Under 20s League boost

31/07/13: JJ - "They will be playing Premier League clubs and Rangers now along with teams who were there last year. It was testimony to what we did last year that we were invited in because we have dropped down a division."

Jim Jefferies is grateful that Dunfermline Athletic will play in the SPFL Under 20s League this season. He described the 'good news' as a platform for his young players to pitch a bid to get into the first team:-

"They will be playing Premier League clubs and Rangers now along with teams who were there last year. It was testimony to what we did last year that we were invited in because we have dropped down a division."

The invitation has come from the Performance Director of the SFA although it came as a bit of a surprise to JJ:-

"We didn't expect to be put forward for it but the coaching staff are here anyway and we think we can cope with it. Mark Wotte was impressed with us getting to the Youth Cup final. Some of these young players who maybe won't play in the first team didn't deserve to be lost due to having to disband the under 20s altogether.

"We have kids training with the first team who can play, two or three of the players who have not played in the first team on a Saturday, or are coming back from injury and any age of goalkeeper can play in that league.

"These players would have found it hard to get regular games next year because all the other teams would have been playing in this league so this is a consistent road for them to develop even better. Thankfully Pars United have sat down with me, we've talked it over and given Mark Wotte the yes to continuing. That is great news for everybody and it doesn't matter what the results are. We will always try to be competitive and win the game.

   
Ross Millen, Shaun Byrne, Allan Smith and Alex Whittle

"It is about boys like Ross Millen, Shaun Byrne, Allan Smith, Alex Whittle all coming through to the first team and I am sure that there is another bunch. Young Ryan Williamson has impressed us - he has already been on the bench in the first competitive game. We have got wee Lewis Spence and Scott Mercer - they will all get a chance. Hopefully James Washburn, Lewis Martin and Ross Drummond are others who can move us forward and challenge for a first team place.

   
Lewis Spence, Scott Mercer, Lewis Martin and Ross Drummond

"Dunfermline took the decision to go with youth, it has been a success and I think the fans have bought into it. They have enjoyed seeing these young boys; there has probably been less pressure and expectation upon them from the supporters who have been magnificent towards them. They would rather come along and see a young team like that giving their all. If it is not working then giving them the encouragement by saying 'I went along there and thoroughly enjoyed the way they tried to play.' It might not go their way every time but that is the best way that we can repay the fans."