Lloyd Kerry

KERRY LLOYD

Football league memories for Harrogate Town don’t come much bigger than Lloyd Kerry’s winner against Bradford City in 2020. The crisp finish secured all three points in the Yorkshire derby and will live long in the memory of all Town fans. However, the club legend brought an end to his impressive career at the end of last season and is now focused on making an impact in the club’s recruitment department. Looking ahead to the occasion the former midfield general has admitted he will miss the buzz of being involved in such an exciting match. Words: Nickolas McInally

He explained: “It’s a massive occasion whenever we go up against them and I have managed to score the winning goal against them in front of my family so that was a really good moment for me. I think the lads can take confidence from the fact we have a good record against Bradford.

“We are at home as well and I’m sure the lads will put on a good performance for the fans, giving our all and more in the derby. As a player you get a real buzz from playing in front of a crowd and I miss that now I have retired but I’ll be cheering the lads on from the side lines.”

However, reflecting on his decision to bring his magnificent playing career to an end, Kerry believes his decision was the right one. After accepting an offer to become the club’s Head of Player Recruitment he oversaw the signings of 15 new players.

He revealed: “It’s been a big change for me, I’m still finding my feet in the role but I am really enjoying it. I really enjoyed playing for this club and now I am focused on helping it in whatever way I can. It has been a crazy six months really since I was first offered the job in January.

“My contract was up last summer and I spoke with the gaffer around Christmas of last year to find out what lay ahead for me from the club’s point of view for clarity. He came back to me a couple of weeks later and offered me the role and thought it would be a good fit for me.”

Having spent 16 years playing professional football the now former Town midfielder admitted the offer was not expected as he considered retirement and the offer on the table.

He said: “At first it took me by surprise a little bit but when I got my head round the prospect of retiring and not playing any more, the opportunity was too good to turn down. Once I accepted the role I started straight away. I was out watching games whenever I could, if I wasn’t in the squad I was away watching a match and we came up with a plan. We identified positions and areas which we would like to improve and I was a part of that process. I was still available to play if needed and had to remain professional in case I was needed. I have had a good six or seven months at it now.”

Having freshly retired just weeks previously Kerry relied heavily on his insight gained from playing and knowledge of the squad and he worked to identify characters who would suit the yellow and black.

He said: “I think I have a good understanding of what the manager and coaches expect from players. We have built our success on having good characters, lads who will run through a brick wall for this club and I definitely think it helps. We have a great relationship and as a group I think we are really close, we all want the same thing and are on the same page which I think is important.”

However, after accepting a role within the club’s

WE HAVE BUILT OUR SUCCESS ON HAVING GOOD CHARACTERS, LADS WHO WILL RUN THROUGH A BRICK WALL FOR THIS CLUB AND I DEFINITELY THINK IT HELPS...

recruitment department, the hard word continues for the former Town midfielder as he continues his football obsession after hanging up his boots.

He said: “I am currently studying my talent ID level 3 qualification which I think will help me to continue improving within this role. I have done a bit of coaching and I do enjoy that as well, I am also doing my UEFA B License just in case I want to go down that route in future. Anything within football interests me. I have loved being a part of it as a player and in my current role and if I can broaden my knowledge within any aspect of the game I will always look to do that.”

In becoming the club’s first full-time Head of Player Recruitment, this step is aimed at facilitating the club’s continued evolution in the EFL.

He explained: “In the past we have had part-time scouts, Lee Barraclough is still with us as Chief Scout and has done a great job in his time here. The club wanted someone full-time, there are games almost every day of the week at a variety of different levels but we want to have a chance at seeing more players live and helping to us evolve.

“We are often up against teams in our division when we are looking at players. With that in mind we want to be able to think outside the box at times and get creative because when you’re in that competition you aren’t going to get every player you want.”

Having switched the boots for the side lines it’s his time as a member of staff which has allowed the man who made 224 appearances for the club to fully appreciate the hard work which goes on behind the scenes at a football club.

He said: “I am really proud of what I have achieved at the club and to be a part of promotions, Wembley appearances and winning trophies and now for me it’s about helping the club as much as I can off the field. That is the same as the rest of the staff here, I know how much hard work they all put in behind the scenes which probably goes unnoticed when you’re a player.

“Everyone just wants this club to be successful and we’re working as hard as we can to make that happen. For me, if I can play a part in helping the club continue to move forward I would be very proud of that as well.”

With a change to Town’s tactical set up coming in the final week of the transfer window, the club recruited four new signings on transfer deadline day. However, while some may avoid the chaotic nature of a day like this, it was one which Kerry enjoyed being a part of.

He revealed: “We didn’t have a lot of options in wider areas and we knew that would impact us if we wanted to change the formation. So we had a look at our targets, the manager had an operation that day so it was myself and Paul Thirlwell were on the phone a lot.

“Abbey, our secretary, and Rachel our physio were ready at the ground for medicals. Josh Coley was probably the latest one. We were interested in Josh but we had to wait on Exeter bringing in another player in before we could get that deal done.

“I think it was about quarter-to 11 before we got the deal done. It was a stressful at times but it was a great experience for me. We were delighted with the four lads we brought in and the options they give us.”

Having held several discussions with potential recruits and agents in recent months, the former midfield general admitted his understanding of football players and experiences picked up as a player helped him in getting deals over the line. He said: “I was always trying to sell the club in the best way I can, I have been a part of it and in the changing room so I know first hand the strengths of this football club. I definitely think it helps to a certain degree but there are other factors which influences a player’s decision which we can’t control. “I think the success we’ve had in recent years helps us. A lot of people take notice and believe we are doing something right. The manager isn’t scared to give opportunities to players who earn it and I think that makes us quite an appealing option. “Looking at loans in recent years, we have also had a few successful ones which helps us in discussions with parent clubs because they know we will give their players the experience they need.” In leading the player recruitment for both the club’s first team and youth academy the former Town midfielder believes the tools at his disposal will be a huge benefit as the club continues to improve.

He said: “We have of course got access to Wyscout which is a fantastic software which allows us to watch videos of players playing in matches. I watch a lot of videos every week but you still need to watch players live.

“I am a big believer in that because you see things the camera doesn’t pick up. For example, last year one player looked really good but when I went to watch him his body language and attitude weren’t great. We’ve got Statsbomb as well which helps us when looking at players as well.”

In leading the recruitment process for the club’s academy squad, the 34-year-old believes the approach must differ to that of the first team.

He explained: “Within the youth team it’s about identifying the characteristics we want. It’s different because you have to see the bigger picture with these lads because they are still developing. We’re going to be doing a lot to build up links with category one club’s.

“Obviously as you go up they pyramid there is more and more quality and we want to be in a position to pick up players with talent who might not make the grade at a category one club. Right now we have our player development centre but in the longer term we are looking at category three and reaching that level.”