RossDAFC, Wed 15 Apr 01:54

Fife Elite closed on 31 December 2021 which is when we started our own dedicated youth academy. John McLaughlin has been here for a good chunk of that time and in that time period the academy has produced 7 debutants. Of those 7, the Tod brothers have become mainstays, Taylor Sutherland and Sam Young have featured quite a bit, McLeod and Jake Sutherland have gained experience out on loan, Fyfe has come in and got 2 goal contributions against Airdrie at just 17 and Freddie Rowe (yet to play for Pars) looks a real prospect.

The only year prior to this that had as many mainstays come through was the 1996 age group with Lewis Martin, Ryan Williamson and Lewis Spence all coming through. PJ Crossan also fell into this age group and was sold on before making an impact at Dunfermline. Cammy Gill, Paul Allan, Callum Smith and Matty Todd all came in the 4 years following that, but one at a time. Jordan White is the only notable name in the years prior to that who had a solid career but never made an impact here, and before that you`re looking at the 1988 age group to Nicky Phinn to find anyone who had an impact at Dunfermline!

Now with the use of the strategic partnership loan co-operations we get players like Lucas Fyfe and Alistair Davidson able to play last night and still train with the first team but also get valuable minutes at their loan clubs. Can only be seen as another positive step in being able to develop our academy prospects.