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Brechin City appoint ex-Hearts, Boston, Northampton, Yeovil, Dunfermline, Alloa player

Brechin City, who were relegated to the Highland League, appoint ex-Hearts, Boston, Northampton, Yeovil, Dunfermline, Alloa player Andy Kirk.

On the 23rd of May 2021, Brechin lost 3–1 on aggregate to Lowland League outfit Kelty Hearts in the relegation playoffs, getting relegated, the club’s first spell out of the national leagues in 67 years.

After 22 games, the Angus based side could only pick up 10 points from 22 games played, putting the ball in the back of the net on 13 occasions, but conceded 43 times.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Brechin City FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of former Northern Ireland international Andy Kirk as Manager.

A prolific striker during his playing days, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge to the Club, having played both sides of the border as well as domestically and internationally with Northern Ireland.

He started his coaching career with Rangers youths before moving on to Heart of Midlothian where he coached at various youth levels in addition to the reserves and first team squads. He was most recently First Team Manager and Girls’ Academy Manager of Hearts Women.

Andy is now in the process of recruiting his backroom team which will be confirmed in due course. He commented, “I am looking forward to the challenge of delivering success for the Club and working with Craig Levein.”

Interim Chairman Kevin Mackie added, “Andy was assistant to Daniel Stendel at Hearts and he clearly has the ambition and drive that we were looking for to take us on the next part of an exciting journey.

“The Club would like to thank the applicants who were of a high quality but unfortunately unsuccessful on this occasion.”

KIRK’S PLAYING CAREER:

1998–1999 – Glentoran – 75 games (26 goals)
1999–2004 – Heart of Midlothian – 114 games (30 goals)
2004–2005 – Boston United – 25 games (18 goals)
2005–2008 – Northampton Town – 106 games (30 goals)
2008 – Yeovil Town – 19 games (4 goals)
2008–2013 – Dunfermline Athletic – 146 games (51 goals)
2013–2014 – Alloa Athletic – 32 games (5 goals)
Total – 517 games (164 goals)

National team
1990–2001 – Northern Ireland U21 – 9 games (2 goals)
2003 – Northern Ireland B – 1 game (0 goals)
2000–2010 – Northern Ireland – 11 games (0 goals)

Teams managed
2016 – Heart of Midlothian (joint interim manager)
2020–2021 – Hearts Women
2021– Brechin City

“I’d like to thank everyone at Hearts for their support over the years and for the opportunities I’ve been given,” said Kirk.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the women’s team over the past ten months. Like everyone, they’ve had such a challenging year but they’ve been an absolute credit to themselves and the club, and I’m proud to have been a part of their journey.”

Sporting director Joe Savage paid tribute to the work done by Kirk and will now identify and recruit his replacement.

He added: “Andy and his backroom team have worked tirelessly throughout the season and he goes with our best wishes,”

“The improvements in the side have been clear for all to see, so now we begin the search to bring in a new manager who can lead our Women’s First Team and Girl’s Academy into a new season and continue the upward trajectory.

“It’s a search I’m excited to be leading. The women’s game is booming and there will no doubt be a number of talented managers who would be eager to manage the Women’s First Team at a club of Hearts’ stature.”

Fans reacted after seeing that Brechin City have chosen to appoint the ex-Hearts, Boston, Northampton, Yeovil, Dunfermline, Alloa player…

@DrEmmZedRamsay: Hope Brechin bounce back

@GarryEarly2: Good luck Andy, all the best to Brechin for the coming season, good wee club 👏🏻

@zzxxcc1122: He finished cracking Levein off yet

@stephen28216359: Another levein puppet

@RoccoMckay4: Another quality signing.

@FitbaNomad: Makes sense Levein would get a fellow Jambo in. What’s the chances of @BrechinCityFC winning the @ScottishHFL at the first time of asking? My knowledge of the division is lacking..

@harrywragg: Would imagine Brora will be the main competition. Don’t think the Highland League is as strong as it once was. Already lost a lot of its stronger clubs.

@jamesceltic2: They will in for a shock, the standard of the top five/six teams in the highland league is high. I don’t see them coming back anytime soon. Interesting but very difficult times ahead.

@TheGowfers: Recruitment will be key

@GilesGraeme: In for a shock. I genuinely believe Brora, Broch, Formartine, Rothes, Locos and Buckie will beat them. They wont get out of it any time soon. Mid table for them

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