Former Lincoln City captain Scott Kerr has taken his first steps into senior management after being confirmed as the new First Team Head Coach at Bridlington Town.
Kerr, who made well over 200 appearances for the Imps and captained the club across multiple seasons, has been appointed by Bridlington Town alongside Mark Hotte, who joins as assistant manager. The move marks a significant new chapter for a player who remains a familiar and, at times, divisive figure among supporters of Lincoln City.
Bridlington announced the appointment following what chairman Daniel Rogers described as a “rigorous recruitment campaign”, with the club confident Kerr is the right man to lead them towards their long-term ambition of reaching National League North football within the next five years.
“I’m delighted to welcome Scott to the Bridlington Town leadership team following a rigorous recruitment campaign by the club, leaving no stone unturned,” he said.
“Throughout our extensive discussions, Scott’s leadership style, character and determination to drive standards shone through and I have renewed confidence that we are on the right path to building a professional, sustainable club that will not only compete at this level but thrive and go on to meet our longer-term objectives of playing Step 2 football within the next five years.”
Scott Kerr at Lincoln
For Lincoln supporters, Kerr’s name carries weight. Signed from Scarborough in the summer of 2005 by the late Keith Alexander, the Leeds-born midfielder arrived during one of the club’s most stable and competitive periods in the Football League. He quickly became a mainstay in the side, helping the Imps reach the League Two play-offs in his first season and establishing himself as a dependable presence in the centre of midfield.
Kerr went on to captain Lincoln across several campaigns, including the 2006–07 season under John Schofield, when the Imps again reached the play-offs. His partnership with Lee Frecklington became a cornerstone of that side, with Kerr often tasked with the less glamorous work that allowed others to flourish. His importance to the team was reflected in his continued selection under successive managers, even as the club began to lose momentum on and off the pitch.
The 2008–09 season proved a personal high point. Despite managerial upheaval and significant changes to the squad, Kerr remained influential and was voted Lincoln City Player of the Year, recognition of both his performances and his consistency during a difficult period. It was an accolade that underlined how highly he was regarded inside the dressing room, even when opinions in the stands were sometimes split.
Kerr’s time at Lincoln came to an unceremonious end in January 2011, when he joined York City after falling out of favour with Steve Tilson. His departure coincided with a collapse in form that ultimately led to relegation from the Football League, and there remains a strong feeling among sections of the fanbase that his leadership was sorely missed during that run-in.
After leaving Lincoln, Kerr continued his playing career with York City, adding further experience in the non-league game before moving into coaching. That grounding has now led to his first senior managerial appointment, with Bridlington pairing him with the experienced Hotte, whose playing career included spells at Oldham Athletic, Scarborough and FC Halifax Town.
The Seasiders played in the Northern Premier League East Division, which is the same level as Lincoln United. They are ensconced in midtable, ten points from the play-offs but eight clear of the Whites in the final relegation position.
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