Andy Kirk (footballer)

Andrew Robert Kirk (born 29 May 1979) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer and the current manager of Brechin City, in the Highland League.

For other people with the same name, see Andrew Kirk.

Andy Kirk
Personal information
Full name Andrew Robert Kirk[1]
Date of birth (1979-05-29) 29 May 1979
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Brechin City (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–1999 Glentoran 75 (26)
1999–2004 Heart of Midlothian 114 (30)
2004–2005 Boston United 25 (18)
2005–2008 Northampton Town 106 (30)
2008 Yeovil Town 19 (4)
2008–2013 Dunfermline Athletic 146 (51)
2013–2014 Alloa Athletic 32 (5)
Total 517 (164)
International career
1990–2001 Northern Ireland U21 9 (2)
2003 Northern Ireland B 1 (0)
2000–2010 Northern Ireland 11 (0)
Managerial career
2016 Heart of Midlothian (joint interim manager)
2020–2021 Hearts Women
2021– Brechin City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kirk played for Glentoran, Heart of Midlothian, Boston United, Northampton Town, Yeovil Town, Dunfermline Athletic and Alloa Athletic. He was also capped by Northern Ireland. He began his managerial career with Hearts Women before joining Brechin City in 2021.

Early life

Andy Kirk is the son of former footballer and former Lisburn Distillery manager Paul Kirk.[2]

Playing career

Glentoran

Kirk started his career with Belfast side Glentoran and quickly established himself as one of the top strikers in the Irish League, scoring 26 league goals in the 1998–99 season.

Kirk enjoyed a successful time with the Glens and under manager Roy Coyle winning the Gold Cup, County Antrim Shield and Irish Premiership title.

Heart of Midlothian

Having had several unsuccessful trials in England. In February 1999 Jim Jefferies signed Kirk for Heart of Midlothian for £50,000.

Initially viewed as an investment for the future, Kirk played in the club's U-21 side for most of his first two seasons at Tynecastle Stadium. However, in 2000–01 he firmly established himself in the first eleven, making 40 appearances and scoring 13 times. After a season decimated by injuries, he made further double-figure scoring contributions in 2002–03 and 2003–04. However, financial restraints at the Edinburgh club resulted in Kirk being released when his contract expired in the summer of 2004.

Boston United

Steve Evans signed Kirk for English League Two side Boston United. Kirk excelled at York Street, scoring 20 goals in little over 8 months.

Northampton Town

In March 2005 Kirk signed for Northampton Town for a £125,000 fee, signing a three and half-year contract.[3]

Despite Kirk scoring on his debut, Northampton lost to Rushden & Diamonds and a stuttering finish to the season witnessed them fall in the play-off semi-finals. The following season, Kirk's 10 goals ensured there was no repeat and Northampton gained promotion to League One. During the 2006–07 season Kirk was transfer listed alongside fellow strikers James Quinn and Scott McGleish. However, Kirk was taken off the transfer list at the beginning of the 2007–08 season and rewarded manager Stuart Gray with 3 goals in the first 3 games.

Yeovil Town

Kirk moved to Yeovil Town on 17 January 2008 for an undisclosed fee. He signed a two and a half-year contract.[4] He scored twice in the first three games for his new club. In summer 2008 Yeovil rejected a bid from Morecambe for Kirk,[5] though they went on to sell him to Scottish First Division team Dunfermline Athletic.

Dunfermline Athletic

In August 2008 Kirk signed a three-year contract.[6] He made his debut coming on as a sub against First Division rivals Partick Thistle[7] and scored his first two goals a week later against Queen of the South in a 2–1 win.[8] Kirk has gone on to enjoy the most prolific goal-scoring period of his career with the Pars.

Alloa Athletic

In June 2013 Kirk signed with newly promoted First Division team Alloa Athletic[9] having trained with the club in the latter part of the 2012/13 season after being released by Dunfermline due to the club being in administration.

International

Kirk was capped 11 times by Northern Ireland. His debut came against Hungary in April 2000. After a four-year absence he played against the Czech Republic in October 2009.[10][11] His most recent appearance was in a friendly against Albania in 2010.[12]

Coaching career

Kirk joined Rangers Academy as a youth coach in March 2015.[13] He returned to Edinburgh in February 2016 to coach Heart of Midlothian's U17 team.[14] In December 2016, Kirk became joint interim manager with Jon Daly following Robbie Neilson's departure.[15]

In August 2020, Kirk was appointed the First Team Manager and Girls' Academy Manager of Hearts Women.[16]

Brechin City

In June 2021, Kirk was appointed the manager of Highland League side Brechin City.[17]

Honours

Club
Glentoran
Dunfermline Athletic

Individual

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. Beacom, Steven (5 July 2008). "Football:A lucky break for Hearts ace Andy". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  3. Kirk completes switch to Cobblers, BBC Sport, 10 March 2005
  4. Cobbler Kirk seals Yeovil switch, BBC Sport, 17 January 2008
  5. McIlroy targets four new players, BBC Sport, 29 May 2008
  6. "Dunfermline snap up striker Kirk". BBC Sport. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  7. "Partick Thistle 1–0 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 2 August 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  8. "Dunfermline 2–1 Queen of the South". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  9. "Andy Krik Signs". Alloa Athletic FC. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  10. Evans joins N Ireland absentees
  11. Czech Republic 0–0 N Ireland
  12. "ALBANIA 1–0 NORTHERN IRELAND". irishfa.com. 3 March 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  13. Dickinson, Andrew (19 March 2015). "Rangers hire three new coaches in academy shake-up". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  14. Brown, Anthony (21 October 2016). "Andy Kirk loving role preparing Hearts stars of future". The Scotsman. Edinburgh: Johnston Press.
  15. McLaughlin, Brian (2 December 2016). "Hearts: Levein seeks 'young' coach to succeed Neilson". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  16. "Andy Kirk new Women's First Team and Girls' Academy Manager | Heart of Midlothian Football Club". heartsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  17. "Brechin City Football Club". brechincity.com. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
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