Kerr puts faith in older heads
EK gaffer says that experience is key to realising SPFL dream
Brian Kerr insists experience is key if Lowland League clubs are to realise their SPFL dream.
The East Kilbride FC gaffer is shaping his squad for the new season after taking over at K-Park.
New signings have arrived, with midfielder Graeme Holmes the latest to put pen to paper.
Kerr is putting together an impressive team packed with SPFL experience and Holmes joins the likes of Barry Russell, Sean Winter, Paul Woods, Craig Malcolm and Jamie Longworth in the dressing room.
Pre-season training begins on Thursday, June 21 with the Lowland League fixtures set to be released on Monday, June 25.
And Kerr feels fifth-tier clubs are beginning to understand that promotion to League Two will only be achieved with streetwise operators in their ranks.
He told the News: “We are not far away from the start of pre-season and I can’t wait to get started.
“When you look around the league, teams are putting good groups together.
“We have to make sure we are prepared and we are realistic about the league getting stronger. I think people are seeing how good the league is.
“There are clubs in the SPFL who are sitting ducks and not moving forward while there are clubs beneath them putting things in place to try and move up the pyramid system.
“Apart from East Stirlingshire, the League Two clubs have just got over the line in the play-offs and it has maybe come down to that little bit of experience.”
Kerr, who was Albion Rovers boss last season, was attracted to K-Park by Kilby’s ambition.
Now he intends to bring in players who match his desire for success with further work in the transfer market expected.
“I had to make sure my next job was the right club and the right things were in place,” he said.
“I feel East Kilbride are a club going in the right direction and it’s an area in Scotland which could probably be doing with a club in the big leagues so this could be an exciting time.
“It’s now about bringing in the right players. We have two or three offers out there.
“It’s never easy moving from full-time football to part-time and part-time to a different level but this is a competitive league. Graeme, for example, is a boy who has bought into the vision of the club.
“And when you look at the likes of Jamie and Craig, they achieved a lot at Stranraer together but still have a great attitude and hunger for the game and want to do well.
“They are desperate to achieve something here and that’s what I want to see from all the boys.”