Before you say anything Bubbly, this is local news not just sport!
Argyll and Bute Council has appointed its first ever Football Development Officer. And he’s already a Winner!
Dylan Kerr, whose post has been jointly funded by the council and the Scottish Football Association, was a Scottish Cup Winner with Kilmarnock in 1997 and played regularly in the English First Division in the eighties.
Councillor Robin Banks, Argyll and Bute Council’s Environment and Development Spokesperson said, “The Football Development Officer’s post will help us realise our ambitions to raise opportunities for our communities, and, in particular, for our young people to participate in sport.
“The post’s joint funding with the Scottish Football Association will bring greater resources to existing and developing football groups in Argyll and Bute and will raise the quality of coaching throughout the area.
“Football is one of the highest participation sports in Argyll and Bute, and with the ongoing development of all weather playing fields and now this joint funded post with the SFA, Argyll and Bute is set to reach new goals. Dylan has a great pedigree and will bring a fresh approach to sports development in our communities.”
Dylan’s first job will be to find out all there is to know about what coaching is available – where coaches are, where they are needed and what level of coaching is available.
Initially based at the Queen’s Hall in Dunoon, Dylan will nevertheless be covering the whole of the Argyll and Bute area.
He will be working with groups to raise the profile of football in the area and encourage areas of growth such as women’s football, over 35’s football and disability sports.
Speaking of his appointment, Dylan said, “I am delighted to be the first football development officer in Argyll and Bute.
“I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity of putting in place a development programme for football in schools and creating links with all football clubs. I am also looking forward to meeting all coaches who are already in place and developing new coaches through the SFA coaching courses that will be available to people interested in becoming a coach.
“I will also be involved in the development of both indoor and outdoor football facilities.
“This is a huge commitment by Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Football Association to introduce a football programme for boys and girls in schools and to adult clubs so we can increase participation and promote an active and healthier lifestyle. “
EDITORS NOTES
EDITOR’S NOTES
Dylan was born in Malta on 14th January 1967 and moved to England shortly afterwards. His keen interest and obvious skills led him into a career path of professional Football.
He signed as an apprentice with Sheffield Wednesday when he was just 16 and as a full professional at 17. He played regularly in the English First Division until 1986.
After three years with South African team Arcadia Shepherds, he signed for Leeds United, winning the old Division 2 Championship and Division 1 Championship (now the Premiership) in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
He transferred to Reading in 1993 and went on to help them win the Division 2 Championship. He left in 1996 for Carlisle United, but after a month, was snapped up by Kilmarnock where he helped them win the Scottish Cup in 1997.
Dylan retired from top class football in 2000 due to recurring injury and played on a part-time basis for Hamilton Academicals, who went on to win the Scottish Third Division Championship in 2001! Not long afterwards, he kick started his full time career with a move to Exeter City, and then the following year, 2002 to Morton before returning to Hamilton Academicals in 2003, where he ended his playing career.
Since retiring from playing, Dylan has spend a great deal of time in America coaching, and gaining the important coaching qualifications that an ex-footballer needs to progress in that element of the sport. He has completed a number of football coaching qualifications over the years and is proud of his latest award, the U.E.F.A. A-Advanced License which he achieved in 2005. He also holds the United States Soccer Federation Goalkeeper License.
Over the past few years Dylan has interspersed his American Coaching with spells in South Ayrshire and Kilmarnock FC working in Youth Development, before coming to Argyll and Bute in June 2005.[/b]
