Cardle on a high after tough time

Pars winger’s award all the more special after family worries

Dunfermline winger Joe Cardle said winning his first player of the month award is all the more special after the worry sparked by the premature birth of his baby daughter this summer.

Lyla Jo’s early arrival in June led to Cardle sleeping in the hospital at night to provide support to fiancée Lucy as their second-born was monitored by doctors and nurses.

The Pars fans’ favourite, this week named Championship player of the month for August, said the troubling spell sped by in a flash as he tried to keep his mind on football and care for his family at the same time.

However, now that Lyla Jo is thriving at home with big sister Josie-Anne, Cardle is thrilled a string of stunning on-field displays have been recognised with his well-earned accolade.

He said: “It’s the first player of the month I’ve ever received, so I’m happy.

“The last few months have been a whirlwind, really. It’s all happened. “It was tough going at the time. “I was basically living in hospital for three weeks with Lucy.

“I was sleeping in a tiny, wee bed in the hospital beside her and then getting up, seeing the baby and coming to training,” he said.

“The last three months has been pretty full-on but we’re getting settled in the house now.

“The wee one is in her own routine, putting on weight and it’s been fantastic,” he said.

“So the football has gone well, considering what’s been going on.”

Cardle has scored eight times in 10 games this season, including five in three consecutive games last month. It is a huge contrast to last term, when he started just eight matches after August.

The 30-year-old said: “The difference in six months is ridiculous. It’s the highs and lows of football.

“I’m just enjoying it so much this season, just being in training every day and being with the lads, playing games and scoring goals. It’s going so well at the moment.

“My confidence is high just now and I’m thriving on that. It can’t get any higher, when you’re scoring goals and making goals every week. It’s fantastic – every day of life is amazing.

“It’s about keeping that level up, and picking up points every week is the goal.

“Everyone’s on a high right now and it’s a great place to be, so we want to keep that going.”

The Pars travel to Morton this afternoon.

Picture: SNS. After coming through a difficult spell, Pars’ Joe Cardle has much to celebrate.