Jefferies revels in latest award after fine month puts Dunfermline on top

He said the award means as much to the 61-year-old as the first one he received more than 20 years ago. “I was in charge of Falkirk in the early nineties and I remember being really pleased when the chairman David Holmes called me to tell me that I had won a First Division award,” Jefferies said. “I remember getting the call as I was just going to a game to see Eddie May play and I signed him for Falkirk not long afterwards.

“I have not managed in the First Division for a long time but I am delighted to win this and I called the players together before I came over to Hampden to pick it up to thank them for their help. They and the backroom staff have all contributed to a good month for the club.”

Jefferies added: “Hopefully, it is the first of many as if I am picking up awards the team must be doing well.”

The Pars beat local rivals Raith Rovers, Dumbarton, Livingston and Hamilton last month, scoring 12 times and only conceding once, with Jefferies pleased that his side are showing a bit of style. He added: “The boys have impressed me with how they have gelled and it is great that we have a bit of an attacking edge to our game.

“We had to restructure in the summer after relegation and I would like to think I have an eye for a player in the SFL and have recruited well in Josh Falkingham, Andy Geggan and Ryan Wallace.

“They have settled in well alongside the likes of the experienced players Paul Gallacher and Andy Borrowman, who have had a lift from the freshness the new players bring. Stephen Jordan is another player who has contributed a lot and he has shown very quickly the experience he picked up playing for several years at Manchester City. He has quality and a great pedigree and he is helping our youngsters a lot as well.”

The one blip last month was a narrow 1-0 Scottish Communities League Cup defeat from Aberdeen, but Jefferies said that was still a positive experience for himself and the team.

He said: “Playing SPL opposition was a big step up for us but we ran Aberdeen extremely close. It was a fantastic game where we hit the crossbar and the post and their goalkeeper Jamie Langfield made some great saves.”

“Craig Brown told me afterwards that they were fortunate to get through and he was right. It was heartening for everyone that we could play as well as that and, despite losing, the type of football we played that night will give us confidence.”

Jefferies started his managerial career nearly 30 years ago at Gala Fairydean and he says he still enjoys it as much as he did then. “I remain really pleased that I came to Dunfermline and that I have been able to build  a new team,” he said. “It is a great opportunity and I would not be doing it if I was not  enjoying it.”

Dunfermline’s 2-2 draw with Falkirk at the weekend took them to the summit of the First Division and Jefferies added: “We have a great opportunity to see if the side we have built can continue to progress. We want to keep playing well and progressing. If we can do that with a bit of style, everyone will be pleased.”