Sport runs in the family for Matty Todd.
His dad was a talented rugby player and represented Scotland at youth level and his mum played for the national water polo team.
But it was always football for Matty.
He said: “I’m a Dunfermline boy and it was always about going down the local park with my mates when I was young. I always had a ball at my feet.
“My dad was a rugby man, but I would always take a circle ball with me. He was good with me and always said it was up to me what sport I played. And it was always football.
“He was pretty decent at rugby, playing locally for Dunfermline and then Scotland at a good level. It was more youth level coming through the ranks. So yeah, he was pretty good.
“Sport runs through the family. My mum played water polo for Scotland.
“I’ve got two brothers. I’m the middle one. They hate sport! Even trying to get them to my cup final last year was tough. But I got them there.
“I used to bring my wee brother along to football with me and tried to make him be the goalkeeper. That was an issue though.”
Matty always possessed talent with the ball at his feet and fulfilled a boyhood ambition by rising through the ranks to play for Dunfermline.
He continued: “I remember playing at Pitreavie playing fields back in the day when you had the four-a-side, seven-a-side and all the way up.
“I got scouted by Dunfermline, then went to Celtic for a bit. I ended up coming back to Dunfermline because of school and the travel.
“It all ended up joining into Fife Elite and I went all the way through that. I signed properly for Dunfermline when I was turning 17. Playing in front of the supporters at East End Park was all you had dreamed of as a kid.
“There were so many good times. Some dark ones too. There was the relegation, which was tough. But we managed to get right back to the Championship. That was important for the club, the players and the supporters.
“Dunfermline had a good season last year, just missing out in the playoffs and of course the cup final against Celtic. That whole week leading up to that was surreal.”
Matty got first-hand experience of playing against Saints last season before joining us in the summer.
He recalled: “It was so tough playing St Johnstone last season, just with the way the team moved the ball and how together they were. Now I’m part of that.
“Everyone is so united throughout the whole club. Not just players and coaches. But the staff everywhere in the building.
“I thought long and hard about the decision, but it was something I really wanted to be part of. It’s been a positive start to the Premiership and we got off to a flyer on the opening day against Kilmarnock. Overall, we can be pleased with how we’ve gone about our business.
“We’re here to play our way. We need to keep looking to improve on that. One of my first phone calls with the gaffer was that we were coming up to the Premiership to play the same style of football. It’s a tougher level now but we’re showing good signs.”
