DOHA (Qatar): Real Kashmir head coach David Robertson said he has enjoyed his stint at the club ever since he joined them four seasons ago.
The ex-Rangers star has been at the heart of the club’s developmental programme as well as leading them to their I-League debut.
“I’ve had a few other offers over the years, but I just feel that I owe it to the people of Kashmir and everyone associated with the club, to come back and continue the work,” Robertson told i-league.org. “I’m not doing this for the financial gains nor am I using this as a stepping stone. I want to make an impact. Every time I go back home, I look forward to coming back here. I’m glad I did this.”
“When I first came to Kashmir, Lonestar Kashmir were the more popular club and we would attract only around maybe 200 spectators to our games in the Second Division. The spectators were mostly men and it was more of going out in the afternoon to watch a bit of football,” said the 51-year-old, who won three caps for Scotland.
As the coach himself describes, he had a “comfortable lifestyle” back in the USA with his family, before he decided to take up the job at Real Kashmir in January 2017.
“My wife was initially disgusted at my decision when I decided to leave my comfortable lifestyle behind and hop on a plane to Kashmir. But I think looking back now, everyone realises how big a part of my life this has become to my family and me,” he said.
“To see the club grow from obscurity to being even known in places like the UK or Scotland is a different experience. I do realise that it will probably end someday as all football jobs do, but I would like to believe that it has made me a better person,” added the Scott.
“I think I was way more materialistic back when I was living in the UK or USA. But you get a perspective on what’s important in life. Just looking at the backgrounds of some of the players that have played and are playing at the club, is a humbling experience.”
