Kerr looks for fresh start in Hartlepool
Calderglen High pupil puts Rangers row to bed
MARK PIRIE
East Kilbride lad Fraser Kerr is determined to leave the memories of ugly scenes at Fir Park behind as he rebuilds his career at Hartlepool.
Motherwell’s play-off win lives in infamy due to the angry clashes that followed the Steelmen’s 6-1 play-off win over Rangers.
The punch thrown by Bilel Mohsni at Lee Erwin, and the ensuing brawl with Kerr and Lionel Ainsworth, has been beamed across social media for the past five years.
“Obviously the way the game went at the end; it’s a very long time ago,” he said.
“It’s a few years since that game now. I’ve learned a lot from it but I’ve moved on from it; I’ve drawn a line under that.”
Following his release by the Lanarkshire side, Kerr suffered back to back League One relegations with Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir.
However, a move down south to the English National League has given his career a new lease of life.
Having earned a shot at Gateshead, the defender impressed non-league rivals Hartlepool this summer.
Now he is eyeing up a return to League Two for the side.
“We maybe didn’t get the season off to the start that we wanted and weren’t quite there as a team but things have picked up recently,” he told the News.
“The aim has got to be the play-off places for us now after we’ve went on a decent run. I think we all believe that we can make them.
“Barrow are the team on top and when you look at it they are probably going to get the automatic promotion place.
“You look at the teams who are down at this level now; it’s a very good standard, and it’s very competitive.
“Only teams go up and you have the likes of Stockport and Notts County in this league. If you’re not up for every game you can fall off the pace quickly.”
The 27-year-old is loving life playing in front of thousands as they aim for the play-off sports.
He revealed:“Standard wise it’s hard to compare Scotland and England; one thing I would say is there is much more depth in squads in England.
“It’s much more than just your substitutes in the English leagues so you have to really fight for your place.
“Notts County are getting crowds of 7000 to 8000, and that’s in the fifth tier of English football.
“There is not to much difference in the style you play football but you tend to play against better players.
The former Calderglen High pupil, who is out of contract in the summer, is focus is now on his personal redemption and the Pools’ – after the relegation to the Conference in 2017.
“I’m out of contract in the summer and I’ve not had a chance to sit down with the club.
“My focus just now is on getting as many games as possible and helping Hartlepool reach the play-off places.”