CANDIDATES OF CALIBRE
SPFL-quality bosses apply to succeed Stark after resignation
Candidates with Scottish Professional Football League experience have applied for the vacant manager’s job at East Kilbride, following Billy Stark’s shock resignation last week.
The former Celtic and Aberdeen star left Kilby stunned last Tuesday when he announced his departure — just hours after the Lowland League club had insisted he would be staying on for the 2018/19 season.
Stark, who managed Scotland’s Under-21s for six years, is returning to the SFA to take on the role of Under-19s boss at Hampden. He replaces Donald Park, who stepped down on Friday.
It leaves EK searching for their fifth manager in five years and the News understands the job has attracted applications from former players and managers who have served in the SPFL, where Kilby aspire to play their football.
Former St Johnstone and Morton striker Peter MacDonald, co-interim manager at Clyde last season, is understood to have thrown his hat into the ring. He applied for the role last year when Stark was appointed.
The position has also interested another former Bully Wee boss, Jim Chapman.
Ex-Berwick and Stenhousemuir gaffer John Coughlin, who had a short stint in the Lowland League with Selkirk this season, is believed to be putting himself forward.
It is understood a handful of Junior managers have already applied for the role, but EK will be looking for someone with experience to reclaim the title after a disappointing season.
The deadline for applications closes on Friday, May 18 as Kilby seek to make a swift appointment.
A spokesman for East Kilbride said: “The club can confirm that the search for a new first-team manager is underway, with several applications received in the last week, and more expected before next Friday’s closing date.
“A shortlist of candidates will then be drawn up for interview, but in the meantime the club will not speculate further.
“After last week’s announcement that Billy Stark will be leaving his role, the football department at the club will now also start discussions with existing and prospective new players in order to ensure the incoming manager has a very strong core group of players which can be added to over the summer.”
Meanwhile, Kieran Gibbons, East Kilbride’s player of the year for the past two seasons, is understood to be attracting interest from League One outfit Airdrieonians.
David Proctor last week took up a coaching role with the Diamonds after serving as a player/coach at EK and Gibbons is on Airdrie’s radar.
●Turn to pages 58 and 59 for more reaction to a busy week at K-Park.