Midfielder wants to repay Dens gaffer’s faith in him

It was when the Dens gaffer was assisting Jim Jefferies at the Pars that Spence first caught the eye and the player recognises the positive influence the former Sky TV pundit had on his progress.

“From 16 onwards, Neil was pushing for me to be involved in the first team and I got in at 17.

“Then I was playing week in, week out, and doing well. But there was a change of manager and I dropped out of the picture.

“It didn’t work out and I don’t know to this day why but that happens in football, it’s about opinions.

“Overall, I enjoyed my time at Dunfermline even if the last two years were frustrating because I was on the bench a lot and then got loaned out a couple of times.

“That wasn’t what I wanted to be doing because I’d had a taste of the first team and I wanted to be playing in the starting XI.

“This has given me the chance of a fresh start and I’m determined to make the most of it.”

One thing that’s clear is if the gamble he’s taken does not work out, it won’t be for want of trying.

“I know it’s going to be hard because it is a big step up and there are good players here, so there’s a lot of competition for places.

“But I believe in my ability and I think Neil believes in my ability, so I intend to prove a lot of people wrong.

“It’s a big help that the gaffer believes in me, that’s a big part of the reason why I came.”

Lewis Spence in League One action for the Pars against Rangers.