The streets of San Francisco can help Tom be a Pars star

Tom Beadling reckons he found a Golden Gateway to being a Dunfermline star.

The midfielder spent his summer holiday cycling up the steep, hilly streets of San Francisco to ensure he was in peak condition for the new season, after a thigh tear wrecked his hopes of hitting the heights last term.

Aussie ace Beadling, 23, said: “I did a lot of work over the summer to make sure I’d hit the ground running. I grafted and, touch wood, it has paid off.

“I went to San Francisco with my mates and we always had the bikes out.

“It was a better work-out than I expected – we didn’t realise just how hilly the city actually was. It was like climbing mountains!

“But it was an amazing place and ended up being like a mini pre- season for two weeks with all the cycling.”

After completing his first full pre- season in FOUR YEARS, the ex-Sunderland youngster feels like he is finally ready to fulfil his potential with the Pars – starting with today’s clash with St Mirren. He added: “Due to injuries I have not completed a pre-season since I was a teenager at Sunderland, and that has been a major stumbling block.

“It is frustrating because you can’t get that momentum and stability which brings the best out of players.

“Now, I feel positive and like this is a really big season in my career.”

Cody Cooke hopes it will be third time lucky as he bids to become a St Mirren regular.

The striker is on to his third boss in a year after being signed by Alan Stubbs.

He scarcely got a chance under Oran Kearney but his stunning end to the season has him believing he can be a first pick for Jim Goodwin.

He said: “My chances were few and far between for a lot of last season but the boss has been brilliant since he’s come in and I hope I have a chance to impress.

“We know there will be changes in the next couple of weeks with new faces coming in but it’s hugely important that we get off to a good start.”