Crawford makes deadline day move

The Blue Brazil beat the transfer window deadline today to sign veteran former Scotland international striker Stevie Crawford after the player secured his release from neighbours East Fife.

Crawford (37), who resigned at East Fife manager towards the end of last year but remained as a player, has been in fine form for the Methill side this season and scored against league leaders Livingston on Saturday.

The move sees Cowden boss Jimmy Nicholl and Crawford re-united for the 5th time. Crawford played under Nicholl at Raith Rovers and Millwall and for the two Jimmy’s (Calderwood and Nicholl) at Dunfermline and Aberdeen.

The Dunfermline-born player gained 25 full caps (plus 20 under 21 caps) for his country scoring 4 goals and has given service to 7 clubs - Raith Rovers, Millwall, Dunfermline Athletic (twice), Plymouth Argyle, Dundee United, Aberdeen and East Fife. His move to Central Park makes him one of a handful of players to have signed for all four senior Fife teams. The last player to achieve that feat was Gordon Forrest with Mike Judge and Andy Matthew before that.

Nicholl hopes to conclude two further signings today but, as both targets are free agents, it may be later in the week before any further deals are agreed. A number of younger players will complete loan moves to junior football this week as part of their development programme. Deals have already been agreed for Steven Bennett (Belshill Athletic), Dean Brett (Tranent Juniors) and Kyle Miller (Tranent Juniors) with more likely to follow.

Meanwhile, Brian Fairbairn, who was released last week, made his debut for his new side Hibernians on Saturday afternoon in a 1-0 away defeat from Qormi at the Maltese National Stadium. 'Frankie' played in the full 90 minutes for the Hibs side who following the defeat are now relegation pool of the Bank of Valleta Premier League.

The league  is a ten team set up which spilts into two groups after each side plays each other twice with the top six playing for the chamionship and european qualifying, while the bottom four play to avoid the relgation place. The Hibs have 12 points from their 16 league games with two games to go before the spilt.