Oliver Fleming Interview

With the season now firmly underway, the club want our loyal supporters to know a bit more about the new faces who will be representing the club in the 2017/18 season. With this in mind, our website team caught up with our new number 2 and defensive addition from Sauchie Juniors, Oliver Fleming to see how he was finding life with The ‘Gers thus far…

Oliver, great to talk to you and welcome to the Berwick Rangers squad. How are you finding life at the club so far?

Thanks. It’s been excellent and everyone has been very welcoming. I’m delighted to be here and start to show what I can do in the professional side of the game.

Are you adjusting to life at a higher level?

Fleming was John Coughlin’s first summer signing.

To begin with I found the pace a lot quicker than what I was used to but I am feeling more comfortable with every training session and game that takes place. Training has been excellent and I feel that I am becoming comfortable. Obviously players that I am now coming across have played at high levels, and that will only improve my game.

How would you describe your game? What is your favoured position?

I see myself as a right sided centre half, although I played most of last season in the left hand position! I am an aggressive defender who likes to tackle, press the strikers and I feel comfortable when running back towards my own goal. I am improving on the ball and believe this move will help with that.

Do you have any heroes in the game or players that you’ve modelled your game on?

Growing up I was a Celtic fan and my favourite professional defender would probably be Nemanja Vidic when he was at Manchester United. A proper defender!

Has you been particularly impressed with anyone at the club so far?

Pat Scullion has been excellent with me. His leadership and talking throughout a game will be great to play alongside. I hope to learn from him as the season progresses.

What did you make of the midweek draw with Edinburgh City?

I thought that we started well and kept possession in the early stages. We need to be better at taking our chances when they arrive. I was further down the list of penalty takers and would have happily taken one had I got the chance. I think we will improve in future games.

What are your hopes for the season?

Well, I’ve signed a deal until next summer and I hope to give it my best and keep my place in the team. This is my debut season and I want to show what I can do. I am decent in the air due to my height so a few goals from set pieces would be nice too!

We understand that your dad was also on the books at Berwick in his youth?

Yes, I think he was at the club around the age that I am now. Some people at the club have told me that they remember him which is nice. I’ve been really impressed by the club so far and Berwick as a place.

Oliver has already played an important role in a youthful Berwick team so far this season and we wish him well for the remainder of the season.