Martin Fellowes has become one of the youngest managers in Scottish football after being appointed interim boss at East Kilbride FC.
The 25-year-old former Kilby kit man has taken the reins after Kevin Rutkiewicz and his assistant Bill Orr left the club last week by ‘mutual consent’.
It is a bittersweet moment for Fellowes, who has spent a decade at the club in various roles and steps up from the position of head development coach to steer Kilby through their final few games of the campaign.
His story may sound like a storyline out of hit Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso, but the new gaffer at K-Park is more than qualified for the role, having earned his UEFA B licence coaching badges and is currently undergoing his A licence.
In recent years, he has also been on the staff of Scotland’s under-19 squad and is still assisting former EK boss Billy Stark at that level.
Fellowes has now climbed all the way up from being a teenage kit man to managing first-team affairs, albeit on a temporary basis.
And after being appointed this week with the club sixth in the table and miles off their goal of the title and promotion to the SPFL, Fellowes said: “It has been a mental week and not one I was expecting.
“I’ve been away with Scotland under-19s and not had much time to fully process it yet.
“But I was really close with Kevin and Bill, and Kevin was good enough to let me continue working at the club in a similar role to the one Chris [Aitken] had me in.
“It’s difficult for me, because I was as gutted as anybody to see Kevin go. So it’s bittersweet.
“This wasn’t something I’d ever thought of, and the past week has been a bit of a whirlwind.
“It’s very difficult because a guy has lost his job, so I am mindful of that.
“I am looking forward to getting my teeth into the role, but it is an opportunity I wouldn’t have if Kevin hadn’t given me an opportunity on his staff when he came in.”
On being in charge at 25, he added: “I know there is Bailey Hanlon at Kilsyth (23), who is probably the youngest, but I’m one of the youngest managers about, I think.
“I remember I was 17 when we played Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale to get through to play Celtic in the Scottish Cup and I was the youngest kit man in Scotland at that point, so it has been a journey for me.”
Fellowes was absent from Kilby’s thumping 6-1 win away to Edinburgh University on Saturday and will take charge of his first game on Saturday at home to Gretna 2008 in the league.
Asked if he would be interested in the job beyond the end of the season, he said: “I know it sounds so cliché, but my only thought is on Gretna on Saturday. I haven’t thought about it.
“I’ll do whatever the club ask me to do in whatever capacity that is – kit man, under-19s coach, first team coach – whatever it is, I will do it to the best of my ability.
“The club has asked me to take it until the end of the season and I will give it my absolute all.
“I’m sure somebody else will be coming in and the club will be doing their work in the background on that.
“I’ll do the role until the club tells me otherwise.”
Announcing Rutkiewicz’s departure last week, a club statement read: “East Kilbride Football Club announce the parting of the ways with manager, Kevin Rutkiewicz.
“Kevin helped guide the club to Lowland League Cup success, shortly after his arrival, one year ago.
“The club would like to thank Kevin and his staff for their tireless efforts, and wish them all the best in the future.“
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