Stuart Morrison signs from Fife Elite
Sunday, 1st May 2016Stuart Morrison has signed up as a youth player at Dunfermline Athletic.
When Stuart leaves Inverkeithing High School this summer it will be to join Dunfermline on a Modern Apprenticeship. He told the website that he is really looking forward to the challenge.
"I have been at Dunfermline for nine seasons from the age of eight. It is really good to eventually get a full time contract.
"I made my debut for the 20s up at Inverness just after my fifteenth birthday; that was over two years ago now but it feels like only a few months ago. Time passes by fast and I have played between 30 and 40 games for the under 20s in the last two seasons. It has been a really good experience, playing at that young age at a higher level against a few big names like Anthony Stokes, and Josh Magennis.
"In the Celtic game at Lennoxtown this year they had the likes of Ryan Christie, Scott Allan, Patrick Roberts, Charlie Mulgrew and Tom Rojic. It was the toughest game that I have played in. Although it was tough I enjoyed every minute of it, playing against internationalists.
Stuart who lives in Dalgety Bay has enjoyed being at the club when he has been in training and looks forward to being able to do that on a daily basis.
"I am lucky to be getting to do for the next two seasons. I hope to come in, find my feet and settle down again because I have been ill for the last couple of months. I missed quite a lot of matches so I want to get back to my usual self again."
After bad side affects from a vaccination at school Stuart's hands and legs were a struggle to move. The match against Inverness at Dingwall at the beginning of March was his last appearance
"I have been lying in bed for a few weeks which just drained me completely. I am better now and back at school. I need to just get my head down and try to impress Potts, the gaffer and Sandy."
Stuart could easily have stayed on at school to study for further qualifications but it has always been his ambition to be a footballer.
"That is what I have wanted to do from a very young age. I have a really good opportunity now to go and make that a reality."
It was Roger Arnott who spotted Stuart and took him into the Dunfermline youth set up. He claims that he has already learned a lot from John Potter and he is looking forward to coming in full time with him.
John Potter commented:-
"Stuart is still at school but has played a lot of under 20s games from the age of 15 and 16. Since he has been involved in under 20s he has been cruising under 17 games when he played for them.
"He was part of the Dunfermline Academy before and Stephen Wright brought him into the Fife Academy as well. He has done really well and I have high hopes for him. He is quiet but he is strong and willing to learn.
"I would like to think that he can push himself very quickly. If he does it right and does it properly I would hope that he can make the first team in the next couple of years. He is a good player and knows the environment that he is coming into. I am delighted to get him on board. I think he will be a very good signing for Dunfermline."
Head of the Fife Elite Academy, Stephen Wright said that he was delighted for Stuart.
"He is a great kid, he has been with me when I was at Dunfermline since he was ten years old. I have known him for a number of years, I know his family and he is really grounded. He has a great attitude and has played as a defender for many years.
"I think he has been involved with John Potter's 20s for the last two years and he is only seventeen now. That just tells you how much he has come on in a short space of time.
"I am delighted for him because he has worked really hard, he is a local lad and he is now getting what he deserves. He is an example for the younger ones in the Academy and the ones that are coming through.
"He played with Fife Elite under 17s last year but to be honest because he was doing so well he played mainly with Dunfermline under 20s. It is always harder to be involved higher up as a defender, it is sometimes a lot easier if you are a striker or a wide man to come on in games.
"It just shows you that he has been able to handle playing against Premier League strikers at such a young age. All credit to him and we are delighted at the Academy.
"When he comes and plays with us at Fife Elite he helps the younger players round about him, they get an added 20% to their game when they know Stuart is playing alongside them. Stuart has probably learned that from playing with John Potter and the experienced players from first team level in the 20s.
"Anytime he has played with Dunfermline 20s he has never been out of place; he has made the odd mistake but everybody makes the odd mistake. He is a quick learner as well.
"He has played against a lot of international players for his age group, against a lot of Premier League strikers and he can handle that no problem. His future is bright at Dunfermline."
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