By Clive Lindsay

Leishman - here with Rod Stewart - is a celebrity in his own right

Not quite Lord Leish, not yet Sir Jim, but few would deny that the man dubbed Mr Dunfermline is a fitting recipient of an MBE.

Jim Leishman has been a larger than life character in the world of football for almost 40 years - much of it in the corridors of power within his beloved East End Park.

Footballer, poet, amateur dramatist, manager, after-dinner speaker, general manager, director of football and eternal enthusiast, the 53-year-old now has another monogram after his name.

Leishman signed for Dunfermline Athletic, his local club, as a 14-year-old in 1968, the year they last won the Scottish Cup and when European football was a regular event at East End.

A promising centre-half, his dream of leading Dunfermline to Continental glory as a player were ended after he suffered a broken leg following a challenge by Hearts midfielder - and now Kilmarnock boss - Jim Jefferies.

Leishman's playing days were cut short by injury

It kept Leishman out of the game for 18 months and he found himself transferred to local rivals Cowdenbeath.

Central Park gave him his first taste of coaching and, despite a spell as assistant manager, the lure of Dunfermline proved too strong and he moved back as youth coach in 1982.

The departure of Pat Stanton 12 months later led to the emergence of Jim Leishman, manager, at the tender age of 29.

Within four years, he had resurrected the once-proud club, leading them from the bottom half of the Second Division back up to Scottish football's top flight.

He did so, not just with football guile but a flair for publicity that had the fans flocking to East End in numbers not seen since the 60s.

Instant relegation was followed by a quick return to the Premier League, at times experienced via a dressing-room rallying call in verse.

Leishman enjoyed championship wins with Dunfermline

But it was that enthusiasm for the spotlight, the endless nights speaking at just about every social club in West Fife, the panto appearances, the opening of village fete after village fete, that proved to be his downfall.

The board wanted him to take a more commercial role and leave the football management to then assistant Iain Munro.

And, when he refused, 4000 fans marched through the Auld Grey Toun to demonstrate against his departure.

He soothed his breaking heart away from the limelight at Inverness Thistle and Montrose before being persuaded to become general manager with Livingston.

The fledgling club re-ignited his enthusiasm and, after taking over the football reigns in 2000, he led Livi to the Scottish Premier League for the first time in their history - and qualification for the Uefa Cup with a third-place finish.

Leishman was renowned for his love of big cigars and publicity

But his love affair with Dunfermline was renewed when he opted to become director of football in 2003.

And, two years later, he was back in the dugout, replacing the sacked Davie Hay and saving the club from relegation.

However, he ended his second spell in charge with a regret - that he had not given his successor, Stephen Kenny, sufficient time to prevent relegation this time round.

Defeat was to follow in the Scottish Cup final courtesy of a late goal, and despite a battling performance, against league champions Celtic.