After a long and thorough recruitment process the club are delighted to announce Kevin Kelly has been appointed first team manager of Kilwinning Rangers.
The management committee met with a number of candidates over the last few days and felt that Kevin’s passion for the job, the youth pathway and the wider community shone through making a great fit for the club. Kevin departed his position as manager of Caledonian Locomotives after 2 years where he finished 4th in the WoSFL 2nd Division and just missing out on promotion. This experience we believe gives him the tools to be a success for The Buffs.
Kevin Kelly is ready to get to work:
“Thanks to the chairman and committee firstly for the opportunity. We as a management team hope to make you proud of what’s on the pitch and in time bring success to the club. The support we received last night from the fans when we were unveiled at the supporters meeting was great and we look forward now to getting back to work and get the players ready for the season coming.”
Chairman Colin Evans said:
“It’s been a difficult few weeks for the club since the shock resignation of Chris Aitken. The management committee took our time to carry out our due diligence with the candidates that were in front of us and we firmly believe Kevin is a great appointment for the club. He buys into what we’re trying to do not just on the park but off it as well as within the community and our youth pathway which is pivotal to the success of football in the town. The club now look forward and can’t wait to see what the season has in store with Kevin in charge.”
Kevin brings in his own backroom team in the shape of assistant manager Steven Saunders and coaches John McGowan and Scott Black. Davie Wilson will remain in place as Goalkeeping Coach.
Steven Saunders has had an illustrious playing career playing with senior clubs in Scotland such as Motherwell, Ross County and few others leading to a Scotland cap and playing for TNS (The New Saints) in Wales. Steven finished his playing career at Gartcairn. He has coached at TNS youths along with East Kilbride Under 20’s and Clydebank U20’s before linking up with Kevin Kelly at Rossvale F.C./Caledonian Locomotives F.C.
John McGowan played in the junior ranks for 10 – 12 years along with coaching at such clubs as Gartcairn Football Club and Petershill Football Club most recently he has worked alongside Kevin, Steven and Scott at Rossvale F.C./Caledonian Locomotives F.C. John is UEFA A licence Qualified and has also previously worked at Youth level at Partick Thistle 14s,15s,16s and 18’s and is now working at Elite level with Kilmarnock.
Scott Black has Senior football and Junior football playing experience as well as coaching experience in Junior football spanning 30 years. Scott played at the likes Glencairn F.C, Maryhill F.C, Auchinleck Talbot F.C and Petershill F.C
The management team are available to sponsor. Any interested parties should contact Ben Grant on buffs.media@gmail.com
