SPREAD THE WORD - CMON YE PARS
Hello, im Jim Leishman a West Fife man born and bred. A native of Lochgelly and was educated at Beath High School in Cowdenbeath where l was a prefect student - I left school at 17 years of age with six 'O' levels and two highers and three days later on 3 June 1971 l started as a full-time footballer with Dunfermline Athletic.
I had been signed as a young player from Dunfermline United by Andy Young when George Farm was the manager. He had played for the Scottish Schoolboys team.I made my debut just weeks into the new season against Ayr United and went on to make seven appearances during the 1971-72 season before becoming a regular for the next two seasons. I was a member of the Dunfermline team that won promotion at the end of 1972-73 under the guidance of George Miller and l held my place in the team the following season 1973-74 which saw the Pars retain their Division One status with a dramatic last match victory over who else but Dundee United at Tannadice.With three seasons at East End Park behind me l had made over 80 first team appearances. However to all intent and purposes his playing days finished just a few weeks into the 1974-75 season l suffered a broken leg whilst playing for the Pars in A League Cup tie against Hearts.
I was only to make one more appearance for Dunfermline - coming on as substitute against Clyde on 18 February 1976. At the age of 29 l found myself in charge of a club which l had followed as a youngster. I had great times, working with great people until it came to an end in 1990, l went to Livingston years on and had a good time, but l always wanted to be at my beloved Pars.
In May 2005 some twenty years on l returned to manage the Pars having kept them in the top flight with two remarkable victories over Dundee and Dundee United. The club, players and fans can look forward with re-newed confidence and optimism for the campaign under myself and Robbo.
