Gaffers have not had best of starts
Brian Kerr will be hoping he gets off to a better start than most East Kilbride gaffers have managed in their first competitive game.
The new Kilby boss knows his side will be big favourites to sink Selkirk on Saturday, but only one of EK’s previous bosses – Billy Ogilvie – has kicked-off with a victory.
In Kilby’s inaugural season back in 2013, Stirling University ensured Iain King’s reign got off to a disappointing start.
Chris McDougall opened the scoring for 10-man Kilby – who had keeper Ross Meldrum sent off early on – with just 18 minutes remaining. But the Students stormed back, scoring twice late on to earn victory in the league opener.
Billy Ogilvie had more luck at the helm in 2014 when he began with a 1-0 win. An 83rd minute Garry O’Hanlon strike saw off Gretna in the first league match of the season.
Martin Lauchlan took the reins from Ogilvie midway through the following season and, despite going on to deliver EK’s only league title so far in 2016/17, he was defeated on his dugout debut. EK lost 2-1 to Whitehill Welfare in the league.
Last season, Billy Stark’s time in charge started with a defeat when EK lost 3-1 to Premiership side Hamilton Accies in the group stage of the Betfred Cup.
Sean Winter made it 1-1 from the penalty spot in the 69th minute to cancel out Darian MacKinnon’s first-half opener for Accies. However, Louis Longridge and Ali Crawford struck in the last nine minutes for a 3-1 win.