Published: Thursday, 16th October, 2008 8:40am

New Oakley boss calls for more fighting spirit

by Simon Harris

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GETTING his injured players back on the field and restoring some fighting spirit are the top priorities for new Oakley boss Stevie Kay.

The former Burntisland Shipyard manager was installed at Blairwood Park this week with assistant Lee Richardson as the new management team following John Allison"s shock resignation last month.

They join an Oakley side lacking experience and confidence, rooted to the bottom of the East Premier League with five defeats in five matches, the latest being Saturday"s 2-1 home defeat by Dundonald.

Kay"s main task is to keep the side in the league and stave off the threat of a second successive relegation and it"s a challenge he insisted he was up to this week.

Kay (39) told Press Sport, 'Obviously I"m delighted to get the job. It"s such a big chance.

'We saw the game on Saturday and it"s a young side with a lot of potential there. There"s a lot of good points for us to work with.

'The main point is to try to consolidate and get our injured players back. There"s a lot of big players out injured and they"re crucial to the club surviving.

'There were only 10 fit players at the weekend due to work commitments and injuries and we need to get them back, settle things down and maybe bring two or three in.'

Richardson played juniors football for Lochore and Ballingry but Kay played mainly in the amateurs game because of his work commitments at Mossmorran.

He admitted getting the manager"s job at Oakley was a big chance.

'They"re a big team and a big name in junior football,' he said. 'They"ve got tradition and I like that traditional mining attitude. Teams from the mining communities such as Hill of Beath, Kelty and the Ayrshire sides seem to do well in junior football but teams from the big towns like Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy seem to suffer.

'I"ll be looking to get that fighting spirit back and progress.'

Oakley secretary Douglas Hynd told Press Sport, 'They were interviewed on Wednesday evening and we were just impressed by the way they conducted themselves and went about their business.

'Their task is to stay in that division, that would be fantastic, and anything else is a bonus.

'It"s a tough battle, to be fair, but these boys are up for it.'

Kay and Richardson will get a baptism of fire in the Scottish Cup next month. Oakley were given an away tie at Petershill on 1st November in the second round draw. Steelend Victoria are at home to Premier League Camelon, Kelty have a Fife derby at home to Thornton, while Rosyth were drawn away to Beith. Crossgates must travel to Thorniewood United if they win their first round replay at home to Blairgowrie.

Oakley were the only West Fife team to play on Saturday with the games involving Kelty, Crossgates, Steelend and Rosyth all falling victim to waterlogged pitches.

Saturday"s fixtures: Scottish Cup first round replay – Crossgates Primrose v Blairgowrie. East Region Premier League – Carnoustie Panmure v Oakley United. East Region Central League – Rosyth Recreation v Luncarty. Kick-offs 2.30pm.