The strength of the first team squad received a boost during the summer with the signing of Luke Kennedy, a 24-year-old midfielder.
Our manager Scott Bonar was thrilled to bring Luke on board for the 2024/25 season, seeing him as a player who will seriously enhance the team. Prior to an 18-month stint with Dundonald Bluebell, our latest recruit played with Edinburgh City and Tynecastle. We recently caught up with Luke to find out more about him and discuss his hopes for the future.
How easy a decision was it to join Haddington Athletic and how did the move come about?
“Every time I played against Haddington, it was a club with a good feel about it. The ground has a good feel too and whenever we crossed paths, they were a well-respected club who also showed respect to the opposition. I got to know Scott a bit from talking to him at games and the style of football Haddington play was something that appealed. They like to get the ball down on the good surface they have and play.
“I have known Scott for a couple of seasons and knew a couple of boys who had played there before, so I thought there might have been interest. There was no contact until Scott got in touch with Dundonald and that’s how it came to fruition. As soon as I heard there was interest from Haddington – although I had an offer from another club – I had my heart set on joining.
“I joined because I knew we would have a good team. You would never get an easy game against Haddington. I knew I was coming to a team with quality. Scott was looking to add quality to the core that was there. You are never going to win anything by building a completely new squad every year.”
Have you settled in well?
“The boys have been great and Scott and Keyz (Kieran Ainslie, assistant manager) have made me feel very welcome. It’s little things like when I first came for pre-season training the folk around the club, including the committee, were welcoming me and that helped me to settle.
“But it was a slow start for me personally. I got injured before the season started after tweaking my hamstring, which affected game time in pre-season. I played against Berwick for 60 minutes just after my holiday and then pulled up in training after that. I came on against Glenrothes at half time. That was probably my best performance so far. Since then people have probably not seen the best of me – the best is still to come!”
What are your thoughts on the season so far?
“We had a good start, winning three from three, then had a tough run of games which we ideally wanted to take something out of, but early on in the season, everyone will take points off each other. You can quite easily lose three matches but not be too far away from the top, but you’re not too far away from the bottom either at this stage. If we get performances right, results will follow. We have a good enough squad to compete.”
What would be a realistic target for the months ahead?
“I think realistically we want to win every game and with the players we have we want to compete in every game. I do not want to get too hung up on what we want to do because we will end up with what we deserve. We need to focus on performances and results will then come and hopefully we will be towards the top end of the table and see progression, building on what was done last year.
“That’s the plan – rather than to regress. I think another good cup run where we can maybe get to a semi-final or final would be good – if you can do that then you have a chance of winning. And in the league, we will try to win every game and if we do that we will probably be right up there.”
What have been your greatest achievements so far as a footballer?
“They have been few and far between! I started off at Edinburgh City and made a few senior appearances, which I’m proud of. We won a league in the U20s but never really got to enjoy it because it was cut short by COVID. At Tynecastle I was made captain and then moved on to Dundonald where we finished 4th and then 8th last season, just below Haddington. There are not too many trophies but I’m happy with what I contributed to the teams I have been involved in. I’m hoping more fruitful times can be ahead.”
What interests do you have away from football and what do you do for a living?
“I have always been football daft. When I am not playing, I am either watching football or spending time with my family. I work throughout the week with Aegon in pensions. I enjoy spending time with friends too.”
Were there any particular players you admired growing up?
“It’s always been interesting and enjoyable to watch the best players on TV, like Messi obviously. Being left-footed I try to replicate – not often successfully! Being a Hibs fan, someone like Leigh Griffiths was a player I admired. I used to go to a lot more games when I was younger, but obviously don’t get to as many these days because of training and matches.”
