The club are delighted to announce the return of experienced winger Brennan Kiernan on a permanent deal.
The London native is the latest addition to Dowse’s side, and he played under the gaffer in his first stint as Beavers boss, featuring in the 17/18 campaign where we were playoff finalists.
Having started his professional career at AFC Wimbledon, he won promotion to the Football League Two in his first season and made his League Two debut on 24th September 2011. After 17 league appearances across the Conference and League Two, he left Wimbledon in 2013 and started his non-league journey.
After playing for multiple non-league clubs from 2013-2016, he landed at Beveree stadium in the 2015/16 season, winning the Isthmian Premier Division (then the Ryman Premier) and promotion to the National League South.
The former Crystal Palace academy product scored 11 goals in all competitions in the 15/16 season, and 30 in all competitions in the next two seasons in the National league South, with the club making the playoffs both seasons. He assisted Max Kretzschmar’s opener against Braintree Town in the 17/18 final.
Kiernan also recorded eleven assists that season and scored a hat-trick for HRBFC against Harlow Town in a 5-1 FA Trophy win.
Kiernan left the club as Dowson left in 2018, joining Welling United in the National League South, scoring 13 league goals in 42 appearances, earning a move to Harrogate Town in the National League in 2019.
He scored seven league goals as Harrogate were promoted to League Two.
He remained in League Two for four seasons, playing initially for Harrogate before moving first to Walsall, then Grimsby Town on loan, and finally Hartlepool United.
He made 93 appearances in League Two across the COVID-hampered three-year stint.
His next move saw him return to the club where it all started, Crystal Palace, in an academy player-coach role which is becoming increasingly popular with Premier League clubs to give their academy players an example of what an accomplished professional looks like.
The work with Palace also allowed Kiernan to stay fit while looking for a new club, and in the 24/25 season he signed a short-term deal with Maidenhead United, playing ten games and scoring five goals, and playing with current club captain Alan Massey!
He has been without a club since departing the Magpies in the summer and is eager to return with the Beavers.
Dowson is excited to have him back, saying, “He wanted to come. He’s got some great memories here, [and] people have great memories of him. We need creativity which he has in abundance.”
On his return, Brendan wrote "I'm looking forward to being back at HRBFC, working hard, making a positive impact and reconnecting with the supporters!"
Keep your eyes peeled on our socials today for some more exciting news!
Come see Brendan’s return to the Bev tomorrow!
Get your tickets HERE!