Dunfermline: Greg Shields to leave Pars for career outside football

The 47-year-old, who made 235 appearances for the Pars during two separate spells as a player, has described his decision to depart as "very tough" but believes the youth set-up at KDM Group East End Park is in "a very good place".

Shields, who grew up in Kincardine, re-joined Dunfermline five years ago to work alongside Stevie Crawford following his appointment as head coach.

The former Dunfermline High School pupil went on to be part of the backroom teams of both Peter Grant and John Hughes after Crawford resigned from his post in 2021, before taking up a role of heading up the football side of the academy in the summer of 2022.

Shields, who also coached the reserve team, said: "This has been a very tough decision for me as Dunfermline Athletic have been a huge part of my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in all roles I have undertaken at the club.

"The academy is in a very good place and I look forward to seeing the continued development of our next batch of future pars players. I wish everyone all the best for this season and beyond.

"Thanks to everyone within the club for their support over the years."

A former pupil at Dunfermline High School, Shields began his association with the Pars in 1997, when Bert Paton snapped him up from Rangers for a £200,000 transfer fee.

The then 20-year-old quickly established himself in the team at right back and, although Athletic were relegated from the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 1999, he attracted interest from south of the border.

Charlton Athletic, who that season went on to win promotion to the English Premier League as First Division (now Championship) title winners, paid £600,000 for his services.

Injury, however, curtailed Shields' progress at The Valley and, after future Pars manager, Jim Jefferies, brought him back to Scotland in 2002 with Kilmarnock, he returned to Dunfermline two years later.

During his second stint at East End, which lasted five years, he captained the club in the League Cup final of 2006, and the Scottish Cup final a year later, both against Celtic, having been unable to play in the 2004 showpiece of the latter competition having featured for Killie in an earlier round.

Shields went on to captain the Pars, including in both the Scottish Cup and League Cup final, during his second spell at the club as a player. (Image: DAFC.)

Shields left the club to play for Carolina Railhawks, in the United States, in 2009, with whom he went into coaching, going on to lead their academy programme.

Dunfermline's chairman and CEO, David Cook, said: "Greg Shields has been an asset across his many roles at the club and, whilst we are supportive of his wish to pursue an employment opportunity outside of football, we are aware that he leaves big boots to fill.

"I enjoyed watching Greg give his all for the club in his 200+ appearances for the club, including League Cup and Scottish Cup finals. His pathway from DAFC to the English Premiership is an inspiration for everyone within our academy.

"More latterly as chairman, it has been a privilege to work with him behind the scenes to help build and grow the Pars academy. Many players in the first team squad and in the senior youth age groups have benefitted from his coaching knowledge and expertise.

Shields has helped the progression of several youngsters into Dunfermline's first team squad. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"We are obviously disappointed to lose a person and a coach of his calibre but we wish him all the very best in his new career ventures."

The Pars have now begun the search to recruit Shields' replacement, who will work alongside Bill Hendry - who headed up the former Fife Elite Football Academy - in his role as the academy's head of operations.