren`t the best outcomes, and obviously you are down after that but if you look back on the whole it was an enjoyable time. I`d like to think that I had a good rapport with everyone here, the fans and the staff and that is one of the things that lured me back."

When Callum left in June 2014 it was to join Dundee United. There he started off well making thirty appearances and scored the opening goal at Hampden as United defeated Aberdeen to progress to the League Cup Final. The following season Callum only made 15 appearances including one against the Pars in the League Cup when he scored.

"I got the opportunity to join Aberdeen, obviously a massive club, playing in Europe, pushing for cups and challenging at the top of the SPFL but in pre season I got a niggling injury and never got the opportunity that I felt I merited. That is just how football goes.

"I worked hard every day, put in extra training but it just didn`t work out. I have no regrets, you couldn`t turn down an opportunity like that."

Callum has not played a league game since May last year (at Inverness) but feels that he has maintained his fitness at a good level. Match fitness will come quick and not really anything to worry about.

"I am just looking forward to getting back into training with the lads and hopefully get in the team." He accepts that it will not be easy, "look at the last two results, two clean sheets and two wins. If it was up to me I don`t think I would change that, if you are winning why would you?

"It is up to me now to stake a claim which I am more than looking forward to."

It is friends re-united for Callum in as much as former Pars team mates are still around:- Andy Geggan, Ryan Williamson, Lewis Martin, Lewis Spence and John Potter are still around and even some of his Tannadice mates are now at East End Park. He commented:-

"Potts asked me about bringing in Euan Spark and I said `if you get the opportunity get him because he is a brilliant young player`. It is strange how it has come about that I have followed him here.

"It does make a difference having people you know about. It makes it easier in the changing room but to be fair to the lads after being in one day all the lads are brand new and made me feel welcome."

Some say that you should never return to a club you leave but Callum is comfortable and confident he can dispel the theory:-

"It is each to their own, this is what was going to work out best for me. I don`t see that it should be an issue at all. It is not as if I have come in on a negative, I have come on a positive really which is good."

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