KERR AT THE WHEEL OF SAINTS’ NEW DRIVE

ON MONDAY night, a group of St Patrick’s Athletic supporters took to the streets of Inchicore to spread the gospel of the Saints. They knocked on doors, put leaflets through letterboxes and stopped people on the street to tell them about their first game of the season against Galway United tonight. At the heart of it all was Brian Kerr, pounding the pavements doing his bit for a club he still holds dear. As is evident with his commentary and analysis on radio and television, Kerr’s enthusiasm for the game has never wavered. His professional impartiality cannot be questioned but everyone is aware of where his League of Ireland allegiances lie. It is why the former St Pat’s and Republic of Ireland manager (left) had no qualms at all about spending a few hours going door-to-door with other volunteers earlier this week. With attendances at Richmond Park dipping in recent years, a reconnection with those closest to them was needed. It is the reason St Pat’s have began the ‘Your Community Your Club’ campaign, an initiative designed to revitalise a flagging support base. The past three seasons have seen every major domestic trophy reside along Emmet Road at one point or another, but in the stands and terraces there has not been the same vibrancy. Kerr provided a small helping hand, but just like every other club in the country they need to find a way to tap into hearts and minds.