Boots and Books for Kane

Chris Kane full time student part time footballer

It had come to crunch time for Pars midfielder Chris Kane. His place at university had been held open for two years while he discovered whether or not he should pursue a career as a professional footballer. This academic year was the last year that Heriot Watt were willing to hold the place for him and so Chris made the decision to become a part time footballer and full time student. He explained to the Club website:-

"I had to sit down and consider my options. The way football in Scotland is going I feel that it is important for me to get an education and hopefully complete a masters degree while continuing to develop and play football on a part time basis. That way I have an insurance policy if football doesn't work out or if an injury crops up. Football is unpredictable so I decided that was the route I wanted to take.

"I am hoping to continue playing part time at the highest level I can while I am at university. I will keep pushing at Dunfermline and see how it goes at the end of my degree when I will be 24. There is still plenty time for a degree course and full time football if that becomes another opportunity for me. It is really just covering all bases."

Chris' contract with the Pars was due to end at the end of this season but he claimed that the club had been good with him in working out a part time opportunity:-

"They could have turned round and said 'if you can't make training every day, then there's your papers' but they have been good."

Chris Kane practices juggling football with studies in U20s
match v Inverness Caley Thistle on Tuesday 1st October

The task now for Chris is to balance attendance at lectures, studying and keeping match fit. His course is in Chemical Engineering and as anyone who has been there will know, that is a full on course. His first year timetable keeps him busy from nine until four every day. He has been training in the gym, training with Berwick Rangers, training with his brother's East of Scotland team and training with Dunfermline when schedules match. So much so that he feels even fitter now than before!

"I just need to get used to the transformation from full time football to full time education, I will have to grow my brain cells back. I train with Berwick Rangers on a Thursday night and I am available for the under 20s on Tuesdays."

Chris doesn't want forgotten and is keen to be fit and ready whenever Jim Jefferies might need him to step up:-

"It is difficult to be included when the boys are playing so well just now and difficult to be included when I am not making training every day. I understand that and I am grateful for the fact that Dunfermline are still allowing me to train as much as I can while I am not abiding to my contract. If there are injuries, or if they do need me at any point I will be fit and ready. That is up to the Manager."

Still being able to play with the under 20s allows Chris to get game time and work on things that he still needs to work on in his game.

"I just need to spread everything out and organise my week!"

Student life commenced at the end of September but ahead of Chris is a five years long masters course. There will be the usual uni holidays and as well as being off over Christmas, Chris will be free from May to September in subsequent seasons.

"I am grateful for what the Club has done up until now to accommodate me as they have. I am just setting my mind on the future but at 24 I will still be ready to play."