Ally Roy knocked back full-time senior offers to sign a one-year deal at East Kilbride, because he reckons it’s the right club to kick-start his career.
The 26-year-old still had a year left on his Glentoran contract and wasn’t short of options, but a loan spell at Morton in January didn’t work out as a 20cm calf tear suffered in training effectively ended his season.
But Roy’s priorities have changed too, following the birth of his son Alistair Jnr, and he was keen to get back to Scotland.
Roy likes the ambition of boss Mick Kennedy, the style of football he wants to play, and wants a successful season as Kilby bid to finally land promotion from the Lowland League.
“I’m happy to be here” said Roy, who is EK’s 18th summer signing.
“I still had another year over in Belfast with Glentoran, but I just wanted to get home for my family and things like that – that’s my priority, now.
“I have a young son to look after, I’ve got a house here, so I’ve got responsibilities, and when East Kilbride came up it was something that really interested me.
“It’s a club that has ambition and something I was keen on doing.
“I had another couple of options in Scotland still to stay full-time, and higher up the leagues and things like that.
“I felt this one was right at the time. I liked what the manager had to say. He was very honest, and I was impressed with what he had to say.
“The aim is to win the title, and that was part of the reason why I wanted to come to the club.
“Mick is straight-up, you know what you’re getting with him, and the way he speaks to you is refreshing.
“His ideas and the way he wants to play football is different to what the normal is in Scottish football.”
Former Hearts, Airdrie and Queen of the South striker Roy says Kennedy’s approach played a huge part in him coming to K-Park.
He said: “Mick had a good spell with Darvel, with some very good results in the Scottish Cup, and things like that.
“He obviously has ambition and he’s someone who is on the rise at the minute.
“I liked the way he wanted to play football, but the way he spoke to me personally was important – he’s interested in the person as well, not just the football player.
“I’m really keen to get working with him, and hopefully it’s a successful campaign.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to, and hopefully it becomes a successful time for the club and myself.”
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