RAVENS KEE TO BILLY’S RETURN
ADAM STEVENS believes Coalville Town can provide the perfect environment for former Accrington Stanley striker Billy Kee to enjoy his football.
Kee retired from professional football at the end of last month for personal reasons.
The 29-yearold has inspired many by being open about the mental health issues he has been battling throughout his career.
Kee, who scored 26 goals for Stanley when they won promotion from League Two in 2018, lives locally to the Southern League Premier Central Division Ravens and Stevens is pleased to have him on board.
“The kid wants to play and enjoy his football,” Stevens told
The NLP. “He’s one of the lads and just wants to crack on and enjoy it, which is fantastic.
“That’s what we’ve said to him. There’s no pressure and we’re absolutely delighted. He’s obviously local and we know his quality.
“The way I manage is to give that environment for players to go and play. The main thing is he comes to us to enjoy his football and it helps us and helps him.”
Kee made his debut in Tuesday night’s defeat to Needham Market that left
Stevens side just a point outside the play-off places.
“We’ve lost a couple in a row – we’re missing a few chances at the minute,” Stevens said. “The other night against Needham Market their keeper has pulled off some great saves, they’ve missed a penalty, and we’ve conceded late.
“But we’ve got some players coming back from injury and we’ve got plenty of quality in the squad so there’s no need to panic at losing two games.” Stevens took Coalville to the FA Vase final in 2011 and returned to the helm in 2018 after a spell at Grantham Town, who reached the NPL Premier play-off final under his guidance.
Last season they just missed out on a spot in the top five and Stevens is loving the challenge of trying to break into the play-offs this time round. “There are big clubs in this division – your Tamworths, Nuneatons, Stourbridges, Rushdens,” Stevens said. “But I always want to set the standard high and if we can push on and get in the play-offs then fantastic.
“I’ve got an ethos and plan and it’s generally been successful over the years. When I took Grantham to the play-off final, we were only a small club in relation in there.
“But I take great heart from teams like Leicester doing well. Look at Accrington when they won League Two to get into League One. It’s about how you manage things.”
The thing main comes is that Billy his here to football. enjoy us and it It helps helps There is no him. pressure on him Adam Stevens