CALLUM MORRIS has revealed that he became so disillusioned with football that he almost quit the game before he was signed by Dunfermline.

The 23-year-old said that a struggle to find a club had left him contemplating whether to give up his dream of becoming a pro footballer in order to take a job after becoming frustrated after leaving hometown club Newcastle United.

Pars fans will be thankful that the popular centre back persevered and won himself a move to East End Park last summer as he has gone on to become one of the first names on manager Jim Jefferies' team sheet.

But he told Press Sport that his career could have gone much differently if his manager had not taken a chance on him and he believes that the Pars are reaping the rewards of having to give youth a chance in the first team.

He said, "I'm loving my football here but there was a point before I signed for Dunfermline that I was thinking about giving up football to work as I was getting fed up with it. After I'd left Newcastle I was struggling to find anything although I'd been all over England, to Portugal and to different places in Europe.

"It was difficult as I wasn't bringing in a proper wage, although I'd saved money when I was at Newcastle as I'm quite good with my money and when I was there I was on a decent wage. But I was delighted when the gaffer decided to sign me after watching me in a game because after that, I quickly wondered why I was even thinking about giving up football.

"It is hard for young lads to break through and out of six of us who left Newcastle, I think I'm the only one who is still playing full-time. But that's why I think what's happened to us over the last year could be a good thing because some of the lads are getting a chance when they might not have.

"We've got a great spirit and bond and there's some of our players coming through who I believe could make it to the top, not just in Scotland but in England as well if they were given the chance." Morris has become a firm favourite with the East End faithful with his classy and assured defensive displays but is one of a number of players who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Morris said, "At the end of the day it is a short career and you have to assess your options but I'm really enjoying my football here and I think all the lads want to stay together.

"We want to make sure we can take the club back up the leagues."