FROM building houses to demolishing defences, Josh Coley has already come a long way to pursue his football dream.

At non-league Hitchin Town he was laying bricks to make ends meet but goals are now paying his way up the career ladder and a new deal with Premiership new boys Norwich City.

After impressing as a flying winger with the Canaries' under-23 side, Coley is continuing his football education with a year-long loan and has already cemented his place in the Pars team with his first goal on Saturday.

Reminded of his days as a brickie, he smiled: "That was two years ago now.

"It was hard coming up, there was a determination to get where I am now and to keep going in full-time football.

"I watched a bit of Scottish football last year, my best friend is Scottish, and he said this would be one of the best places to come and express myself.

"It's the most appealing club for me based on them wanting to play young players and play exciting football."

The Dunfermline fans have his pal, ex-Hamilton Accies youth goalie Jon McCracken, to thank for the 20-year-old's move north.

Coley explained: "Last January when I found out I was going on loan, it was one of numerous places between Holland, Sweden, everywhere really, and he said Scottish Championship or lower Scottish Premiership would be a good place to come and express my football and get it across I want to play men's football now.

"Learning 23s football was good last year but it's time to step up now."

He's been moving up ever since that spell at Hitchin and a goal-laden period at Baldock Town saw him invited for a trial at Norwich and a shot at the professional game.

He duly impressed and signed on, with a loan move to Dunfermline the next step on the journey.

Coley said: "It's a long way from home but I'm really enjoying it. The boys and the gaffer and everyone have made me feel so comfortable so it's been an easier transition for me.

"That's why I think I've done well so far as all I've got to do is concentrate on football."

His first goal for Athletic, confidently despatching a Kevin Nisbet cross against East Kilbride, was an assured finish.

Coley explained: "We do a lot of finishing at Norwich, they tell you to find corners rather than go for power so the ball came in at pace from Nissy and I just needed to guide it low.

"Last year I only got one goal and it came in April and every game I was getting closer and closer, hitting the post and bar or whatever, so to get it so early is like a little burden lifted."

Next up is a much tougher challenge, the Championship curtain-raiser and a Friday night live TV clash with Dundee, one of the favourites for promotion.

That hasn't fazed Coley, who will have his mum and dad, friends and family watching the match and expecting a Pars win.

He said: "As far as we're aware we're one of the best teams, if not the best, and we're going out to play exciting football and express ourselves.

"It's just a name, Dundee or whoever it is, we're just going out to win games and finish as high as possible."