HUNGER GAMES
Kidd: The lure of non-league clubs is about ambition not virus crisis
A YEAR ago Lewis Kidd was running out against Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell in the Betfred Cup as he prepared for a crack at the Championship with Queen of the South.
Today the former Celtic and Falkirk midfielder is awaiting a date to start training with East Kilbride after joining the list of stars dropping out of the SPFL in a bid to recharge their careers.
Kidd is the latest name to snub the chance to stay in the pro ranks and take the plunge into the non-league.
And he reckons more will follow because there’s more appeal in joining some semi-pro outfits than clubs in League One and Two.
The reason for that according to Kidd is one word – ambition.
Kidd follows former Dundee United and Dunfermline star Paul Paton and ex-Hamilton and Livingston playmaker Kyle Wilkie in signing on at K-Park.
And Record Sport understands they are set to be joined by another big hitter – former Dundee United and Partick Thistle winger Chris Erskine who is about to drop to the Lowland League just weeks after leaving Premiership Livingston.
It’s not just at Stevie Aitken’s EK either. Barry Ferguson this week tempted ex-Livingston and Arbroath keeper Darren Jamieson to join his Kelty Hearts side as he prepares for another crack at the Lowland League.
Michael Tidser and Nathan Austin are already in place at Kelty while below the Lowland League, Darvel have attracted ex-St Mirren duo Ian McShane and Jordan Kirkpatrick and even lower down former Hamilton hero Darian MacKinnon has agreed a deal with Drumchapel United – in the seventh tier.
It’s no coincidence the exodus comes at a time when the Scottish game is reeling from the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.
But Kidd reckons there’s a whole lot more to it than that.
He said: “It’s about ambition. I spoke to the gaffer a few weeks ago and what he was telling me about their plans and targets really impressed me.
“There’s obviously a lot of uncertainty just now with football. I was thinking long and hard about it.
“But it was one of those where there wasn’t a lot of action from SPFL clubs.
“I spoke to a few clubs but they either didn’t know their budgets or if they were in a position to sign players.
“There are a lot of players without clubs just now so I didn’t want to leave it till the last minute when teams can actually sign players.
“Stevie Aitken sold me on EK’s plans and that was it for me. With the players he is signing and others he is speaking to then you can see they are desperate to get up the leagues.
“We know it’s going to be a very hard league. We’re not the only ones making big signings.
“Look at the players Kelty signed last season like Tidser. Now they’ve signed Jamieson in goal.
“These are guys that could play a higher level no problem.
“You have to say this is now more of an attraction for players than maybe some of the clubs in League One and Two.
“It all comes down to ambition. Everything is in place at East Kilbride. They have a new stadium on the way and a strong squad.
“Now it’s just a case of doing the job on the park and helping them up the leagues.”
Kidd came through the ranks at Celtic but left for a first stint at Queen of the South in 2014 without having made a top-team appearance for the Hoops.
Two years at Palmerston that included a memorable goal against Rangers were followed by three seasons at Falkirk before he returned to Queens last season.
Still only 25, the wide man insists his step into the Lowland League is not the end of his career.
In fact he hopes it can be the springboard to even better things.
He said: “Back at Celtic I was reaching for the stars and hoping for everything in the game. It didn’t quite
“But I can’t complain with my career so far. I’ve been at Falkirk and Queen of the South who are both brilliant clubs.
“It was tough at Queens last season because we were round about the bottom of the table but I enjoyed every minute of it.
“Unfortunately the coronavirus crisis meant they had to release almost everyone.
“I’m looking this season to kick on, enjoy my football, try to win the league with East Kilbride and see where it takes me.
“It’ll be nice to go and try to win a league after relegation and play-off battles in recent years.”
Ispoketoafew clubsbuttheydidn’t knowtheirbudgets oriftheywereina positiontosign players
LEWIS KIDD