Borders teenager signs two year contract with Dunfermline
Published 8 Mar 2011 09:29
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TEENAGE goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow has just signed a new two-year contract with Dunfermline Football Club, writes Graham Ford.
Ryan, 17, from Earlston, currently combines his football career with a sports course at Borders College. He has been with Dunfermline for a few years and is a regular with the u19 side.
The new extension has been welcomed by Goodfellow and his Borders College tutor Stevie McLeish a former professional footballer who coached youngsters at Scottish Premier League side Hibs last season.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph, McLeish said: "The contract came about following discussions I had between Steven Wright, the Head of Youth Development at Dunfermline, and Jim Leishman to establish if Ryan would be getting a full-time contract.
"I also explained our plans for the BASE Academy (Borders Academy of Sporting Excellence) and that I wanted to help Ryan by bringing him on to the college course. This would allow him to train with Dunfermline two days a week, while we can help with develop his education further.
"I am also hopeful that this could be the formation of an important link with Dunfermline towards future football contracts."
Ryan has been a goalkeeper since starting at just six years-old with Earlston Rhymers. He has had brief spells at Hibs and Celtic before going to Dunfermline.
He added: "Juggling the course and my football has been a lot easier than I thought. I am glad I have taken this option as it allows me to learn more about sport, and to develop my fitness further with a lot of the sports based activities here."
Talking about his time at Dunfermline, Goodfellow added: "As a team we have been on a really good run recently, and I am glad that I have been enjoying a fair amount of game time. I am desperate to break into the first team at Dunfermline at some point and from there who knows where I might end up."
BASE Football is a new strand to the Borders College sporting portfolio following on from the rugby and mountain biking developments. Ryan is one of a number of football students who are currently attracting the attention of football scouts around the country.
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