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Player Departures
Following the conclusion of the 2020/21 season, the club can now confirm that Craig Watson, Brett Long, Kyle Bell, Jordan Hart and Josh McConville will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of this month.
Craig Watson joined the club in the summer of 2017 after leaving Hamilton Academical, making his debut against Peterhead in July that year before going on to make 100 appearances during his 4 years at Bayview, scoring 9 goals.
Goalkeeper Brett Long signed on at Bayview in May 2018 and featured on 77 occasions, keeping 19 clean sheets. Brett was awarded the Supporters Club Young Player of the Year twice in his time at the club, including for season 2020/21.
Kyle Bell’s 3 years at East Fife were badly impacted by a serious knee injury picked up in a pre-season match before the start of season 2019/20. Kyle made 22 appearances during his first season at Bayview and will move on to East of Scotland side Glenrothes FC for the start of next season.
Jordan Hart joined the club in May 2019 from Queen’s Park and has featured on 28 occasions, keeping 5 clean sheets during his two seasons at Bayview.
Midfielder Josh McConville was promoted from the Under 20s set-up at the start of last season. Josh made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old against Stirling Albion in the Challenge Cup in August 2019.
Speaking to the media team, Manager Darren Young expressed his thanks to the players moving on: “Janny (Craig Watson) has had a bit of an up-and-down time during his 4 years at the club due to injuries but established himself as a first-team regular this season. Craig has been a great servant to East Fife and always gave his all for the team.”
“Brett and Jordan have both done well for the club over the past few seasons however, goalkeeper was one area we wanted to freshen up before the start of next season. Both guys are still young and I’m sure they’ll continue to develop and progress in their careers.”
“Kyle has been so unlucky over the last 18 months, firstly by a serious knee injury, then his comeback was curtailed by the covid pandemic. Kyle has signed a pre-contract with Glenrothes FC so hopefully he gets the game time he needs and deserves.”
“Josh is another who’s career has been badly impacted by the pandemic. Josh needed games but unfortunately his spell at Lochee was cut short by the closure of their league. We felt Josh’s opportunities were limited at East Fife so hopefully he will get the matches he needs elsewhere”.
“All of the players leave with the best wishes from both me and the management team and we thank them for their contributions during their time at the club”.
Everyone at East Fife would like to thank Craig, Brett, Kyle, Jordan and Josh for their efforts and wish them all the best for the future.
Thank You to our Loan Players
Everyone at East Fife would like to thank the players who joined us on loan during the latter part of the season, and their parent clubs, for all their efforts: Cole McKinnon (Rangers), Miller Fenton (Dunfermline Athletic), Sean Brown (East Stirlingshire), Alasdair Adams (Tranent Juniors), Aaron Steele (St. Johnstone) and Greig Spence (Stenhousemuir).
Darren Young: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the players we had on loan last season. All the boys did everything we asked of them during their spell at Bayview and I’m sure all will have benefited from featuring in competitive games. Good luck for the future guys!”
Darren Young Pens New Contract at East Fife
East Fife FC are delighted to confirm that manager Darren Young has extended his contract until the summer of 2023. We are sure that this will continue the stability within the first team set up. Darren already has begun his planning for next season and we hope to be able to announce our first new signings of the summer within the next few days.
Darren Young commented: “'I am delighted to have agreed a two-year extension to my contract and I am already excited about what next season will bring for us.
“I feel that we have had progress year on year since I came to the club and this season, we were within two goals of securing a top 5 finish and ultimately finished 5 points off second spot in the league.”
“Every year League One has been more difficult than the year before and the forthcoming season will be just the same with some ambitious & experienced clubs joining us. We will however, be well prepared for the challenges ahead with the pre-season training starting in just 4 very short weeks.”
Scott Agnew Departs Bayview
It has been mutually agreed between the Club and Scott Agnew that the player be released from the remaining year of his contract.
Aggy has moved home to be nearer his family and with the success of his business the additional travelling would make it difficult for him to make training.
Over the last 3 years Scott has contributed greatly both on & off the field with 96 appearances and 25 goals, many of which were of the spectacular variety. He was part of the team that ended our long running hoodoo against Raith Rovers, but it is his unerring passing that will live long with the fans.
Aggy leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the Bayview & we all thank him for his efforts over the last 3 seasons.
Manager Darren Young commented: “Aggy has been a great servant to the club over the last 3 years. We fully understand his need to spend more time with his family & on his business. He has scored some remarkable goals and taken on the mantle of captain when Kevin Smith has been injured and has been a model professional both on & off the park. I wish him well for the future”.