Graeme Kerr is today's On the Bench interviewee.  Graeme retired from Stanley AFC in 1996, having signed for them in 1986.









GA: When did you first get involved in amateur football and what were you doing?

GK: Signed for Stanley 1986 until 1997.

GA: What amateur teams have you been involved in and in what capacity?

GK: Stanley.

GA: Do you feel the amateur football scene has changed since you first became involved with it?

GK: Yes, not as many good teams or players.

GA: Do you have a favourite amateur team and why is it your favourite?

GK: n/a

GA: What’s your most memorable moment in amateur football?

GK: Winning Cally League 3 times and cups. Also three visits to Hamden Park, 2 Wests and 1 Scottish:  lost the lot but what a day out and every time I played for Scotland.

GA: What do you think about the quality of amateur football?

GK: Not a lot of younger talent coming through, still the best players 35-40 age

GA: Which team provided the best post-match hospitality? (Who served the best pies?)

GK: Cally were the first league to start this.  Stoves at Coatbridge CC, current bun at Lesser Hampden, all Cally teams in general ok.

GA: What was the last game you watched?

GK: Racecourse Paisley don’t no teams.

GA: What was the last game you played in?

GK: Cup final Paisley Caledonia against St Pats.  Played 6 games for them, Stanley connection. Won on pens, scored one of them age 40.  Happy days.

GA: If you had 3 wishes, what would you change about Scottish amateur football?

GK: Better facilities. Try to get press more involved to raise the profile of the game even if it’s just the Scottish Cup. It was better when I played Drummond Wilson Evening Times. Last wish, I wish I was 25 again.

GA: What do you think about summer football?

GK: No use, too many players with kids' summer holidays.

GA: Have you any views about the relationship of the professional game to the amateur game?

GK: They should look at amateur players more often, top leagues, Dougie Arrnot, Motherwell Miners played against me, then went on to play for Motherwell, so it can be done.

GA: What do you think the future holds for Scottish amateur football?

GK: Think it will be more of the same.

GA: Have you any views on super leagues?  Do you think they are a good idea?

GK: Good idea. Stanley were in at the start of the Cally, great parks to play on: Lesser Hampden, Giffnock North, Viewfield, Stirling Uni, to name a few. Cally teams in finals of West and Scottish for ten years.

GA: What do you think about Community Hubs (NB not Community Clubs)?

GK: All good news.

GA: Have you any comments on grounds and facilities?

GK: Always think they were better in my days.

GA: Do you think there is adequate provision of development courses & funding for them?

GK:  No.

GA: What do you think about the SAFA Select team – how do you think it could be developed?

GK: When I played, it was a committee. You can’t  get two people to agree about players never mind 8. There should maybe be one manager, no connection with clubs.






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