Jim Leishman

Infobox Football biography
playername = Jim Leishman
fullname = Jim Leishman
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1953|11|15
cityofbirth = Lochgelly
countryofbirth = Scotland
height =
position = Defender
currentclub = Dunfermline (Director of Football)
years = 1970–1977
1977–1979
clubs = Dunfermline
Cowdenbeath
caps(goals) = 91 0(6)
0? 0(?)
manageryears = 1982–1990
1995–1997
2000–2003
2005–2006
managerclubs = Dunfermline
Livingston
Livingston
Dunfermline Athletic

Jim 'Leish' Leishman MBE, (born November 15 1953 in Lochgelly, Fife) is a former professional footballer and current director of football of Scottish Division One side Dunfermline Athletic.

Career

Playing

Leishman played for Dunfermline between 1970 and 1977 before being transferred to local rivals Cowdenbeath. When his playing career was cut short through injury he moved into coaching and then management with Kelty Hearts Junior Football Club, before becoming youth team coach and later reserve team coach at Dunfermline.

Managerial

Leishman was appointed manager of the Pars at just 29 in 1983 when they languished at the bottom of the old Second Division. Successive promotions in 1985-86 and 1986-87 saw the club once again return to Scotland's top flight.

After a bitter departure from the Pars in 1990, he had unproductive spells with Montrose and Inverness Thistle, as well as a spell in charge of Fife Junior outfit Rosyth Recreation. After this he enjoyed more than eight years with Livingston from 1995, latterly as coach. There he succeeded in taking Livi into the Scottish Premier League for the first time and the Europe by finishing 3rd following promotion. In August 2003 he returned to Dunfermline, initially as General Manager. Following the sacking of Davie Hay with just three matches of the 2004-05 remaining, Leishman prevented relegation by steering the club to crucial wins over their main relegation rivals Dundee and Dundee United. Dunfermline had failed to win in their previous ten matches under Hay, but in Leishman's temporary care they hammered Dundee 5-0 and he soon took the job on a full-time basis.

In 2005-06 the Pars were once again tipped for relegation and almost lived up to that billing. They would have gone down had it not been, for his old club Livingston. An 11th placed finish, although level on points with Falkirk and Dundee United, was enough to preserve their status. A particular low in this season came near the end of February when Celtic visited East End Park and left with a crushing 8-1 win. Exactly one month later Dunfermline faced Celtic in the Scottish League Cup and, despite an improved performance, they lost 3-0.

Leishman is well known for his down to earth personality, excellent relationship with Dunfermline fans, and his "aeroplane" celebrations. At one point he enjoyed a reputation for his witty attempts at delivering his thoughts on football in verse. Leishman's strengths are considered to be his man-management skills and his renowned ability to motivate and install self-belief in his players.

In September 2006 another trademark of the man, his famous moustache, which he had had since the age of eighteen, was shaved off at a benefit dinner to mark the testimonial year of Dunfermline player Andy Tod. He was convinced to do so after people at the table he was sitting at, including current "Pars" players, put up £1000 for charity.

Pressure on Leishman increased steadily in 2006/07 after another poor start which brought just three wins in thirteen matches. As of 26 October 2006 Leishman decided to return to his post as general manager [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/6086130.stm] with former Hearts boss Craig Levein the initial favourite to take over. Leishman had himself recommended Levein and Livingston manager John Robertson as candidates but Levein moved to Dundee United following the sacking of Craig Brewster on 29 October, 2006. Former Derry City boss Stephen Kenny took over in November 2006.

It was announced on June 15, 2007 that Leishman had been made an Member of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/6756417.stm|title=Botham honoured with knighthood, BBC News, June 15, 2007] Leishman was further honoured in February 2008 by having a street in Dunfermline named after him. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/7227569.stm|title=Leishman gets street name honour, BBC Sport, February 5, 2008]

Managerial honours

Dunfermline Athletic 1983-1990

*Scottish Second Division
**Winners (1): 1985-86

Livingston F.C. 2000-2003

*Scottish First Division
**Winners (1): 2000-01

Manager awards

* SPL Manager of the Month (2): September 2001, November 2001

Notes

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6087552.stm Goodbye to the Dugout] BBC feature on Leishman's management career.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/6096438.stm Brewster sacked by Utd]