JIM McARTHUR is a name that is likely not too familiar to the average Dunfermline supporter but is one that definitely should be held in high regard.

He was the manager when the Pars’ youth side won the 1988 Scottish Youth Cup, something never achieved by the club before or since, beating Dundee 2-1.

Jim was involved in the youth development at East End for several years, before Dunfermline legend and Provost of Fife Jim Leishman took him to Livingston FC where he would play a huge part in the early stages of some of Scottish football's top talents.

His life has been dominated by football, his sister Janet recalls: “I remember hearing shouting and swearing from outside, as loud as anything. I asked my mum what it was and she said, 'It’s oor Jim roaring at the laddies he’s playing football with in the Rex Park!'.

Clearly, the passion was there from the start.

Jim's first venture into coaching came when he took over the Railway Club. A league title there was enough for Halbeath to take notice and he was snapped up.

It was here that his relationship with Dunfermline began as Halbeath had access to some of the facilities at East End Park. He struck up a relationship with Leishman and was invited to take over as Pars youth manager.

Jim explained the challenges at this time: “At that point, we didn’t have a proper squad, I had to put together the best squad I could from schoolboys in the local area. I think we achieved a really great thing with the squad we had.”

This was highlighted by a quote from the manager of the Rangers youth side (the team that MacArthur’s youngsters defeated in the quarter-final on their way to the Youth Cup victory), Peter McCloy, who said: “I was embarrassed at Dunfermline last week by our performance. All credit and good luck to our opponents but they only had three signed players – the rest were boys' club players.”

Jim has kept a clipping of that quote as a reminder of a day when his team performed brilliantly.

The squad featured players such as Ray Sharp, who represented Scotland at under-21 level before getting a big move to Preston North End from Dunfermline; Andy Williamson, who would become a fan favourite at East End; and David Sinclair, who won the Coca-Cola Cup with Raith Rovers and featured in the Kirkcaldy side's famous match against Bayern Munich.

Following on from the Youth Cup win, Jim’s Dunfermline side were invited to play the Scotland national youth team in a warm-up before a youth World Cup, where they picked up a 2-0 win, and then the following year, missed out on the Celtic Centenary Trophy after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Dundee United.

Jim said: “For me, the Centenary Cup final and the win against Scotland were even bigger achievements. To do those things with schoolboys was fantastic, especially when we only lost on penalties to Dundee United, a team that was filled with plenty of top future Premiership players and we beat a Scotland team that would get to the final of that World Cup.”

After the success of the youth team and the departure of Leishman from East End, Jim followed Leish to Livingston where he became chief scout, a role he would fill for a total of 15 years.

During this period, Jim played a part in the discovery and development of the early careers of players such as Scotland internationals Robert Snodgrass and Graham Dorrans, as well as new Dunfermline manager James McPake and St Johnstone hero Murray Davidson.

“From 2001 to 2006, the talent that was coming through at Livi was unbelievable due to the coaching of Tony Taylor, John Mclaughlin and Paul Connolly. Make no mistake, my job was identification. I might have been good at it but I was helped greatly by people like them and my scouts.”

There was a slight break from Livi as Jim returned to the East End youth set-up but after some disagreements it was short-lived, and he went back to Almondvale.

Yet another twist occurred though as Jim was then approached by Rangers to oversee their youth development.

This again was short-lived though as after a meeting and a cup of tea with Livingston chairman Gordon McDougall, Jim was reassured of the club’s ambition and returned once again to the youth set-up at Livingston, where he would remain until he retired.

Jim said: “Livingston are a great club who were really appreciative of me, and I know I’ve always got a seat there. I really appreciate everything that Leish did for me during my time there as well as getting me in the door at Dunfermline.”

For his part, Leishman said of his old pal: “Jimmy is a great guy and has always been someone I know I could rely on and trust. His record speaks for itself. To win a national competition was fantastic for the club at the time. All the big teams were involved too. Every Saturday morning, he’d be at a football game at Dunfermline, not just in Fife but all over.

“The guys he brought through at Livi were amazing, James McPake being one of them as well as Snodgrass and Dorrans. Jimmy saw these guys and went out and got them. He knew what was needed in a player if they were going to have any chance of playing in the first team. His talent identification was fantastic.”

Now at the fine young age of 82, you would assume that football is very much in the past for Jim and he is relaxing with his wife, Joyce, putting his feet up in his retirement.

Nothing could be further from the truth as he still plays football twice a week!

“I still love it. I’ve got no intention of stopping. It’s a good laugh with all the guys. I played the best I had in a few months the other day, I’m coming onto a game!”