Troon F.C. stalwart Dean Keenan has this week decided to move on from the club, and tonight’s match with Darvel will be his last at Portland Park.

Deano has been Assistant Manager at the club for 5 seasons now, on top of his 7 seasons as a player & Club Captain, and he looks to make the next step of his football career with everyone’s very best wishes.

IN THE BEGINNING…

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 ever 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 the Honest Men became a force to be reckoned with, with Keenan proving 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.

A MOVE TO THE SEASIDE

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.

A STEP INTO COACHING

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. As Assistant Manager, he has helped to drive standards both on and off the field, and has proved to be a vital cog in the team which has now secured a club record 7th season in the top flight of the West of Scotland Football League.

TESTIMONIAL

Following the 10 year Anniversary of Deano’s arrival at Troon, the club announced a Testimonial Campaign for him and that his former club Ayr United had agreed to provide opposition for a Testimonial Match. A Benefit Dinner and a Testimonial Golf Day were enjoyed by everyone and the turnout was a sign of the high regard in which Deano is held.