FORMER Pars hero Joe Cardle has revealed he is mulling over "three concrete offers" as he weighs up his next move after leaving Kelty Hearts.

The 36-year-old departed New Central Park in the summer after two years, during which he helped the club to an historic League Two title win during their first-ever season in the SPFL in 2021/22, which also saw him named as PFA Scotland's League Two Player of the Year.

Earlier this summer, Cardle, who set up his own football academy three years ago, told Press Sport of his desire to continue playing, and hoped to combine it with a coaching role.

The offers he has on the table currently are solely in an on-field capacity, and Cardle, who scored the 100th goal of his senior career in his last home game in a Kelty shirt, explained: "I've got offers there. I've got three concrete offers just now - it's just deciding what to do.

"It's hard. When you've done something for 20 years, it's a difficult decision to make, so I don't want to rush into anything. A player / coach role would probably have been ideal for me, but nothing's really materalised on that. It's all playing roles.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm still very lucky to be asked to play, to be offered contracts to play, but it's got to be right for me.

"I've said it to you before, I've not struggled, but, part-time, I couldn't get used to that transition of training at night. When you've done something for 19, 20 years full-time, training in the morning, getting used to that routine, I struggled with that.

"When I'm coaching at night, then training afterwards, it was a bit of a blow for me, Tuesday Thursday nights. Probably blow isn't the right word, but it was tough.

"I thought, because it was less hours, it was going to suit me better. I just think, when you've done something for that amount of time, and your body's just used to getting up in the morning, going to the club, having your breakfast, being in and around the boys, train for 2-3 hours, then be back home for one o'clock, your body gets used to it for 20 years.

"I thought, the transition, for me I struggled with. I've got offers there, I've got options there, but I just don't want to rush into anything."

In a decorated career that began at Port Vale, Cardle remains revered amongst Dunfermline fans, having enjoyed two successful spells at KDM Group East End Park.

A First Division (now Championship) title, in 2011, and a League One winners' badge, in 2016, were won during his time with Athletic, whilst further honours were claimed with Partick Thistle, in League One, and Airdrie and Raith Rovers, in the Challenge Cup (SPFL Trust Trophy).

Currently, though, he has had to watch on as competitive football, in the shape of the Viaplay Cup group stage, has been taking place, but Cardle has been glad to have his thriving academy to focus on.

"I know obviously the season's started, but at this moment in time, I'm really enjoying doing this (the academy)," he continued.

"We've got camps throughout the summer, the one-to-one programme, and the small group sessions that we do daily, is what I love. I'm very lucky to be doing that Monday to Friday and, obviously, I want to grow that.

"If it comes to it, and I'm not playing football, then I've got more time on my hands and I can concentrate on that a little bit more.

"The decision's still not made. As you can I imagine, I get asked 10 times a day - at least 10 times a day - so I don't know what I'm doing yet!

"It's mentally hard, don't get me wrong, but I'm lucky that I've got this. This is helping with that whole transition of when I do come to hang my boots up. Hopefully I've got this - and I've worked on this hard enough over the last three years - that I can walk into this, hopefully, on a full-time role.

"It is difficult. When you're used to something, being around the lads, Friday nights you're used to the same meal, used to the same routine.

"For the last few weeks, when these Viaplay games have been on, it's been a wee bit difficult for me, but I'm still fit, I still feel great, and if the opportunity comes up that I want, then I'm ready for when it does come.

"I'm just staying hopeful, staying fit, and if the right opportunity comes at the right time, I'll obviously be taking it."

John Potter, who was Cardle's boss at Kelty, and who played with and worked with him at Dunfermline, has no doubt the winger can continue playing.

Ahead of his own departure from New Central Park to join Raith Rovers as technical director, he told Press Sport at the end of last season: "He's more than capable.

"He missed pre-season and he missed the start of the season, but when you look, his numbers, when he plays in games, are as high as anybody. His running stats are as high as anybody.

"He's maybe not as quick as he once was, but it comes to everybody! In terms of the quality he's got, the fitness that he's got, Joe could keep playing for a number of years."

* Don't miss this week's Press, out yesterday (Thursday) for photos from recent camps hosted by Joe and his academy.