Scott Kerr, former midfielder for Lincoln City, York City, and Grimsby Town, is embracing his new role as manager of Bridlington Town after taking charge in December 2025. This marks Kerr’s first managerial position, coming nine years after his retirement from professional football. Since his appointment, Kerr has helped guide Bridlington Town from struggling positions to an eighth-place finish in the Northern Premier League (NPL) East last season.
Drawing on lessons learned from managers such as Keith Alexander and Gary Mills, Kerr has focused on balancing training demands with managing player welfare. He highlighted the challenges of coaching part-time players who often work full days before evening training sessions. “Managing players and expectations is about more than just coaching,” Kerr said. “It’s about making sure players are happy, believe in themselves, and enjoy coming into training.”
Kerr referenced his experiences under Alexander and Mills as influential in shaping his approach. He noted that modern football tends to emphasize coaching philosophies, but for him, man-management remains critical. Both Alexander and Mills fostered strong team morale, with a relaxed yet performance-focused culture. Kerr recalled anecdotes from his playing days, including late-night team bonding and a focus on trust and belief within the squad.
Before joining Bridlington Town, Kerr had retired and settled into family life, participating in occasional interviews but not pursuing management until former teammate Michael Coulson, then interim manager, reached out for support. Although initially unable to commit fully, Kerr eventually took the reins, beginning with a tough debut against league leaders Redcar Athletic. Since then, he has implemented changes to the squad, incorporating loan signings and promoting academy talent like Riley Cooper.
Kerr described the joy of returning to the game from the sidelines, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of the dressing room and the satisfaction that comes with winning matches. “I tried to get the lads to enjoy winning because it’s the best feeling,” he added. His enthusiasm is matched by a willingness to learn, even as his passionate sideline behavior has already earned him multiple bookings.
Looking ahead, Kerr expressed gratitude toward Bridlington Town for the opportunity and is focused on building a competitive team. The club aims to develop young players aspiring to reach higher levels, with promotion an ultimate goal. “We want to create an environment for young lads to push beyond Bridlington,” Kerr said. “Whether that’s pushing onto League or Conference standard football, we’re working to provide the platform for that progression.”