Raith star Paul Browne joins Kirkcaldy and Dysart

The club’s board has announced that, while being involved in all football activities at the club, Browne will have specific responsibility for putting together and managing an under 20 squad.

A defender during his playing career, Browne (44) began at Aston Villa joining them as an 18-year old, making three appearances for Villa between 1993 and 1996 and winning four Scotland U21 caps.

Between 1996 and 2003 he made over 218 appearances for Raith Rovers, the club he is most synonymous with, scoring 11 times from central defence and became hugely popular with the Stark’s Park faithful.

After leaving Rovers, Browne moved to Arbroath where he played almost 40 times.

He then joined Lochore Welfare in 2004 before moving on to St Andrews United in 2008, winning promotion the following year.

Browne signed for Kirkcaldy YM in 2011 in manager Craig Ness’s first stint at the club.

In recent years he has been coach of the very successful Glenrothes Strollers team which is currently in the Association of Fife Youth Clubs under 19 league.

He said: “I have been offered a few opportunities in the past but nothing was as good as this one.

“After talking with the committee and hearing the plans the club have for the future it is exciting and I’m so looking forward to being part of it.”

It is planned that, if the Kirkcaldy’s application to join the East of Scotland League is successful, they will thereafter apply to join the Lowland Development League which caters for Under 20 teams from the Lowland and East of Scotland Leagues.

Manager Craig Ness said was happy to team up with Browne once again.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Paul has agreed to join our club for what will be a very exciting new journey,” he said.

“I’ve known Paul for a long time now and having someone of his experience will be fantastic to have around.

“More importantly will be Paul’s knowledge of the youth game as we see that as a massive part of the club moving forward.”