Scorries land new manager
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THE new man at the helm of Wick Academy is David Kirkwood.
The decision was made on Monday night when the committee unveiled him as the man to lead the team next season.
Having stepped down as the head of youth development at Ross County last month, Kirkwood will officially take charge of the senior team when it returns for pre-season training at the end of June.
The appointment was made after co-managers Ian Munro and Richard Hughes resigned in April after a disappointing run which saw the club finish in 14th position. They remained in post until the end of the season.
Speaking to the Caithness Courier yesterday, Kirkwood said he is looking forward to the challenge of improving Academy’s fortunes.
“They are an ambitious club and I am an ambitious person,” he said. “Their desire to achieve the best is what attracted me to the job. Some may say that this a step down after working at the youth set-ups at a number of top level professional clubs. But I have been completely impressed by the attitude of the committee and their seriousness in taking the next step.”
A former professional player, the 43 year-old started his career at East Fife where he made over 100 appearances. In 1987, the midfielder signed for Rangers where he spent two years as a player at Ibrox before moving to Hearts. In 1990, he signed for Airdrieonians where he made 104 appearances, scoring 21 goals.
His most successful period as a player came when he transferred to Raith Rovers in 1994 and was part of the side that won the Scottish League Cup. In 2000, he was appointed as a youth coach at Raith Rovers and has since coached at Motherwell, Rangers and Ross County.
Kirkwood said that he already has a good understanding of the club and how the team plays.
“Wick Academy are a side who like to play attractive passing football and that will stay because that’s the way I want to play,” he explained. “However, I want to assemble a formation which trusts in getting the ball off the opposition just as much as getting the ball upfield.
“Consistency was the main issue for Wick Academy last year. They beat the likes of Cove Rangers and Inverurie Locos but dropped points against the likes of Strathspey Thistle and Fort William.
“They’ve proved that they’ve got it in them to compete with the best, but they must prove that in every match.
He added: “I want to conduct training in a more professional manner than they have been used to and get them going into every game with the same mentality.”
Kirkwood will regularly make a two hour-drive from his home in the Black Isle to Harmsworth Park. He says that the long commute isn’t a factor for him and has plenty of experience of long-distance travel.
“When I was working with the youth set-up at Ross County, I was travelling down to Glasgow every week. Being based in Dingwall, we had to sometimes travel five hours to get to a game.”
He continued: “I’ve always been in football during my career and it is good to be back in the game after leaving Ross County. My main aim is for the players to be successful. If the players are successful then the club is successful. If the club is successful then that means I’m successful.”
Club secretary Alan Farquhar says he is delighted a man with the reputation of Kirkwood has agreed to be manager of the club.
“David’s passion and desire to join Wick Academy Football Club was evident during all discussions the club had with him,” he said.
“The executive committee memners are united in their view that he has the proven ability, coaching experience and aptitude to improve the team.
“The committee is both delighted and excited by his appointment and we hope the supporters will be too.”
He added: “We feel this appointment illustrates that Wick Academy are determined and very serious about becoming a stronger force in the Highland League.
“David has inherited a talented young squad and hopefully he will maintain the development and continue the positive work initiated by both Richard and Ian.
“We feel with his experience that he will enhance the quality of the current squad and help the ?players develop both individually and collectively.”
