Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 11:55
Bayne happy to be back 'home' with Pars switch
By Simon Harris
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YOU can take the boy out of Fife but you can’t take Fife out of the boy.
Striker Graham Bayne put pen to paper on a two-year deal to join the Pars this week and then admitted it was good to be back.
The Kirkcaldy-born target man was speaking to Press Sport by the Pitreavie pitches where as a kid for Ladybank Violet he first started filling his strikers’ boots.
“We didn’t do too well though so I wouldn’t write much about that,” the likeable 28-year-old grinned.
“I’m a Fife boy to start with so it’s great. I used to play on these pitches when I played with my boys’ club so it does feel like coming home. I loved Inverness, I was there for six years and it’s a fantastic place to live but the time was right to move on.”
Bayne, who had a year of his contract with Inverness left to run, has been tracked all summer by boss Jim McIntyre and it was the Highlanders’ signing of neighbouring frontman Andy Barrowman from Ross County which allowed former Par Craig Brewster to sanction the deal and clear the way for Bayne to head back down the A9.
Athletic paid a fee of around £30,000 to sign the player and Bayne admitted, “It is a boost these days when someone is willing to pay money for you and it’s fantastic that the manager has had faith and belief in me and was also patient enough to pursue the deal. I just want to repay his faith in me with my performances on the park.”
The 6”1in frontman has spent six years in the Highlands, first with Ross County and then Caley and he said of his move, “I just thought the time was right family-wise and career-wise to move on.
“I’m at the stage of my career now when I want to be playing every week. That was becoming increasingly difficult at Inverness. But it was a family decision to come back down with a new-born, my wife felt it was the right time and it’s an excellent opportunity.
“I just think there are a number of big clubs in the first division and Dunfermline are definitely up there with them. It’s an ambitious squad with an ambitious manager.
“There have been a few cutbacks but the manager seems to be getting the right players in, people he’s been after and the aim now will be to be up among the teams at the top of the table.
“I don’t really know any of the boys that well, I know Alex Burke because he was with Ross County at the same time and it’s always nice to see a friendly face.
“A few of the boys pulled me though the running today as I’m three or four days behind them in pre-season training.”
Asked what he could bring to the team, Bayne said, “First of all, hard work and if I can fit into their style of play I’ll create a few chances and if I could score a few goals as well it would be a nice bonus.”
With a career record of just over 30 goals in 159 appearances, Bayne’s not known for his goalscoring but that’s not why he’s been signed according to McIntyre, who was “delighted” to finally land his man.
“He is a strong target man. He is very strong in the air, he can hold the ball up and is good with his back to play,” McIntyre told Press Sport.
“I felt it was important that we brought another target man to the club, especially with my injury record.
“I think he will undoubtedly set up a lot of goals. He is not an out-and-out goalscorer. We know that and that’s fine. His strengths are team play, he works hard, runs the channels and is just an all-round good team player.
“I’m looking for two more to feed off him. We need another two strikers, there’s no doubt about that. We are working very hard behind the scenes to make that happen but, as I’ve said before, I’m not prepared to sign someone to make up the numbers.”
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