BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – CAPITAL CITY PRESS
New Dunfermline defender Ben Richards-Everton admits he turned down the chance to return to England to sign a one-year deal with the Pars.
The towering 23-year-old joined Partick Thistle last summer but was immediately loaned out to Airdrie where he made 18 appearances.
The former Tamworth and Hinckley United player made two appearances for the Jags at the end of last season and caught the eye of Pars manager Allan Johnston in the goal-less draw with Motherwell on the final day of the campaign.
Richards-Everton said: “This is a massive club and, having played here twice last season, I knew it was a great stadium with passionate fans.
“I had other options down south but after speaking to the manager and coach John Potter I knew this was the right move and a step I wanted to take.
“I liked the ambition of the club and you can see that it is going places.”
Pars manager Johnston, who has already recruited defenders Jason Talbot and Callum Fordyce from Livingston, said: “I went to watch Ben at the end of the season when he played the full 90 minutes for Partick Thistle against Motherwell.
“I thought he played exceptionally well and handled a difficult player in John Sutton superbly.
“He is obviously big and strong, but he is quick as I want the team to play with pace this coming season.
“With Ben joining Jason and Callum alongside Lewis Martin and Ryan Williamson, it gives a good foundation in defence.
“We are still speaking to a number of different players and agents and are now looking to strengthen the squad further forward, and of course between the sticks.”
