KITTRICK’S SEADOGS DISCOVER THEIR BITE
WHISPER it quietly but Scarborough Athletic just might become the latest phoenix club to rise from the ashes and make their way up the Non-League pyramid.
After winning promotion last season, Steve Kittrick’s side maintained their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League table with a dramatic injury-time winner at Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday night.
Formed in 2007, the fanowned club achieved two promotions in their first ten seasons but the Seadogs’ upward trajectory has begun to rapidly accelerate under Kittrick’s guidance.
“I have been blown away by the start that we have made this year and hopefully the club is beginning to build a real sense of moment,” the Scarborough boss told The NLP.
“Last year was brilliant but over the summer I sat down with the board and told them that if we wanted to be competitive in this division then we needed to bring in players who had experience of playing at a higher level.
“The seven players that we recruited over pre-season have really helped us to push on.
“I try to do my homework on a player before signing them in order to make sure their personality will fit into the squad and that they are fully on board with the project that we are building here.
“Due to this extra diligence I think that we have been able to build a really tight knit and determined team who are all pulling in the same direction.”
The Seadogs’ recent progression has coincided with the opening of a new 2,000 capacity stadium at the start of last season, which saw the club return to Scarborough after spending the first ten years of their existence in exile at Bridlington Town’s Queensgate ground.
“I think one of the main reasons why the club has not risen as quickly as other phoenix clubs is to do with the stadium situation,” said Kittrick. “Firstly having your own stadium makes it much easier to attract new players because you can show them around and really give them a feel for what the club is all about. “The main factor though is that since returning to Scarborough the club has been able to properly ingrain itself into the local community and the crowds that we have been getting have been fantastic. “By being away from the town I feel as though we missed out on a generation of fans but we are now starting to see younger fans in the stands and that is essential for the long term future. “It is brilliant that people in the town now have a local team that they can identify with and get behind.” While the club’s recent form has helped to put a smile back on the faces of Scarborough residents, the Seadogs progression has been tinged with a degree of sadness following the passing of former chairman David Holland. Holland, who passed away in February 2017, played a pivotal role in helping to resurrect the club following the demise of Scarborough FC and worked tirelessly to ensure the Seadogs’ return to the town. Kittrick added: “David was such a great person and he absolutely loved the club. “When I was offered the job back in early 2016 I had real reservations about dropping down the leagues but I met with David and he sold me the dream and everything that he said would happen to this club has come true. “All of the superb work that he did behind the scenes is now beginning to come into fruition and the future of this club is very exciting indeed. “Scarborough are going back to where they belong and the aim is to eventually break into the Football League once again.”