Dunfermline: Football coach Kyle Redpath lands Fort William role

Kyle Redpath, 27, has been appointed as the new boss of Fort William FC, who previously have been the subject of BBC Scotland interest on their struggles in the Highland League.

Now playing in the North Caledonian League, in tier six of the Scottish football pyramid, they have given lifelong Pars supporter Kyle the opportunity to try and bring them success.

Previously a coach with Box Soccer Fife and Bayside FC, Dunfermline-based Kyle has also worked with The Pars Foundation - the charity that runs community programmes on behalf of Dunfermline Athletic - whilst also helping form Fife Sunday Football League, Tappies AFC, who have changed their name to Dunfermline West End AFC for the forthcoming season, last year.

Speaking to Press Sport about his unlikely opportunity, Kyle described the journey from applying to being appointed as "a pretty mad couple of weeks".

"I applied, probably five or six weeks ago now, I think," he explained.

"It was just before I went to Germany that I'd applied for the position, not thinking anything would come of that.

"I applied and thought I would just apply for the sake of it, not expecting to hear back. I got a message when I was in Germany saying that they were keen on a chat, which was surprising to start with, and that was from the director of football (Alan Gray). He was the manager before, but is now director of football at Fort William, helping out with recruitment and things.

Kyle, who last year helped form a Sunday league side in Dunfermline, is excited for his new role with the Highland club. (Image: Iain Ferguson, Alba.photos.)

"I had a chat with him over the phone when I came back from Germany, and he said there are four or five different people in the process.

"Again, not expecting anything to come of it, he said they're keen for the chairman (Rob Coull) to have a chat with you. That was arranged for the week after.

"I spoke to the chairman over the phone for well over an hour. I asked him, realistically, how many people are still in the process? He said I'm going to be totally honest with you - the people that were in the process aren't anymore, so it is just you.

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"I thought wow, ok, this is starting to get a bit serious now!"

After paying a visit to Fort William's Claggan Park, where he met both Gray and Coull, Kyle was offered the position at the club.

Kyle (centre) has is looking forward to meeting his new squad. (Image: Iain Ferguson, Alba.photos.)

He's set to travel to training once a week, with the players' other session taken by another coach, with the reserves, or as part of a set running routine, as well as at the weekend for games.

The club have even committed to helping provide overnight accommodation if required ahead of certain away trips, which include destinations such as Orkney, Thurso and Goslpie.

Kyle, a long-time Pars season ticket holder, continued: "It's just been a pretty mad couple of weeks in terms of from applying, not really thinking that anything would come of it at all, to being offered the role.

"I have been prepared to travel. The travel's going to be tough - that and missing Dunfermline games is probably going to be the two biggest challenges to the role - but, there's no doubt about it, the location of Fort William is pretty much the main reason I've been offered it.

"If it was a team down in Fife, or the central belt, they'd probably be inundated with applications because it is effectively the sixth tier of Scottish football.

"I just thought if you don't ask, you don't get.

"I love being involved in football from Sunday league. I liked youth coaching, but especially the Sunday league aspect, working with adults. I don't mind it taking up my weekend because it's something I'm passionate about.

"I see it as a hobby - obviously this is more than a hobby - but football is just something I've been absolutely invested in.

"I think there's probably one day out of the entire week where I'm not either playing or watching football.

"I just thought, you know what, I'll apply, see what happens, but I certainly wasn't expecting to get to this stage!

"I'm intrigued to go up and see a bit more. I'm intrigued to meet the team, and see what the standard of the league's like, and things like that."

Fort William FC chairman Coull commented: "Kyle has stepped up in the club’s historic 50th year and has the full support of the board."

"The club is firmly focused on the local player pathway and Kyle shares the club’s views and objectives.

“We are all pulling together and look forward to an exciting season full of positive results and player development."

Gray, their director of football, added: "From the word go, Kyle has bought into the club’s ethos as we look to promote players from within and work towards a community club that is competitive on the park and embedded in the local area."