Emotional Kay quits Oakley
Published 4 May 2012 09:02
0 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
Action from Oakley's 1-0 victory over Ballingry
Picture: Jim Payne
OAKLEY gaffer Stevie Kay has rocked Blairwood Park by announcing he will quit at the end of the season.
An emotional Kay revealed his "gut feeling" told him it was the end of the road at the West Fifers despite a successful Premier League campaign.
Kay led Oakley to promotion from the Central League at the second time of asking last year and had the team challenging for promotion to the Super League until injuries took their toll.
He said, "A gut feeling tells me it's the end of the road and that it's time for somebody new with fresh ideas and fresh contacts to come in and try to take the team to the next level.
"I need to do the same and go and get my mojo back elsewhere."
Despite being unbeaten until March, Oakley lost five of their next eight until a 1-0 victory over Ballingry on Saturday.
Kay insisted, "It's not due to results. I drafted a review letter in November saying I was going to look at my position in the summer.
"Something tells me I need a new challenge elsewhere.
"If nothing happens shortly I'll keep taking in games, building profiles on players and try to educate myself so if a job does come up we'll be good to go.
"It is quite emotional. The committee have been brilliant with me and the players have given their all for me. I couldn't have asked for any more.
"If we'd kicked on in November and got a couple of players in I still think we would have got promoted.
"The depth of the squad has killed us. There is a great base there for somebody else."
A Mark Connor strike was enough to give Oakley victory over Ballingry on Saturday and Kay will remain in charge for the final two league games.
Anybody who is interested in the vacant position should contact Dougie Hynd on 07775518846.
Injury-hit Kelty overcame Central Division side Newburgh to set up a Fife and Lothians Cup quarter-final tie away to Ballingry Rovers this Saturday.
Kelty, who had only one sub due to injuries and work commitments, could have been two-up in the opening 20 minutes but had to settle for a solitary Darren Smith strike.
After this, Newburgh came more into the game and were disappointed not to go in at half time level as twice goalkeeper Allan Fleming came to Kelty's rescue.
The second half saw Kelty have the better of the game but Newburgh created a couple of half chances. Hearts did have openings to put the tie to bed only to see Gregg Meikle and Joe Clark fail to net.
Hearts boss Keith Burgess said, "It was a real struggle to get a side together as added to the injured list a couple of lads were unavailable.
"We had to work hard but we are through to the next round and that is what cup football is all about."
A brilliant performance from Crossgates Primrose keeper Dale Wotherspoon just failed to earn his team a Central League point at Dundonald.
Wotherspoon distinguished himself with two excellent saves in a goalless first half.
In the second period Dundonald started to pile on the pressure and Wotherspoon pulled off another couple of fine saves before in 65 minutes the breakthrough came.
In the closing stages Primrose had a couple of half chances but left with a 1-0 defeat.
Two Andrew Watt strikes in the last five minutes gave Steelend an excellent victory at home to Kirkcaldy, while Rosyth were thumped 4-0 by league leaders Jeanfield Swifts.
Saturday's fixtures: Fife and Lothians Cup - Ballingry Rovers v Kelty Hearts; East Premier League - Oakley v Broughty Athletic; East Central League - Kirkcaldy v Rosyth, Kinnoull v Steelend Vics, Bankfoot v Crossgates Primrose.
Monday's fixtures: Super League - Kelty Hearts v Bonnyrigg Rose; East Central League - Crossgates Primrose v Thornton Hibs. (KO 7.15pm)
Wednesday's fixtures - East Central League -Rosyth v Newburgh. (KO 7.15pm)
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
