Platform is there at East Fife for players to improve themselves and club

Dowds, who joined the Fifers from the East of Scotland League a couple of season back, will play against the Methil club next season in League One for Falkirk.

The forward made a real impression in his time with the club, scoring 20 goals in 77 appearances after joining from Heriot Watt University.

That record turned the heads of several full-time sides, with Dowds deciding to move to the central belt on Monday.

Young praised the young striker’s attitude and says his departure proves the opportunity is there at East Fife for players to help progress both their own career and the club.

“We’re not delighted to be losing Anton but we’re delighted he has a chance to further his career,” said the Bayview boss.

“He came in on trial to start off with and impressed, so we gave him an amateur deal.

“After that he starts scoring goals so we gave him a new deal and that was all down to his hard work, effort and attitude.

“He has a good chance to improve and go further up the ladder.

“We want to give guys that sort of platform but, at the end of the day, it’s up to the players to come in and do it.

“We did the same at Albion Rovers and the club made a wee bit of money off them.

“Sadly that’s not the case with Anton but, if we can attract guys who have maybe fallen by the wayside and put them on the right path, then it show’s we’re doing something.

“It’s the same with the youth boys coming in and joining us, that’s already paying off.”

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press