Troon F.C. stalwart Dean Keenan has announced that he is to retire from playing on medical grounds, bringing a 19 year playing career to an end.

We caught up with Deano to discuss the news with him in the video below:

Growing up in the south side of Glasgow, “Deano” played for the youth academy of his beloved boyhood club, Celtic, before being spotted by a Greenock Morton scout. He made his debut as the youngest Greenock Morton league player at the age of 16 when he took to the field as a second-half substitute against Queen of the South in August 2002, before going on to spend six years at Cappielow under Dave McPherson, John “Cowboy” McCormack & Jim McInally. He lifted the Second Division title with Morton in 2007 as part of a team that included Scott McLaughlin, Kieran McAnespie & Alex Williams.

Joining Ayr United in the winter transfer window of 2007-08 on loan sparked a new era for Deano, and he was one of Manager Brian Reid’s first signings after taking over the hot seat from Neil Watt. Quickly becoming a mainstay of the side under Reid, Keenan signed for Ayr on a permanent deal in the summer of 2008 and that season Ayr became a force to be reckoned with as Keenan a crucial player. Just one of his highlights that season was a wonderful headed goal against bitter rivals Kilmarnock in a Scottish Cup clash at Somerset Park.

That Ayr side were to be promoted via the play-offs after a season long battle with Raith Rovers for the title, a Mark Roberts double in the first leg & a Ryan Stevenson goal in the second sealing victory over Airdrie United at the Excelsior to spark wild scenes amongst the travelling support (and probably a few days of celebrations for Deano!).

In season 2010-11, Deano suffered a devastating injury to the cruciate ligament in his knee whilst training with Ayr United at Belmont Academy. An injury that would finish the career of many players, Deano was determined that was not going to finish him & he worked like a soldier to get his fitness back, only to suffer the agonising blow of a recurrence of the same injury during his comeback. Another operation later, and a cartilage operation later, Deano accepted his senior football career was all but over at the age of 26. Still as determined as ever, he refused to give up & made his comeback in the Juniors with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, before joining Troon in January 2012.

Deano confounded the doubters after a stuttering start to his Troon career as he shook off his injury woes, and quickly became the heartbeat of the side, and heartbeat of the dressing room, that won back-to-back promotions, as well as the Ayrshire Cup & Super First Division title in 2014. After cementing a defensive partnership with Gavin Collins, Deano led us into the Super Premier Division in 2015, where he went on to consolidate his position as one of the top Junior players in Scotland season after season.

His career moved onto it’s next stage in June 2019 when he made his first move into coaching, appointed Player/Assistant Manager to new Manager Jonny Baillie before then working under his long-time Manager & friend Jimmy Kirkwood again. It’s a role he has excelled in so far, and one he will now look to progress even further.

A frustrating end to his career for it to come to a close not on his terms, but most certainly a playing career to be proud of.

With the 10 year Anniversary of Deano’s arrival at Troon almost upon us, we are delighted to announce that Ayr United have agreed to provide opposition for a testimonial match, which we hope will follow hot on the heels of the re-arranged testimonial for Scott Chatham, which was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. News on both to follow soon, but now is the time to celebrate the career of one of the finest players in the Junior grade for the last decade.

A terrific player, an even better man & a legend at Troon Football Club.

Thankyou for everything, Dean Keenan!