STEVIE CRAWFORD is hoping to unearth the next "Caroline Weir or a Norrie McCathie" after setting up his own football academy.

The former Pars playing hero and manager, 50, launched his new venture last Monday, offering tuition to boys and girls from the ages of eight up to 16.

Based at Dunfermline High School, youngsters will be able to draw on the experiences ex-Scotland star Crawford enjoyed throughout a career that saw him win 25 international caps.

As well as turning out for Athletic over three spells, the first of which was on 'S' form terms, he played for other clubs both north and south of the border, and had a spell in charge at East End.

Crawford also took the reins at Rosyth, in the East of Scotland First Division, last September, but the club folded in February after a proposed move to play at Pitreavie collapsed.

READ MORE: Game over for Rosyth FC as club announces decision to fold

He then took over at Cowdenbeath for the final four matches of their Lowland League season, following Calum Elliot's departure for Bonnyrigg Rose, but has now turned his focus on giving West Fife youngsters the chance to develop their skills.

"First and foremost, it’s about kids enjoying their football. I want it to be kids of all levels, and it was important to me that it was in the Dunfermline community," he explained.

"I wanted to give Dunfermline something back, which then goes in hand with my spell at Rosyth.

"I’m not setting up an academy where I want to just have elite players. I want it to be an open canvas for the community, to give kids the opportunity to get better and to feel good about themselves.

"I’m not going to bring in masses of kids to start with. I’m respectful there’s others out there doing it as well, who have worked extremely hard.

"There’s Dunfermline themselves with the Pars Foundation, then there’s the school kids and Joe Cardle (the former Pars and Kelty Hearts player who runs his own academy). I want to be respectful to the businesses out there already.

"I’m really doing it for reasons I believe in and hopefully it becomes a success, and I can maybe even give employment to young coaches.

"As a coach, my responsibility is to try to unearth a Caroline Weir or a Norrie McCathie.

"You want to take legacies on."

At the moment, the Stevie Crawford Football Academy are offering classes on a Monday evening for boys aged between 12-16, on a Wednesday evening for boys and girls aged between 10-14 year-olds, and boys aged between 8-12 on a Friday.

Sessions run from 5-6pm, with a maximum of 12 in each class.

For more information, find Stevie Crawford Football Academy on Facebook.