Speaking about his return to Hillheads, Bay legend Lee Kerr said that he still has a real hunger for the game and felt there was no better place for him to be at this stage in his career. Manager Nathan Haslam, while describing his new signing as a Whitley Bay legend, was quick to point out that sentiment did not come into the decision and Kerr was returning for footballing reasons.
Lee explained how his return to Hillheads came about and that it was the manager who made the first move. “I spoke to Nathan a few times. He didn’t just want to talk over the phone, he wanted to meet face to face so that gave a good impression straightaway. We had a good chat, then I came over and met him again two weeks later and he explained how he wants the club to be run. It was all good feedback from him.”
He admitted that the opportunity to come back to Hillheads really appealed to him.” Yes definitely, I’ve been away for six years and obviously there’s been a massive change. Back then I was still fresh and young but now I think I can bring a little bit more to the club and the changing room and a bit more on the pitch in terms of an older head. When I left six years ago I felt I was starting to go a bit stale and needed a change for myself, but I always looked to see how Whitley Bay were going on. I was watching from afar and could see they’ve had a dip, and you don’t like that to happen to a club you’ve spent so long at, so that’s another thing. I want come back and see if we can progress and get higher up the table where we should be. I know we always get good crowds here and I’d like to give everyone a boost One of the first questions Nathan asked was ‘have you still got the hunger?’ and towards the end of last season I didn’t really feel I had that hunger. I don’t know what was wrong. I was carrying a bit of any injury and couldn’t get over it. So when he asked that question I went back home and thought about it; it was a good question and made me think and yes I’ve definitely got the hunger! Nathan wants to win things, the club, the fans everyone wants to win things so I don’t see why we can’t progress and win things.” Recalling the excellent response from the fans who obviously enjoyed seeing him score in the Ten Years On charity game last month, he commented “I always got on with the fans when I was playing, home and away, even when I was playing for a different club. I’ve always been made welcome at this place so there’s no better place for me to be honest …. so yes, you can say it’s a bit like coming back home.” As for his targets for the coming season… “Basically just to play as much as I can and get this club back in the top half of the table and see maybes if we can get that far that by Christmas set another target from there.” Lee is of course the club’s third top scorer of all time and he added “Yes, I’d like to get some more goals and try and catch Chowy now he’s finished!!” Looking beyond the coming season he added “The way Nathan says he plays his system I still feel as if I’ve got a good 2- 3 years in me, I don’t see why not”
A delighted Nathan Haslam commented “Lee’s a technician of the game, his ability is undoubted. He’s a legend of this football club albeit that was a while ago. Since then he’s been away at clubs where he hasn’t achieved the great things he did at Whitley Bay. I think he’d be the first to admit that he needs a new challenge and the challenge is to come back to Whitley Bay, not just because he’s a legend but because he wants to win things again and I’ve said to him as his manager I’ll push him. There’s an expectancy for him to push himself, that’s been made very clear to him, but he also brings a lot of experience. I’ve looked right through the Northern League in terms of the type of player I want and it just kept coming back to Lee Kerr so we’ve made the decision after three conversations. We’ve thought long and hard about it, he’s doing it for the right reasons, coming in first and foremost because of his football ability and I’m really, really excited to work with him.”
There have been occasions when players have returned to their former club for sentimental reasons and the move has proved unsuccessful but Haslam was quick to point out that this is most definitely not the case with Lee Kerr. “I’m sure the finger will get pointed by a few people but sentiment never ever comes into it for me. It’s about winning football games and Lee does bring a quality I’m going to need next season which is his short game and the long passing ranges he’s got. He’ll not automatically walk into the team, he’ll have to work for his place. He knows that there’s an expectancy for him to be as fit as he can be, and I’m going back to when he first left Whitley Bay. We want him as fit as that, if not fitter and I’m convinced that even at 32 we can make Lee Kerr a better player as well, so with that in mind, if everything clicks we’re going to be in for a great time with him. He scores very good goals, he’s great from set pieces and from range, he’s got that footballing brain when he sees the keeper off his line, he’ll seize the chance. I’ve been on the opposing team to Lee quite a few times in my days at Marske and Bishop Auckland, and I’ve seen the undoubted ability that’s there. This deal wouldn’t be happening if Lee Kerr didn’t have that fire in his belly to improve and be better than he was. I’ve made everything very clear, he’s had a good think about it and he’s got the drive to do it. I’ve looked him in the eyes and I can see that so now it’s time to produce the goods and hopefully he’ll start winning things again with Whitley Bay. He’ll kick on and improve which sounds crazy at 32 but I’m convinced we’re going to see an even better Lee Kerr, which is great news!”
*Photo: Memories – Lee Kerr celebrates with goal scoring partner and legend Paul Chow!
