Kevin Kelly appointed as new Whitletts Victoria manager

Kevin Kelly has taken on the top job at New Voluntary Park after the former boss left on the eve of the new season starting.

READ MORE: Whitletts Victoria manager Brian Reid departs club

The South Ayrshire outfit were without a permanent man in the dugout as they opened their WoSFL First Division campaign with a 2-0 loss against Gartcairn.

Kelly will now look to put points on the board as he takes charge of his side for the first time on Wednesday, July 29, with Whitletts to make the short trip into East Ayrshire to face Bonnyton Thistle.

He will be joined on the touchline by Scott Black, who has also joined the club, adding to their existing coaching team.

"We are delighted to welcome Kevin and Scott to Whitletts Vics", club chairman Stuart Jackson said.

"Kevin's experience, leadership and ambition made him the outstanding candidate for the role, and we firmly believe he is the right man to lead this club forward and deliver success.

"We are excited about the journey ahead and very much look forward to the season ahead."

Kelly was last in management with Kilwinning Rangers and spent almost two seasons in charge at Buffs Park. Black served as his goalkeeping coach during this time.

He took on the role with the North Ayrshire side in June 2024 following a successful 18-month spell with Caledonian Locomotive.

During his first season in Kilwinning, Kelly guided the club to promotion from the WoSFL First Division into the Premier Division.

In their last campaign. the club were battling for one of nine places in the new Lowland League West when Kelly departed amid a mass exodus of key figures at Buffs Park in March this year.

Chris Strain took over the reins and secured promotion with an impressive run of results to see out the season.