Youngsters say deal
Thursday, 19th Mar 2009Nick Phinn and Calum Woods content with putting pen to paper reveal the thinking behind their decisions.
Nick Phinn and Calum Woods have signed extensions to their contracts and here they both reflect on their reasons for agreeing to sign on with Dunfermline until the end of season 2010 -11:-
Nick Phinn enjoys his football at Dunfermline and he was delighted to sign for Jim McIntyre:- "The club has been great with me in the past by keeping me on and giving me new contracts so I was happy to sign." Nick lives in Glasgow but there are four or five of his team mates who live near enough him for them to share the travelling. He has not given up in playing with Dunfermline in the SPL next season. "We know that we have let ourselves down this season at times, especially at home. We could have picked up more points and been up there challenging just now but I don't think that we are out of it yet. "A few wins would see us climb a few places; we still have a few games in hand over some teams." Nick who was included in the Scotland U21 squad recently but missed out on the selection for the double header against Albania at the end of this month is not concern even if the Pars fail to reach the SPL for 2009-10:- "To be fair I don't really know anything else either." Referring to his three appearances in the SPL in season 2005-06 Nick added "the First Division is all I know and this is the first run of games that I have had. I am really enjoying my football just now." The Aberdeen cup tie at East End Park with a crowd of 9696 - the largest for a competitive match there since the Celtic SPL game on 11th February 2004 - gave the 20 year old a flavour of what it is like playing in such an atmosphere:- "Apart from Scott Thomson's testimonial match that was the only other time that the house has been packed like that. It was the same as the Aberdeen game but it would be great to play to crowds like that every week." The goalscoring midfielder certainly seems to be first man down on Jim McIntyre's team sheet. Of Dunfermline's 36 matches this season, Nick has started 34 and made one appearance off the bench. "It is obviously good for me but I just want to impress the Manager enough to be in the team every week. There's nothing worse than being in then back out; the way it has been for me in the past." Nick's father encouraged his son's career but when Hearts boys club in Glasgow disbanded he was persuaded by two of his mates, Gary Stewart and Liam McLaren, to join Billy Bennett and Kenny Black's U13 youth team at Dunfermline. "It means I now know so many people around the club. I stayed with Mo, the kit man and his wife Helen's digs for two years. The club was like a second family when I had to stay here."
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Liverpool born Calum Woods is pleased to extend his stay in Fife. He said:- "I am really pleased to do that. I have been here for a few years now and have really enjoyed my time here. I have settled down nicely and I am just happy to get it signed. "Dunfermline is a massive club and a new contract is a great opportunity for me. It is like a reward to me. "I have been playing quite a bit and all I want to be doing is playing first team games. I have been playing most weeks so hopefully I can carry on to do that. " Jim McIntyre has made it easy for Calum to pledge his future to Dunfermline. "I have played a lot of games under him and so it is a big thanks for playing me. He has had the faith to go with me every week." Scottish football is very much at the forefront of Calum's thoughts although a return to his native England would be welcome in the longer term:- "I enjoy being up in Scotland but hopefully I can get back to England but I just want to play at the highest level possible. "I aim to get out of the First Division but hopefully I can do that with Dunfermline." After discussions with his father and his agent Calum was happy to put pen to paper. He also acknowledged the way fans have been supportive to him during games. "It is really good for me and gives you confidence in games when you have supporters behind you." |
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