The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Crawford joy as coach role made permanent
Former Pars player hails ‘perfect’ move after difficult time at MK Dons
Stevie Crawford has been named as a Dunfermline coach on a permanent basis and believes the move is perfect for him after enduring a “hard” time at MK Dons.
The former Pars player was drafted in to fill the role of first-team and reserve coach on a temporary basis after the departure of John Potter for Sunderland last month. And, after impressing manager Allan Johnston, his former Scotland team-mate, Crawford has now landed a long-term stay in his third spell at East End Park.
The 44-year-old was out of work after leaving MK Dons when Robbie Neilson was sacked in January and is determined to overcome the disappointments of that brief stint south of the border.
The former Hibernian and Raith Rovers striker said: “Coming in and seeing how the boys were, where the club are hoping to get to over the next few years, it just felt right. When I put the coach’s kit on that first day, with its Dunfermline badge, it was right. It is great that the club has given me the opportunity of this important role and I am just delighted to be here officially.
“The club has been good for me and my family. I want to try and bring something back to the club. As much as I have fond memories of most of my time here as a player, it is now about trying to help the younger boys and even the first-team boys so that they can go and create memories for themselves and for everybody connected with the club.”
He added: “It was a positive atmosphere to come into after a hard 13 months down at MK.
“It will be hard for Robbie because that’s our partnership split up. You never know in football, maybe years down the line we will work together. He was a great guy both on and off the pitch and good for me.”